"They're on time," whispered Paul.
"Yes. I hope the Colonel doesn't hear of it."
As they drew nearer, Stiver stepped forward and said:
"Is your man ready, Drew?"
"All ready."
"Then we demand to know the weapons. My principal will object to pistols, as they make too much noise."
"My principal has the choice of weapons, as you know, and unless he is allowed to exercise it we must decline to fight."
Paul spoke as though it was very serious.
"I know, but, hang it all, man, we can't fight with pistols. We'd have the whole crowd down on us," objected Stiver, in some alarm.
"I'll not fight with pistols," put in Dutton, which was a wrong thing for a brave duelist to do.