Then, again, the turf is smooth as a table on that patch of lawn, and the ground well known to both of us; that, I can assure you, is a very necessary condition in the dark and one not to be found haphazard in the open." "But there is yet another consideration, sir.

I prefer that we engage on neutral ground, so that the survivor shall not be called upon for explanations that might be demanded if we fought here." Even in the gloom Sir Terence caught the flash of Samoval's white teeth as he smiled.
"You trouble yourself unnecessarily on my account," was the smoothly ironic answer.

"No one has seen me come, and no one is likely to see me depart." "You may be sure that no one shall, by God," snapped O'Moy, stung by the sly insolence of the other's assurance.
"Shall we get to work, then ?" Samoval invited.
"If you're set on dying here, I suppose I must be after humouring you, and make the best of it.

As soon as you please, then." O'Moy was very fierce.
They stepped to the patch of lawn in the middle of the quadrangle, and there Samoval threw off altogether his cloak and hat.

He was closely dressed in black, which in that light rendered him almost invisible.