CHAPTER XIX.
THE DUEL.
"It seems to me," said Hal quietly, "that there is enough fighting to be done at the front without fighting among ourselves. Besides, we have important business in Paris immediately."
"It won't take long to dispose of this fellow, Hal," said Chester significantly.
"Perhaps not," replied Hal, "but you know there is always the chance that you may fall. Then they would probably drag me into it, and, if I went down, what would happen to the document we bear?"
"That's true," said Chester. He turned to his adversary. "Is it understood," he asked, "that, if I fall, there is an end of the quarrel?"
The Frenchman bowed in assent.
"And if you kill me," he said, "my friends will not molest you."
"Well, that suits me," said Chester. "Where and when are we going to fight this thing out?"
"Immediately," was the reply; "and, with our host's permission, we shall fight right here, monsieur."