me 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.

"All is in readiness," said General Gallieni. "The President and the
Prime Minister have been apprised of the plan, and it is to be acted upon
as you suggested."

Chester produced his watch and glanced at it.

"Half-past ten," he said. He turned to the general. "Have you had any
word from Hal?"

"Who?"

"Hal--Lieutenant Paine."

"No."

"By Jove!" said Chester. "I hope he hasn't gotten into any trouble."

Eleven o'clock came, and still no word from Hal.

At 11:15 Chester and Jean left the Hotel de Ville and made their way
toward the Palace. A great crowd had already assembled when they arrived,
and they had some difficulty in pushing their way through, so that they
might get as close as possible to the spot where the President was to
stand while delivering his address.

By the dint of hard shoving and pushing, and the use of their elbows,
however, they were finally successful, and came to a pause near the
foot of the steps, in the very first line of spectators. Beyond was
drawn up an armed guard of perh