"That's a great scheme of Admiral Perry's, and the fog seems to have helped him a lot. What do you think? He has surprised San Francisco. There's a notice posted downstairs stating that the Japanese have taken possession of San Francisco and that the Japanese military governor of San Francisco asks the citizens to remain quiet or the city will be bombarded from the harbor by the Japanese fleet." "Perry is a great fellow, there's no use trying to fool with him," said Tom. "San Francisco surprised by the Japs--that's a mighty fine scheme." Outside some one was tearing up the stairs two at a time, doors banged noisily, and several bells rang. "Somebody's in a h--- of a hurry," said Harry; "we'll have something to do in a minute." A telegraph operator hurriedly opened the door and with great beads of perspiration rolling down his face, shouted at the top of his lungs: "Boys, the Japanese have surprised San Francisco." A roar of laughter greeted this piece of information. "Stung!" cried Harry. "Stung! Perry is the Jap." "Perry?" inquired the newcomer, staring at the other four. "Who's Perry?" "Don't you know, Mr. Allen, that there are naval maneuvers going on to-day and that Admiral Perry is to surprise San Francisco with the fleet?" "But there are notices at all the street-corners saying that the Japanese governor of San Francisco begs the citizens----" "Yes, that's where the joke comes in. Perry is going to attack the town as a Jap--that's his scheme." "You haven't had enough sleep," cried Tom. "If all the Japs looked like Admiral Perry, then----" Tom broke off short and dropped his tea-cup on the floor, staring blankly at the door as if he saw a ghost. Just behind Mr. Allen stood a Jap, with a friendly grin on his face, but a Jap all the same, most certainly and without the slightest doubt a Jap. He looked around the bare office and said in fluent English: "I must ask you to remain in this room for the present." With these words he raised his revolver and kept a sharp eye on the five occupants. Johnny jumped up and felt instinctively for the revolver in his hip pocket, but in a flash the muzzle of the Jap's gun was pointed straight at him and mechanically he obeyed the order "Hands up!" "Hand that thing over here," said the Jap; "you might take it into your head to use it," and he took Johnny's revolver and put it in his pocket. Several Japanese soldiers passed by outside. Mr. Allen sank down on a chair; not one of them could make head or tail of the situation. They were kept waiting for half an hour. Down below in the street, where the wagons were beginning to rattle over the pavement, could be heard the steady march of bodies of soldiers, frequently interrupted by the noise of motor-cycles. There could no longer be any doubt--the affair was getting serious. The lamps were extinguished and the gray light of dawn filled the rooms as the head Postmaster made his rounds, guarded by a Japanese officer.