And so it had come to this! The friends who a few days before had been so intimate, so confiding, and so affectionate, now stood face to face as foes, glaring at one another with defiance in their eyes and bitter hate in their hearts. Each thought he had received sufficient provocation to seek the life of the other, and each thought that he had received from the other insults which could only be wiped out in blood. Harry felt sure that Ashby had found the package which he had concealed so carefully, and was holding it on the ground of his engagement to Katie. Such a right Harry might possibly have conceded to Russell, as Katie's guardian, especially as he had been the one who last had held it; but to Ashby he never would surrender it. As for Ashby, his bitterness and jealousy have already been fully set forth, and they were now more intense than ever. Harry stuck the torch in a hollow stone in the floor which appeared to have been made for that purpose. Then he turned to Ashby. "Now, sir," said Ashby, "you have already heard." "No more, I beg," said Harry; "not a word. Let's fight like gentlemen, not jaw like bullies. Have you a pistol?" "No." "That's unfortunate. There's no knowing at what time a pistol may be needed." "No," said Ashby, bitterly. "If I had known that you would prove a scoun--" "By heavens!" roared Harry, "if yon don't shut up I'll put a bullet through you! Do you hear? Come now," he continued, growing cooler; "we've both said enough, more than enough. Remember that when two gentlemen meet in mortal combat the time for insult is over. We have no seconds. Let us try to imitate the punctiliousness of seconds in our treatment of each other. Do you consent?" Ashby bowed. "And now, Mr. Ashby," continued Harry, "as you say you have no pistol, is there anything else that you can suggest? Have you a knife?" "Nothing but a penknife." "Ah, that's very unfortunate. If we could only get hold of a couple of rifles from our friends here outside, we should be all right, but there's no use in hoping for that. Our ransom is too high for them to risk losing it. And so, as far as I can see, the only thing left is for us to use this one pistol of mine." "One pistol? How can both of us use one pistol?" "We must. There's nothing else to be done." Ashby shook his head. "I don't see how," said he. "It's plain enough," said Harry. "We can take it turn about." "But the man who fires the first shot has an immense advantage," said Ashby.