Lazar passed the eavesdroppers so close that it seemed to O’Neil detection was a certainty. What should he do? He dared not lift his hand against his superior officer. His long training in the navy had taught him what terrible consequences would be the result of such a rash act. He held his breath tightly and drew Captain Garcia closer against the wall. The door swung shut and the hall was again in partial gloom. Lazar’s footfalls could be heard ascending the stairs. “We’ve got to get out,” he breathed in relief as he half dragged his companion down the steps. They left the house by the way they had entered; this time they were not observed, for the caretaker of the house was fast asleep. Reaching their automobile they got in and waited for their enemies to leave the house. “What does it mean?” Captain Garcia asked excitedly. “What is this letter?” O’Neil explained how Mareno had informed the minister that Ruiz’s attack would be on Tortuga Hill. How the midshipmen had discovered him in the house of Juarez where the stolen arms were stored, and how the minister had written a letter to General Barras telling from whom the information came. “A clever plot indeed,” cried Captain Garcia. “Mr. Lazar has changed this letter clearing Señor Mareno and putting the guilt on Midshipman Perry’s shoulders, and Señor Mareno has induced the president meanwhile, before the arrival of the letter, to ask the Washington government to recall the minister. My inclinations were as an officer of our government to arrest Señor Mareno for treason.” “That would have defeated us,” answered O’Neil. “They wouldn’t have submitted without a fight and I couldn’t have raised my hand against Ensign Lazar.” “I can hardly believe that Señor Mareno is a rebel,” declared Captain Garcia excitedly; “if so, why did he buy the ‘Aquadores’ for General Barras’ government?” “That’s easy to see now,” answered O’Neil with a superior smile; “didn’t you say your executive officer was mutinous and your crew were all green men?” The naked truth dawned on the unsuspecting naval officer. “You mean that Mareno believed that on our arrival in La Boca the ‘Aquadores’ would fly the rebel flag,” cried the naval officer, aghast at the depth of the treason of which Mareno was the instigator. “Certainly,” O’Neil replied; “he thought it was as good as buying her for the rebels and a better and easier way. Even when you went after the rebel ships at Rio Grande, he was sure you’d be licked, and before he could get news of the fight he spread the report that she’d been sunk.” Captain Garcia was stunned at the extent of the conspiracy. “Then I owe you and your companions much more than I dreamed,” he cried putting his arm affectionately on O’Neil’s shoulder. “That explains why their two vessels seemed so eager to give us battle. They thought we would prove an easy victim.” O’Neil nodded. “But now, Captain Garcia,” he exclaimed earnestly, “you’ve got your chance to repay us.”