But they understood their mutual natures too well to waste any words in argument, for neither would yield.
"Very well, Professor; we'll draw lots."
"I will agree to that."
It was so dark in the room that they could not see each other, nor did either window afford light enough for their purpose.
Grimcke glanced out the door. No immediate movement seemed impending, and they moved to the fire-place. The Professor kicked some of the ashes aside and a tiny blaze arose, throwing a dull illumination over a few feet of the room.
The Professor drew an American coin from his pocket,—one that he had kept ever since entering South America.
"Now," said he, placing both hands behind his back, "tell me which contains it."
"The right," said the New Englander.
"You have lost," coolly replied the Professor, bringing the two hands quickly to the front and opening the palms.
Sure enough the coin was in the left, but the sly fellow did not confess that he had deftly changed it after his companion made his guess.