"Yes; he was there, all right," said Chester.
Now came to Chester's ears the sound of stealthy footsteps in the passageway beyond the door, which Georges had barred and bolted immediately they had entered. The lad got nonchalantly to his feet and walked slowly toward the door.
Hal and Jean also had heard the sound of footsteps, and they now ranged themselves on either side of Chester.
Suddenly the revolvers of all three flashed out and covered the crowd of
Apaches, as Chester's voice rang out sternly:
"Throw up your hands, all of you!"
Taken completely by surprise, the Apaches obeyed.
Without lowering his weapons, Chester called to Jean:
"Open the door!"
Jean sprang to obey, and as he did so the Apaches, realizing that they were trapped, sprang toward the two lads with cries of rage. Right in the face of the muzzles of the four automatics they came on.
"Halt, or we fire!" cried Chester.