Much of the general conversation concerned the coming bouts. Opinions were freely expressed as to the abilities and merits of different contestants and there was much good-natured argument and banter.
There was also not a little quiet betting.
In one of the big main rooms of the club, Merry met three Yale men, who expressed their delight at seeing him there. While he was talking with them François L’Estrange came up. The Frenchman knew them also, and he paused to shake hands all round.
“What’s the matter, L’Estrange?” asked one. “You seem rather downcast and troubled over something.”
The fencing master shrugged his shoulders.
“Eet is unfortunate,” he declared. “I haf to geef you ze information zat there will be no fencing zis night.”
“Why, how is that?” they exclaimed.
“Meestare Marlowe, who was to meet Meestare Darleton, ees not here.”
“Not here?”
“No.”