“We might as well do this right,” he remarked to the lads.

Ten minutes later the squad appeared, and the general, mounting his own horse, which had been standing by, placed himself at their head.  Then he motioned the lads to climb up before two of the soldiers and point out the way to the den.

This the lads did, and soon the squad was trotting briskly along the streets.

Some distance from the rendezvous Hal called a halt, and jumped lightly to the ground.  Chester and General Gallieni also dismounted.

“I believe it would be a good idea for my friend and I to go first,” said Hal to the general.  “We are still in our Apache togs.  One of your men can come with us, so as to be able to point out the way.  Then he can return and bring you.  In the meantime we can see that the door is left open.”

General Gallieni assented to this plan, and Hal, Chester and one soldier made their way forward.

Hal recognized the little frame house at once, but just as he was about to enter a figure stole softly across the street and took Chester by the arm.

It was Jean.

“You won’t be able to open the door in the passageway,” he said in a low tone.

“Great Scott!” exclaimed Chester.  “How do you happen to be here?”

“I expected that there would be a raid,” was the reply, “and I came to help you.  You had better let me take the lead.”

“All right,” said Chester, and he explained the situation to Hal.

Jean now took the lead, and they entered the house.  Once more they traversed the dark passageway, and Jean opened the door in the dark and led the way to the room beyond.  Here Hal motioned for the soldier to return and bring the others—­the door had been left open—­and the trooper hurried away.

Hal approached the room and knocked sharply on the door—­three light taps, followed by one loud tap.  There came to their ears the sound of a scraping chair, the door was unbarred and unbolted, and Georges peered through.  He recognized the three figures in the passageway, and threw wide the door.

“Successful?” he asked eagerly as the three entered.

“Yes,” said Chester briefly.

“Bien!”

The others in the room, of whom there were perhaps fifty, also crowded around and patted Chester and Jean on the back, profuse in their congratulations.

The three sat down at the table, where Chester, in response to Georges’ request, began an account of the supposed assassination.

“I suppose the chief will soon be here,” he broke off to say.

“And then,” said Georges, rubbing his hands, “we shall receive our gold.  Did you see the chief in the crowd?”

“Yes; he was there, all right,” said Chester.

Now came to Chester’s ears the sound of stealthy footsteps in the passageway beyond the door, which Georges had barred and bolted immediately they had entered.  The lad got nonchalantly to his feet and walked slowly toward the door.