“It must be confessed,” said Q. Metellus, who had come forward and was now standing by the side of Cornelius, “that the Museum has made but a sorry show here to-day, either as a tool or worse; and I should not much blame P. Cornelius if he had taken a worse view of us than he does. We have had a most instructive time, but no thanks to the Museum for it. We were trapped into it. For my part I disclaim all fellowship with Beco and his proceedings; and if I could think it possible that another such scoundrel could be found attached to the Museum I should be tempted to forsake it for cleaner quarters. If I should wish the examination to proceed further it would be solely for the purpose of vindicating our good name and showing that Beco is the only devil among us.”
On this arose another young man among the benches of the Museum who commended in a general sort of way the remarks of Metellus; but then said that the Museum had formally taken the ground that it was not proper to take any accomplishment for granted, saving as the higher includes the lower. It would not only be inconsistent but an unfortunate precedent should they leave the testing incomplete. To be sure, the young man who calls himself Aleph the Chaldean has borne himself well thus far; still he might wholly fail under the remaining test. Certainly the Museum, however well satisfied at present, would be better satisfied if the whole plan agreed upon should be carried out. He did not anticipate another Beco in Draco. No doubt Draco would be forbearing with the young man, and would only tax him enough to make a reasonable trial of his skill in the gentlemanly art of fence. For this purpose no dangerous weapons need be used—only the open hands. As the candidate did not seem to be at all worn by what he had done, let him have a chance to win new laurels from Draco of Rhodes.
Some of the Museum applauded.
“But Euphemes of Corinth should consider,” began P. Cornelius; but Aleph laid his hand on his arm and said, “Excuse me, my friend.”
Then turning toward the Museum, he added in a voice that had in it a touch of humor as well as several touches of decision, “I beg that the Museum may be gratified by the complete carrying out of the plan they have proposed. I do not ask for exceptions in my favor, either from my fellow students or from your teacher of fence. Let him do his best—provided he deal fairly and honorably.”
This settled the matter, though Cornelius and some others, especially of the Serapeum, looked and muttered discontent. “It is too bad. Talk of fairness and honor in connection with such a desperado as Draco! Depend upon it there is some wickedness in the wind. When such a fellow comes to the front the gods retire.”
And he was a formidable figure to look at, as he presented himself in the arena. A man of unusual stature and weight, with prodigious muscular development about the arms and chest, but without obesity and with every appearance of activity as well as of strength. His face was the worst part of him—shaggy, coarse, hard, cruel, with protuberant blood-shot eyes out of which looked all the passions save fear and pity—the whole made more repulsive by a large swelling on one cheek which Aleph well understood.
To this forbidding figure Aleph walked down (followed at a little distance by Cornelius and Metellus) and stood before him with folded arms and investigating eyes.
Draco proceeded to pass his hands across the shoulders and chest of the young man; felt of his arms; took their length; inspected his hands; stood off a little distance to observe the limbs and general build.
“Very well to begin upon. I think I could make something of you. Not quite enough like Mars, however.” Then, taking the attitude of a boxer, he said, “Now deliver some blows at me with your open hand.”