I am not surprised you should shelter yourself behind an enactment; but you will remember this enactment does not apply to me, who am not a soldier." "But it applies to me, who am not only a soldier, but the Adjutant-General here, the man chiefly responsible for seeing the order carried out.

It would be a fine thing if I were the first to disregard it." "I am afraid it is too late.

You have disregarded it already, sir." "How so ?" "The letter of the law is against sending or receiving a challenge, I think." O'Moy was distracted.

"Samoval," he said, drawing himself up, "I will admit that I have been a fool.

I will apologise to you for the blow and for the word that accompanied it." "The apology would imply that my statement was a true one and that you recognised it.