The Price He Paid — page 272: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE CHALLENGE. 263 at least, was an honorable foe. He attacked me, certainly, but it wasin open combat; he met me face to face. You prefer to shoot from under am- bush, calling strangers to help you in the work. You had no hesitation in supplying the police and the newspapers with weapons against me, but when it comes to facing me and the arm which shall avenge the dishonor done me, your courage fails you. Verily, Rudolph, I should not have believed you capable of such mean and pitiful conduct!” “Hnough!” Brunnow interposed, in a half-stifled voice. “Nota word more—lI accept your challenge.” His breast heaved with a quick convulsive move- ment. -He had grown deadly pale, and his whole frame shook with emotion. | , “Good. I will request Colonel Wilten, the com- mandant of the garrison, here, to act as my second. He will arrange the necessary preliminaries with any gentleman you may name as yours.” Brunnow merely bowed his head in assent. The baron took his hat from the table, and then went up to the doctor again. “One thing more, Rudolph,” he said, slowly. “This is to me a matter of deadlv earnest. As you will feel, seeing the injury you have done me, this duel must be to the death between us. I shall expect that it be not turned into a comedy. It might seem good to you to fire in the air. Do not compel me to repeat before our seconds that which I have said to you here. I give you my word Il shall take that course, should your aim be pur- pnosely misdirected.” Brunnow drew himself up, and his eyes blazed with fierce, passionate hatred. “Do not fear,” he said. “The words you have _spoken to-day have been as the death knell to our ast. Any lingering reminiscences of youth are buried from henceforth. You are right. <A duel between us two must be to the death. I, too, know how to avenge an imputation on my honor.” “To-morrow, then, we meet. I will go now and seek the colonel.” | He drew back the bolt from the decor, and left the Eomichbooks. co