it. He looked from one of the two Hungarians to the
other, then back at Armstrong, scowling.

Lieutenant Anderson said, unhappily. "These officers have been named
to represent Captain Sandor Rakoczi, major."

Bela Kossuth clicked his heels, bowed, said formally, "Our principal
realizes, Major Mauser, that diplomatic immunity prevents his issuing
request for satisfaction. However"--the Hungarian cleared his
throat--"since honor _is_ involved--"

At long last it got through to Joe. His own voice went coldly even.
"General Armstrong, I--"

The general said quickly. "Mauser, as an official representative of
the West-world, you don't have to respond to anything as dashed silly
as a challenge to a duel."

The faces of the two Hungarians froze.

Joe finished his sentence. "... I would appreciate it if you and
Lieutenant Anderson would act for me."

Kossuth clicked his heels again. "Gentlemen, the _code duello_
provides that the challenged choose the weapons."

General Armstrong's face, usually worried, was now dark with anger.
"Choice of weapons, eh? Against Sandor Rakoczi? If you will excuse us
now, gentlemen, Lieutenant Anderson and I will consult with you in one
hour in the Embassy Club and discuss the affair further. I say
frankly, I have never heard of a diplomat being subjected to such a
situation, especially on the part of officers of the country to which
he is accredited."

The Hungarians were unfazed. Kossuth looked at his wrist chronometer.
"One hour in the Embassy Club, gentlemen." The two of them clicked
again, bowed from the waist, and were gone.

* * * * *

General Armstrong glared at Joe. "Dash it, if you hadn't been so
confoundedly quick on the trigger, I could have warned you, Mauser."

Joe Mauser wasn't over being flabbergasted. "You mean to tell me," he
said, "that those people still conduct duels? I thought duels had gone
out back in the Nineteenth Century."

"Well, you're mistaken," Armstrong bit out. "It seems to be a practice
that can crop up in any decadent society. Remember Hitler reviving it
among the German universities? Well, it's all the rage now among the
officers of the Sov world. Limited, however, to Party members, the
lowly proletariat are assumed not to have honor."

Joe shrugged, "I'm not exactly an amateur at combat, you know."

The general snorted his disgust and turned to his aide. "Lieutenant,
go find Dr. Haer for me. Then wait in the out