“You can’t fool me,” was the reply.  “I know when I am done for.  But I am glad that, before my time came, you were able to put me on the right path.  It is better to die thus.”

Chester did not reply.  There was nothing he could say.

Jean looked at him and smiled, then reached out his hand and clasped Chester’s.

“It’s all right,” he said, pressing the lad’s hand; “but let me give you a word of warning.  Do not let any of these Apaches know your real identity.  Their arm is long and they never forgive.  Good-by.”

He pressed the lad’s hand, gave a single shudder and his grasp relaxed.  Chester rose to his feet and turned to Hal.

“He is dead,” he said quietly.

Leaving the body of Jean to be disposed of with the others, the lads made their way outside, to where General Gallieni stood.  The latter greeted them with a smile.

“Well, we have finished it up,” he said cheerfully, “and thanks to you two lads.  I can see now why General Joffre has such confidence in you.”

The lads flushed with pleasure at this compliment, but neither replied.  They merely bowed.

“Now,” said General Gallieni, “you shall come with me.”

“Where to, sir?” asked Chester.

“Never mind,” was the laughing rejoinder.  “Mount two of those horses and follow me.”

Without further questions the lads obeyed, and, after half an hour’s ride, found themselves before the Palace where so recently the attempt on the life of the President of France had been foiled.

General Gallieni dismounted and motioned the lads to follow him, which they did, going up the steps and entering the Palace itself.  Here General Gallieni gave his name to an attendant.  The latter disappeared, but returned a few moments later and bowed.

General Gallieni, closely followed by Hal and Chester, passed within the next room.  There a man in civilian attire, bearded and with flashing eye, advanced to meet them.

“Allow me to present to you, sir,” said General Gallieni, with a flourish, “Lieutenants Paine and Crawford, sir.”

Both lads bowed low, for the man who advanced toward them with outstretched hand was Raymond Poincare, President of France.

“I am greatly indebted to you boys,” said the President, “for the aid you have rendered me; but I am still more indebted for the service you have rendered France.”

He spoke at length to the two lads, and finally informed them that they might withdraw, as he had matters of importance to discuss with General Gallieni.

“Well,” said Hal to Chester, when they were again on the outside, “what shall we do now?”

“I guess we might as well hunt up our mothers,” was Chester’s reply.

Accordingly they turned and hurried in the direction of the hotel where, the evening before, they had outwitted Uncle John.

Uncle John was standing just inside the entrance of the hotel.  He glanced at the lads as they entered, but, as they were still in their Apache togs, and were ragged and dirty, he did not recognize them.  Chester approached him, and in a wheedling voice said: