"I will count three, and then give the word," said Frank Merriwell, distinctly. "One!"
Despite himself, Willis Paulding felt his flesh creep and heard his teeth chatter.
Thornton was shaking, even though he had been assured by Tad Horner that there were no bullets in the pistols.
Diamond was cool as an iceberg. The bright moonlight seemed to show a look of deadly determination on his face.
"Confound him!" thought Thornton, quaking. "He'd as lief fight a duel as eat! Hang those Southerners! They do not know what it is to be afraid!"
"Two!" counted Merriwell.
The duelists raised their weapons and seemed to take careful aim.
"Three—fire!"
At that instant there was a scream, and a female figure sprang out from the shadows and rushed before Jack just as Thornton pulled the trigger.
There was a single report, and the female figure