"Mr. Bascomb will not do anything of the kind!"
"Very well; I shall not apologize to him."
"Then you must fight him."
"I will do so with the greatest of pleasure."
"Oh, you won't find much fun in it," sneered Reynolds. "It isn't going to be that kind of a fight. Bascomb is thirsting for your life. It was with the greatest difficulty I persuaded him not to challenge you to fight a duel with deadly weapons. He said he would take satisfaction in meeting you in an affair of honor where he could run a blade through your body or perforate you with a bullet."
Frank whistled again.
"Why, he has become very courageous since he took to bullying boys! He is really bloodthirsty."
"He is determined to square accounts with you, sir. He says you have been boning military at his expense for some time, just to show your authority."
"Which he knows is absolutely false," Frank flashed back. "I have reprimanded him when compelled to do so by his utter disregard of what is right."
"That may be your opinion; Mr. Bascomb thinks differently. He demands that this fight take place without delay."