"Here he is, sir," was the report a couple of minutes later.
"Ask him if he has three American boys on a special mission."
The answer came back promptly that he had.
"Ask him if Lieut. Grimes is missing."
Again came back the answer that he was.
"Tell the general that we have one of the lads on the _Arkansas_,
and that he has had a strange adventure. Tell him I will send the
lad ashore immediately."
"Thank you, sir," said Donald. "I knew some one would know what
to do."
"You're a brave lad," was the Admiral's comment, "and I shall be
glad to hear the end of the adventure. You and your companions
must come out and dine with us as soon as your mission is ended."
Donald thanked him for his kindness and hastened to the launch
which was to take him back.
Twenty minutes later he stood before Gen. Funston.
"You seem to have been in the water," was the general's first
words.
"Yes, sir," laughed Donald. "I jumped from a wall north of town,
leaving Lieut. Grimes on top of it."
"What! Lieut. Grimes on top of a wall? How did he get there?"
"He was kidnapped, sir! It was a case of mistaken identity!"
"Mistaken identity! I don't understand!"
"They took him for you, sir, because his beard is trimmed like
yours.
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