CHAPTER XVIII
AN IMPORTANT WITNESS
“HOW has he the face to report you for disobeying his order when he must realize that we have evidence enough against him to dismiss him from the service?” exclaimed Sydney as they were on their return.
“That’s what puzzles me, too,” declared Phil. “What can he gain by having me court-martialed? He can hardly expect me not to use all the weapons I have to fight him; though when you sum it up our proofs are not very strong: Juarez is dead, and Mareno, even if he knows the part Lazar played in the arms case, would not testify before a naval court.”
“But Craig’s evidence,” Sydney interrupted earnestly, “will prove that he deliberately betrayed his trust and gave up the arms. If this evidence can be placed before the court, Lazar’s reasons for ordering us from La Mesa will be clearly shown.”
“Lazar can’t know that Craig has confessed to us,” Phil replied happily, “and he believes he’ll have everything his own way. If he knew that Craig had confided to us his secret of the stolen arms, he would not have reported me for the incident on La Mesa.”
“What hold has he over this man Craig?” Sydney questioned thoughtfully. “Would this influence be sufficient to seal his lips? Suppose he should deny telling us that the arms were stolen from the cellar of the legation?”
“Even if he should,” Phil answered decidedly, “your testimony that you heard him give the information would be taken by the court. He must tell the truth in the witness box; if not it will not be difficult to impugn his statements. However, you must see him as soon as possible and tell him if he will speak the truth we shall see that no harm comes to him. He fears Lazar, but if you can show him that we are powerful enough to protect him, unless I am much mistaken in the man, he will be glad to tell the truth.”
“I believe,” cried Sydney joyfully, “that Lazar has caught a tartar this time. What fun it will be to see his face when he hears that Craig has told of his dishonest dealings with Juarez.”
Reaching the landing they took the first boat back to the “Connecticut” and reported their return to the officer of the deck.
“The captain wishes to see you at once,” that officer said, addressing Phil.
Phil went immediately down the cabin ladder and was ushered by the orderly into the presence of Captain Taylor.
A glance at his chief’s face told the anxious lad that Lazar had already made his report.
Mr. Penfield, who had been in conversation with the captain as the boy entered the cabin, excused himself quickly and left, casting a glance of sympathy at Phil as he passed him.
It seemed to the waiting youth that he must have been standing there a long time before Captain Taylor’s voice relieved the oppressive silence; its tone was not unkind, but it was strictly official.
“I have but this minute received Mr. Lazar’s report of the battle,” he spoke slowly, punctuating his words; “he tells of the rout of the rebels, which is good news indeed, but he makes a serious charge against you, Mr. Perry.” Here the captain took in his hand a paper which he had doubtless been reading to the executive officer before Phil had appeared. “This is Mr. Lazar’s report; I shall read it to you: ‘It is my painful duty to report to you the following incidents which happened about 4 P. M. this afternoon,’” the captain read from the paper in his hand.
“‘By order of the minister I left the legation at 3:30 P. M. and rode out to the lines to view the battle which I believed was about to commence. Upon my arrival at the outskirts of the city the first assault was made, which I was too far away to witness distinctly, but I saw that the rebels were repulsed. From my position I sighted two figures in white on the top of the hill, La Mesa; these aroused my suspicions, believing they were foreigners helping the government arms. Upon closer investigation I was astounded to recognize in these figures Midshipmen Perry and Monroe, apparently in command of a detachment of Verazala infantry.
“‘Believing that they were committing an unwise act, I approached Mr. Perry and ordered him to leave the hill at once and return with me to the legation.
“‘He refused to obey and defied my authority, turning his back upon me.
“‘By your order I was in supreme command over our men ashore and feel that I was within my authority in giving this order to Midshipman Perry.
“‘Such a serious breach of military discipline should not go unpunished, and for the good of the service I have to request that Midshipman Philip Perry be brought to trial by general court martial on charges growing out of this incident.’”
The captain ceased reading and laid the paper on the table.
Phil was alarmed at the serious sound of the charge against him; he felt he was hopelessly involved. Even if he could prove Lazar a traitor would not his own guilt be proven? According to military law an order must be obeyed without question. He tried to speak, but his throat was dry. Captain Taylor waited, his face full of compassion for the stunned boy.
