Arms and the Woman

The golden summer moon was far up now, and the yellow light of it came

into the window and illumined the grim face of the innkeeper, throwing

a grotesque shadow of him onto the floor. The leaves rustled and

purred against the eaves. As the branches moved so did the light and

darkness move over the innkeeper's visage. He was silent and

meditative.

"An epic?" I said.

"An epic."

"Innkeeper," said I, "if I give you my word of honor not to molest you

or leave this room, will you let me be a witness?"

He passed into the gloom, then back into the light.

"This is no trick?" suspiciously. "I have a deal of regard for my

bones, old as they are."

"On my honor."

"Well, I'll do it. It is in the blood of us all. But a false move on

your part, and I promise you that this knife shall find a resting place

in you."

He cut the ropes and I was free. But my arms ached.

The two of us took our stand by the window and waited for the

principals in the drama about to be enacted in the clearing. I confess

that my conscience was ill at ease; why, I knew not. I was dreading

something, I knew not what. The inn-keeper's hand trembled on my arm.

"Sh! they come," he whispered.

As I looked beyond his finger I saw four figures advance over the

sward. One of them, a slight boyish form, was new to me. The fellow

walked briskly along at the side of Stahlberg, who was built on the

plan of a Hercules. When they came to the clearing they stopped. The

seconds went through the usual formalities of testing the temper of the

swords. Somehow, I could not keep my eyes off the youngster, who was

going to do battle with the veteran; and I could not help wondering

where in the world he had come from, and why in the world he had chosen

this place to settle his dispute in. There were plenty of convenient

places in the village, in and around the barracks. He took his

position, back to me, so I could not tell what he was like. The moon

shone squarely in the lieutenant's face, upon which was an expression

of contempt mingled with confidence. My heart thumped, for I had never

seen a duel before.

"I do not know where you came from," I heard the lieutenant say; "but

you managed nicely to pick a quarrel. It is all on your own head. It

is too bad that cur of an Englishman had to run away."