as on fire with wrath. He
held in one hand a shattered lantern mounted on the end of a pole, and
in the other a long-handled net of gauze, such as entomologists use to
catch moths withal. Under his left arm was slung a brown japanned case,
in which he presumably deposited the spoils of his skill. Freeman's shot
had not only smashed and extinguished the lantern which served as bait
for the game, but had also given the professor a disagreeable reminder
that the tenure of human life is as precarious as that of the silly moth
which allows itself to be lured to destruction by shining promises of
bliss.

"Upon my soul, professor, I am very sorry," said Freeman. "You have
no idea how formidable you looked; and you could hardly expect me to
imagine that you would be abroad at such an hour----"

"And why not, I should like to know?" shouted the professor, towering
with indignation. "Was I doing anything to be ashamed of? And what are
you doing here, pray, with loaded revolvers in your hands?--Hallo! who's
this?" he exclaimed, as Don Miguel advanced doubtfully out of the gloom.
"Senor de Mendoza, as I'm a sinner! and armed, too! Well, really! Are
you two out on a murdering expedition?--Oho!" he went on, in a changed
tone, glancing keenly from one to another: "methinks I see the bottom of
this mystery. You have ridden forth, like the champions of romance,
to do doughty deeds upon each other!--Is it not so, Don Miguel?" he
demanded, turning his fierce spectacles suddenly on that young man.

Don Miguel, ignoring a secret gesture from Freeman, admitted that he had
been on the point of expunging the latter from this mortal sphere.

The professor chuckled sarcastically. "I see! Blood! Wounded honor!
The code!--But, by the way, I don't see your seconds! Where are your
seconds?"

"My dear sir," said Freeman, "I assure you it's all a mistake. We just
happened to meet at the gen--er--happened to meet, and were riding home
together----"

"Now, listen to me, Harvey," the professor interrupted, holding up an
expository finger. "You have known me since some ten years, I think; and
I have known you. You were a clever boy in your studies; but it was
your foible to fancy yourself cleverer than you were. Acting under that
delusion, you pitted yourself against me on one or two occasions; and
I leave it to your candid recollection whether you or I had the best of
the encounter. You call yourself a man, now; but I make bold to say
that the--di