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.  Then he bent over Chester’s late antagonist.

“He is still alive,” he said, looking up after an examination.  “The bullet struck him in the chest.  With proper attention he will recover.”  He approached Chester and held out his hand.  “I regret this unpleasant incident exceedingly,” he said.  “I trust you will absolve us from blame.”

“Of course,” said Chester, grasping the outstretched hand.  “I would be loath to believe that all Frenchmen are not true soldiers and honorable gentlemen.”

Hal also shook hands all around with the young Frenchmen, and a few moments later announced that they must be on their way.  The Frenchmen escorted them to their car, which was now ready and waiting for them, and, as Hal sent it forward with a lurch, they sped the lads on their way with rousing cheers.

“By Jove!  That was a pretty narrow squeak!” Chester called over Hal’s shoulder, as the car swept from the little city of Nanteul and sped on across the open country.  “If you hadn’t been on the alert I would be with the angels now.”

“I don’t know how I came to suspect him,” replied Hal, also raising his voice to a shout, to make himself heard above the roaring of the flying automobile.  “Something seemed to tell me he was up to some deviltry, and I figured it out before you took your places.  So, when he turned before time, I was ready for him.”

“And a good thing for me that you were,” Chester muttered to himself.

The car sped on.

Through Dammartin they dashed with slightly diminished speed, and, bearing off a trifle to the north, passed through St. Gonesse.  Ten minutes later they came within sight of Paris and Hal slowed down.

“Well, I guess we won’t have any more trouble before we get to Paris,” he said.  “I judge that we are on the outskirts now.”

The car continued at a more moderate gait.  Passing vehicles became more frequent now, and the lad was forced to go very slowly in some places to avoid dense crowds of pedestrians and troops.