"We shall have to ask you to leave our table," said the German officer who had spoken before. It was the girl who protested. "We’ll stay where we are," she said. The German grew angry. "Is this the manner in which to treat one of his majesty’s officers?" he demanded. The girl deigned no reply. "Did you hear me?" demanded the German again. Still no reply. The German stepped quickly forward, and laying his hand on the back of the girl’s chair, jerked it back from the table. As he did so, the girl leaped to her feet. Her hand shot out and the German staggered back, his face red where the girl’s open palm had struck. "Himmel!" he cried angrily. He stepped forward and seized the girl by the wrist. Now Chester had been watching these proceedings with rising indignation. When the man seized the girl’s wrist, for the moment Chester lost all thought of his surroundings, threw caution to the winds and rose quickly. As quickly he stepped across the room. "Let the girl alone," he growled angrily. The German wheeled on him, and recognizing in the lad no superior officer, stood his ground. "And who are you?" he demanded. "I’ll show you," said Chester angrily. He struck out with his right fist. "Smack." The German staggered back. *CHAPTER V* *AN ENEMY PLOT BARED* Hal and Stubbs were on their feet immediately. Both hurried to Chester’s side. Seeing these reinforcements, the friend of the first German officer, who had advanced apparently to aid his companion, stepped back. So did the man who had gripped the girl’s wrist. For a moment the latter glared angrily at Chester. Then his hand dropped to his holster. But before he could draw a weapon, Chester whipped out his own automatic and covered him. "None of that," the lad said angrily. 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.