As the Frenchman wheeled suddenly, upon his fourth step, and his finger
pressed the trigger, Hal's own weapon spoke suddenly. With a cry the
Frenchman threw up both hands, and pitched to the floor on his face.
The next moment Hal's revolver covered the Frenchman's second, before the
latter could raise his own weapon--had such been his intention--and in a
stern voice the lad cried:
"So this is French bravery, eh? You shoot men in the back! No wonder your
principal agreed upon ten paces."
Chester, having wheeled quickly at his fifth step, took in the situation
at a glance, and his revolver covered the other French officers. One of
the latter, raising a hand, stepped forward.
"_Monsieur_," he said quietly to Chester, "I would have you believe that
neither I nor my friends had a hand in this. Had we known what our friend
contemplated, we would not have allowed the duel to proceed."
Chester glanced at the Frenchman keenly for a moment, then lowered
his revolver.
"I believe you," he said simply.
Hal also now lowered the weapon with which he had covered the Frenchman's
second, and the latter also made profuse protests of innocence, which
both lads believed to be true.
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