“What do you mean?” asked the general.

“Why,” said Chester, “if we hope to capture Duval—­who will be on hand to-morrow, and who is likely to shoot the President himself—­we must figure out the best means of doing so.”

“I shall have the President cancel his engagement.”

“That,” said Chester, “might only delay the assassination.”

“What would you suggest?”

Chester was silent for some minutes before he replied: 

“If the President doesn’t make his address to-morrow, his life probably will be attempted the next day or the next.  If he does speak, Duval is sure to be on hand.  Jean and I must be in the crowd, so that Duval may see us; for, if we are not there, Duval may suspect treachery and shoot the President himself.

“Seeing us there, however, Duval will take no action himself.  As the President’s speech progresses, Duval will be waiting for me to fire.  He will be continually thinking that I will do so in another moment.

“Now, I should say that this is the best way:  Let the President cut his speech short, say to three minutes.  The moment he ceases speaking, rush a heavy guard between him and the crowd and have him stoop immediately behind them.  Realizing that the plot has failed, Duval may not fire; but, in the event that he does, we shall probably be able to spot him and get him before he can escape.”

General Gallieni spent some minutes considering the feasibility of this plan.  Finally he said: 

“If we only knew Duval by sight, we could avoid all this by seizing him there before the Palace.”

“The trouble is we don’t,” replied Chester dryly.

General Gallieni turned to Jean.

“Do you know Duval by sight?” he asked.

“I have never seen his face, sir,” was the reply.  “He has never appeared before us without his mask.”

“Well, then,” said General Gallieni, “we shall have to do the best we can.  Now, you two go into the next room and get some sleep.  I’ll get the Prime Minister and explain the matter to him and to the President, that we may all act in accord.”

Chester saluted the general, and, followed by Jean, made his way into the adjoining room, while the general proceeded to get busy on the telephone.

Chester turned to Jean and clapped him heartily on the back.

“Isn’t this better than attempting to assassinate the President?” he asked.

Jean smiled back at him.

“It is,” he said quietly.  “And you may count upon me to the limit.”

“Good!” exclaimed Chester.  “I knew it.”

He threw himself upon a little cot and was soon fast asleep.  Jean followed his example.

Daylight was streaming into the room through the large French windows when Chester was aroused by a hand on his arm.  The lad was upon his feet in an instant and faced General Gallieni.  Immediately he turned and aroused Jean, who was still sleeping heavily.