“When is the meeting?” said Richard calmly.
“At six to-morrow morning.”
“Where did you say?”
“On the sands, two miles out below the east cliff.”
“Why there?”
“We shall want an excuse for going out so early, my lad. We can be going to bathe, and so be unnoticed, and there will be no fear of an interruption,” said the Colonel grimly. “This is to be no play affair, Dick. An officer in His Majesty’s service cannot submit to a horse-whipping from a civilian without trying to get ample satisfaction.”
He looked at Richard with a grave air of pity in his countenance.
“Did you ever shoot a man?” said Richard, as they were walking briskly back.
“Do you mean wounded or killed?”
“The latter.”