"Now, I should say that this is the best way: Let the President cut his speech short, say to three minutes. The moment he ceases speaking, rush a heavy guard between him and the crowd and have him stoop immediately behind them. Realizing that the plot has failed, Duval may not fire; but, in the event that he does, we shall probably be able to spot him and get him before he can escape."
General Gallieni spent some minutes considering the feasibility of this plan. Finally he said:
"If we only knew Duval by sight, we could avoid all this by seizing him there before the Palace."
"The trouble is we don't," replied Chester dryly.
General Gallieni turned to Jean.
"Do you know Duval by sight?" he asked.
"I have never seen his face, sir," was the reply. "He has never appeared before us without his mask."
"Well, then," said General Gallieni, "we shall have to do the best we can. Now, you two go into the next room and get some sleep. I'll get the Prime Minister and explain the matter to him and to the President, that we may all act in accord."
Chester saluted the general, and, followed by Jean, made his way into the adjoining room, while the general proceeded to get busy on the telephone.
Chester turned to Jean and clapped him heartily on the back.