Then the Colonel took out another pair of blades, and taking one
himself and giving another to Dr. Bull, proceeded to place the
men.
Both combatants had thrown off their coats and waistcoats, and
stood sword in hand. The seconds stood on each side of the line of
fight with drawn swords also, but still sombre in their dark
frock-coats and hats. The principals saluted. The Colonel said
quietly, "Engage!" and the two blades touched and tingled.
When the jar of the joined iron ran up Syme's arm, all the
fantastic fears that have been the subject of this story fell from
him like dreams from a man waking up in bed. He remembered them
clearly and in order as mere delusions of the nerves—how the fear
of the Professor had been the fear of the tyrannic accidents of
nightmare, and how th
