This is a trumped-up charge against me; but I repeat,
I defy you. Do your worst."
"Get the swords," called Girard.
"Who will fight him?"
"I will," said the attendant suddenly stepping forward. "Yes, gentlemen,
I will fight him. It is not proper that gentlemen like you should
besmirch yourselves by fighting with a low-bred scoundrel like this
fellow. I am his match; he belongs to my class. He and I will meet on
equal terms. I will settle him, gentlemen, and afford you some rich and
excellent amusement."
"Henri," said Girard, "you are not a swordsman."
"I will prove to you, my master, that I am swordsman enough to fight
this wretch who has forced himself into your presence to act as a spy.
Yes, sir, I will teach him a lesson."
Oscar could not discern what the real purpose of the men was. It
appeared somewhat like a farce to him, and yet their trick was one that
has often been played. They could in case of need make out that it was a
case of assault, where one man had sought the life of another. Indeed,
there had been several cases of a like character in New York. In one
case the men had claimed that a duel had been forced upon another; and
again a case had been known where it was made to appear that there had
been a murderous assault, and of course there were plenty of witnesses,
and the law is compelled to accept the testimony of unimpeached
witnesses.
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