Thus asked, the Major could not refuse, and he made a sign that he accepted.
"Be good enough to indicate our places, gentlemen," continued Zodomirsky, giving me his sabre and taking off his coat; "then load, if you please."
"That is useless," said Stamm. "I have brought the pistols; one of the two is loaded, the other has only a gun-cap."
"Do you know which is which?" said Pravdine.
"What does it matter?" replied Stamm, "Monsieur Zodomirsky will choose."
"It is well," said Zodomirsky.
Belayef drew his sabre and thrust it in the ground midway between the two pyramids. Then he took another sabre and planted it before the first. One pace alone separated the two blades. Each adversary was to stand behind a sabre, extending his arm at full length. In this way each had the muzzle of his opponent's pistol at six inches from his heart. While Belayef made these preparations Stamm unbuckled his sabre and divested himself of his coat. His seconds opened his box of pistols, and Zodomirsky, approaching, took without hesitation the nearest to him. Then he placed himself behind one of the sabres.
Stamm regarded him closely; not a muscle of Zodomirsky's face moved, and there was not about him the least appearance of bravado, but of the calmness of courage.
"He is brave," murmured Stamm.
And taking the pistol left by Zodomirsky he took up his position behind the other sabre, in front of his adversary.