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.