mine. I will walk along the path for a little, and when you have finished the reading we shall be the better able to talk over the matter."

With this he rose and strolled away, leaving me sitting there with hands that shook so violently I was scarcely able to unfold the sheet. When at last I had succeeded in opening it, this was what I read:

CHAPTER XV

WHICH TREATS OF BLOODSHED

"DEAR ST. JOHN, I am in the devil of a case. This is written from my bedside and, as you see, not by my own hand. The surgeon, an Englishman and a good soul, is writing for me, as I have warned him that otherwise I would take none of his vile medicine, for there are matters which I must set straight and cannot rest till it is done. Know then, that some days since I had a meeting with Caryll here on a field near Calais. quarrel was not of my bringing on but his, and he showed in all his proceedings a malignity which makes me sure he had determined on my death, for what reasons you must be well aware.

The

"Enough that he followed me here bent on his purpose, and gave such intentional offense that even the promise made to one whom you know, to avoid fighting if it were possibly consistent with honour, could not prevail against such insult, and I was forced to send him a challenge which he hastened to accept. We met in a place allotted. He was accompanied by his second, and

I by this English surgeon, who is living in Calais.

"Having rendered ourselves on the field, our seconds drew together and shortly informed us of the terms on which we were to fight. It was concluded that in case either should slip or fall the fight should cease, and the fallen one was to acknowledge his life to be in the other's hands.

"When we met, Captain Caryll observed that I might prepare for a fight to the death, as a little of my blood would not serve his turn. The surgeon cried out that such words were butchery, and ill befitting people of quality, who should fight for reputation not for life; but I thanked Caryll for putting me on my guard, which I told him frankly was worthier conduct than I had looked for from him. This speech angered him, and he began to remove his coat and roll up the sleeves of his shirt.

"I commenced with a thrust at Caryll, but fell short, and, on drawing back my arm, I received a deep cut; but in revenge I pressed again into him, and this time received for my pains a wound which passed level through the side of the body. Meanwhile, I had the satisfaction of seeing the blood flow from Caryll's shoulder, and told myself that he might fall at any minute. At last, breathless, yet keeping our hold, there passed

propositions of quitting each other's swords, when we found ourselves corps à corps; but neither would trust to the other, till at last, jumping backward, I freed my point and, dropping it under his guard, presented my weapon at his breast, demanding if he would ask his life or yield his sword, both of which he declined to do. Then, myself being wounded and remembering his threats, I dared not spare him; but struck, and he fell, crying out, 'I am slain.'

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"No,' said I, noting that his voice was still strong, not so far hurt but a surgeon may make you whole again; but you owe your life not to me, for in my rage I would well have had the heart to kill you, but to a lady whose name you know and whose injury you sought.'

"Then I fell in a faint, and our seconds carried us off the field in different directions. Ever since I am cooped up with a fever, of which I grow weaker day by day, and have good prospect of making an end here in this hole of an inn. Now, of course, you must know what weighs heaviest on my mind.

"In the event of my death, I depend upon you to see that the lady has her full rights, if she is willing, as God knows she should then be, to acknowledge the union.

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Now, St. John, do not be such a fool as to

come running over to France to look after me, for by the time of your arrival I should be either on the mend, and have no need of you, or past mending, and have still less; but go straight to the lady, and tell her as much of this tale as you see fit. Above all, I would have her know that I obeyed her bidding as long as honour permitted. I fear the cross of blood which I laid upon her cheek at our first meeting was but an ill omen, but the fault was all mine. Be sure to tell her that."

Here the letter ended with Miles Farringdon's signature scrawled in a feeble hand across the bottom of the sheet. A postscript added by the surgeon stated that Sir Miles's condition was even worse than the patient himself knew. The loss of blood had weakened him dangerously, and added to that he had fallen into a low fever. When the feverish fit was on him he waxed garrulous and obstinate as now, when he persisted in dictating this long letter. The surgeon attributed his condition less to his wounds than to some anxiety of mind. He therefore prayed his Lordship to do anything in his power to relieve this load, and to notify any friends who should be warned of Sir Miles's condition before it was too late.

As I came to the end I felt my heart turning