“He was an hour ago.”
Gilbert passed on, and his guard with him. At the entrance to the house another picket challenged him; but he soon went in, and the colonel was aroused.
The Chinese message puzzled the commander as much as it had Captain Banner. “I must find some Chinese scholar for this,” he said, and proceeded to hunt up a missionary without delay. When translated, the message ran as follows:—
“All is ready to blow up the Cross Mission. The powder train leads from Chow Fun’s house. Will fire at signal of three rockets.
“Ching Wo.”
CHAPTER XIX
SAVING THE MISSION HOUSE
“The rascals!” burst from the colonel’s lips. “It is lucky you caught that spy.”
Gilbert read the translation of the message with as much interest as any one. “It makes a close shave for those at the Mission House,” was his comment. “I think—” He stopped short.
“What do you think, Lieutenant Pennington? Don’t be afraid to talk in a crisis like this.”
“You’ll excuse me then, colonel; but of course you’ll inform those at the mission—”