Arms and the Woman
Page 74"What the deuce is she smiling about?" I wondered. "Does the woman
take me for a modern D'Artagnan?"
"Innkeeper," said the lieutenant, "if this man is not here when I
return, I'll take satisfaction out of your hide."
The innkeeper shrugged. "I have never heard of an Englishman running
away."
"And I have seen many a German do that," I put in. "How am I to know
that your going to the barracks is not a ruse?"
He gasped. The words would not come which would do justice to his
feelings. He drew off one of his gloves and threw it into my face. It
stepping between.
"No, Herr," he said; "do not disable him."
"You had best go to the barracks at once," said I to the lieutenant.
My clothes were too small for me now, and I did not shiver in my shoes.
My "Yankee" blood was up. I would have fought him with battle axes.
"Herr," said the innkeeper, when the two had made off for the barracks,
"you are a man of courage."
"Thanks," said I.
"Do you know anything about rapiers?" he asked.
any difference. I'd fight him with any weapon. He struck me; and
then--then, he kissed Gretchen."
"I have wiped it off, Herr," said Gretchen, dryly. Then she passed
from the room.
I went upstairs too. I looked out of my window. There was moonlight;
possibly the last time I should ever see moonlight in the land of the
living. Nothing but a mishap on my opponent's part, and that early in
the combat, would save my epidermis. The absurd side of the affair
struck me, and I laughed, mirthlessly, but none the less I laughed. If
not like pistols as a dueling apparatus. They often miss fire. A
sword is a surer weapon. And then, the French use them--the
pistols--in their fiascoes. Rapiers? I was as familiar with the
rapier as I was with the Zulu assegai. I unstrapped my traveling case
and took out Phyllis's photograph. I put it back. If I was to have a
last look at any woman it should be at Gretchen. Then I got out my
cane and practiced thrusting and parrying. My wrist was strong.