Hal would have protested, but the orderly signalled him to march out ahead, of him.  Hal took Uncle John by the arm, and they left, but not before Uncle John had hurled a final remark over his shoulder to the Italian commander.

“You will hear of me again, sir,” he thundered.  “I’m an American citizen and we have an ambassador over in this benighted country.  He’ll warm things up for you when he learns of this outrage.”

“March!” commanded the orderly and Uncle John heeded the order.

Before an imposing building a short distance away, the orderly called a halt and then motioned them up the short flight of steps.  Through a long hall they were marched and into a room at the far end.  Here a man in uniform with much lace and gold facings sat at a large desk.  Hal didn’t need to be told that he was the chief of police.

“What have we here?” he demanded, swinging about in his chair and eyeing the two severely.

“Prisoners, sir, whom I am instructed to turn over to you,” was the orderly’s reply.  “You are to hold them until you receive further instructions, sir.”

“Very good,” said the chief.  “You may go.”

The orderly saluted, turned on his heel and departed.

“You may sit there until I have completed this piece of work,” said the chief, motioning the prisoners to chairs behind him.

Hal and Uncle John sat down and the chief turned again to his desk and was soon busy writing.

Hal’s eyes roved about the room.  An idea struck him like a flash.  They sat between the chief of police and the door by which they had entered.  What would be more easy than to tip-toe to the door, which stood slightly ajar, and disappear unbeknown to the chief?

With Hal to think was to act.  Fearing to lift his voice in a whisper, he at last managed to catch Uncle John’s eye.  Then he laid a warning finger to his lips and beckoned Uncle John to follow him.  Uncle John manifested some surprise, but he signified that he understood.

Carefully Hal got to his feet and Uncle John followed suit.  Then Hal, stepping very softly, moved toward the door.  Now it was five, now four, now three paces away—­and then the boy laid his hand on the knob.  Uncle John was right behind him.

The door swung open without so much as a creak, and Hal stepped out.  Uncle John followed him.  Hal motioned Uncle John to lead the way down the hall, while he remained behind to close the door.  The order was obeyed.

Hal took the precaution to close the door tightly and then hurried after Uncle John.  “Well—­” began Uncle John, just as they stepped from the building, “I guess we—­”

Came a sudden roar from behind them—­the roar of a human voice.

“The chief!” exclaimed Hal.  “Run!”

Uncle John needed no urging and the two went down the steps four and five at a time.  Hal led the way and Uncle John followed close at his heels.