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CHAPTER XXIV

THE DUEL

CLEGGETT took Wilton Barnstable by the sleeve and drew him towards Loge, who, still seated on the deck with his long legs stretched out in front of him, was now yawning with a cynical affectation of boredom.

"I wish you to act as my second in this affair," said Cleggett to the detective, "and I suggest that either Mr. Ward or Mr. Bard perform a like office for Mr. Black."

Loge shrugged his shoulders, and said with a sneer:

"A second, eh? We seem to be doing a great deal of arranging for a very small amount of fighting."

"I suggest," said Wilton Barnstable, "that a night's rest would be quite in order for both principals."

Loge broke in quickly, with studied insolence: "I object to the delay. Mr. Cleggett might find

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