n why don't we ask this good, wise, benevolent, sane, and all the
rest of it government to keep the revolutionary party off Uncle Sam?"
asked Jack. "We represent Uncle Samuel, you know."

"Because," was the reply, "there are spies in every branch and
department of the government. While the traitors who are serving the
government while seeking its destruction may not be powerful enough to
secure the release of such confederates as are caught, they are
undoubtedly able to send out reports calculated to assist their party."

"And every move we made under the protection of the Chinese government
would be noted and reported," mused Jack. "I see how it is! Guess the
people at Washington knew what they were about when they issued
instructions regarding the trip to Peking."

"Yes, I think they did," Ned replied. "Observe how they tested us. We
did not know about the cablegram at the office here when we started on
our long ride. If we had weakened in any way we never should have known
about it, but would have been ordered back home."

"Land flowing with milk and honey, and breakfast foods, and choice beef
cuts at a dollar a pound!" Jack exclaimed now. "Are we never going to
get anything to eat?"

"I haf one vacancy!" observed Hans, laying a hand on his stomach. "I
haf a misery!"

"You had a good breakfast, Jack!" reproved Frank.

"What! Where! What was it? Yes, I haf a breakfast two days ago. This
morning I haf cellar air for breakfast. It isn't nourishing. Where is
there an eatery?"

Before long Ned stopped at a little tea house where an American sign
hung in a window, and the boys ordered such viands as the place
afforded. It was not much of a meal, as Jack insisted, but just a
teaser for a dinner which would be procured later on.

"Where are the marines?" asked Frank, as he and Ned seated themselves at
a little table apart from the others.

"Encamped in the grove," was the reply.

"They will not be attacked there?" asked Frank, in some amazement.

"Certainly not. All Chinamen hate us, but we are safe except when the
revolutionists take a hand in the game. The marines are probably
surrounded by a crowd of sullen curiosity seekers, but they will not be
molested unless the revolutionists decide to take another chance with
them."

"And the machines are gone for good?"

"No, the American consul is getting them back, or was when I left his
office, one by one. The men who were fighting were too fr