“And what on earth is the matter with you, John?” asked Mrs. Crawford in surprise.

“What’s the matter with me?”

“Yes.  Your collar is half off, your clothes are dirty and there is blood on your shoe.  What is the matter?”

“Well, nothing much,” replied Uncle John in great confusion, “you see, I had—­I had a—­”

“And were Hal and Chester with you?” asked Mrs. Paine.

“Yes, that is no.  I mean—­” stuttered Uncle John.

“Come now, John, no fibbing,” said Mrs. Crawford.  “You were in trouble, and Hal and Chester were with you.  Where are they now?”

“Well, to tell the truth, I don’t know where they are,” said Uncle John.  “I supposed they would be here by this time.”

In a few words he explained what had transpired.

“They left the house without being hurt?” asked Mrs. Paine.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Then where can they be now?” demanded Mrs. Crawford.

“I’m sure I don’t know, unless they have stopped for a talk with the general, and that’s about the size of it.”

“I guess you are right,” replied Mrs. Paine with relief.  “But why didn’t you tell us all this before you went out to-night?”

“Yes, why didn’t you?” demanded Mrs. Crawford.

“Well,” said Uncle John slowly, “we didn’t want to worry you.”

“You are getting too old for such foolishness,” declared Mrs. Crawford.

“I thought so myself,” replied Uncle John, “but I know better now.  If you had seen the licking I handed those four Austrians you would think I was a boy again.”

“I’ll think you have reached your second childhood if you ever let me hear of anything like it again,” declared his sister.

Uncle John was growing tired of this conversation.  He wanted to be let alone.

“I’ll go out and see if I can find the boys,” he said.

“Please do,” said Mrs. Paine.

“And see that you keep out of mischief yourself,” adjured Mrs. Crawford.

Uncle John shook his head as he walked away.

“These women are funny things,” he said.  “I wonder what can have happened to those boys?  They’ve probably gone back to look for me.  Guess I had better head that way myself.  I may come in handy, you never can tell.”

He patted the revolver, which still rested securely in his pocket.

“I may have use for this next time,” he muttered, as he quickened his steps toward the Austrian legation.

CHAPTER IX.

Captured.

Chester rose to his feet, as he saw a figure hurrying toward him.

“Must be Hal,” he said.

He was right.  A moment later Hal came up to him.

“Did you give the general the paper?” asked Chester.

“Yes.  Any one come out of the house?”

“I haven’t seen any one, and I have been right here all the time you were gone.”