“Major O’Teague,” he said, “I have to inform you that I have been giving the question of the projected duel my earnest thought, and the conclusion that I have come to is that I am not called on to fight Mr. Mathews.”
CHAPTER XXIX
The words, spoken deliberately, but without any particular emphasis, startled Dick quite as much as they did Major O’Teague.
“You’re a coward, sir, and I will force you to fight me!” shouted Mathews.
Dick took a couple of steps to the side of Mr. Long, and at the same instant O’Teague took three to the side of Mathews.
“Hold your tongue, sir; leave me to manage this affair,” said Major O’Teague to his principal.
He took a step nearer Mr. Long.
“I’m afraid, sir,” he said in a frigid tone and with a distinctly English accent, which sounded very much more formal than the soft Irish slur which came so easily to him—“I’m afraid that there’s some misunderstanding between us; but a little explanation will, I daresay, tend to smooth away matters, and lead to such an amicable settlement that the fight will take place as originally intended. Pray, sir, state your reasons for saying that you’re not called on to consummate the jewel. Come, sir, your reasons.”