Just as I was getting into bed, the waiter knocked at my door and gave me a note. It bore no address. "Is it for me?" I asked. "Yes, sir," he answered. "You are the gentleman who dined with Herr Vooght and M. Dumergue?" I supposed I was, and opened the note. "You are generous and forgiving, indeed," it said (and said it in English). "What reward will you claim? But do be careful. He is dangerous.--M." "The devil!" I exclaimed. The next morning I was aroused at five o'clock by my two friends. "Good-morning, Herr Vooght," said I, looking just between them. "Good-morning," answered the older man. "Now, my dear fellow, come along. There's a cup of coffee downstairs," said the other, whom I took to be Dumergue. After coffee, we got into a close carriage with a pair of horses, and drove two or three miles into the country; my companions said little. Dumergue twice asked in a joking way how I felt, and Vooght puzzled me very much by remarking: "They are bringing all the necessaries; but I don't know what they will choose." When this was said, Dumergue was humming a tune. He went on for five minutes, and then said, with a touch of scorn: "My good Vooght, they know our friend's reputation. They will choose pistols." I could not repress a start. No doubt it was stupid of me not to have caught the meaning of this early expedition before, but it really never struck me that our business might be a duel. However, so it seemed, and apparently I was one of the principals. Dumergue noticed my little start. "What's the matter?" he asked. "Do they know my name?" said I. "My dear friend, could you expect the baron to fight with an unknown man? The challenge had to be in your name." I had clearly been the challenger. I was consumed with curiosity to know what the grievance was, and how the countess was concerned in the matter. "The countess assured us," said Vooght, "that she had your authority." "As fully as if I had been there," I answered, and Dumergue resumed his tune. I was sincerely glad that the name of my original had been given, for his reputation for swordsmanship had evidently saved me from a hole in my skin. I was a fair hand with a pistol; but, like most of my countrymen, a mere bungler with the rapier. It was very annoying, though, that my friends' exaggerated prudence prevented them mentioning my name: it would have been more convenient to know who I was. I had not long for reflection, for we soon drew up by a roadside inn, and, getting out of the carriage, walked through the house, where we were apparently expected, into a field behind. There were three men walking up and down, and two of them at once advanced to meet Vooght and Dumergue. I remained where I was, merely raising my hat, and the third man--a big, burly fellow, with a heavy black mustache--followed my example.