Stamm was waiting for me when I arrived at his house. His conditions were these: Two sabres were to be planted at a distance of one pace apart; each opponent to extend his arm at full length and fire at the word "three." One pistol alone was to be loaded.
I endeavored in vain to obtain another mode of combat.
"It is not a victim I offer to M. Zodomirsky," said Stamm, "but an adversary. He will fight as I propose, or I will not fight at all; but in that case I shall prove that M. Zodomirsky is brave only when sure of his own safety."
Zodomirsky's orders were imperative. I accepted.
When I entered Zodomirsky's rooms, they were vacant; he had not arrived. I looked round with curiosity. They were furnished in a rich but simple manner, and with evident taste. I drew a chair near the balcony and looked out over the plain. A storm was brewing; some drops of rain fell already, and thunder moaned.
At this instant the door opened, and Zodomirsky and Pravdine entered. I advanced to meet them.
"We are late, Captain," said Zodomirsky, "but it was unavoidable."
"And what says Stamm?" he continued.
I gave him his adversary's conditions. When I had ended, a sad smile passed over his face; he drew his hand across his forehead and his eyes glittered with feverish lustre.
"I had foreseen this," he murmured. "You have accepted, I presume?"