“Ah, that's the idea!” exclaimed the dude, much relieved.
“Yes. You see it will only be a sham duel so far as we are concerned, but will, in the most harmless fashion possible, prove you to be a man of honor and courage. Major Sampson's scruples will vanish, and you will have the pleasure of gaining his daughter's hand in marriage.
“I agree, Mr. Montgomery—the plan is a famous one. Is it yours or is it Joe's?”
“Joe's—but it will fall to me to help carry it out,” said the Jack-of-all-trades, who did not lose sight of the fifty dollars that had been promised to him.
On the following day Felix Gussing and Mr. Montgomery took themselves to Major Sampson's residence, where the stranger was introduced as a curiosity hunter from Chicago.
“He wishes to look at your collection of swords,” said the dude.
“I shall be delighted to show them,” said the major, who was a person of great self-importance.
“Ah, this is a fine sword from the Holy Land,” said Mr. Montgomery, handling one of the blades.
“I don't know where it came from,” said the major. “It was presented to me by a friend from Boston.”
“That is a Russian sword,” said the dude. “I know it by its handle.”