"You have, eh? Then look out for yourself!" Dutton fairly leaped forward, and endeavored to strike Dick, but the young millionaire was too quick for him, and stepped to one side, at the same time involuntarily shooting out his fist, which caught the bully in the side. Dutton stopped short. "I suppose you know what striking a gentleman means," he said slowly. "I do when I hit one. I haven't struck any gentleman to-night," said Dick coolly. "You're adding insult to it. You've got to give me satisfaction for this!" "I suppose so. You recall how it turned out last time." "This time will be different. You won't get off so easily." "Have your own way about it. I guess Paul Drew will be my second again, but I should think you'd had enough of fighting." "Not with you! I'll never be satisfied until I've beaten you!" "Then you'll wait a long time." The two had talked in rather low but tense tones, and they were not aware that they were directly beneath a window that had been opened to let in the fresh air. Nor did they see the frightened face of a girl at the casement. "Will after the ball suit you?" asked Dutton, as he turned aside. "Any time." Dick remained in the cool winter air a little longer, filling his lungs with the oxygen, and when he returned to the ballroom he saw no sign of Dutton. Nor did he see Miss Hanford, though he looked for her, as he had another dance coming. Supper was served soon after this, and Dick had no sooner risen from the table than Paul Drew signalled him to step one side. "Dutton has sent a challenge to you by Stiver," he said. "I expected it." "Yes, but what do you think he wants?" "What?" "To fight with swords." "Swords?" "Yes. Like the students do in German schools. Heads and body protected so you can't either be more than scratched. I think it's silly, but of course I said I'd tell you." "That's right. Swords, eh? Well, with football helmets on, and a baseball chest protector, and heavy gloves, I guess it won't be dangerous. But what's the use of fighting if some one doesn't get hurt? I prefer my fists." "Dutton's idea seems to be for you both to be rigged out as we are when we practice with broadswords on horses," said Paul, referring to one of the drills taught at the school. "Well, I don't like to object," said Dick, "but it strikes me that as the challenged party, I have the choice of weapons." "So you have. I forgot that. Then you don't want swords?" "I'll tell you later. You can inform Dutton I'll fight him when and where he pleases, and that, as it's my right, I'll name the weapons when we meet." "All right. Give him a good lesson, Dick." Paul went off to carry the message, and Dick, seeing Miss Hanford, went up to her for the waltz. She gave him a place made vacant by the inability of her partner to claim her, as he was on the supper committee. Dick thought the girl seemed nervous and alarmed, but he did not speak of it.