Scarlett appeared to consider for a space.
"There is no risk, and, after all, it makes it less like a crime," he said, under his breath. But aloud he only answered, "I will fight you for the papers here and now."
Walter bowed his head, well pleased.
"That is spoken like my old Jack!" he said.
Lieutenant Scarlett went to the arras and threw it open with both hands. It ran with brazen rings upon a bar in the Flemish manner.
"Clairvaux! Ferrand!" he cried.
And two young officers in gay uniforms immediately appeared.
"Gentlemen," he said, addressing them, "this is Walter Gordon, Lord of Lochinvar. He has done me the honor to propose crossing swords with me here in this room. If he should kill me or have me at his mercy he is to be allowed free passage and outgate. Also he fights far from his friends, and therefore one of you will be good enough to act as his second."
The younger of the two officers, he who had answered to the name of Ferrand, a tall, fair-haired Frenchman of the Midi, at once said, "I shall consider it an honor to act as second to the Sieur of Lochinvar."
"In the event of my death you will consider these orders imperative, and equally binding upon your honor as upon mine own," said John Scarlett.