Romayne, of course, has seen war, and they look at everything from the military point of view." As he was speaking there came across the end of the lake the sound of voices.

Over the water the still air carried the words distinctly to their ears.
"Explain what ?" It was Switzer's voice they heard, loud and truculent.
"Just what you meant by the words 'slanderous falsehood' which you used to-night," replied a voice which they recognised to be Jack Romayne's.
"I meant just what I said." "Did you mean to impugn my veracity, because--" "Because what ?" "Because if you did I should have to slap your face just now." "Mein Gott! You--!" "Not so loud," said Romayne quietly, "unless you prefer an audience." "You schlap my face!" cried the German, in his rage losing perfect control of his accent.

"Ach, if you were only in my country, we could settle this in the only way." "Perhaps you will answer my question." Romayne's voice was low and clear and very hard.

"Did you mean to call me a liar?
Yes or no." "A liar," replied the German, speaking more quietly.

"No, it is not a question of veracity.