nother country."

"It will, indeed," and Claiborne grinned, put his revolver into
Armitage's hand, and proceeded to cut the reins from the dead horse. "In
America such amiable scoundrels as you are given the freedom of cities,
and little children scatter flowers in their path. You ought to write for
the funny papers, Monsieur."

"I trust your wounds are not serious, my dear Armitage--"

Armitage, sitting on a boulder, turned his eyes wearily upon Durand,
whose wrists Claiborne was knotting together with a strap. The officer
spun the man around viciously.

"You beast, if you address Mr. Armitage again I'll choke you!"

Chauvenet, sitting up and staring dully about, was greeted ironically by
Durand:

"Prisoners, my dearest Jules; prisoners, do you understand? Will you
please arrange with dear Armitage to let us go home and be good?"

Claiborne emptied the contents of Durand's pockets upon the ground and
tossed a flask to Armitage.

"We will discuss matters at the bungalow. They always go to the nearest
farm-house to sign the treaty of peace. Let us do everything according to
the best traditions."

A moment later Oscar ran in from the direction of the gap, to find the
work done and the party ready to leave.

"Where is the Servian?" demanded Armitage.

The soldier saluted, glanced from Chauvenet to Durand, and from Claiborne
to Armitage.

"He will not come back," said the sergeant quietly.

"That is bad," remarked Armitage. "Take my horse and ride down to Storm
Springs and tell Baron von Marhof and Judge Claiborne that Captain
Claiborne has found John Armitage, and that he presents his compliments
and wishes them to come to Mr. Armitage's house at once. Tell them that
Captain Claiborne sent you and that he wants them to come back with you
immediately."

"But Armitage--not Marhof--for God's sake, not Marhof." Chauvenet
staggered to his feet and his voice choked as he muttered his appeal.
"Not Marhof!"

"We can fix this among ourselves--just wait a little, till we can talk
over our affairs. You have quite the wrong impression of us, I assure
you, Messieurs," protested Durand.

"That is your misfortune! Thanks for the brandy, Monsieur Durand. I feel
quite restored," said Armitage, rising; and the color swept into his face
and he spoke with quick decision.

"Oh, Claiborne, will you kindly give me the time?"

Claiborne laughed. It was a laugh of real relief at the change in
Armitage's tone.

"It's a qua