It was also stipulated that should one of the
principals fire before he had taken five paces he should be shot down by
the other's second.
The seconds were the only two permitted to have arms besides the
principals. Hal had insisted upon this, and, accordingly, the others
turned their weapons over to the proprietor, who, at Hal's command, had
taken them to the next room.
Chester and his opponent stood back to back, and Hal, who had called the
toss of a coin, began to count:
"One! Two! Three!"
At the word Chester and the French officer who had stood in the center of
the room walked slowly away from each other with measured stride.
Two steps, three, four, the young Frenchman took, and then wheeled
suddenly and brought his revolver to bear upon the back of his
antagonist, who was taking the full five strides. The Frenchman's finger
tightened on the trigger.
But Hal had been watching him like a hawk. His quick mind had detected
the treachery of the Frenchman before the two had taken their places, and
he held his own revolver ready, as did the Frenchman's second.
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