onstable was not idle. He drew from that deep
receptacle, his riding-coat pocket, a second document, which he unfolded
and handed to Roland Bayard, saying:

"There, sir, is a warrant for your arrest upon very much the same sort of
charge--a breach of the peace in taking a challenge from Mr. Leonidas
Force to Col. Angus Anglesea. You also can read it, if you wish."

"But I never delivered the challenge," said Roland, laughing at what
seemed to him to be a solemn farce. "I never got a chance to deliver it.
It is in my pocket at this moment. But I reckon it better not stay there,
to rise up in judgment against us," he added, _sotto voce_, as he arose,
went to the fire, drew the white paper torpedo from his vest pocket and
dropped it into the flames, where it was instantly burned to ashes.

The constables did not attempt to prevent this destruction. Probably they
did not even notice the act. Indeed, the second officer, a dull-looking
young man, with a red head and freckled face, did not seem to take any
part in the business of the hour.

"Now, then, you see what I have got to do. I have got to do, and 'fail not
at my peril,' mind you. Though what peril I should risk in not executing
of a warrant is more than I know, long as I have been in the county's
service; and very few warrants have I ever had to serve, and that's a
fact; and very sorry I am to have to do this, moreover."

"You must do your duty, Mr. Bowen. Neither I nor my friend here will offer
any further opposition to it," said Le, good-humoredly. Then, turning to
his companion, he added, sorrowfully:

"Oh, Roland, good, old boy, I am so cut up at the thought of having got
you into this mess!"

"Don't turn into a blooming idiot, Le. I am glad to be with you in
everything. You know it," said Roland, heartily.

"I do know it!" exclaimed Le, pressing his friend's hand.

"Oh, see these boys!" sighed the old man; "these boys I have known ever
since they wore short jackets and check ap'ons! But don't fret, lads.
'Twon't go hard with you. And it's a heap better, anyhow, than if you'd
been left to your own devices to-day, and fought your duel and killed your
man, and had to be arrested for murder to-morrow. Now, that might o' been
serious."

"But there was a good chance that I might have been killed myself,"
suggested Le.

"D'y' call that 'a good chance'? Oh, you misguided young man!" cried the
elder. "To be hurried into the presence of your Maker with murder in