Over the table, Hal asked Major Derevaux what he was doing in Rome.

“I don’t know as it is my secret now,” replied the major.  “I am here with a despatch from General Joffre.  I cannot say exactly what the despatch contains, but at a guess I would say it has to do with the entrance of Italy into the war, and plans for a possible simultaneous advance between all the troops opposed to the Austro-German army.”

“I see,” said Hal.  “That would be a great thing.  I wish we were going back to the front with you.”

“Well, you’re not,” said Uncle John briefly.

“We won’t argue about it,” said Chester, smiling.  “But you never can tell what will happen.”

Uncle John changed the subject abruptly.  When the conversation reached this stage he always felt uncomfortable.

“When are you going to start spy-hunting?” he asked.

Chester looked at Hal.

“What do you think?” he inquired.

“Well, I should say not until to-night,” replied Hal.  “I don’t believe we could do much good in the day time.”

“My idea exactly,” agreed Chester.  “We may have to make a few preparations.”

“I would like to go with you boys,” said Major Derevaux, “but I fear it will be impossible.  I must return immediately I have had my interview with General Ferrari.”

Uncle John had been sitting silent during all this conversation, but now he straightened in his chair and brought his fist down on the table with a bang.

“By Jove!” he exclaimed.  “All this talk makes me feel young again.  What’s the matter with my joining this expedition?”

The two lads gazed at him in wonder.  Uncle John saw the amazement written on their features.

“I mean it,” he continued.  “I want a hand in this game myself.  Here, waiter, check!” he called.

He paid the check and rose from the table.

“You wait here for me,” he instructed the boys.

“Where are you going?” asked Chester.

“Going to buy a gun,” replied Uncle John; “going to outfit myself to join the spy-hunters.”

He stalked from the room.

CHAPTER VI.

On the trail.

The stars were shining when Hal and Chester, accompanied by Uncle John, made their way from the hotel toward the Austrian legation.  Uncle John was chuckling to himself as he walked between his two younger companions.

“What is so funny, Uncle John?” asked Chester.

“I was just thinking what your mothers would say if they knew where we were going,” was the reply; “particularly if they knew where I was going.  I guess they think I am too old for this foolishness, but I tell you, a man likes to be young again.”

“What did you tell mother?  Where did you say we were going?” asked Hal.

“I told her we were going out—­I didn’t say where,” was the answer.  “I’m something of a strategist myself, you know.”