"What time?" asked Malgares.
"The sooner the better."
At this he excused himself, and conducted Walker into another room. I spent the brief interval of waiting admiring a glorious painting by Velasquez for which Malgares had paid a fabulous sum in gold ingots. My enjoyment was not forced or feigned. With the assurance of action in the immediate future, I really felt lighter and easier in mind than at any time since the ball.
Malgares returned, with a clouded brow. "He was astonished. I do not wonder. Men nowadays are not usually so chivalrous as to give the game into the hands of their opponents."
"It is a case of two sets of loaded dice," I replied. "Mine are loaded beyond all question of fair play."
"And his the same!"
"That is to be seen. You accepted the challenge? All is arranged?"
Malgares nodded, still troubled. "I could do none else. We meet them at sunrise to-morrow, at the east end of the aqueduct. It is possible we may have use for your pistols. Have them ready. I shall call for you in good time, with my coach."
"You think there may be need of it to bring me home," I rallied him.
"God forbid!" he protested, crossing himself. "My only thought was that you might pass unobserved."