On his face was the look of a man who had a duty to perform and who intended to go through with it come what might.

On the opposite side of the room stood Willits with two young men, his most intimate friends.

They had followed him out of the ballroom to learn the cause of his sudden outburst, and so far had only heard Willits's side of the affair.

He was now perfectly sober and seemed to feel his position, but he showed no fear.

On the desk lay a mahogany case containing the colonel's duelling pistols.