Realizing that he had been caught in a position, not to his credit, the first German sought to temporize.
"I'm sorry if I was a bit hasty," he apologized to the German girl and her mother. "The truth is, I have had little rest lately, my nerves are bad and I am easily disturbed. I apologize."
The girl accepted the apology with a slight inclination of her head. Her mother said nothing.
The German turned to Chester.
"You struck me, sir," he said, "and under different conditions I would demand satisfaction. But in this case, you acted very properly. I would have done the same in your place."
He bowed to Chester, who lowered his revolver and slowly returned it to its holster.
This was the moment for which the treacherous German had been waiting. Suddenly he whipped out his own revolver.
But Hal, too, had been on the alert. A peculiar look in the German's eye had warned the lad that the man was bent on mischief. Therefore, Hal's revolver flashed forth a second sooner than that of Chester's enemy.
"Drop that!" called Hal sharply.
The German obeyed. There was nothing else for him to do. His head dropped, and a guilty flush crept over his face. Hal stepped forward and picked up the man's revolver, which he stowed safely in his own pocket.