"At any hour that suits your convenience."
"Would to-morrow morning be too soon?" hinted the officer.
"That time is as well as at a later period."
"And the distance? We must not talk about feet, but how many rods our friends are to be placed apart?" Merriam said.
"I have given the subject a moment's consideration," I replied, "and think that ten rods will be better for your friend than double that distance."
"I shall certainly venture to disagree with you on that point," replied the lieutenant. "I think that twenty rods is full near enough."
"Why, they will hardly be able to distinguish each other so far apart," I said; "but you shall have it as you wish."
"Thank you. Then nothing farther remains but to point out a very beautiful spot where the business can be settled in the most amicable manner. If you will step to the door I think I can show you the field, with not a tree or hill that can line either party on ground. Ah, yes, there it is, away to the right after passing the end of the road, and beyond the white fence. Do you see it?"
I nodded in the affirmative.
"Well, say five in the morning to be on the ground. Does that suit your convenience?"