CHAPTER XXIV.
THE LETTER TO CHARLES.—THE QUARREL.—THE ADMIRAL’S NARRATIVE.—THE MIDNIGHT MEETING.
It was Charles Holland who now advanced hurriedly to meet the admiral. The young man’s manner was anxious. He was evidently most intent upon knowing what answer could be sent by Sir Francis Varney to his challenge.
“Uncle,” he said, “tell me at once, will he meet me? You can talk of particulars afterwards, but now tell me at once if he will meet me?”
“Why, as to that,” said the admiral, with a great deal of fidgetty hesitation, “you see, I can’t exactly say.”
“Not say!”
“No. He’s a very odd fish. Don’t you think he’s a very odd fish, Jack Pringle’?”
“Ay, ay, sir.”
“There, you hear, Charles, that Jack is of my opinion that your opponent is an odd fish.”
“But, uncle, why trifle with my i
