, is willing to
accept his apology."

"There'll be no apology," growled Chester, who had overheard this remark.

"But the ten paces, _monsieur_," protested the Frenchman. "It will be
murder. My friend is a crack shot. At the distance he cannot miss. He
would give your friend a chance for his life by lengthening the
distance."

"Ten paces or nothing," replied Hal.

The Frenchman bowed and returned to his principal. They conversed in low
tones, and finally the second announced that the terms were satisfactory.

As the two principals came together Hal perceived a peculiar gleam in the
eye of the Frenchman, and realized in a moment that Chester's antagonist
had some scheme up his sleeve. Hal thought rapidly, and then drew a
breath of relief. He believed he had solved the Frenchman's plan and he
determined to thwart it.

The two principals, according to the arrangements made, were to stand
back to back, and, at the count of three, each take five steps, turn and
fire at will. Each weapon had been carefully examined by both seconds and
all cartridges removed but two. Consequently, each was to be allowed two
shots, if necessary, and, in the event that neither fell, honor was to be
declared appeased. It was also stipulated that should one of the
principals fire before he had taken five paces he should be shot down by
the other's second.

The seconds were the only two permitted to have arms besides the
principals. Hal had insisted upon this, and, accordingly, the others
turned their weapons over to the proprietor, who, at Hal's command, had
taken them to the next room.

Chester and his opponent stood back to back, and Hal, who had called the
toss of a coin, began to count:

"One! Two! Three!"

At the word Chester and the French officer who had stood in the center of
the room walked slowly away from each other with measured stride.

Two steps, three, four, the young Frenchman took, and then wheeled
suddenly and brought his revolver to bear upon the back of his
antagonist, who was taking the full five strides. The Frenchman's finger
tightened on the trigger.

But Hal had been watching him like a hawk. His quick mind had detected
the treachery of the Frenchman before the two had taken their places, and
he held his own revolver ready, as did the Frenchman's second.

As the Frenchman wheeled suddenly, upon his fourth step, and his finger
pressed the trigger, Hal's own weapon spoke suddenly. With a cry the
Frenchman th