"Be careful," I warned.
Gretchen was calmly wiping her cheek; but her eyes were like polished emeralds.
"You came here, I believe," said I, "to see if my passports were proper."
"Damn you and your passports! Are you a gentleman?"
"Would you recognize one if you saw him?" I laughed.
"Can you fight?"
"Certainly," said I, thinking of the weapons nature in her kindness had given to me.
"Good! Otto, have the horses brought around. We will cut for the barracks and get the colonel's weapons—the rapiers."
The word "rapier" sent an icy chill up my spine. A duel!
"The devil!" said I, under my breath. I knew less about fencing than I did about aerial navigation, which was precious little. The fact that Gretchen was now smiling aggravated the situation. I could not help the shudder. Why, the fellow would make a sieve out of me!