u can imagine that it is not
customary to make a present of such a debt."

"Do you wish to fight a duel with me?"

"Yes, and at once: I shall not allow you out of my sight until you have
given me satisfaction."

"Don't expect that. Because you are a Hercules, and I a titmouse, don't
think I am overawed by your knitted eyebrows. If you so desire, I am
ready."

"I like that."

"But you know that as the challenged, I have the right to choose weapons
and method."

"Do so."

"And you will find it quite natural that I have no intention of being
pummelled into a loaf of bread and devoured by you. I recommend the
American duel. Let us put our names into a hat and he whose name is
drawn is compelled to shoot himself."

Lorand was staggered. He recalled that night in the crypt.

"One of us must die; you said so yourself," remarked Gyali. "Good, I am
not afraid of it. Let us draw lots, and then he whom fate chooses, must
die."

Lorand gazed moodily before him, as if he were regarding things
happening miles away.

"I understand your hesitation: there are others whom you would spare.
Well, let us fix a definite time for dying. How long can those, of whom
you are thinking, live? Let us say ten years. He, whose name is drawn
must shoot himself--to-day ten years."

"Oh," cried Lorand in a tone of vexation, "this is merely a cowardly
subterfuge by which you wish to escape."

"Brave lion, you will fall just as soon, if you die, as the mouse. Your
whole valor consists in being able to pin, with a round pin, a tiny
little fly to the bottom of a box, but if you find an opponent, like
yourself, you draw back before him."

"I shall not draw back," said Lorand irritated; and there appeared
before his soul all those figures, which, pointing their fingers
threateningly, rose before him from the depths of the earth. Headless
phantoms returned to the seven cold beds; and the eighth was bespoken.

"Be it so," sighed Lorand: "let us write our names." Therewith he began
to look for paper. But not a morsel was there in his room: all had been
burned, clean paper too, that the water mark might not betray him. At
last he came across Hermine's note. There was no other alternative.
Tearing it in two,--one part he threw to Gyali, on the other he
inscribed his own name.

Then they folded the pieces of paper and put them into a hat.

"Who shall draw?"

"You are the challenger."

"But you proposed the method."

"Wait a moment. Let