They were not destined to be kept in suspense, for Haggard and his party had preceded them. All three Englishmen, Haggard, the general and Lord Spunyarn, were attired in ordinary walking dress; the general and Spunyarn advanced to meet De Kerguel. Barbiche and the surgeon remained a little apart.
"Gentlemen," said De Kerguel, as he courteously raised his hat, "we owe you an apology."
General Pepper's ruddy face assumed a purple hue. "Did these fellows mean to cry off after all?" But he was soon reassured.
"We have thought it better," said the Frenchman with a smile, "to avoid mixing up any one else in this unfortunate affair. Hence, gentlemen, we have dispensed with the usual second témoin. Dr. Battista, of the Papal Zouaves, is present. We had better perhaps lose no time."
"Be good enough," said the general, "to look at these." And from under his blue military cloak, which lay upon the ground, he drew a pair of regulation sabres, perhaps a little exceeding the ordinary length. They were heavy, murderous-looking weapons.
"I cannot object, gentlemen," said the Frenchman, as he carefully measured them and weighed them in either hand. "But——" here he eloquently shrugged his shoulders.
The expectant adversaries lost no time. They divested themselves of their coats and vests, and, bare-headed, each advanced to receive his weapon.
The general traced two lines on the dusty earth, about eight feet apart. Barbiche and Haggard took their places. The old general stood between them, but a little to one side; he held his stick, with the point raised a little from the ground, ready to dash aside the blades the instant that blood should be drawn.
"En garde, messieurs," exclaimed De Kerguel.