plied. "Just now, of course, with all the men
thinking of war, and so many women wearing black for dear ones they've
lost at the front, the city can't show much of its former gayety.
Paris is going through her ordeal of fire. These are dark days for
good old France!"

Suddenly Dan's face fell grave.

"Now, what's the matter?" quizzed Darrin.

"I've just had a horrible thought," Dan confessed. "You haven't been
concealing from me, have you, the fact that, though you had no
frontier passport you have a letter or some form of credentials to the
American Ambassador?"

"I haven't anything of the sort," Dave rejoined, he, too, now looking
grave.

"A fine lay-out this is, then," growled Danny Grin. "Here we are,
going to the American Ambassador on a matter of the utmost delicacy.
We are going to tell him and ask him some of the secrets of the United
States government, and we haven't a scrap of paper to introduce us. Do
you realize what we'll get? The Johnny-run-quick! We'll get the
balluster slide, the ice-pitcher greeting! Dave, we're going to land
hard on the sidewalk right in front of the Embassy. And then some
frog-eating, Johnny Crapaud policeman will gather us in as disorderly
persons! Fine!"

CHAPTER XV

AT THE AMERICAN EMBASSY

As the taxicab dashed around a corner Dave raised his cap.

"Well, this must be our destination," he announced. "I've just saluted
Old Glory as it flutters over the building."

The taxicab came to a stop before a handsome building.

On each side of the posts of the gateway stood a brass shield on which
was the inscription:

"Embassy of the United States of America."

Very gravely Dan and Runkle followed Dave, each raising his hat to the
Flag as soon as his feet touched the sidewalk.

"There's a carriage entrance below," said Dave, "but we'll take the
plain way and walk in."

Paying and dismissing the taxicab driver, Dave led the way to the
entrance.

"A naval party to see the Ambassador, at his convenience, on
business," Dave announced to the attendant at the door.

They were shown to an anteroom near the door, where they were soon
joined by a Mr. Lupton, who introduced himself as Second Secretary to
the Embassy.

"The ambassador, Mr. Caine, will not be here before nine o'clock,"
announced Mr. Lupton. "I know that you are expected. You have not
breakfasted?"

"No," Dave confessed.

"Then I will ask you to let me be host. Before I lead the way I will
ring for