down as soon as Sun-chi took the
throne. Peace has been the rule since then.

"It seem strange, but it is true, that China has not progressed, has not
been given the respect conferred on other nations, because she would
not, or could not fight. Talk about peace all you like, but it is the
fighters that win whether in private or national life.

"China has been kicked about by all the nations of the world, large and
powerful as she is, because it was understood that she could be insulted
with impunity. England put the opium curse on her against only feeble
resistance. She has stood for peace, not conquest, and had been treated
condescendingly, like a big booby of a boy at school who is afraid of
lads half his size. The secret organization now forming in this country
may overthrow the Manchu dynasty, but if it does it will build a Chinese
republic and not a new Chinese empire.

"It is claimed by some that the United States is favoring this new
Chinese party of liberty, that the gold recently lost in the Pacific was
our contribution to the cause--by the roundabout way we have heard so
much about--and that the Washington government will be the first to
recognize the new republic.

"I don't know whether all this is true or not, but father says it is,
and he ought to know. Anyhow, there will be plenty of fighting before
the present rulers release their grip on the royal treasury. It may be
that our mission here is to find out something more about this new
movement.

"You see," he added, "if our government is for the new movement, the
nation which rammed the gold ship, which set the conspirators at work,
which sent a great statesman, as we believe, to negotiate with the
conspirators, is against it, and Uncle Sam possibly wants to know what
power it is that is likely to assist the present Emperor of China in
holding his job. If Ned can get the proof he needs to establish what he
already knows and suspects, he will do a good piece of work."

"I wish he would return," Jack said, with an apprehensive look about the
room. 'I don't see what is keeping him."

"Here he comes, now!" Frank cried, "or it may be Jimmie," he added,
"blundering through the window."

Both boys arose and hastened to the door of the room from which the
sounds of approach had been heard. The apartment was dark and still,
save for the whipping of the wind at the open casement. While the boys
stood there, expecting every instant to hear the voi