Ready ?" "Aye, ready, sir!" replied Robert, speaking like a pupil to his master.
Then the two advanced toward the center of the room and faced each other, raising their slim swords which flashed in the flame of the candles like thin lines of light.

Then Willet thrust like lightning, but his blade slipped off Robert's, and young Lennox thrust back only to have his own weapon caught on the other.
"Ah," exclaimed the gallant Frenchman.

"Well done! Well done for both!" Then he held his breath as the play of the swords became so fast that the eye could scarcely follow.

They made vivid lines, and steel flashed upon steel with such speed that at times the ringing sound seemed continuous.

Willet's agility was amazing.