"I shall report your reply to His Excellency," said Medina, rising. "Rest assured your conduct will be represented in no very favorable view to your Government." "As an officer of the army of the Republic, I am responsible to my Government, and to none other," replied Pike, now fairly boiling with rage. Fearful of his dignity, he gave Medina a curt bow, and withdrew to our bedchamber. "_Nom de Dieu!_" gasped Walker, astonished that any one could have so dared the power of the Governor-General. Medina looked aside at me, and saw me smiling. "Senor Robinson is pleased to be amused," he said with a feline suavity which told me the time had come. "It is most amusing, senor," I replied. "That any one could be foolish enough to imagine the possibility of intimidating Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery Pike is little short of ridiculous." "_Por Dios!_ Say rather it is an absurdity to expect courteous compliance from the bearer of so barbarous a name." "How of my name?" I asked, with mock concern. "Is it also displeasing to you?" He stepped close to me, with a menacing look. "Your name, Senor Spy, is one to be linked in infamy with that of your double-dyed traitor, General Wilkinson, who for twenty years and more has been in the regular pay of His Most Catholic Majesty." My palm struck full across his mouth with a force that sent him reeling. For a moment he stood in speechless fury, plucking at his sword-hilt. I grasped the back of the chair in which I had been sitting, for my pistols were in the bedchamber, and I had no mind to be run through. But Walker stepped between us, and muttered a hasty word to Medina. The latter made a sign for him to follow, and strode out into the court. Walker was out and back in two minutes. "_Sacre!_" he protested, in great concern. "What am I to do? He insists that I shall serve as his second. Yet with you as my guest--" "Accept, by all means. It would give me great pleasure. My one desire is to keep this from my friend. The fewer who know of it the better." "But a second for yourself?" he questioned. "_Entre nous_, I should far prefer to serve you than your opponent." "My thanks. But doubtless Lieutenant Don Faciendo will second me. I will call upon him at once, and you can follow with such communications as Lieutenant Medina desires to transmit." "At your bidding, doctor. _Nom de Dieu!_ what a blow you gave him! and with the open hand! My lips are now sealed--yet it is a fact that you have choice of weapons. You will of course advise with Lieutenant Malgares." I waved him off, and as he went out again to tell Medina he would serve, I hastened in to Pike. He was pacing up and down the bedchamber like a caged panther. "Has he gone?" he demanded. I nodded. "It's well--it's well! I could not answer for the consequences should I have to face his sneer again before I've had time to cool. By the Almighty, had he spoken in his own name and not as a messenger, I'd have challenged him, John!"