“I shall not ask a statement from you now, Mr. Perry,” the captain said finally. “I fear the charge is of such a serious character that the admiral will order a court at once.”
Phil left the cabin and with a heart full of bitterness sought his own room. Sydney read in his chum’s face the bad news.
“So he has already done his work,” he exclaimed, as Phil entered looking tired and worried; “but cheer up; you are in the right, and when the court has the true story, Lazar will find himself in a position that with all his cleverness he will have difficulty to explain.”
Phil smiled gratefully at his companion’s cheerful attempt to console him.
“Syd, you must defend me,” he said, throwing himself in his chair dejectedly. “It’s a very serious charge,” and then Phil quoted the letter of Lazar’s, almost word for word, so deeply had it made its impression on his mind.
Sydney agreed readily to act as Phil’s counsel.
“Our case,” he declared, “must be based on Lazar’s motives for ordering us from the hill. This we can prove through Craig. Never fear, Phil, you will be cleared.”
“My last hope is in Craig,” answered Phil; “if he goes back on us, we are powerless. We can do nothing.”
“It’s a shame that such a scoundrel as Lazar can pose as such a paragon of virtue,” cried Sydney hotly, “while we know what a double dyed villain he is and have no means of proving it. As you say, we are alone dependent upon breaking down the testimony of his accomplice. If Lazar doesn’t know of Craig’s confession this may be easy, but if he does he will take great pains to teach Craig how to answer our questions.”
Phil’s already dejected expression turned to one of deeper disappointment as he pondered on the last words of his companion.
“What innocents we are!” he cried suddenly. “Lazar surely must know that we have discovered his intrigue, else how could we have found the hiding-place of the arms? If, as I suspect, Juarez sent him word we were in the house on La Mesa, then Lazar would reason that he had been found out and would know that our information must have come from Craig. And yet, knowing this, he reports me,” he added thoughtfully.
“Syd,” he continued after a pause, “this man is no common villain. We have to deal with a very clever rogue. There is something more that we don’t know about; he is not going into this court martial blindly. If he can have me found guilty then he will be safe, because our testimony against him will be declared prejudiced and would not be admitted before a court.”
The two midshipmen were in a state of great excitement over their perplexing position, but their labors on this eventful day had so wearied them, that it was but a short time after they had “turned in” before they fell into a sound and peaceful sleep.
They awoke the following morning feeling greatly refreshed and better able to grapple with the problem.
All danger that the rebels would force an entrance into the city being over, the admiral ordered the legation guard back to the “Connecticut.”
Phil and Sydney were on deck when Lazar and his men returned.
“He isn’t there!” Phil gasped as he saw the last man come up the gangway ladder and “fall in” in ranks on the quarter-deck. “I watched every man and Craig isn’t among them.”
“Perhaps there are others ashore, yet to come,” vouchsafed Sydney hopefully.
Lazar had reported to the officer of the deck and had then gone down the companionway to announce his return to the captain.
Marshall and Morrison remained on deck with the men awaiting Lazar’s return, before being dismissed to go to their quarters.
Phil and Sydney examined closely every one of the hundred bronzed faces of the legation guard. Craig was missing.
In a few minutes Lazar returned, and gave orders to “break ranks” and go forward; then he turned to his two assistants, and raising his voice for the benefit of Phil and Sydney, he said:
“Craig is a good riddance. I believed he was a trustworthy man, but I find he has betrayed my confidence. I have recommended to the captain that no effort be made to apprehend him.”
Lazar cast a glance of mingled triumph and scorn at the discomfited midshipmen as he passed down the hatch to the deck below.
The boys were stupefied. This contingency had never occurred to them. So Craig had deserted!
“We can catch him, Phil,” Sydney cried, when the terrible significance of Lazar’s words forced themselves upon him; “steamers are infrequent, and if he remains in the country he can be apprehended by the government.”
“Lazar has doubtless arranged for that,” Phil answered brokenly; “he is too clever for us, Syd. We are children in his hands.”
“But we must capture him,” Sydney exclaimed, thoroughly aroused; “he is our only witness.”
O’Neil, showing no ill effects from his rough handling of the day before, was back at his ship’s work. He saw the boys standing disconsolately on the quarter-deck and crossed over to them.
