The Boy Allies in Great Peril | Page 8

with a pleasant smile, "they probably will be shot if they don't."
"Shot!" gasped Uncle John.
"Exactly. That is the usual treatment accorded spies."
"But I tell you--"
"You can tell the rest to General Ferrari," said the Italian officer. "Forward, men."
Uncle John was brushed unceremoniously aside in spite of his protests, and the lads were led away.
"Don't worry, Uncle John," Chester called back to him. "We'll get out of this all right. Tell mother to have no fear."
"I'll see the ambassador!" shouted Uncle John. "I'll get you out of this. I'll show these confounded Italians they are not half as big as Uncle Sam."
"Poor old Uncle John," said Chester to Hal. "He does get excited so easily. I'll bet the ambassador is due for an unpleasant half hour."
"I'd give a whole lot to be there to hear what transpires," agreed Hal.
In front of a large and imposing building the Italian officer called a halt; and a few minutes later ordered the prisoners up the steps.
"Where are we going?" demanded Hal.
"You'll find out soon enough," was the reply.
"You're very civil and courteous, to be sure," said Hal.
"I can see no reason for being courteous to a spy," replied the officer.
"Perhaps not," returned the lad; "but when we are out of this I believe I shall hunt you up and pull your nose."
"What!" exclaimed the officer, stepping back. "Pull my nose! Such American impudence! I have a notion to pull your nose right here."
"I wouldn't if I were you," said Chester, grinning.
"And what have you to say about it?" exclaimed the now angry officer.
"Oh, nothing," replied Chester. "Just a kindly word of warning; that's all."
The officer stared at both lads angrily, as they stood at the top of the steps, and seemed about to say more, when a second officer appeared in the doorway and motioned for all to enter.
"Move on there," said the first officer angrily.
The lads obeyed without replying.
Inside the building they were led through a long corridor, and thence to a room which they were motioned to enter. Inside stood a tall, stout man attired in full military uniform.
"General Ferrari, I guess," Chester whispered to his friend.
Hal nodded in assent. It was indeed General Ferrari, and he came forward.
"What have we here?" he demanded, addressing the officer.
"Spies, sir," was the reply.
"Where did you find them?"
The officer explained.
"So Colonel Fuesco found them, eh? You say they stole an important document from him?"
"Yes, sir, and the colonel will be here directly, sir."
"Good, you may go. Leave a guard outside the door."
The officer saluted and took his departure, casting a sneering glance at the two lads.
"Sit down," commanded the general.
The lads obeyed, and the general took a seat at a huge desk at the far end of the room and immediately plunged into a mass of correspondence. For half an hour he was busy with his letters and paid no attention to the boys. The latter also sat silently.
An orderly entered the room and announced:
"Colonel Fuesco, sir."
"Show him in," said the general.
A moment later and the colonel came blustering in. He gazed angrily at the two lads and spoke to General Ferrari in a whisper. Then both turned upon the lads.
"Have you the paper?" demanded the general.
"No, sir," replied Hal. "We never had it in the first place. Will you allow me to explain, sir?"
"Proceed," said the general.
"First," said Hal, "I would inform your excellency that we are officers in the British army, having recently come from France."
He then went ahead with the story of how they had seen Colonel Fuesco relieved of his papers before the palace a short time ago. At the conclusion of the story the colonel sniffed audibly.
"A likely tale," he sneered.
"Silence, colonel," said the general sharply. "I shall go at this matter in my own way. Can you prove your identity?" he asked of Hal.
"With time, yes," was the reply.
At this moment the orderly again entered the room.
"The officer you were expecting, sir," he said to General Ferrari.
"Have him enter," said the general, and the orderly saluted and disappeared.
"There can be no doubt that these are spies, sir," said Colonel Fuesco.
Chester became suddenly angry.
"That's a lie," he said flatly.
"What!" exclaimed the doughty colonel. "You call me a liar?"
Before General Ferrari or Hal could move to stay him, he stepped close to Chester and struck him in the face.
Hal, knowing Chester's quick temper, became alarmed and cried out sharply:
"Don't hit him, Chester."
But he spoke too late. The blow aroused Chester's fighting blood and he took no thought of consequences. His right fist shot out sharply, and struck squarely upon the nose, the colonel reeled back and fell to the floor.
He was up in a moment, however, and in spite of his commander's sharp order, closed with Chester. The two rocked back and forth, as Hal and General Ferrari sought to separate