Whilst the balloon is ready for the take off the cowardly René tries to duck out of the duel with Monsieur Alfonse. Gruber, who is in love with him, offers to be his second, whilst von Strohm and Geering plan to kill Alfonse before the duel can take place. However the plan is thwarted when Hitler, having discovered that there was no painting on the train, orders Flick to arrest the culprits, whom Flick knows to be the German officers. René therefore is forced to take part in the duel.

General Von Klinkerhoffen has taken personal control of the district. The Resistance decide that their operations will be inhibited by the General's presence and so decree that he must be blown up. The Colonel comes to a similar conclusion, deciding on poison, while Herr Flick is no longer prepared to tolerate the General's interference and elects to terminate the General's appointment with a poisoned dart.