“He’ll soon be able to tell you himself,” Frank said, “if he keeps on coming.”

Indeed, the German’s voice came nearer every instant, nearer and more emphatic.  He was panting, too, and the sound of blows reached the ears of the listening boys.

“Get in there!”

The words were spoken in English, but not by Hans.

“There’s that gink who rounded us up back in Taku,” exclaimed Jack.  “He seems to be winning all the tricks.  I wonder how he got hold of Hans?”

“I thought Dutchy was back with the submarine,” Frank replied.  “How he got to Tientsin is a mystery to me.”

The next moment Hans’ broad face, now red from anger and exertion, appeared at the mouth of the tunnel, looking like a full moon, and then his bulky figure was projected violently into the chamber.  He scrambled in on his knees, but arose instantly and swung his fists in the direction of the tunnel, shouting imprecations on some out-of-sight person.

There were numerous cuts and bruises on his face from which blood was oozing, and his clothing was torn and dirty, as if it had been dragged through the mud.

“Loaver!  Loaver!” he shouted, still shaking his clenched fist at the entrance.  “Vait a liddle, yet!  I eats dern alife!”

“I wish you would!” cried Jack.

“Give me a bite while you are at it,” Sandy cut in.

Hans gazed around in bewilderment for a time, and then his face brightened as he caught sight of Frank and Jack.  It did not take the lads long to arrive at a mutual understanding of the happenings of the night.

Hans had been followed from the place where he had left the other boys and captured.  He did not know what had become of Ned and the others any more than Frank and Jack did.

His story brought some relief to the others, for it was presumable that their chums were now well on their way to Peking.  Once there, the imprisoned lads knew that every effort for their release would be made—­ then the whole power of the United States government, through the ambassador, would be exerted in their behalf.

“But what’s the use of all that,” Jack asked, grumblingly—­for he was getting hungry!  “What’s the use of all that if the Chinks sit out there like blooming cigar-store images and never give a hint as to where we are?  We are likely to starve before the American ambassador can act with success.”

Hans rubbed his stomach protectingly.

“Empty!” he said.  “I could eats a Schinks!”

“Eat one for me,” advised Jack.

Sandy, who had been listening in silence to the explanations which had been made, now asked: 

“How many Chinks are there out there?”

“Army!” answered Hans.

This was discouraging, for, as has already been stated, the boys were meditating a rush as soon as the city was astir.  They did not anticipate much help from bystanders, even if they should gain the street, but they knew that such a ruction as they would be able to put up would attract the attention of the authorities, and so bring the matter before the courts.