“I have come,” said Pierre, “to arrange a matter of business.
But I believe you are not the right man.”
“Then why did you come?”
“Would you care to earn a thousand francs?” asked Pierre after a moment’s reflection.
Monsieur Phillips betrayed his first sign of interest.
“My dear sir,” he replied, “there are very few things in this world I would not undertake for a thousand francs.”
“That is well,” said Pierre.
“But before we proceed further, can you shoot—with the pistol?”
The other frowned and glanced up quickly.
“Better than anyone else in Paris,” he announced.
“But I have said that there are a few—”
“It is an affair of honor,” Pierre interrupted.
Phillips elevated his brows.
“That’s different.
Go on.”
Still Pierre hesitated. Then, with a gesture of decision he crossed to the chair near the door, rolled off its encumbrances onto the floor, and placing it by Phillips’s table, seated himself.
“Of course,” he began, “you can keep a secret?”
“For a thousand francs—yes.”
“That is well.
You shall be paid.
What I want is easily told.
I am challenged to a duel with pistols at twenty paces on Thursday morning at six o’clock.
I want—I want you to take my place.”
Phillips gave a start of surprise and looked keenly at Pierre.
“It is impossible,” he said finally.
“I should be detected.”
“That is my risk. Besides, I can arrange it perfectly.
Do you accept or not?”
“Where is the duel to be fought?”
“On the bank of the Seine, just south of the Pont de Suresnes.”
“That’s dangerous.
For you must know the new prefect has issued an edict—”
“That also can be arranged,” Pierre interrupted.
“Well—who is your man?”
“Lamon, the dramatist.”
“Ah!”
Phillips hesitated and appeared to be lost in thought, while his lips were compressed in a curious smile.
“I accept,” he said finally.
“Good!”
Pierre breathed a sigh of relief.
“Then there remain only the details.”
“Which are somewhat important,” the other observed dryly.
“Proceed, monsieur.”
Pierre hitched his chair a little nearer and continued:
“First, there is the matter of identity.
Well, you are nearly of my size; you will wear my clothing, and you will go masked.”
“How can you arrange that?”
Pierre brushed aside the objection with a wave of the hand.
“Very simple.
You spoke of the edict of the new prefect of police.