Jean did not reply for some moments, and they walked along in silence for several blocks. Finally the little man replied:
"But I have been ordered to shoot you if you fail to carry out your end of the work."
"In which event," replied Chester calmly, "you would also have to assassinate the President, and would yourself be killed."
"Then what am I to do?" cried Jean, now greatly alarmed.
"Follow my example, and have no hand in the matter," said Chester.
"It might be done," said Jean slowly, "for Duval himself will be present to-morrow, and, when he sees we have failed, he will do the deed himself."
"Then we must prevent that also."
"What! Why?"
"Because, should the President fall before any hand—yours, mine, Duval's or another's—we should still meet the same fate; for the city would be dragged by the troops and police and not an Apache left alive. No, the President must be warned."
"But that is treachery!" cried the little man.