At that moment the Captain saw Judge Houston make a step towards Sargent. Quick as a flash his voice rang out—
"Are you ready, gentlemen? There is the sun."
It was too late for the warning. Judge Houston dropped back as Sargent and Jervais stepped out on the clear stretch of sand. Turning back to back, each walked ten strides in the opposite direction, then turned again and faced each other. Sargent threw his cane from him, and looked into Jervais' scowling face, a few yards away from him. In his opponent's restless eyes, in his twitching lips and slightly trembling hands, he understood, without being told, what the Captain had done for him.
On the light breeze that raced before the dawn, the Captain's voice came firm and loud.
"Gentlemen! Are you ready? Fire! One—"
Jervais fired.
"Two!"
Sargent's pistol was raised and as his fingers clasped the trigger, in the knowledge that he must fire he aimed far to the right of Jervais, then, with an uncontrollable movement, found himself pointing directly at his opponent as the shot rang out.
"Three!"
When the whiff of smoke had cleared, both men were standing looking at each other. For a second they stood still, then the seconds rushed between and the duel was over.