CHAPTER XIII.
The arrangements for the duel progressed rapidly. Once it was understoodthat there should be a meeting, no more accommodating gentleman thanCaptain Carroll could be wished. He left everything to O'Brien, theweapons, the ground, the time. He would leave the choice of all these tothe other side, dealing as knew he was with such an honorable gentlemen;but notwithstanding this, managed to have the arrangement of everything,even to the position of the men on the field, as he won the toss for thechoice.
The night before the duel Martin wrote several letters to Carden, Mr.Stafford and Blount, and two to relatives in America. These he entrustedto O'Brien, to be forwarded in case he was killed. He was not at allalarmed about himself, just a bit nervous about the other fellow.
"It's a cold-blooded piece of business," he said, in talking withO'Brien. "Suppose I should kill him?"
"The anxiety is generally the other way," replied O'Brien, with, alaugh. "Still, as you suggest, it's serious business and I wish it wasover."
"It's lucky I'm a pretty good shot," mused Martin, "otherwise I mightaccidentally kill him." And looking up suddenly at O'Brien, added: "Ofcourse it would never do to kill him. That job must be left for anothertime and another manner!"
The morning set for the duel dawned fair and bright, and with the firststreaks of red across the sky a jaunting car and a closed carriagearrived at a quiet spot not a mile from the Blessert Arms. In thejaunting car came Martin and O'Brien, while the carriage contained Hall,Captain Carroll and a surgeon.
The parties had separated the night before and taken up quarters atdifferent inns to avoid suspicion.
Captain Carroll having won the toss for position, placed his man withhis back to the sun.
As Martin took his place he handed a letter to O'Brien. "Only in case ofdeath," he said. It was addressed to Kate Stafford.
Whether one was too quick or the other too slow no one could say, but itwas quite certain that Martin's pistol was not discharged until he fellwith a bullet in his side.
Hall remained in his position until Carroll heard the surgeon's report.
"He's dangerously hurt and you had better get away to Dublin forawhile," said Carroll, hurrying back, "I've arranged with O'Brien tokeep you informed of his condition. Can I do anything else?"
"Yes, send down that man of mine with all my luggage as soon aspossible!"
"All right! But I don't think it's as bad as that--but be off! You takethe car, he must have the carriage."
When O'Brien saw Hall about to drive away he hesitated for a moment, andwas about to make some excuse to get away and follow him, when Carrolljoined them, saying he too must leave, as he had promised Hall to sendhis man after him at once. This decided O'Brien, and he remained andassisted in conveying Martin to the Blessert Arms.
After seeing Martin placed in bed, O'Brien immediately mailed theletters he had received the previous night, and then sent a long letterto Inspector Prime of London and a telegram to Farrell, his partner, atthe hotel where Hall had stopped on coming to Dublin. He also sentanother to the Dublin police to look after Hall's movements, and havingthus closed all avenues of escape, returned to the inn.
The surgeon had just finished a careful examination of Martin's wound,and said bluntly that he considered it dangerous, but could not speakwith certainty for a day or two.
O'Brien was a good detective, but felt dismayed at the idea of having toplay nurse. He appealed to Mrs. Moran, the good-natured proprietress ofthe Blessert Arms, for assistance before letting the surgeon leave.
"Good gracious!" she exclaimed, indignantly. "Do you take us forheathens? Why, I'm only waiting for the doctor to leave to go and seewhat's to be done!"
"But I want somebody to look after him all the time, Mrs. Moran. I willbe around myself, of course, but I'm no use as nurse and I will pay wellfor some one who is."
"Well, pay or no pay, you don't suppose we'd leave one sick man to takecare of another? But if Julia wants to make a little extra I'll give herthe chance. She's a good girl--the best I've ever had!--Julia!"
"Julia," a pretty black-eyed girl with rosy cheeks and a Juno form, camein answer to the call.
"Julia," said Mrs. Moran, "Mr. Martin in No. 6 has been hurt thismorning, and Mr. O'Brien, here, wants somebody to take care of him, andhe wants to pay something for it, too. It's a chance to make a fewshillings, if you want to take it."
Julia wanted to take it immediately, and was duly installed as a nurse.
Toward evening fever set in and Martin became delirious. The surgeon wascalled in at once. It was bad, very bad, he said, and he remained anhour or more with his patient.
Just after the surgeon left Captain Carroll called. O'Brien, who did notwant to scare Hall out of Ireland just yet, met him down-stairs, andsaid the surgeon had declared the wound to be a dangerous one. That ofcourse Hall already knew, and it would serve to keep him worried.Nothing more definite would be known for a day or two.
During the afternoon of the second day, when Captain Carroll calledagain, he met the surgeon, who told him the case was a decidedly uglyone, and that if inflammation set in, as he feared it would, there waslittle hope of saving Martin's life.
Carroll immediately telegraphed Hall: "Better leave. It looks very bad,"and Hall having an hour to spare, caught the steamer for Liverpool. Hehad found his valet, Farrell, quite competent and useful, and broughthim along.
Meanwhile the letters mailed by O'Brien had reached theirdestination--those reaching Hanley Hall causing no little commotion.Martin had closed both letters by saying: "This will be mailed only incase of my death or serious injury." And O'Brien, it should have beenmentioned, had written Carden that the cause was serious injury.
Mr. Stafford and Carden immediately decided to start for Naas. Theletters were received at breakfast, and during the meal the mendiscussed the trip and the probable condition of Martin. Mrs. Staffordand Miss Fleming expressed the greatest sympathy for Martin, but Kateremained silent. As they arose from the table, however, she said:
"Papa! Do you think--do you think we--that is, I could be of anyservice? It must be awful to be a stranger in one of those places--andbe--be so ill!"
"Bless me!" exclaimed Mr. Stafford, looking at her in surprise."I--I----"
Before he could go any further there was an approving chorus:
_Carden._ By Jove! The very thing! Kate, you're a brick!
_Mrs. Stafford._ Kate is right, George! We owe Mr. Martin manyobligations!
_Miss Fleming._ How nice of you, Kate! I should just love to go!
Mr. Stafford looked dismayed, and said very meekly that he had made noobjection to Kate's accompanying them, nor had he any to make, and as ittook women folks all day to get ready, she had better begin at once.
Preparations for the trip were begun immediately, but just at noon asthey were about ready there came a telegram from Inspector Prime askingCarden to come immediately to London.
This was a set-back, but Carden decided matters. He would go at once toLondon, while they should start later for Liverpool. After seeing theinspector he would follow on to Liverpool and catch them at the boat.
Carden accordingly started at once, and as arranged caught them atLiverpool. He looked somewhat excited, but said nothing, except that theinspector had news of interest to Martin.
Thus it happened that Hall sailing from Ireland passed his betrothedsailing to Ireland.