Varley expressed no astonishment, but a faint smile flashed for a moment over his face.
“You Dog’s Ear men are unlucky,” he said. “I’ve brought the money; but if she’s gone you can’t claim it.”
“That’s so,” said Simon, with the phlegm of his kind. “But what does this mean?” and he looked curiously from Trafford to Howard.
Varley smiled.
“This gentleman and I have met and had a little difference,” he said. “And we have decided to settle it here and now. You have come just in time, and can act as umpire.”
Simon looked confused and bewildered for a moment. Then his face cleared. For a fight of any kind, with or without weapons, is always a precious thing to a man, wild or tame.
“Is that so?” he said, addressing Trafford.
“It is so,” said Varley; “you may take my word for it. Measure out twenty paces, will you?”
Simon strode twenty paces, and the two men took up their positions.
Varley tossed his silk handkerchief to Simon.