The Boy Allies in Great Peril; Or, With the Italian Army in the Alps

er see such

e and grasped his companion by the arm. The latter allowed his gaze to rove over the thousands up

Chester;

be recruited from this bunch

mightily mistaken that is what will be done

military service is compulsory. Then you think

keep Italy from becoming involved, but the voice of the people

army, entirely ready for any eventuality, sh

eve it will

nouncement of a state

be formally

ere," and Hal swept his arm about him in

en from all walks of life-seemed to have gone suddenly mad. A deafening roar filled the

taly is for war?" asked Hal, when

should the crowd have gathered in front of the p

ned Hal. "In all probability, the first word of a definite ste

hester. "Well-l

ded the latter, eying his

er pointed directly ahead. Hal gazed in the direction indicate

od an Italian army officer in full uniform. He was gazing straight ahead toward the palace steps, p

across his shoulder, a hand crept cautiously into the pocket of the o

d in about him, cutting off his view of the Italian officer. For a single instant Hal turned his eyes toward the palac

, as he took a step forward and elbowed his way tow

close behin

trod, the boys at last came to the spot they sought. They had made good time and the invisible owner of the

officer came to life. Instinct must have warned him that there was something wrong. He cl

A blow from his adversary's fist had laid him low. Hal, who was a few leaps ahead of Chester, reached out to sei

had failed to grasp the significance of the trouble. Hal uttered a qu

d the better to see what was going on upon the palace steps, Hal coul

ied, raising his

ing on before the palace to notice the three who were trying to force

waved a hand at Hal. It was the first time the lad had seen his fac

lared Hal to himself be

ou if it ta

with Chester cl

se crowd at a snail's pace. Ahead of them, however, Hal could see that the fugitive was m

ing; we'l

e knew none was expected. He

single moment he paused, and gazed back at his pursuers. Once mor

tactics learned on the football field into play, he dashed forward, hurling spectators to right an

ester was behind him. All he thoug

nd. He was not badly hurt, but he had struck on his face and for a moment he was dazed. He dragged himself q

very stride. As the sound of pursuing footsteps became plainer, the man looke

Hal did the same. As he did so he caught sight of a big man

head. In vain he tried to keep his feet. He sank slowly to the ground and then f

pected a trap. So he hit me with the

tisfaction. He stirred the prostrate form with his foot an

ent. Chester pulled himself up short and reached for his revolver, which he always carried in his coat pocket.

owerful fingers that gripped him. He kicked out with his right foo

s, will you?" cried

ght once more. He attempted to reverse the weapon and seize it by the barr

his arm sent the man's revolver clattering to the ground.

ick for him. He came forward with a jump, and his right fist shot out. Chester

econd caught him squarely upon the point of the c

rostrate forms of his two enemies. "I guess that will teach you not t

ed his eyes. The man stood undecided a moment. The

d. "What's the u

way down the street. A moment later