“The--the wind is out av--av me!” gasped Dan. “But there’s nothin’ busted but me--me timper. Bad cess to ye, you villain!” And, rising to his feet, he belabored his steed so earnestly that the horse pranced in all directions. “Don’t do that, Dan,” went on Gilbert. “It will do no good. The horse didn’t go into the hole for fun. It’s a wonder he didn’t break a leg.” “He’s got no sinse, lieutenant,” growled the Irishman. “Sure, an’ why didn’t he look where he’s afther goin’?” He leaped again into the saddle, and held a close rein, and the remainder of the journey was passed without any further trouble. At the consulate all was dark save for a light on the porch of the rather pretty building. A guard was out, who informed them that the consul and his guests were all asleep. “You must have the consul aroused at once,” said Gilbert. “Tell him I have a message for him of great importance.” And then he added in a lower tone, “Has he any Chinese around?” “Not just now.” “All right. If any Chinamen do turn up, arrest them on the spot.” A second guard was summoned, and presently the consul appeared, in his dressing-gown. He read the message with keen interest. “The Cross Mission to be blown up!” he ejaculated. “This is awful! I must get the folks out of the building at once.” “Let us investigate first,” said Gilbert. “Is there a cellar under the building?” “Yes, a small one.” The consul led the way to the mission, which was close by, followed by Gilbert and several others. A well-covered lantern was taken along, and a minute inspection began of the cellar. In one corner was found a large, square box of powder; and running into this was a fuse enclosed in a small copper tubing. Without hesitation, Gilbert pulled the fuse from the box; and all danger of having the mission blown up was over. “Phew! but that was an escape!” said one of the party, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. “If that had gone off, all of us would have been blown to Kingdom Come.” The box of powder was removed to a safe place; and then the party went upstairs, told the mission folks of what was going on, and returned to the consulate. “And now, if you let me know something about this Chow Fun, we’ll try to bag him,” said the young lieutenant, who believed in the old saying, “Make hay while the sun shines.” “The house is on the next block,--the small white place behind the stone wall,” replied the consul. “There are two brothers, Chow Fun and Chow Ching. Up to now I had thought them very friendly.” Taking two of Captain McCalla’s marines and his own men with him, Gilbert set off for the house of Chow Fun, followed by several private people who had been lodging at the mission. Everybody was armed, and all made the visit on foot. At the Chinaman’s home all was dark, and the iron gate was found barred and locked.