“How are you, O’Neil?” Phil inquired solicitously as the sailor saluted them.
“Never better, sir,” he answered, “but you, sir, I’m sorry to hear of the trouble you are in; and that fellow Craig, that you were counting so much on, has deserted. The men say he is too sick to go far and had been acting queer like all last evening. When the guard fell in to be marched on board this morning he was missing.”
“Too sick to go far?” questioned Phil eagerly.
“Yes, sir,” the sailor answered, “the men of the guard say he coughed all the time; they all believe he can’t live long.”
Phil turned to Sydney.
“Syd, Lazar will try to send him off by steamer. If he hasn’t gone already we may be able to catch him,” he cried hopefully. “Lazar has furnished him money and has recommended to the captain that no search be made for him.”
“There ain’t been no steamer sailing since last night,” declared O’Neil; “that steamer with the blue smoke-stack is the next one to leave; she’s flying the sailing flag now. Craig must be still in La Boca.”
“Syd,” Phil cried hurriedly, “I may be put under arrest now at any moment, but you and O’Neil will be free. It may be possible that we can outwit Lazar yet. You must go ashore and find Craig. Promise him anything if he will return and speak the truth.”
“If he is in La Boca, trust O’Neil to find him,” declared the sailor stoutly.
Phil saw the captain’s orderly approaching. His heart felt like lead: here was his summons, he felt sure.
“Captain Taylor would like to see Mr. Perry,” the orderly announced as he reached Phil’s side.
The lad descended to the cabin with sinking hopes. He found the captain awaiting him, nervously pacing up and down his narrow cabin.
“Mr. Perry,” he said as he caught sight of the attentive midshipman, “I have a very painful duty to perform;” he held a paper in his outstretched hand; Phil took it in silence. “Those are the charges against you,” he continued slowly; “the admiral orders that you be tried by court martial.”
The lad’s eyes were full of tears of anger and mortification. He dared not speak. He feared he might say too much and prejudice himself with his captain.
“You will send me your sword and consider yourself in close arrest.” The captain added, “The trial is set for to-morrow morning at eight o’clock.”
Then the captain dropped from his voice its official coldness and put his hand affectionately on the humiliated lad’s shoulder.
“Mr. Perry, you have been a great disappointment to me,” he said sadly. “Your work here has been all the more admirable because it can never receive official sanction. It must always be kept a secret from our government in Washington. Even our admiral, as powerful as he is, could not save you if your part in this war came to the official ears of the Navy Department. ‘The end justifies the means’ does not fit such a case. By your loyal and plucky work, you and your companions have saved our government from very complicating and perhaps dangerous diplomatic conflicts with foreign powers. You have also saved American merchants from great financial losses. But nevertheless,” he added after a short pause, “Mr. Lazar was well within his authority when he ordered you away from La Mesa; and from my knowledge of that officer I believe he was acting according to his best judgment and for your own good. You should not have taken part in this fight at all, but it was far worse as you did it, openly, wearing the uniform of the United States.”
“Believe me, Captain Taylor,” cried Phil earnestly, “we were not on La Mesa for pure love of fighting; there was a good reason and I hope to be able to show soon that my act of disobedience was not as black as it looks.”
“I sincerely hope, Mr. Perry,” Captain Taylor replied kindly, “that you can explain this seemingly deliberate act of insubordination.”
Phil left the cabin in a happier frame of mind than he had entered. He was assured of Captain Taylor’s sympathy and his and his companion’s work had been appreciated. He saw how these high officers must regard their work on La Mesa, knowing nothing of the story of the Colt guns and Lazar’s part in their betrayal. If Craig could be found now all would be plain sailing. The court on hearing his testimony against Lazar would surely acquit Phil of criminality in his disobedience.
He entered his room glad in the thought that with two such friends as Sydney and O’Neil, Craig would soon be found and brought aboard to give his evidence before the court.
But Sydney’s greeting sent the happiness out of his heart and put there a feeling of hopelessness beyond power of expression.
“Phil, that scoundrel has laid his wires cleverly,” he cried angrily. “O’Neil and I are, by the admiral’s order, restricted to the ship until the ‘Connecticut’ sails. Lazar is bound that Craig shall not be found.”