{"product_id":"2940013896192","title":"THE BOY ALLIES IN GREAT PERIL","description":"CHAPTER I.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTHE BREWING STORM.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Did you ever see such a mob, Hal?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe speaker was an American lad of some seventeen years of age. He\u003cbr\u003estopped in his walk as he spoke and grasped his companion by the arm.\u003cbr\u003eThe latter allowed his gaze to rove over the thousands upon thousands\u003cbr\u003eof people who thronged the approach to the king's palace at Rome,\u003cbr\u003ebefore he replied:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Some mob, Chester; some mob.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Looks like a real army could be recruited from this bunch,\" continued\u003cbr\u003ethe first speaker.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Rather,\" agreed the other. \"And unless I am mightily mistaken that is\u003cbr\u003ewhat will be done. Most of them are soldiers anyhow, you know.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"True. I had forgotten we were in Italy, where military service is\u003cbr\u003ecompulsory. Then you think that Italy has at last decided to enter the\u003cbr\u003ewar?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I certainly do. The Chamber of Deputies has done its best to keep Italy\u003cbr\u003efrom becoming involved, but the voice of the people must be heeded sooner\u003cbr\u003eor later. I believe the time has come.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I am sure I hope so,\" said Chester. \"Italy's army, entirely ready for\u003cbr\u003eany eventuality, should turn the balance in favor of the Allies.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"And I believe it will,\" said Hal.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Do you believe the announcement of a state of war between Italy and\u003cbr\u003eAustria will be formally made to-day?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I do--and so, apparently, do the others here,\" and Hal swept his arm\u003cbr\u003eabout him in a comprehensive gesture. \"Hear them shout!\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor a mighty cheer had suddenly risen upon the air. Wildly excited\u003cbr\u003eItalians--men and women from all walks of life--seemed to have gone\u003cbr\u003esuddenly mad. A deafening roar filled the air. Caps and hats, canes, and\u003cbr\u003eother articles ascended and descended in a dense cloud.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Can you doubt, after that, that Italy is for war?\" asked Hal, when at\u003cbr\u003elast he could make himself heard.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I guess not,\" replied Chester grimly. \"But why should the crowd have\u003cbr\u003egathered in front of the palace rather than before the Chamber of\u003cbr\u003eDeputies?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"You forget that the premier is closeted with the king,\" returned Hal.\u003cbr\u003e\"In all probability, the first word of a definite step will emanate from\u003cbr\u003ethe palace, though unofficially, of course.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I see,\" said Chester. \"Well--look there, Hal!\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"What's the matter?\" demanded the latter, eying his companion in\u003cbr\u003esome surprise.","brand":"SAP","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47083316019440,"sku":"2940013896192","price":0.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940013896192_p0.jpg?v=1763596823","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940013896192","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}