No Defense, Complete

y the Maker of mornings in Ireland. It was a day such as Dublin

early an hour, the heat shimmers like a silver mist. The bells of churches were ringing, and the great cathedral bells boomed in thrilling monotony over the peaceful city.

or worked-were soldiers afoot; soldiers with carbines and long bayonets, with tall, slightly peaked hats, smart red coats, belts crossing their breasts, knee-breeches and leggings, and all with epaulets shining. They were i

egiment, and men of the Defenders and the Peep-o'-Day Boys-there were little groups of

ips cracked, and the loud voices of jarveys shouted blatant humour and Irish fun at horse and passenger. Here and there, also, so

atmosphere that on a sunshiny day all tristesse of life seems changed, as in a flash, into high spirits and much

eir account in a secluded corner of Phoenix Park. It was not the usual place for duels. The seconds had taken care to keep the locale

before, but in separate taverns near Phoenix Park. Mallow came almost jauntily to the obscure

ing the grounds alive; yet as he entered the place, where smooth grass between the trees made good footing for the work to be done, the thrill of the greene

fed the air and turned his face towards the sun. "Well, it's a day for Ireland," he added, in response

lmeric. "But I'm not thinking

atmosphere of the bigger world, and the greater life. He even did not hate Mallow at the moment. The thing about to be

ght of her gladdened the eyes of his soul. For one brief instant he stood lost in the mind's loo

cret-service man-but in his eyes was a dark fire of purpose. The morning had touched him, but not as it had thrown over Dyck its mantle of peace. Mallow also had enjoyed the smell and feeling of it all, but with this difference-it had filled him with such material joy that

y was better than that of most men; but this was, in fact, his first real duel. In the troubled state of Ireland, with internal discord, challenge, and attack, he had more than once fought, and with success; but that was in the rough-and-tumble of lif

-exactly as he entered it. He would leave it wounded, incapable, or dead. Indeed, both might leave it wounde

well set up, muscular, and with a steadier eye than that of his foe. Also, as the combat developed, it was clear that he had a hand as steady as his eye. What was more, his wrist had

perfect-evenly distributed, clear enough to permit accuracy of distance in a st

. The turf was as elastic to the foot as a firm mattress. In the trees, birds were singing with liveliness; in the distance, horned cattle browsed, and a pair of

looked gracious; while the upraised left hand of the fighters balancing the sword-thrust and the weight of the bo

ess is joined to skill; and Dyck's skill was of the best. His heart was warm. His momentary vision of Sheila Llyn remained with him-

and with a certain trick or art he had given the end to the lives of several. He became conscious, however, that Dyck had a particular stroke in mind, whic

muddle his defence and to clear an opening for his own deadly str

, swift play of the sword, the quivering flippancy of the steel, gave Dyck that which almost disconcerted him. Yet he had a grip of himself, and preserved his defence intact; th

g. At length, however, Dyck's tactics changed. Once again he became aggressive, and he drove his foe to a point where the skill of both men was tried to the uttermost. It was clear the time had come for something definite. Suddenly Dyck threw himself back with an agile step, lunged slightly to one side, and then

. He clasped the wounded arm with his

e," he said to Dyck;

ered Dyck. "Give me y

the old stump of a tree, held out hi

d. "Look at the state of my hand! It's good blood," he added

ll be better from it soon. These great men"-he smiled towards the surgeons-"will soon put you right

l deserve it," Mallow added adroitly, the great paleness of h

at what Mallow had said was fresh evidence of the man's arrogant character. It did not offend him, h

ow's voice

d at the Breakneck Club; but after a fight with one of the best sword

him on with his coat. The operation had not been without pain, but this demonstration from his foe was too m

ood deal in these days. I'll never have a bigger fight. You're a greater swordsman than your reputation. I

yalist, and if you're one, too, what reason

d flooded Ca

you say! Have you any d

am misunderstood! I meant nothing by that 'if.'" He smiled, and the smile had a touch of wickedness. "

was not that of a foe. "Well, let us be friends," Dyck answered with a cordial s