hat is my question."

"Do you admit the charges?"

"I am too much of a gentleman to deny them: they are so gross."

"Oh, you intend to get out of it that way, eh? Now who are you?"

As Girard spoke he rose from the table and presented a pistol directly
at our hero's forehead. Oscar did not flinch, but asked:

"Do you intend to murder me?"

The detective was in the worst dilemma of his whole career. He knew the
men were playing a game, that the chances were all against him, and
that the possibilities were that under one pretext or another they
intended to kill him.

"No, I don't intend to murder you. I am no murderer, but I do not intend
to let you get away with any sneaking purpose you may have had in
working your way into this house. Are you a gentleman?"

"Yes, I am a gentleman."

"Then you shall have a chance. I challenge you; yes, sir, you must fight
me."

"This is murder," said Oscar.

Our hero believed his last moment had arrived. He had braved fate too
far in his enthusiasm. He had walked into a trap from which there was no
escape. The duel which had been proposed he knew would only be a
pretense in order to murder him. He knew he had walked right into a
trap, but he determined to die game. Yes, even at that moment he did not
wholly despair. These men did not know his mettle, and could he once get
a weapon in his hands he would make a desperate fight. He was armed, but
thought that possibly the men might go through the farce of a duel. This
would give him a chance. He had his club and he knew he must take them
by a grand dash, a magnificent surprise. He had encountered as many men
on several occasions in desperate conflict, but these men had the
"bulge" on him. They were prepared and on the alert. The chances were
that every man was well armed and ready to "pull." He must get a vantage
ground from where he could take them by surprise--throw them off their
guard; but even then the chances were against him, for these were no
ordinary men. They were a lot of cool, nervy criminals, well prepared,
as stated--men who had their plans well arranged, their signals also.
Possibly each man had his appointed work. They were men who could and
would carry out their orders. It was a desperate moment, and all the
chances were against him.

It was at this most critical moment that an extraordinary incident
occurred. Oscar saw but little chance; still, as intimated, he was
determined to make a desperate fight even i