CHAPTER XXI.
OTHER RELATIVES.
"Mr. Crawford!" cried Hal, equally as surprised.
For the man who held the two lads in a vise-like grip was the brother ofChester's father, whom they had last seen in America.
Uncle John smiled grimly.
"Yes, it's me," he said, paying no heed to his slip in grammar, "and nowthat I've found you I am going to take you with me."
Still grasping each by the shoulder, he led them through the crowd andpushed them into the waiting automobile. He then gave the driver anaddress and climbed in himself. The machine started off.
"Now," said Uncle John, settling himself comfortably, "tell me where youhave been. Both your mothers are frantic, and they set me a strenuous jobwhen they turned me loose on your trail. I have been looking for you formonths. Where have you been, and what are you doing in those Frenchuniforms?"
"But where is mother?" asked Hal.
"You'll see her soon enough," was the grim response, "and yours, too," headded, turning to Chester.
"Is mother here in Paris?" asked Chester.
"She is; you'll be with her in fifteen minutes."
"And mine, too?" asked Hal.
"Yes; now tell me about yourselves."
"Well," said Chester, "there is not much to tell. I suppose Mrs. Painetold you how we became separated in Berlin?"
"Yes."
"Well, we managed to escape from Germany and made our way to Liege justbefore the German assault on that fortress."
"And were you there during its defense?" asked Uncle John in surprise.
"Yes, we were there. We were fortunate enough to render the Belgiancommander some slight service, for which we were later made lieutenantsin the Belgian army."
"Lieutenants!" ejaculated Uncle John.
"Yes."
"Then what are you doing in French uniforms?"
"I am coming to that. Later we saw service with the British troops, andalso with the Cossacks in Russia. We were captured several days ago bythe Germans, and we donned these uniforms when we finally got into theFrench lines. To-day we came to Paris with a communication from GeneralJoffre for the Prime Minister."
Uncle John sat straight up in his seat during this recital, so great washis surprise.
"And you have gone through all this unwounded?" he asked.
"Well, no," said Chester; "we have both been wounded, but we are allright now."
"And to-night," said Hal, "we have further work to do."
"Well," said Uncle John grimly, "I think your fighting days are over."
"Over!" echoed both lads in consternation.
"Yes. You will accompany us back to the United States the day afterto-morrow. In the meantime I shall make it my business to see that youstay in the hotel and are not allowed to go gallivanting about."
"It can't be done, Uncle John," said Chester quietly. "We have dutiesto perform."
"So you have," returned Uncle John, "and the chief one is to return homewhere you belong."
Chester was about to reply, but thought better of it, and remainedsilent. At Uncle John's request, Hal filled in the details of theiradventures, and, as the account progressed, Uncle John became more andmore surprised.
At length the machine drew up in front of one of the largest hotels inthe city and the three alighted and went in. Five minutes later Chesterwas in the arms of his mother and Hal was in the arms of his. Bothmothers wept tears of joy at having their sons with them again.
"We'll go home immediately," said Mrs. Paine.
"On the first steamer," agreed Mrs. Crawford.
"I'll go now and see about accommodations," said Uncle John.
He left the room.
"I am sorry, mother," said Hal, "but we cannot go home now."
"Cannot go home!" exclaimed Mrs. Paine. "Why?"
"Because we have duties to perform here," replied Hal quietly.
"Duties? What have you to do with this war? You are an American."
"Nevertheless," said Hal, "we have taken the oath of allegiance,and we must stay, at least until we have accomplished the missionwe are now on."
"What is the mission?" asked his mother.
"I am sorry, mother, but I cannot say," was Hal's reply.
"Is it dangerous?"
"Well, not particularly so," said Hal.
"And you won't tell me what it is?"
"I cannot. It is not my secret to tell. It belongs to France."
"In that event," said Mrs. Paine, who had been a soldier's wife, "I willnot press you."
"Thank you, mother," said Hal gratefully.
A similar conversation had ensued between Chester and Mrs. Crawford, withlike result.
