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"What are you blathering about?" asked the astonished Tony "Why do

you want to fight lish offer,

señor," explained Don Carlos "I will fight you for Miss Myra

Rostrevor If I beat you, you surrender her to me If you beat me, I

surrender her to you, set you both at liberty, and promise you safe

conduct back to El Castillo de Ruiz without any question of payive me your word of honour not to betray my

identity, which I shall reveal to you Is it a bargain?"

"But--but--hang it all!--the whole thing's fantastic!" stammered Tony,

more bewildered than ever "Why should I take the risk of having to

surrender Miss Rostrevor to you? It is an absurd proposal, although

you ht you, but

I've got to consider Miss Rostrevor"

"Does this proposal appeal to Miss Rostrevor?" inquired Don Carlos,

turning his hooded head in Myra's direction "It is possible that the

risk of becoether