"I never yet have seen the man that could make me afraid." His speech was slightly sing-song in tone, as it would have been during a prayer or a blessing.
"Get the flag then!" raged Farnsworth, in whose veins the heat of liquor was aided by an unreasoning choler.
"I cannot," said Father Beret.
"Then take the consequences!" Farnsworth lifted his sword, not to thrust, but to strike with its flat side, and down it flashed with a noisy whack.

Father Beret flung out an arm and deftly turned the blow aside.

It was done so easily that Farnsworth sprang back glaring and surprised.
"You old fool!" he cried, leveling his weapon for a direct lunge.

"You devilish hypocrite!" It was then that Father Beret turned deadly pale and swiftly crossed himself.

His face looked as if he saw something startling just beyond his adversary.