"Doubtless. But this menace by the Governor-General?" "It cannot be he will go to extremes." "Yet would it not be as well to consult with our friends? They may have knowledge of Salcedo's temper." "We can rely upon Zuloaga and, I believe, your Don Pedro." "Go to them, then, and I will look for Malgares." "Very well. I will call upon Senor Vallois, and will meet you later at Zuloaga's, if Malgares can come." With this, we threw on hat and coat and started off in the gathering twilight, on diverging paths. A few minutes of sharp walking brought me to the Mayron mansion, where I was so fortunate as to find Malgares at home and alone. Having first told of Salcedo's implied threat, I stated my own personal affair briefly, and recalled his promise to act as my second. "_Poder de Dios!_" he exclaimed. "Nothing would give me greater pleasure. You will choose pistols?" "Can he shoot?" "Not at all." "Then let it be swords," I decided. "_Santisima Virgen!_ you are no swordsman. He will spit you with the first thrust of his rapier." "I said swords, Don Faciendo. My thought was the straight cutlass of your Texas cavalry. I have hefted a sabre, and your cutlasses must swing much the same." "It is true, _amigo_, that the regulation cutlass would put you to a slightly less disadvantage compared to the rapier. There would be more play for your strength. Yet Medina is an expert--a master swordsman. You would have no chance. He means to kill you." "I have quickness and strength. The odds are not so great as you fear. But with pistols, he would be absolutely at my mercy." "Then you insist?" A lackey announced Walker. "I insist," I replied, as Walker bowed himself in. "What time?" asked Malgares. "The sooner the better." At this he excused himself, and conducted Walker into another room. I spent the brief interval of waiting admiring a glorious painting by Velasquez for which Malgares had paid a fabulous sum in gold ingots. My enjoyment was not forced or feigned. With the assurance of action in the immediate future, I really felt lighter and easier in mind than at any time since the ball. Malgares returned, with a clouded brow. "He was astonished. I do not wonder. Men nowadays are not usually so chivalrous as to give the game into the hands of their opponents." "It is a case of two sets of loaded dice," I replied. "Mine are loaded beyond all question of fair play." "And his the same!" "That is to be seen. You accepted the challenge? All is arranged?" Malgares nodded, still troubled. "I could do none else. We meet them at sunrise to-morrow, at the east end of the aqueduct. It is possible we may have use for your pistols. Have them ready. I shall call for you in good time, with my coach." "You think there may be need of it to bring me home," I rallied him. "God forbid!" he protested, crossing himself. "My only thought was that you might pass unobserved."