o interfere."

"Bonehead!" exclaimed Jimmie.

The marine glanced up at the little fellow with a frown.

"Don't you go to abusing me," he said. "I won't stand for it. I was
raised a pet!" he added, with a smile, as the boy grinned.

"Stop that!" commanded the Captain, sharply. "If you have told all you
know about the matter you may go."

"'Wait," Ned said, as the marine moved toward the door, "I would like to
ask a question. Would you know this lad you speak of if you should see
him again?"

"I don't think so. It was dark, and he didn't look me squarely in the
face."

"That's all," Ned said, turning to the consul. "You'll do what you can
to find them?" he asked.

"Sure I will!"

"I can't remain and help you," Ned went on, and there was a tremble in
his voice. "I've got my work to do."

"I understand."

"And we'll start right away," Ned continued, "if you are ready, Captain.
We ought to be in Peking early in the morning."

"It is a bad road," the consul said, "and you'll find, echoes of the
scrap you had here waiting for you along the way. In the language of
the cablegram, keep together!"

When all were mounted there were still two vacant cycles--those the
missing boys had ridden. Ned pointed to one and spoke to Hans:

"Can you ride?"

"Sure!"

"Then you may take one of the machines and come along with us."

Hans sprang onto one of the motorcycles just as he had observed the
others do. Under the impetus of the leap the machine trundled along for
a few feet and tipped over, landing Hans on his back with the rear wheel
scraping acquaintance with his nose.

"Ouch!" he shouted. "Dake him off! He bites! Vot issit if I hand
himone? Vot?"

While the others were laughing at the plight of the German, he made an
effort to arise and the machine promptly slid down an incline and
sparked and gyrated until Hans' hair fairly stood on end with fright.

"Catch heem!" he shouted. "Catch heem! He runs py the road avay!
Dunner! Vot a streets!"

"You mustn't tickle his ribs with your heels when you get on," advised
Jimmie. "That always makes him buck. It is a wonder he didn't tramp
you when you were down."

"Holy schmoke!" cried Hans. "Vot a nose I vill haf! Me for the walks
to Peeging!"

"I guess you'll have to give up going with us"' laughed Ned. "You may
remain with the consul until we return. And help him hunt Frank and
Jack, will you?"

Hans willingly agreed to this, and, with many h