Sounds near at hand caused him to stop and glance around. At the gate Julian Wayne was just dismounting from White Queen. Holly drew her hand from Winthrop’s and with a look, eager and wondering, hurried in-doors just as Julian opened the gate. Winthrop sank into his chair and felt with trembling fingers for his cigarette-case. Julian espied him as he mounted the steps and walked along the porch very stiffly and determinedly. [Illustration] “Good-morning,” said Winthrop. “Good-morning, sir,” answered Julian. “I have come to apologize for what occurred――for what I did the other night. I intended coming before, but it was impossible.” “Don’t say anything more about it,” replied Winthrop. “I understand. You acted on a moment’s impulse and my poor horsemanship did the rest. It’s really not worth speaking of.” “On the contrary I did it quite deliberately,” answered Julian. “I meant to do it, sir. But I had no thought of injuring you. I――I only wanted Queen to cut up. If you would like satisfaction, Mr. Winthrop――――” Winthrop stared. “My dear fellow,” he ejaculated, “you aren’t proposing a duel, are you?” “I am quite at your service, sir,” replied Julian, haughtily. “If the idea of reparation seems ridiculous to you――――” “I beg your pardon, really,” said Winthrop, gravely and hurriedly. “It was only that I had supposed duelling to be obsolete.” “Not among gentlemen, sir!” “I see. Nevertheless, Mr. Wayne, I’m afraid I shall have to refuse you. I am hardly in condition to use either sword or pistol.” “If that is all,” answered Julian, eagerly, “I can put my left arm in a sling, too. That would put us on even terms, I reckon, sir.” Winthrop threw out his hand with a gesture of surrender, and laughed amusedly. “I give in,” he said. “You force me to the unromantic acknowledgment that I’ve never used a sword, and can’t shoot a revolver without jerking the barrel all around.” “You find me mighty amusing, it seems,” said Julian, hotly. “My dear fellow――――” “I don’t know anything more about swords or pistols than you do, I reckon, sir, but I’ll be mighty glad to――to――――” “Cut my head off or shoot holes through me? Thanks, but I never felt less like departing this life than I do now, Mr. Wayne.” “Then you refuse?” “Unconditionally. The fact is, you know, I, as the aggrieved party, am the one to issue the challenge. As long as I am satisfied with your apology I don’t believe you have any right to insist on shooting me.” Julian chewed a corner of his lip and scowled. “I thought maybe you weren’t satisfied,” he suggested hopefully. Winthrop smiled. “Quite satisfied,” he answered. “Won’t you sit down?” Julian hesitated and then took the chair indicated, seating himself very erect on the edge, his riding-whip across his knees. “Will you smoke?” asked Winthrop, holding forth his cigarette-case. “No, thanks,” replied Julian, stiffly. There was a moment’s silence while Winthrop lighted his cigarette and Julian observed him darkly. Then――