"Gentlemen," said Botts, "I call you to witness that it was all my fault. I beg Mr. Wiggins's pardon."
"It is granted," said Wiggins.
"And now, gentlemen," said Botts, "be so good as to leave us to ourselves. You see it is all made up, and we are the best friends in the world."
At this request all left the room. M. T. Pate, however, lingered at the door for a moment, and said, in an admonitory tone,—
"For Heaven's sake, Botts, do not quarrel with Wiggins again!"
"No fear of that, Mr. Pate." And with this assurance Pate closed the door.
Botts being alone with his second, there was a repetition of apologies and mutual explanations; after which each became assured of the sanity of the other, and was more at his ease.
"But," asked Botts, "did Belton really say anything about broad-axes?"
Wiggins hesitated. He seemed to be afraid to again give utterance to a word which had just put him in such imminent peril. At length he said, in a low tone,—
"He did, indeed."