arrived promptly he expected to be killed by these jeering
scoundrels, but he was determined to sell his life dearly enough.

Suddenly the young naval officer saw his chance and used it. One of
his dancing tormentors got in too close. Darrin's right foot shot up
and out, landing across the Apache's knee-cap.

Uttering a howl of rage and pain, the fellow all but crawled back.

"Kill the American," he howled. "Don't play with him."

Instantly the three remaining assailants worked in closer, yet with
all the caution of their wily natures.

"Rush me!" taunted Dave, again in English. "Don't be so afraid. If you
mean to kill me why don't you show courage enough to do it? Come on,
you sneaks!"

Though the Apaches could not understand what the young ensign said to
them, they knew the drift of his jeering words. Their faces contorted
with rage, they struck at him, Dave's arms working like piston rods in
his efforts to ward off their blows.

Close to the wall, slipping along on tip-toe came a tall figure. Then
suddenly a newcomer leaped into the picture.

Biff! smash! Struck from behind in the neck, two of the Apaches
pitched forward, going to earth. Dave Darrin, with a feint, followed
up with a swinging right-hand uppercut, laid the last of the Apaches
low, for the fellow sitting in a doorway, nursing his knee and
cursing, no longer counted.

"Quick! Out of here!" ordered the newcomer, seizing Dave by the arm
and starting him along.

"Jetson!" gasped Ensign Darrin, looking into the face of his rescuer.

"Yes," answered his brother officer. "Hurry along!"

"Jetson, you've saved my life this time. That pack of wolves would
have killed me in spite of my best defense."

"We're not out of trouble yet," retorted Jetson, fairly pushing Darrin
along. "Those Apaches will revive in a few seconds."

"Pooh! Together, Jetson, we could thrash half a dozen of their kind,
and find it only exercise."

"But, my boy, don't you realize that there are more than three or four
Apaches around the Rue d'Ansin? The alarm will sound, and a score more
will rush up. These rascals are sure death, Darry, if they get at you
in sufficient numbers! The Parisians fear them. You don't see a single
citizen on the street now. Look! Every one of them flew to cover as
soon as the Apaches moved into action. If bystanders interfered, or
even watched, they too would have to reckon with these Apaches. Now,
Darry, you're no coward, and neither am I, but