As Phil stopped and sat down, a hum of astonishment passed over the court. What did he mean? Had the strain unbalanced his mind? were the questions asked in glances of the eye by his judges sitting solemnly before him. The judge advocate arose to his feet to make his closing address to the court. “Gentlemen,” he commenced, “the accused by the evidence is proved guilty. It is my duty as prosecutor for the United States Navy to point out that the offense of which he is charged is one of the most serious against military and naval discipline, and is punishable under the ‘articles of war’ by dismissal from the navy of the United States. The excuse offered by the accused is unintelligible and worthless.” He sat down, his eyes riveted on the president of the court. The latter raised his hand; Phil knew that when it fell to the table the trial would be over and no more witnesses could be summoned. It was a dreadful moment for the accused midshipman. He knew he sat before his judges adjudged guilty of the military crime of which he was accused. The president, with his hand still raised, hesitated; he seemed unwilling to make the trial a closed book. As he paused thus, there came a knock on the door of the cabin. CHAPTER XX THE SEARCH O’Neil after leaving the midshipman went to his room under the forecastle and hid away the bundle of clothes until nightfall, when he intended to leave the ship under the cover of darkness. As soon as he was sure his movements could not be observed, he let himself over the bow of the battle-ship and silently dropped into the water; his foreign uniform he carried in a flat roll on his head. He was a strong swimmer, and in but a few minutes he was standing safely on the dock. The friendly darkness permitted him unobserved to discard his sailor clothes, and he soon stood completely disguised in the garb of a Verazala naval officer. He started out briskly for the public landing, hired a shore boat and was soon alongside the “Aquadores.” The officer on duty greeted him as an old friend, and the boatswain’s mate was shortly in Captain Garcia’s presence. O’Neil told his errand as soon as Captain Garcia would allow him time to speak; the Spaniard was enthusiastic in his reception of the American sailor. “And, sir, I knew you would help me catch this man,” he added; “our young friend is to be tried by court martial, and if found guilty will be dismissed from the service.” Captain Garcia showed the anxiety he felt for Phil’s predicament. “I am always at the service of my American friends,” he declared immediately; “but how may I help you find this man?” “He will go by steamer,” replied O’Neil, “and we must find out the one and drag him off before she sails. If I go alone I can’t do it, but you are known and they won’t dare stop us, if you are with me.” “But may he not have sailed already?” questioned Captain Garcia anxiously.