"I prefer to shoot you, senor," the other declared, quietly. "Those marriage shall never occur until first I walk upon your dead body. As matter of honor I offer you this opportunity biffore it is too late." "I guess you have been drinking. You're a little premature in talking about my marriage, aren't you?" "So! You fear to confess the truth! Oh, I am not to be deceive'. All Panama is speaking of those engagements to Senorita Garavel. Come, then, must I insolt you further?" Kirk replied, dryly, looking the Spaniard over with, cold blue eyes. "No! I think you've gone about far enough." "You riffuse?" exclaimed Ramon, triumphantly. "Look here!" said Kirk, "I've had enough of this." He advanced threateningly, and the Spaniard nervously gave way. "I don't fight duels; it's against the law. In my country it's a crime to kill a man in cold blood; and we don't tie a fellow up and beat him when he's helpless and then offer him the HONORABLE satisfaction of either committing murder or being killed. They're not wearing duels this season." His hands clenched involuntarily. "I don't want to hurt you, Alfarez, but I may not be able to help it if you don't keep out of my way." He left the fiery little Panamanian still scowling and muttering threats, and went his way wondering vaguely how his attentions to Chiquita had become so quickly known. He was informed later in the afternoon. As he left the office for the day he was handed a note from Mrs. Cortlandt requesting him to call at once, and, summoning a coach, he was driven directly to her house. Unlike the Garavel home, the house which the Cortlandts had leased was set upon the water-front, its rear balcony overlooking the sea where it lapped the foundation of the city wall. It was a delightful old place, shut off from the street by a yard filled with flowering plants and shrubs, and, though flanked in true Spanish fashion by stores and shops, it was roomy and comfortable. Edith kept him waiting a moment before she descended, dressed for her afternoon ride. "You see, I haven't given up my horse in spite of your neglect," she said, as she gave him her hand, "You got my note?" "Yes, and I came straight from the office." "I suppose you know what it is about and are wondering how I heard the news." "What news?" "Your 'engagement.'" She laughed with an amusement that did not ring quite true. "You're the second one to speak about that. I'm not engaged." "Of course not. Don't think for a moment I believed it. I was calling on some Spanish people this afternoon and heard the report--I admit it was a shock. When I learned the details I knew at once you ought to be told before it developed into something embarrassing. Come into the other room; there is a breeze from the water." She led him into the parlor, from which the open windows, shielded now by drawn shutters, gave egress to the rear porch with its chairs and hammock.