"A good idea!" exclaimed his lieutenant.

Hal had been thinking rapidly. The men still held their revolvers in
their hands, but they no longer covered him. Taking advantage of this
fact, Hal suddenly dived under the bed and his two automatics were once
more in his hand.

But the two men were after him in an instant. Before he could turn and
bring his weapons to bear they had him covered, while Duval cried out:

"Come out from there, or I'll put a hole through you."

Hal realized that he could not hope to dispose of his two enemies, so
quickly shoving the two revolvers into his clothes, he once more emerged
and got to his feet.

"What are you, an ostrich?" demanded Duval, with a slight smile. "Think
if you get your head out of sight you are safe?"

Hal made no reply, but he felt considerably more comfortable with his two
automatics reposing safely at hand.

"Well, we might as well give the doomed a little bite to hold him up,"
said Duval, with a smirk. "You guard him now while I see what the pantry
has to offer. Keep him covered with your gun, for he is desperate and may
jump you."

"I'll guard him, all right," was the reply.

"Good! Of course, it is easy enough to shoot him, but I would rather have
him swim a while first."

CHAPTER XXVIII.

FIGHT AND ESCAPE.

Duval returned a few moments later with sandwiches and milk, which he
placed upon a table at one side of the room. He drew up three chairs and
motioned the other two to seats. Then, with his revolver upon the table
near him, he sat down himself.

"Don't stand on ceremony," he said to Hal. "This will be your last meal
on earth, so you may as well make the most of it. Pitch in."

"Thanks," replied Hal, showing no sign of fear.

He picked up a sandwich and proceeded to eat it with apparent relish.

Light now filtered through a window at the far end of the room. Duval
glanced at his watch.

"Mon Dieu!" he exclaimed. "I had no idea it was so late."

"What time is it?" asked Hal calmly.

"I can't see as it makes any difference to you," said Duval, with an evil
leer. "You are not going any place. However, I'll tell you. It is now
just ten minutes past eight."

Hal did not reply, and proceeded to finish his sandwich.

Finally, all the food having disappeared, Duval pushed back his chair and
produced three cigars, one of which he offered to Hal and the other to
his lieutenant.

"I don't smoke," said Hal; "thanks all the same."

"Suit yo