the listeners could scarcely catch the words.

"Robard," said the ambassador sternly, "you may consider yourself
under arrest."

There was the sound of a scraping chair and heavy footsteps moving in the
room beyond.

"Another move and I shall fire," came Robard's voice.

"Man, you don't know what you are doing," came the surprised voice of the
ambassador.

"Don't?" said Robard, with a sneer in his voice. "I'll show you."

Again there came to the listeners' ears the sounds of heavy footsteps,
followed by the noise of a struggle.

"Great Scott! They are fighting!" exclaimed Hal. "What can we do? He
might kill the Ambassador."

"There is nothing we can do, old man," replied Chester quietly. "We'll
have to let them fight it out."

They listened intently.

The struggle continued, and occasionally the listeners could catch the
sound of fierce ejaculations. Then, suddenly, there came the sound of a
shot. Then silence, followed a moment later by a voice: