“There is but one, unless––” with meaning pause.
“I repeat, there is but one.”
Ichabod’s long face held like wood.
“Consider yourself, then, the challenged party.”
They were both very calm, now; the immediate exciting cause in the mind of neither. It seemed as if they had been expecting this time for years, had been preparing for it.
“Perhaps, as yesterday, in the saloon?” The points of the big moustaches twitched ironically. “I promise you there’ll be no procrastination as––at certain cases recorded.” 211
The mockery, malice inspired, was cleverly turned, and Ichabod’s big chin protruded ominously, as he came over and fairly towered above the small man.
“Most assuredly it’ll not be as yesterday. If we’re going to reverse civilization, we may as well roll it away back. We’ll settle it alone, and here.”
Asa Arnold smiled up into the blue eyes.
“You’d prefer to make the adjustment with your hands, too, perhaps? There’d be less risk, considering––” He stopped at the look on the face above his. No man vis-à-vis with Ichabod Maurice ever made accusation of cowardice. Instead, instinctive sarcasm leaped to his lips.