It would need to be great to kill Max, boy though he was, but accidents are apt to happen in the lists, and Calli was treacherous.

I was deep in trouble, but I saw no way out but for Max to fight.

So, on the morning after our conversation with Hymbercourt, Max and I sought admission to the duke's audience.
Charles had been privately told of our purpose and of course was delighted at the prospect of a battle to the death.
A tournament with, mayhap, a few broken heads furnished him great enjoyment; but a real battle between two men, each seeking the other's life, was such keen pleasure to his savage, blood-loving nature, that its importance could hardly be measured.

Charles would have postponed his war against the Swiss, I verily believe, rather than miss this combat between Max and Calli.
The duke hurried through the business of the morning, and then turned toward Max, signifying that his time had come.

Max stepped before the ducal throne, made his obeisance, and said:-- "May it please Your Highness to recall a wage of battle given by me some weeks ago, in this hall and in this august presence, to one who calls himself Count Calli?
The cause of my complaint against the said Calli I need not here rehearse.