“Robard took them,” replied Chester.

“Then they must be in the room.  Find them quickly.”

Chester looked hurriedly about.  At last his eyes lighted upon them, on a little table at the far end of the room, where the Austrian had laid them.

“All right,” said Chester, picking them up and passing one to Uncle John.  “The sooner we make a start the better.”

“Let’s go then,” said Hal.

He poked his head cautiously out the door and looked down the hall.  There was no one in sight.

“Coast clear,” he called over his shoulder.  “Follow me!”

He sprang into the hall and started for the front door on a dead run.  Chester was right behind him, and Uncle John followed close upon Chester’s heels.

Hal was just about to seize the knob in his free hand, when it was turned from the outside.

“Back, quick,” called the lad.  “Some one coming.”

He wheeled about as he spoke and the other two did likewise.  They had barely regained their retreat when heavy footsteps were heard in the hall.

“This way,” called a voice in German.

The footsteps came toward them, stopped before the door a moment, and then passed on.

“Now for another trial,” whispered Hal.

Again he poked his head out and saw that the coast was apparently clear.

“Come on!” he cried, and made a second dash for the front door.  Chester followed him, as did Uncle John.

This time Hal reached the door without trouble and threw it open.  Without pausing, he dashed through it and down the steps.  Chester was right behind him.  But as Uncle John also would have passed out, there came a shot from behind and he toppled to the floor.

In the excitement neither Chester nor Hal noticed this and they had gone half a block before they discovered that Uncle John was not with them.

“Great Scott!  What can have happened to him?” exclaimed Chester.

“Probably got caught,” replied Hal.

“Then we must go back after him.  Come on.”

“Wait a minute,” said Hal.  “Don’t forget this paper we recovered.  It must be returned to General Ferrari, Uncle John or no Uncle John.”

“But we can’t let them kill him!” cried Chester.

“They won’t kill him,” said Hal positively.  “They would be afraid to do that.  First I must deliver this paper, and then we shall try to rescue Uncle John.  But the paper is first.  You know that.”

“You are right, of course,” Chester agreed.  “Besides Uncle John knew what he was up against before he came with us.  He’ll have to wait until we can help him.”

“All right, then.  Now my idea is for you to wait here while I return this paper to General Ferrari.  Then I shall come back and we will see what can be done.  If they should take Uncle John from the house you follow them.”

“Suits me,” said Chester.  “Get back as soon as you can.”