made their way from the hotel toward the Austrian legation. Uncle John w

ny, Uncle John?

" was the reply; "particularly if they knew where I was going. I guess they think

er? Where did you say w

say where," was the answer. "I'm some

are," repli

our orders," said Uncle John. "You are older heads a

tial of every good soldie

a gun in my hands for a good many years. However, I used to be able to hit the side

id Hal, "but you

ilence and the three mad

and, as Hal had said

ite plan?" asked Chester o

y. "We shall have to let

st plan, after a

ought them to the

aid Hal, "is to find

going to do that?

ied Hal. "I'll

and rang the bell. A

in?" asked Hal i

shook

age for him," said Hal. "

d at him sharply,

Herr Robard expects?" h

ore for effect than anything els

e Wilhel

ure. "I am instructed to tell you to co

Robard be

ot, but you

said Hal, and wal

Uncle John, who had wa

something had happened

?" demande

," said Hal, and repeated the

pose this messenger

t agent," repli

ead when he asked me who I was, which is the reason I

it the nail on the

s luck,"

t," interpos

e to do while you are in the house? Surely you a

rlier than the time set, moving up my watch to avoid suspicion should anythi

stood while I went up to the door a moment ago. Then you and Uncle John can come in. Of course, I may not

what? Will you try to take the

he most likely to succ

must be lef

well return to the hotel for a

t want to have to answer any questio

about, then,

was

the steps to the Austrian embassy. Chester and Uncle Joh

ant opened th

aid, somewhat suspici

festing surprise. "I am on the d

ot ten yet,"

his watch and

e said, and held it up

reply. "However, I suppose it

pen while Hal ente

on the street where Chester and Uncle John waited without, though it was the room beyond the one

asy enough," h

rr Robard," said the serv

ard's private office,

oss the hall. But no one is allowed to enter there unle

mation, which had come a great deal easier than he had exp

at home here until he c

nd books. I have other

n without more loss of time; he had gained all the informatio

ew. Hal glance

ten minutes to ten. Robard may come

f the next room. The door was locked. He glanced down. There was a key in the l

There was no sound. Unfastening the catch, the lad raised the window gently. It wen

rig

and took his place in the shadow, comm

le John a hand up. A moment later Uncle John's head appeared at the window, and

are you

pered Hal. "Co

n obeyed

m without. Hal recognize

the window a

e matter?"

can't reach the sill," was

nd lend a hand, but thought bette

and again took his position guard

seized Chester's uplifted hand, and pulled. A mome

climb, if you a

d in the doorway. In his hand he held a revolver, which he pointed strai

up!" he

o obey. Uncle John's and Chest

pen door and the window, slunk further back in the darknes

orway, "burglars, eh? Well,

n a steady hand he advan