"Gentlemen, this is childish.

Go, sir!" to Don Caesar, pointing with a gaunt white finger into the darkened hall.

"I will follow you.

Mr.Hathaway, as an older man, and one who has seen a good deal of foolish altercation, I regret, sir, deeply regret, to be a witness to this belligerent quality in a law-maker and a public man; and I must deprecate, sir--deprecate, your demand on that gentleman for what, in the folly of youth, you are pleased to call personal satisfaction." As he moved with dignity out of the room, Paul remained blankly staring after him.

Was it all a dream ?--or was this Colonel Pendleton the duelist?
Had the old man gone crazy, or was he merely acting to veil some wild purpose?
His sudden arrival showed that Yerba must have sent for him and told him of Don Caesar's threats; would he be wild enough to attempt to strangle the man in some remote room or in the darkness of the passage?
He stepped softly into the hall: he could still hear the double tread of the two men: they had reached the staircase--they were DESCENDING! He heard the drowsy accents of the night porter and the swinging of the door--they were in the street! Wherever they were going, or for what purpose, HE must be at the station, as he had warned them he would be.