There he comes now.
Well, Bell, you've been long enough about it--must be your first case." The infantryman bowed rather coldly, his back against the closed door, as he surveyed us both.
"I have not had much experience in such affairs, Major Hardy, and I desired some understanding of the circumstances before finally consenting to act," he replied stiffly.

"I am informed that Captain Le Gaire is the challenged party." "Well, that might be a question, but we will waive the technicalities.
Le Gaire provoked the fight, and was rather nasty about it in my judgment, but all we are anxious about now is to get the preliminaries over with as soon as possible.

We acknowledge that your man was the one challenged." "Then, sir, we demand an immediate meeting, and name swords as the weapons." Hardy turned to me, a smile of delight illumining his face.
"Good enough," he exclaimed, sufficiently loud to reach the ears of the astonished captain.

"Not so bad, hey, Galesworth ?" I nodded, but without venturing a reply, and Bell exhibited his surprise in his face.
"Is--is Lieutenant Galesworth an expert with the sabre ?" he asked, after a moment's silence.
"Is he!" echoed Hardy.

"Do you mean to say Le Gaire has never heard of him ?" "I--I think not." "That's odd.