“His Excellency, Chang-Li-Hun, is deeply grieved at the lawless actions of the foreign gunboats, which have banded together under the leadership of the American commander to defy the authority of the laws of China. Commander Ignacio and two of his brother commanders have accepted his Excellency’s leniency and after voluntarily offering their apology have anchored at Ku-Ling. To show that China has kept faith, his Excellency has caused a strong guard of his soldiers to encamp on the hills near the American mission. “If by ten o’clock to-morrow morning the foreign gunboats will steam to Ku-Ling flying white flags of truce, the viceroy will still give them clemency. The viceroy has held the hostages to show his displeasure at the foreigners for entering To-Yan Lake, waters forbidden them by the government of China. “His Excellency will be powerless to protect either the hostages or the mission if a single hostile shot is fired. Enclosed is a telegram for the American commander.” “If this letter and the telegram had gone to Commander Hughes,” Phil exclaimed as he folded the letter and returned it in his pocket, “Ta-Ling and Ignacio would have won. Without the strong personality of our captain the allies would have weakened and accepted the terms offered.” “Now when Ta-Ling is liberated,” Sydney cried alarmingly, “the soldiers will be removed and the rebels allowed to attack the mission.” Then he stopped suddenly, while a lump rose in his throat. “Does Ta-Ling suspect the secret of the channel is ours?” he asked fearfully. Emmons shook his head thoughtfully. “The chart was procured by Hang-Ki from the viceroy’s papers through bribing a lesser official,” he answered. “Ta-Ling may have discovered its absence and suspected that I would carry it to your captain. That would explain his sudden desire to have me captured and executed.” “To-night is the turning-point in this intrigue,” Phil exclaimed, while his heart beat faster at the thought. “We must use this channel to-night, and after we have run the forts and anchored in safety above Ku-Ling, we must start at once to the rescue of those in the mission. I hope Lieutenant Wilson can withstand the assault until aid arrives. “Our poor sailors in the yamen,” he added sorrowfully, “I fear are no better than dead men.” “You are right,” Emmons declared in no uncertain voice. “To-morrow Ta-Ling will cause the high reed grass on the island to be set on fire. It is dry and will burn like tinder. Then the island will offer no protection, the search-light on the fort will disclose the presence of the gunboats and the secret channel is well within the range of the fort guns.”