"Hush, Dad! Don't be so excitable. It was a very natural mistake for them to make. But if Tony is really what he says he is it will be very easily proved. You must be sure of your ground though, before you act. I don't like to say anything against poor Tony now that he is in trouble, but I have always felt that there was a mystery connected with him. For all we know he may be a murderer or a brigand or an escaped convict in disguise. We only have his word you know that he is an American citizen." "His word!" Mr. Wilder fairly exploded. "Are you utterly blind? He's exactly as much an American citizen as I am. He's--" He stopped and fanned himself furiously. He had sworn never to betray Tony's secret, and yet, the present situation was exceptionable. Constance patted him on the arm. "There, Dad. I haven't a doubt his story is true. He was born in Budapest, and he's a naturalized American citizen. It's the duty of the United States Government to protect him--but it won't be difficult; I dare say he's got his naturalization papers with him. A word in the morning will set everything straight." "Leave him in jail all night?" "But you can't do anything now; it's after ten o'clock; the authorities have gone to bed." She turned to Gustavo; her tone was reassuring. "In the morning we'll get some American war-ships to bombard the jail." "Signorina, you joke!" His tone was reproachful. She suddenly looked anxious. "Gustavo, is the jail strong?" "Ver' strong, signorina." "He can't escape and get over into Austria? We are very near the frontier, you know." "No, signorina, it is impossible." He shook his head hopelessly. Constance laughed and slipped her hand through her father's arm. "Come, Dad. The first thing in the morning we'll go down to the jail and cheer him up. There's not the slightest use in worrying any more tonight. It won't hurt Tony to be kept in--er--cold storage for a few hours--I think on the whole it will do him good!" She nodded dismissal to Gustavo, and drew her father, still muttering, toward the house. CHAPTER XVII