“General Gallieni!”

A short, squat man, attired in a brilliant red-and-blue uniform, with medals flashing upon his breast, strode into the room and came to attention before the Prime Minister.

“You summoned me, sir?”

“Yes, General.  These,” indicating Hal and Chester, “are the two officers who overheard the plot to kidnap President Poincare.  I have called you here that you may hear their story at first hand.”  He turned to the two lads.  “This,” he said, “is General Gallieni, military governor of Paris.  You will repeat to him what you overheard.”

In a few brief words Hal did so, and, when he had concluded the Prime Minister passed the message from General Joffre to General Gallieni.  The latter ran his eye over it quickly, and for some moments thereafter was silent.

“And you say that this plot was to be carried out in the event that the German offensive failed?” he asked at length.

“Such is my understanding, sir,” replied Hal.

“And you say a German agent is supposed to have been in communication with Pierre Duval, recognized as King of the Apaches?”

“Yes, sir.”

General Gallieni turned to the Prime Minister.

“I have made inquiries,” he said, “and I have learned enough to substantiate this story.  We can, of course, foil the plot with ease, but that is not enough.”

“No,” the Prime Minister agreed, “that is not enough.”

“We must apprehend Duval himself,” continued the military governor.

“Exactly,” said the Prime Minister, “and with him sufficient of his men to cause the others to realize that when they plot treason to France their necks are in jeopardy.”

“Precisely,” agreed General Gallieni.  “But this Duval is a slippery fellow and hard to catch.  I have learned that, unlike other Apaches, he comes of better blood; in fact, is supposed to be a gentleman.  But, beyond this, I have learned nothing except the existence of the plot to kidnap the President.”

“But the police and the secret service men,” said the Prime Minister, “haven’t they been able—­”

“The police and secret service men, bah!” interrupted General Gallieni.  “They have learned nothing.  Their faces are so familiar to the denizens of the underworld as to make them absolutely useless.  I have set some of my officers on the trail, but they seem to have met with no better luck.  No; we must have men whose identities cannot be so easily established; strangers, say, who are willing to risk their lives by going into the haunts of the Apaches, and, perhaps, putting themselves in their power.”

“Then, sir,” said Chester, taking a step forward, “you need seek no further.  My friend and I shall be glad to undertake the work.”

“You!” exclaimed the Prime Minister, starting back in surprise.  “Why, you are nothing but boys.”

“True,” said Hal, somewhat nettled, “but more than once we have accomplished men’s work.”