“Let’s see what is going on here,” he said.

By dint of hard pushing and shoving they worked their way gradually through the crowd.

“As I live, it’s our friend the army officer,” ejaculated Hal.

“So it is,” agreed Chester, “and he seems to be rather excited.  Look at him waving his arms about.”

Surrounded by a curious crowd, the officer referred to was declaiming eloquently.  It was plain from the attitude of the crowd, however, that he wasn’t making himself plain.

“He’s too excited to talk coherently,” said Hal.  “Maybe we can help him out a bit.  Let’s get through the rest of this gang.”

He put his elbows in front of him, and closely followed by Chester, threw his weight upon the mass of humanity in front.  The crowd parted, and the lads pushed their way through, unheeding the protests their rough methods called forth.  They stopped beside the still excited officer.

“Signor—­” began Hal, but the officer paid no attention to him, and continued to wave his arms violently about.

“You can’t get his attention that way,” said Chester.  “Let me try.”

He grasped the Italian officer roughly by the arm and whirled him about.

Immediately the latter’s arms ceased their violent gesticulations and he turned an angry face upon Chester.

“How dare you lay your hands upon an officer of the king?” he demanded in a harsh voice.

His hand dropped to his holster.

“Here!  Here!” exclaimed Hal.  “Hold your horses now and don’t get excited.  We’ve come to tell you something about that paper you lost.”

“Ah!” cried the Italian.  “So you have it, eh?  Give it to me!”

He held out a hand expectantly.

“No, we haven’t it,” replied Hal, “but—­”

“Give me the paper!” cried the officer, his voice becoming shrill with anger.

“I tell you we haven’t the paper,” said Hal.

“That’s a lie!” shouted the Italian.  “You knocked me down and stole the paper.”

He clutched Hal by the arm.

“Let go of me,” said the lad angrily.  “We are trying to help you and—­”

The Italian officer now suddenly drew his revolver, and pointed it squarely at Hal.

“Give me the paper or I shall shoot,” he said more quietly.

He staggered suddenly backward and the revolver dropped to the ground with a clatter.  The Italian wheeled and confronted the angry face of Chester, who had struck up the weapon.

“What’s the matter with you?  Can’t you see we are trying to help you?” demanded Chester.

At this point there came a diversion.  Members of the crowd who had witnessed the dispute between the officer and the two lads suddenly set up a cry of “spies.”

Others behind them took it up.

“Spies!  Spies!” a hundred voices rang out.

The crowd surged in about them.

Hal gave one quick look about, and then said quietly to Chester: