“Look here,” said Chester, interrupting. “With the whole German army lined up in front of us, it seems to me that our friend should be able to find all the fighting he wants. This fighting among ourselves is all nonsense.”
“But my friend’s honor——” began the Frenchman.
“Bosh!” declared Chester. “It wasn’t your friend’s honor that was hurt. It was his face.”
“Then am I to understand that your friend refuses to fight?”
“No!” shouted Chester. “He doesn’t refuse to fight. He just doesn’t see the necessity of fighting. That’s all. But if you insist, he will give your friend all the satisfaction he wants.”
“I must insist,” replied Lieutenant Mercer.
“All right, then,” said Chester. “I am not familiar with dueling etiquette, but as the challenged party I believe the choice of weapons lies with us.”
The Frenchman bowed in assent.
“Then let it be swords!”
“Good! And the time and place?”