‘We shall be the laughing-stock of the town,’ consolingly remarked the Doctor, ‘if this gets wind.’

‘One word with you, Doctor,’ here interposed his principal.

They conferred.

At the end of the conference with his principal, the Doctor, advancing to the Captain, conferred with him.  Then the Captain conferred with his principal.  Then the seconds conferred with each other.  Finally, it was formally agreed between the contending parties that a statement should be drawn up in writing, whereby Principal No. 1 tendered the assurance that the offensive words ‘You are a liar’ were not used by him in any personal sense, but solely as an abstract proposition, in a general way, in regard to the matter of fact under dispute.  To which Principal No. 2 appended his statement of his high gratification at this candid and honorable explanation, and unqualifiedly withdrew the offensive words ‘You are a scoundrel,’ they having been used by him under a misapprehension of the intent and purpose of the remark which preceded them.

There being no longer a cause of quarrel, the duel was of course ended.  The principals shook hands, first with each other, and next with the seconds, and were evidently very glad to get out of it.

‘And now that it is so happily settled,’ said the Doctor, chuckling and rubbing his hands, ’it proves to have been a lucky mistake, after all, that we brought the wrong valise.  Wonder what the lady that owns it will say when she opens ours and finds the pistols.’

‘Very well for you to laugh about,’ growled the Captain; ’but it’s no joke for me to lose my pistols.  Hair triggers—­best English make, and gold mounted.  There arn’t a finer pair in America.’

’Oh, we’ll find ’em.  We’ll go on a pilgrimage from house to house, asking if any lady there has lost a night-cap and found a pair of dueling-pistols.’

* * * * *

CHAPTER IV.

In very good spirits, the party crossed the river, and inquired at the baggage-room in reference to each and all black leather traveling-bags arrived that day, took notes of where they were sent, and set out to follow them up.  In due time they reached the Continental, and, as luck would have it, met the unhappy bridal pair just coming down stairs in charge of the policeman.

‘What’s all this?’ inquired the Captain.

’Oh, a couple of burglars, caught with a valise full of stolen property.’

‘A valise!—­what kind of a valise?’

‘A black leather valise.  That’s it, there.’

’Here!—­Stop!—­Hallo!—­Policeman!—­Landlord!  It’s all right.  You’re all wrong.  That’s my valise.  It’s all a mistake.  They got changed at the depot.  This lady and gentleman are innocent.  Here’s their valise, with her night-cap in it.’

Great was the laughter, multifarious the comments, and deep the interest of the crowd in all this dialogue, which they appeared to regard as a delightful entertainment, got up expressly for their amusement.