"I see you plainly now!" "What am I doing ?" "You are standing opposite to the gentleman here who is holding my other hand; and (as I have said already) you have met to fight a duel." The unbeliever cast a shrewd look at his companion in the consultation.
"Considering that you and I are total strangers, sir," he said, "don't you think the Doctor had better introduce us, before he goes any further?
We have got to fighting a duel already, and we may as well know who we are, before the pistols go off." He turned to Doctor Lagarde.
"Dramatic situations don't amuse me out of the theater," he resumed.
"Let me put you to a very commonplace test.

I want to be introduced to this gentleman.

Has he told you his name ?" "No." "Of course, you know it, without being told ?" "Certainly.

I have only to look into your own knowledge of yourselves, while I am in this trance, and while you have got my hands, to know both your names as well as you do." "Introduce us, then!" retorted the jesting gentleman.

"And take my name first." "Mr.Percy Linwood," replied the Doctor; "I have the honor of presenting you to Captain Bervie, of the Artillery." With one accord, the gentlemen both dropped Doctor Lagarde's hands, and looked at each other in blank amazement.
"Of course he has discovered our names somehow!" said Mr.Percy Linwood, explaining the mystery to his own perfect satisfaction in that way.
Captain Bervie had not forgotten what Madame Lagarde had said to him, when he too had suspected a trick.