I was dreading
something, I knew not what. The inn-keeper's hand trembled on my arm.
"Sh! they come," he whispered.
As I looked beyond his finger I saw four figures advance over the
sward. One of them, a slight boyish form, was new to me. The fellow
walked briskly along at the side of Stahlberg, who was built on the
plan of a Hercules. When they came to the clearing they stopped. The
seconds went through the usual formalities of testing the temper of the
swords. Somehow, I could not keep my eyes off the youngster, who was
going to do battle with the veteran; and I could not help wondering
where in the world he had come from, and why in the world he had chosen
this place to settle his dispute in. There were plenty of convenient
places in the village, in and around the barracks. He took his
position, back to me, so I could not tell what he was like. The moon
shone squarely in the lieutenant's face, upon which was an expression
of contempt mingled with confidence. My heart thumped, for I had never
seen a duel before.
"I do not know where you came from," I heard the lieutenant say; "but
you managed nicely to pick a quarrel.
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