But Talbot's pause was only a matter of seconds. He did not trouble to pick up another stone. He felt with a species of mad joy that his enemy was unarmed--that he could throttle him with his hands, and wreak upon him that personal and physical vengeance which is dearer to outraged humanity than any wounds inflicted by other means. Dubois reached a small glade among the trees before he comprehended that his ruthless adversary was still close at his heels. He stopped for the last time, resolved now to have done with this irritating business, once and for all. Talbot too halted, about ten yards from him. He felt that he had the Frenchman at his mercy, and there were a few things he wished to say to him before they closed in mortal combat. "This time, Henri Dubois," he panted, "I am not drugged and strapped helplessly to a bed. You know why I am here. I have followed you to avenge the stigma you inflicted on my reputation and at the same time to recover the diamonds which you obtained by subterfuge and murder." The Frenchman was quite collected in manner. "I murdered no one," he answered. "I could not help the blundering of other people. If I am regretfully compelled to kill you to-day, it is your own fault. I am only acting in self-defence." "Self-defence!" came the quick retort. "Such men as you are a pest. Like any wild beast you will strive to save your miserable life! But, thank Heaven, you must depend upon your claws. Lying and trickery will avail you no further!" "How can we fight?" demanded the Frenchman calmly. "Any way you like, you villain. As man to man if you are able. If not, as dog to dog, for I am going to try and kill you!" "But you are probably armed, whereas I am defenceless? My revolver, as you saw, was not loaded." "We are equal in that respect, if in no other," retorted Talbot. An evil smile lit up the Frenchman's pallid face. He pulled out his knife with a flourish and hissed-- "Then die yourself, you fool!" He advanced upon Jack with a murderous look in his face. Talbot awaited him, and he, too, smiled. "You are a liar and a coward to the end!" he cried. "But if you had twenty knives, Henri Dubois, I will kill you!" At that instant a cold, clear voice rang out among the trees, close behind the two men. "Halt!" it cried. Both men involuntarily paused and turned their eyes to learn whence came this strange interruption. Brett quietly came a few paces nearer. He held a revolver, pointed significantly at Dubois' breast. "Drop that knife," he said, with an icy determination in tone and manner that sent a cold shiver through his hearer's spine. "Drop it, or, by God, I will shoot you this instant!" Dubois felt that the game was up. He flung down the knife and tried even then to laugh. "Of course," he sneered, "as I am cornered on all sides I give in."