“Pierre Duval,” whispered Hal to Chester, “the King of the Apaches!”

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE APACHE CHIEF.

Immediately all in the room rose to their feet, Hal and Chester doing likewise.  Duval strode straight to the table in the center of the room without so much as a glance about, and sat down at its head.  Then the others resumed their seats.

Duval turned to Georges.

“Are we all here?” he demanded, in a low, soft voice.

“Yes, sir,” replied Georges, “and two besides.”

“Bring the strangers before me,” ordered the chief.

At a sign from Georges, Hal and Chester advanced and stood before the Apache king.  The latter surveyed them long and carefully through his mask.

“Names?” he asked briefly.

The lads gave their assumed ones.

“You know what we are here for?” was the next question.

The lads signified that they did.

“And you are with us?”

“Yes,” both replied.

“Bien!  Back to your places.”

The lads retired.

Now Duval rose and addressed the others.

“Since our last meeting it has been decided not to kidnap the President,” he said slowly.

Exclamations of disappointment escaped the men sitting about.

“But,” continued Duval, “there nevertheless will be work for some of us that will mean additional gold for all.”

Cries of satisfaction greeted this statement.

“It has been decided,” Duval went on, emphasizing each word, “that the President must be put out of the way.  Are there any present who object to this?”

He swept the room with his gaze.

Hal and Chester, although taken somewhat aback by this cold-blooded statement, manifested no surprise.  Neither was there a word from any of the assemblage, and Duval continued again: 

“Now, for the honor of accomplishing this work you shall draw lots.”

From his pocket he produced a small box.

“In here,” he said calmly, “are enough balls so that each may have one.  With the exception of two, all are black.  The first man to select a red ball—­his shall be the fortune to do the work; and to him goes an extra gold piece.

“That there may be no treachery, the man who picks the second red ball shall follow the first; and, in the event that he shows signs of a soft heart, or manifests a desire to give a warning, the second man shall kill him.  Is that plain to you?”

Cries of “yes, yes” filled the room.

“All right, then,” said Duval.  “We shall now proceed with the drawing.”

He opened one side of the box, and motioned for the first man to approach.  The latter did so, drew forth a ball and exposed it to view.  It was black, and the man passed on.

Man after man drew and each pulled forth a black ball.  Now it came
Chester’s turn, and so far neither red ball had been drawn.