This lad"--and the general laid his hand on Chester's
shoulder--"already has proven himself invaluable to our cause. Had I not
fortunately arrived in time, he would now be dead. And in that event it
would have fared badly with you. But I must investigate this case
farther. Captain Bassil, you will go immediately to your quarters and
consider yourself under arrest."
As the captain saluted and turned to leave the tent, Chester, who had
been silent thus far, exclaimed:
"One moment, please, Captain Bassil," and then turned to General Givet.
"I will explain, sir," he, added, "if you will have Captain Bassil remain
a moment longer."
The general nodded and Captain Bassil remained. Chester walked up to him
and looked him steadily in the eye for several moments. Then he turned to
General Givet and said calmly:
"I accuse Captain Bassil, sir, of being a German spy!"
"What!" exclaimed the Belgian commander, starting back. "Do you realize
what you are saying?"
"Perfectly, sir, and I am prepared to prove what I say."
Captain Bassil smiled sneeringly.
"I won't believe you will take any stock in such a wild story, sir," he
said to General Givet. "With your permission, I shall go to my own
quarters."
"One moment," said the general, raising a detaining hand, and then turned
to Chester. "Explain yourself," he added shortly.
In a few well-chosen words Chester recounted his experiences of the
day before.
"And I am positive," he concluded, "that if you will have Captain Bassil
searched, you will find in his possession a paper similar to this," and
he handed the commander the document he had taken from one of the
conspirators before he entered their council chamber.
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