“What’s the matter?” demanded Chester, as the little man stopped.

“We can’t go in there,” was the reply.  “They won’t let us speak.  We’ll be thrown into jail and kept there.”

“Oh, no, we won’t,” said Chester.  “Leave it to me.  Come on.”

A sudden suspicion struck Jean.

“Tell me,” he cried, and grasped the lad fiercely by the arm, “are you a detective?”

“No,” replied Chester calmly.  “What made you think that?”

“I don’t know,” was the reply, “but the suspicion came to me and I could not down it.  I will have nothing to do with a detective.”

“Well,” said Chester, “I am no detective; but”—­he paused and laid his hand on Jean’s arm—­“I am a French army officer!”

“A spy!” cried Jean, and freed his arm.

“A spy, if you choose to call me one,” said Chester, “but still your friend, for I believe you have come to your senses.”

“I know,” cried Jean, “you want to get me locked up!”

He stepped quickly backward, turned, took to his heels and ran.

Chester was after him like a flash, and as he ran he muttered to himself: 

“Great Scott!  I can’t let him get away.  He is sure to believe he has been imposed upon, and undoubtedly will warn the others!”

The little Apache was fleet of foot, but still not so fleet as was Chester.  Within the block the lad overtook the fugitive and his hand grasped the other by the collar.

“Now,” he said quietly, “you shall come with me, whether you will or not.  I mean you no harm, and, if you do as I say, you will be all right.”

Jean was not convinced, however, and continued his desperate struggles to free himself.  But Chester was too strong for him, and with some difficulty he succeeded in dragging the little man back to the Hotel de Ville, and inside, where both were seized by half a dozen French troopers.

“Call General Gallieni at once,” demanded Chester.

The officer in command laughed at him.

“Ha!  Ha!  Ha!” he laughed.  “Look who wants to see the general.”

He motioned to two of his men, who started to drag the prisoners toward an open door, beyond which, as Chester surmised, lay cells.

Chester shook himself free with a single movement and turned upon the French captain.

“I am an army officer,” he said quietly, “and am engaged in a piece of work at General Gallieni’s own suggestion.  You will summon him immediately.”

The French officer was somewhat surprised at this, but he was not quite convinced.

“How am I to know that you speak the truth?” he asked skeptically.

“Because I say so,” replied Chester quietly, taking a step forward.

The French officer also advanced a step.

“It is my belief that you seek the general for some ulterior purpose,” he said with a sneer, and, before Chester realized what he was about to do, the officer raised his hand and slapped him soundly across the face.  “Take them away,” he ordered his men.