He returned at the end of half-an-hour. Von Bülow had chosen swords. But, having been sent officially to Frankfort, and having come out of his way in order to accept M. Turpin's challenge, he would be greatly obliged if the meeting might take place as soon as possible. "The sooner the better," said Benedict. "It is the very least I can do to oblige a man who comes out of his way in order to oblige me." "All he wants, seemingly, is to be able to continue his journey this evening," observed Anderson. "Ah!" said Benedict. "But I cannot answer for his ability to do that, however early we meet!" "That would be a pity," said the colonel. "Major von Bülow is very much a gentleman. It seems that three Prussian officers interfered to protect you from the mob on condition that you cried 'Vive King William!' 'Vive la Prusse!'" "Pardon me, there were no conditions." "Not on your side, but they undertook it for you." "I did not prevent them from crying it as much as they liked." "Doubtless, only, instead of doing it yourself--" "I recited one of Alfred de Musset's finest poems; what more could they want?" "They consider that you treated them with disrespect." "Perhaps I did. Well, what next?" "When they read your letter they decided that one of them must accept the challenge and the other two act as seconds. They drew lots, and the lot fell on von Bülow. That very moment he received orders to go on this mission to Frankfort. The others wished that one of them should take his place in the duel. But he refused, saying that if he were killed or badly wounded, one of them could take on the dispatches which would not be much delayed. So I then arranged the meeting for one o'clock." "Very well. What about the other man?" "Herr Georges Kleist is not remarkable in any way: he is a typical German journalist. He chooses pistols and wants to fire at close quarters on account of his defective eyesight. I believe it is quite good enough, but, however, he does wear glasses, so you are to be at forty-five paces--" "Good gracious! Do you call that close quarters?" "Have a little patience! You may each advance fifteen paces nearer, which reduces the ultimate distance to fifteen. But we had a discussion. His seconds say that he is the aggrieved party and has the right to fire first. I say, nothing of the kind; you ought to fire together, at a given signal. You must decide; it is a serious matter, and I decline the responsibility." "It is soon decided; he must fire first. I hope you fixed an early time for him also? We could then kill two birds with one stone." "That is just what I have done. At one o'clock you meet von Bülow with swords, and at a quarter-past, Herr Kleist, with pistols." "Well then, my dear colonel, I will go and order breakfast, and will you be so good as to tell Herr Kleist that he can have first shot? And," he added, "let it be understood that I don't provide any arms myself; I will use the swords and pistols they bring with them."