"There can be no doubt that these are spies, sir," said Colonel Fuesco.
Chester became suddenly angry.
"That's a lie," he said flatly.
"What!" exclaimed the doughty colonel. "You call me a liar?"
Before General Ferrari or Hal could move to stay him, he stepped close to
Chester and struck him in the face.
Hal, knowing Chester's quick temper, became alarmed and cried out sharply:
"Don't hit him, Chester."
But he spoke too late. The blow aroused Chester's fighting blood and he took no thought of consequences. His right fist shot out sharply, and struck squarely upon the nose, the colonel reeled back and fell to the floor.
He was up in a moment, however, and in spite of his commander's sharp order, closed with Chester. The two rocked back and forth, as Hal and General Ferrari sought to separate them.
And at this moment a newcomer entered the room. He was a young man, thin and tall, and his face showed the marks of hard service. He was attired in the uniform of a French major. He, too, took a hand in attempting to separate the combatants.