L’Estrange spoke up:
“I suppose we might geef ze exhibition ourselves, Meestare Darleton,” he said. “Zat might please ze spectators bettaire than nothing.”
“But it would not be like a bout in which there was an element of uncertainty. Every one would know you could defeat me easily if you cared to. If I counted on you I’d win no credit, for they would say you permitted me to do it.”
The desire of the fellow for applause and his thirst to display his skill by defeating some one was all too evident.
Suddenly he turned sharply to again face Frank.
“How about you?” he asked.
Merry lifted his eyebrows.
Hodge felt a tingling, for he realized that an open challenge was coming.
“About me?” repeated Frank questioningly.
“Yes, how about you? You think you can fence.”