“Correct!” Jack said.  “Turn out your light, Frank.  Sit down, kid, and tell us why this surprise party.”

“I came down to tell you that there’s doin’s up town,” was the quick reply.  “You’d better get a move on!”

“We’re ready,” Frank said, then, “but we’d like to know what we’re going to move against.”

“Your friends are in trouble.  That’s the answer.”

“How do you know?”

“I have just left them at the telegraph office.”

“That’s where they went.”

“Well, that’s where they’re gettin’ theirs,” declared the lad.  “So buck up!”

“Who—­what—­”

“Aw, come along!” the boy cut in.  “They’re goin’ to be arrested, an’ they won’t get their cablegram, an’ there’ll be worse if you don’t wake up.  See?”

“You’ll have to explain to us,” Frank observed.

“You go tell that to the marines!” Jack exclaimed.  “They’re right outside there.”

“All right!” the lad answered.  “I’m goin’ back.  You can all go to Halifax for all me.”

“Wait,” said Frank.  “Where did you get this information you’re favoring us with?  What’s your name?  How did you get to China?”

“I’m a delivery boy at the telegraph office,” the lad answered.  “I loafed around there tonight to see you folks, for I knew that the cablegram would be called for.  Before showing myself, I heard what was going on an’ ducked.  Now, come on.”

“What’s your name?”

“Sandy McNamara.”

“How did you get to China?”

“Hid in a ship an’ got caught an’ beat up.”

“A stowaway, eh?”

“You bet!  I’d do it again to get back to South Clark street, in little old Chi.”

“What they doing to Ned and Jimmie?” asked Jack.

“Oh, come along!” Frank exclaimed.  “The boys may be in need of good advice and exclusive society!  We’ll go and see.”

“Well,” Sandy put in, “this ain’t no case for the bulls.  You’ve got to get to them without makin’ any show of fight.  You’d be eat up in this town with them few soldiers.”

“What do you propose?”

“Why, we’ll go to the American consul an’ get him out.”

“You seem to be almost human in your intelligence,” Jack cried.  “Let go your anchor and heave ahead!”

“We’ll have to make good time,” said Sandy.  “Can you run?”

“We’re the original record-breakers when it comes to working our legs!” Jack said, and the three, after moving quietly through the lighted circle, so as not to attract the attention of the guard, broke into a run which fast lessened the distance between the camp and the telegraph office.  At the end of half a mile Sandy drew up against a mud wall.  The rain was still falling, and the boys were soaked to the skin and shivering with cold, notwithstanding their exertions.

“I’m winded,” Sandy explained, panting.

“I’m frozen stiff,” Jack declared.