' With these words the visitor seated himself in the
chair to which Mr. Ham, with a hand that trembled, pointed.
'I am, sir, the bearer of a message from my old school friend,
Roland Gray. What the purport of such a message is you will no doubt
very readily guess, when you come to remember the language which you
recently employed respecting him, and the threat which your words
evoked. I am therefore ready to arrange the terms for a meeting with
any friend you may be good enough to designate.'
'I really fail to comprehend what you mean, Mr. Harland.'
'Oh that is impossible, Mr. Ham. There is a code of honour among
gentlemen under such circumstances, of which you must certainly be
aware.'
The fellow's courage had quite failed him, if the pallor in his
swarthy cheek did not utter a huge lie.
'You surely do not mean that you come to propose terms for a duel?'
'I have come just for that purpose; and shall immediately wait upon
any friend you will name to me.'
'But there must really be some mistake. I am not aware of having
used any language that could evoke the resentment of your friend.'
Harland simply shrugged his shoulders.
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