Quickly he shed his overcoat and then tossed off his jacket and passed them to Chester.
"Hold 'em!" he said, and sprang forward.
At the edge of the circle he halted and gazed at the big Frenchman, who had chanced to turn in his direction.
"Let the boy go," he said. "Can't you see that he is unconscious?"
The big Frenchman grinned at him. When Hal had taken off his coat, he had removed all signs of his rank and the soldier had no means of knowing he was an officer.
"One more toss," said the Frenchman.
Hal stepped close to him.
"The boy is unconscious," said the Frenchman, and added: "Then we'll take you."
He nodded to the others in signal that it was time to toss; but before he could move, Hal had seized him by the wrist and whirled him around.
"You heard me," the lad said quietly. "I meant what I said."