"Matter is that Hal's mixed up in a duel, to be pulled off in the
morning."

"What!" exclaimed Lieutenant Anderson in surprise.

"Fact," said Hal. "I bumped into some little whipper-snapper of a French
lieutenant a couple of hours ago. He slapped me and I knocked him down.
Now he demands satisfaction, and I am going to give it to him in the
morning, at half-past five."

The lieutenant sat down heavily.

"Well, you are the limit," he said. "You are always in a scrape of some
kind. I suppose it's up to me to prevent the duel."

"No chance," said Hal briefly.

"No," agreed Chester, "and it's up to you to make the third party on our
side. I suppose the other crowd will bring a surgeon."

"Do you know what will happen if you are found out?" demanded the
lieutenant.

"No," said Hal.

"Well, it probably will mean strict confinement, at least. The
regulations in regard to dueling are very stringent."

"I can't help that," said Hal. "I can't back out now."