He motioned to two of his men, who started to drag the prisoners toward an open door, beyond which, as Chester surmised, lay cells.
Chester shook himself free with a single movement and turned upon the
French captain.
"I am an army officer," he said quietly, "and am engaged in a piece of work at General Gallieni's own suggestion. You will summon him immediately."
The French officer was somewhat surprised at this, but he was not quite convinced.
"How am I to know that you speak the truth?" he asked skeptically.
"Because I say so," replied Chester quietly, taking a step forward.
The French officer also advanced a step.
"It is my belief that you seek the general for some ulterior purpose," he said with a sneer, and, before Chester realized what he was about to do, the officer raised his hand and slapped him soundly across the face. "Take them away," he ordered his men.
The blow in the face stung Chester to action.
With a quick spring he avoided the soldiers who would have seized him and leaped upon the French officer, whom he sent to the floor with a single blow of his fist. The officer rose slowly to his feet, drawing his revolver as he did so.