Dick hesitated.
"I'm afraid I was a little rude the other day?"
"No offense, I'm sure, Mr. Welford—"
"Of course, you can guess I'm in love with Miss Barton—"
"I hadn't speculated on that point!" Socola laughed.
"Well, I've been speculating about you—"
"Indeed?"
"Yes—and I'm going to be honest with you—I don't like you—we're enemies from to-day. But I'll play the game fair and the best man wins—"
The two held each other's eye steadily for a moment and Socola's white teeth flashed.
"The best man wins, M'sieur!"