"But, if we let you go on this mission, will you then return home?" askedMrs. Crawford.
"We can't promise, mother," said Chester.
"Then," said Mrs. Crawford, "I shall not permit you to go."
Chester made no reply to this.
Mrs. Paine also refused her consent unless Hal would promise to returnhome after the termination of the mission on which they were now engaged,and Hal would make no such promise.
An hour later Uncle John returned and to him the two mothers toldtheir troubles.
"Well," said Uncle John calmly, "I'll fix 'em."
It was now after six o'clock, and all descended to dinner. The meal over,Uncle John called the two lads into his own room. Motioning them toseats, he stepped out the door, and quickly turned the key in the lock.
"Now," he said from the outside, "we shall see whether you'll stay ornot."
Hal and Chester looked at each other in dismay.
"Great Scott!" cried the latter. "What are we going to do now?"
Hal looked at his watch.
"After seven o'clock," he said. "We haven't much time."
He looked about the room, and his eye fell upon the telephone. Quickly hestepped forward and placed the receiver to his ear. After somequestioning he turned to Hal with a smile.
"I guess it's all right now," he said.
"What are you trying to do?" asked Chester.
"You'll see," said Hal.
He turned to the telephone.
"I wish to speak with General Gallieni," he said. "Tell him it is theparty he is expecting to-night at nine. All right." He was silent amoment, then spoke again: "General Gallieni?"
"Yes," came the reply over the wire.
"This is Lieutenant Paine, whom you are depending on for to-night. We areprisoners in room number 257," and Hal gave the name of the hotel.
"What!" came the surprised reply. "By whom are you being held?"
"By our uncle. Cannot you send a detachment of soldiers with orders totake us before you at once?"
Hal heard a slight chuckle wafted over the wire.
"It shall be done," came the reply, and the military governor ofParis rang off.
Hal turned to Chester with a smile.
"I guess that will fix it," he said.
"Well, I should say so," said Chester. "But what will Uncle John and ourmothers think when we are dragged away, apparently as prisoners?"
"I don't know what they'll think," said Hal, "but we are in honorbound to see this thing through, and we must not let sentiment standin the way."
"I guess you are right," said Chester slowly, after a moment'shesitation.
"I know I am," said Hal, and so the matter rested.
It was nearly eight o'clock, as Hal perceived by a glance at his watch,when the heavy sound of tramping feet became audible in the hall.
"Room 257," came a voice from without.
There was a loud rap on the door.
"Who's there?" called Hal, thinking to keep up the deception.
"Open the door in the name of the law!" came back the response.
From an adjoining room Mrs. Paine, Mrs. Crawford and Uncle John werestartled by the pounding on the door, and looked into the hall just asthe above conversation through the door took place. Uncle Johnimmediately stepped forwa
rd.
"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.
The French officer turned upon him.
"None of your business," he replied. He turned and rapped on the dooragain. "Open the door," he commanded, "or I shall break it in."
"Hold on there!" said Uncle John. "I have the key to the door. Tell mewhat you want with those young men and I'll unlock the door."
"I am ordered to take them before General Gallieni at once," said theofficer more civilly.
"The military governor!" exclaimed Uncle John.
"Exactly, _monsieur_," said the officer, "and now, as you have the key,will you please to unlock the door immediately?"
"But what does the general want with them?" asked Uncle John anxiously.
"I cannot say," was the reply. "Will you unlock the door or shall I becompelled to use force?"
Without further words Uncle John unlocked the door, and the officer,followed by two of his men, strode in. They approached the two lads.
"You are under arrest," said the officer briefly.
Mrs. Paine and Mrs. Crawford attempted to reach their sons, but thesoldiers barred their progress.
"Don't worry, mother," said Hal, as they were led by, and he smiled.
Uncle John caught the smile and a great light dawned upon him.
"Well, by George!" he said to himself, "I didn't think they had it in'em."
He allayed the fears of the anxious mothers by telling them what he haddiscovered.