Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 315: what you’re looking at

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

306 the code duello, and by an intense desire to take down this martinet who had come from that other martinet, his principal. “My name is Barber,” responded Joe, briskly. “I am very busy at this moment. Pray take a seat. I will at- tend to you as soon as possible.” With this he was about to close the door and withdraw into the private of- fice, when the newcomer, with a most horror stricken look of amazement, exclaimed : “ But, Senor Barber! Is it possible that you do not realize that this 1s an affair of honor?” “ All my affairs are affairs of honor,” Joe retorted. “But this will admit of no delay, senor.” “ Neither will my present business.’ The young man fairly fumed with rage, and was altogether so wrought up, that Joe, foreseeing the possibility of a second challenge, concluded that it would be best to receive the message without subjecting the messenger to further delay. Really, he had no choice in the matter, for the young man stalked across the room and handed him a sealed envelope. ‘I decline to be put off in this way,” he declared savagely. Joe glanced at the envelope and re- sponded: “I really can’t take the time to read this at present, but if it comes, as I presume it does, from Senor Victor Valla del Rey, its purport is sufficiently known to me.” “It is from Lieutenant Valla del Rey.” said the caller, stiffly. “Very well, then,” returned Joe. ‘ Pernit me to refer you to Captain Gabriel Tooker, U. S. A.” “ You are evidently unfamiliar with the code,” sneered the caller, “and I wonder that Lieutenant Valla del Rey deigns to give you the privilege of meeting him upon the field of honor. Captain Tooker, I trust, will know bet- ter. I have the pleasure of taking my departure.” 7 THE ARGOSY. The door.banged behind the com- nussioner of honor, and with a pro- found sigh, Joe returned to his caller and resumed the discussion of an office building. CHAPTER XV. CAPTAIN TOOKER. “ SEE here, Joe, this really won't do. Great Guns! To think that I should have come across the sea with no better hope than to fight the Spaniards, and yet that I should stand here feeling bound to oppose the best fight with that race that it has yet been my priv- ilege to strike! All the same, Joe, my personal desires must be sacrificed. This due! ought not to take place.” ~ You're quite right,” Joe answered languidly. “ But can’t it be arranged ? ” “I hope so, sincerely, captain, and that is properly your function, isn’t we” “ I suppose it is, but damme, I never saw a young buck who gave so little promise of pliability in my life as that Montoro, who is acting as your adver- Sary’s second.” “ Is his name Montoro? ”’ asked Joe, wearily. “ Well, by the sword of my grand- father!” cried Captain Tooker, “ you don't seem to: be half awake to the sit- uation. Do you realize, man, that you have been challenged to fight? Do you know that all Ponce is aware of it? Do you know that, unhappily, the rem- nant of the pro Spanish population here now looks upon you as the embodi- ment of American courage and honor?” Well, confound it, captain,” inter- rupted Joe, a little wrathfully, “ I’m going to meet the emergency. Ameri- can courage and honor isn’t going to suffer through me, and if you fear that it is, I'll get my secretary to act as my second.” “Qh, here, here,” and the G@lamicioioole CO