"
The French officer was somewhat surprised at this, but he was not quite
convinced.
"How am I to know that you speak the truth?" he asked skeptically.
"Because I say so," replied Chester quietly, taking a step forward.
The French officer also advanced a step.
"It is my belief that you seek the general for some ulterior purpose," he
said with a sneer, and, before Chester realized what he was about to do,
the officer raised his hand and slapped him soundly across the face.
"Take them away," he ordered his men.
The blow in the face stung Chester to action.
With a quick spring he avoided the soldiers who would have seized him and
leaped upon the French officer, whom he sent to the floor with a single
blow of his fist. The officer rose slowly to his feet, drawing his
revolver as he did so.
"You dog!" he cried, and raised his weapon.
But he did not fire, for at that moment there came from directly behind
him the command in a ringing voice:
"Put down that weapon! What's the meaning of this?"
General Gallieni stood in the doorway.
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