Well pleased with the impression their disclosure had made on the minister, they withdrew from his presence without telling him further. They were glad he hadn’t required proofs; to have given them would have greatly embarrassed the lads, for they could not tell the minister of the part they had taken in recapturing the arms; he might not agree to secrecy and this knowledge in the hands of the State Department in Washington might cause serious consequences. O’Neil joined them at the door of the legation; he was now in a sailor uniform, borrowed from one of the men of the guard. “Mr. Lazar is here,” he whispered, “with a Spaniard; they just came through the gate. There they are,” he added as the two men approached the house by the gravel walk and mounted the steps of the legation. As Lazar passed them the lads saluted stiffly. He turned a glance full of hatred on them. “Mr. Perry, wait here; I wish to see you,” he ordered sharply, then he and the visitor entered the minister’s office. Phil stepped inside the house noiselessly and stopped breathlessly to listen. A sound of voices raised excitedly came from within the room. Phil quickly rejoined his companions. “That was Mareno,” he exclaimed, “the owner of the automobile. I can never forget his voice in the tunnel. He will try to undo our work with the minister.” Inside of a minute Señor Mareno appeared; his swarthy face was pale, showing the mental strain he was enduring. “You see, I too was deceived,” he was urging the minister, standing on the threshold of his office. The latter’s answer was diplomatic: “You can readily explain that to General Barras,” he answered. “My letter will show him that I did not misinform him intentionally.” Señor Mareno thought deeply and was about to speak, but as he glanced up at the office door the minister had gone within. Then he turned and regarded the midshipmen blankly; a spark of recognition turned his face unconsciously a shade paler, then he strode away down the steps without a word. A moment afterward Lazar confronted them. “Mr. Perry,” he said coldly, “you have put your authority above mine. I order you and your companions to return to the ship immediately. Your mutinous conduct on La Mesa shall not pass unnoticed.” Phil’s blood boiled with anger. His hands twitched and he controlled himself with difficulty. He glanced at his companions, who regarded him inquiringly; he saw he must obey. As they left the legation, they pondered deeply over their predicament. Lazar would report the occurrence on La Mesa. The admiral and Captain Taylor might in their hearts be glad the lads had acted as they had, but their high positions in the navy forbade their official countenance. Lazar might not see fit to report aught but Phil’s disobedience; in time of urgent danger on foreign soil, he, as their senior officer ashore, had ordered them to leave La Mesa and Phil had deliberately refused for himself and companions.