“How if the challenge arrive too late—in the evening say?”
“Carrambo!—to use our old Mexican shibboleth—I’ve thought of that—of everything. The challenge shall come early—must come, if your adversary be a gentleman. I’ve hit upon a plan to force it out of him in good time.”
“Your plan?”
“You’ll write to him—that is, I shall—to say you are compelled to leave Newport to-night; that a matter of grand importance has suddenly summoned you away. Appeal to him, as a man of honour, to send in his invitation at once, so that you may arrange a meeting. If he don’t do so, by all the laws of honour you will be free to go, at any hour you may name.”
“That will be challenging the challenger. Will it be correct?”
“Of course it will. I’ll be answerable. It’s altogether en règle—strictly according to the code.”
“I agree to it, then.”
“Enough! I must set about composing the letter. Being a little out of the common, it will require some thought. Where are your pens and ink?”
Maynard pointed to a table, on which were the writing materials.
Drawing up a chair, Roseveldt seated himself beside it.