Hal was forced to smile at the grimness of the boy's tones.
"No," he said quietly, "I have done him injury enough for one time.
Let him go."
"But he will try to kill you again!"
"If he does, he will wish he hadn't," was Hal's reply.
He turned and prodded Matin with the toe of his boot. "Get up and get out of here," he said sharply.
Cringingly, Matin obeyed. He slunk out of the room without a word.
"Now I can breath easier," declared Hal. "His presence contaminated the air."
"I am afraid you let him off too easily, Hal," said Chester. "You at least should report him and have him put in a safe place."
"I guess I am big enough to fight my own battles, Chester," said Hal.
"The French officers have enough to do without worrying about men like
Matin. Besides, I don't really believe he will bother me again."
And so the subject was dismissed. Jules took his departure and Hal and Chester again lay down to sleep. Chester was just about to doze when a sudden thought struck him.