"Yes," both replied.
"_Bien_! Back to your places."
The lads retired.
Now Duval rose and addressed the others.
"Since our last meeting it has been decided not to kidnap the President,"
he said slowly.
Exclamations of disappointment escaped the men sitting about.
"But," continued Duval, "there nevertheless will be work for some of us that will mean additional gold for all."
Cries of satisfaction greeted this statement.
"It has been decided," Duval went on, emphasizing each word, "that the President must be put out of the way. Are there any present who object to this?"
He swept the room with his gaze.
Hal and Chester, although taken somewhat aback by this cold-blooded statement, manifested no surprise. Neither was there a word from any of the a.s.semblage, and Duval continued again:
"Now, for the honor of accomplishing this work you shall draw lots."
From his pocket he produced a small box.
"In here," he said calmly, "are enough b.a.l.l.s so that each may have one.
With the exception of two, all are black. The first man to select a red ball--his shall be the fortune to do the work; and to him goes an extra gold piece.
"That there may be no treachery, the man who picks the second red ball shall follow the first; and, in the event that he shows signs of a soft heart, or manifests a desire to give a warning, the second man shall kill him. Is that plain to you?"
Cries of "yes, yes" filled the room.
"All right, then," said Duval. "We shall now proceed with the drawing."
He opened one side of the box, and motioned for the first man to approach. The latter did so, drew forth a ball and exposed it to view. It was black, and the man pa.s.sed on.
Man after man drew and each pulled forth a black ball. Now it came Chester"s turn, and so far neither red ball had been drawn.
Slowly the lad approached with his heart in his mouth. To himself he muttered:
"I"ll draw a red one just as sure as I stand here. I can feel it!"
For a moment he hesitated, and Duval"s keen eyes caught the sign of indecision. He half rose to his feet.
"We want no chicken-hearts," he said. "However, draw or not, as you choose."
Chester caught the cold menace in the tone, and he realized that should he fail to draw, knowing what he did of the plot, he would never leave the room alive.
He thrust his hand into the box, clutched an elusive ball and drew it forth. He looked at it quickly and held it aloft.
The ball was red!
Immediately the men crowded about him and slapped him on the back.
"You are a lucky dog," exclaimed Jean; "an extra gold piece you"ll get."
Chester had been so sure that he would draw one of the red b.a.l.l.s that he felt no surprise. Hal, however, was greatly agitated, and he concealed his anxiety with an effort, as, being next in line, he also advanced to draw.
"If I can get the other red one," he said to himself, "it may work out all right."
The same thought had struck Chester, and he leaned forward anxiously. Hal thrust his hand into the box, then drew it forth again; and the ball that he held up was black.
The lad heaved a sigh of disappointment as he returned to his place.
"Never mind," said Chester, "it will come out all right."
Next to the last man to draw was Jean Garnier. He thrust his hand quickly into the box and pulled forth the second red ball. He was so elated that he cried out with joy. Then he ran to Chester and slapped him on the back.
"Perhaps," said he, "we can work this together and share equally in the prize."
Before Chester could reply, Duval rose once more to his feet and ordered that all leave the room except those who held the red b.a.l.l.s. Slowly the men filed out, Hal being among the last to go. Outside the lad walked some distance from the house, then, when he felt certain that the others had disappeared, returned, and concealed himself in a dark alleyway across the street, where he waited patiently for Chester to emerge.
As soon as the others had left the room, Duval called Chester and Jean to him, and spoke in a low voice.
"This work must not be bungled," he said sternly. Then, to Jean, "and you are to see that it is not bungled. If this Victor makes one false move, you know what to do?"
Jean nodded his head in the affirmative.
"But," he added, "Victor will make no false move."
"I feel sure of that," replied Duval, "or I should not allow him to leave here alive."
Then he addressed Chester.
"The President," he said, "will make an address from the steps of the Palace to-morrow at noon. I shall expect you to be in the crowd. When the proper moment comes, you will know what to do. Jean will be there to see you do it, and I myself shall be on hand to see that you both obey. Am I understood?"
"Yes," said Chester.
Jean likewise nodded affirmatively.
"All right, then. Are you armed?"
Jean shook his head negatively, and so did Chester, in spite of the fact that he had two automatics concealed in his clothes, for he did not think it wise to betray this to Duval.
From his pockets the Apache chief produced a pair of automatics, one of which he handed to each. Then he dismissed them with a flourish of his hand.
Jean led the way along the dark pa.s.sageway and into the street. Hal, from his place of concealment, saw them emerge and followed them. A short distance from the den he came up with them. Jean, as well as Chester, was delighted to see him.