"Sir," said he, "the succession of misfortunes which has befallen the Chandroz family leaves me free, earlier than I expected, to come and remind you that Frederic, when he was dying, bequeathed to me a sacred duty--that of vengeance." The general bowed and Benedict returned his bow. "Nothing now keeps me in Frankfort but my wish to fulfil my friend's last injunction. You know what that injunction was, for I have told you; from this moment I shall have the honour of holding myself at your disposal." "That is to say, sir," said General Sturm, striking his fist upon the writing-table before him, "that you come here to challenge me?" "Yes, sir," answered Benedict. "A dying man's wishes are sacred, and Frederic von Bülow's wish was that one of us--either you or I--should disappear from this world. I deliver it to you the more readily because I know you, sir, to be brave, skilful in all bodily exercises, and a first-rate swordsman and shot. I am not an officer in the Prussian army; you are in no sense my chief. I am a Frenchman, you are a Prussian; we have Jena behind us and you have Leipzig; we are therefore enemies. All this makes me hope that you will place no difficulty in my way, and will consent to send me two seconds to-morrow, who will find mine at my house between seven and eight in the morning, and will do me the pleasure of announcing to them the hour, place, and weapons that you have chosen. Everything will be acceptable to me; make what conditions you like in the best way you can. I hope that you are satisfied." General Sturm had shown frequent signs of impatience during Benedict's speech; but had controlled himself like a well-bred man. "Sir," said he, "I promise you that you shall hear from me by the hour you name, and perhaps earlier." This was all that Benedict wanted. He bowed and withdrew, delighted that everything had passed off so properly. He was already at the door when he remembered that he had omitted to give the general his new address, at Lenhart's. He went to a table and wrote the street and number below his name on his card. "Excuse me," said he, "I must not fail to let your Excellency know where I am to be found." "Are you not my neighbour?" asked the general. "No," said Benedict. "I have left this house since the day before yesterday."