nk it
would be very dangerous, and you would excite less suspicion than a man.
See if they will let you turn yourself over to me for a few days. Pick out
another scout to go with you, if you like. Perhaps two of you would be
better than one. Report to me in the morning. I'll write a note to your
scoutmaster--Mr. Wharton, isn't it? Right!"

As they made their way homeward, thoroughly worked up by the excitement of
their adventure, Harry wondered whether his father would let him undertake
this service Colonel Throckmorton had suggested. After all, he was not
English, and he felt that his father might not want him to do it, although
Mr. Fleming, he knew, sympathized strongly with the English in the war. He
said nothing to Dick, preferring to wait until he was sure that he could go
ahead with his plans.

But when he reached his house he found that things had changed considerably
in his absence. Both his parents seemed worried; his father seemed
especially troubled.

"Harry," he said, "the war has hit us already. I'm called home by cable,
and at the same time there is word that your Aunt Mary is seriously ill.
Your mother wants to be with her. I find that, by a stroke of luck, I can
get quarters for your mother and myself on to-morrow's steamer. But there's
no room for you. Do you think you could get along all right if you were
left here? I'll arrange for supplies for the house; Mrs. Grimshaw can keep
house. And you will have what money you need."

"Of course I can get along!" said Harry, stoutly. "I suppose the steamers
are fearfully crowded?"

"Only about half of them are now in service," said Mr. Fleming. "And the
rush of Americans who have been travelling abroad is simply tremendous.
Well, if you can manage, it will relieve us greatly. I think we'll be back
in less than a month. Keep out of mischief. And write to us as often as you
can hear of a steamer that is sailing. If anything happens to you, cable.
I'll arrange with Mr. Bruce, at the Embassy, to help you if you need him,
but that ought not to be necessary."

Harry was genuinely sorry for his mother's distress at leaving him, but he
was also relieved, in a way. He felt now he would not be forbidden to do
his part with the scouts. He would be able to undertake what promised to be
the greatest adventure that had ever come his way. He had no fear of being
left alone for his training as a Boy Scout had made him too self reliant
for that.

Mr. and Mrs. Fleming st