Yes.
Certainly.'
'Why then, I'll tell you what,' said Solomon, speaking softly and with
an earnest look. 'He and Mr Haredale are going to fight a duel in it.'
Everybody looked at Mr Willet, after this alarming suggestion. Mr Willet
looked at the fire, weighing in his own mind the effect which such an
occurrence would be likely to have on the establishment.
'Well,' said John, 'I don't know--I am sure--I remember that when I went
up last, he HAD put the lights upon the mantel-shelf.'
'It's as plain,' returned Solomon, 'as the nose on Parkes's face'--Mr
Parkes, who had a large nose, rubbed it, and looked as if he considered
this a personal allusion--'they'll fight in that room. You know by
the newspapers what a common thing it is for gentlemen to fight in
coffee-houses without seconds. One of 'em will be wounded or perhaps
killed in this house.'
'That was a challenge that Barnaby took then, eh?' said John.
'--Inclosing a slip of paper with the measure of his sword upon it, I'll
bet a guinea,' answered the little man. 'We know what sort of gentleman
Mr Haredale is. You have told us what Barnaby said about his looks, when
he came back. Depend upon it, I'm right.
Pages:
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166