“Is there any further evidence?” inquired the president after the court had recovered a little from its surprise. Sydney and the judge advocate said they had nothing more to offer. “Then the trial is finished,” the president announced. The judge advocate, and the accused and his counsel arose to leave the courtroom, but the president waved them back to their seats, glancing inquiringly at his colleagues. Each member nodded his head in the affirmative, without hesitation. The president took up Phil’s sword lying on the court table with its point toward the accused, and swung its hilt within reach of the lad’s hand. This mute confession that he was held guiltless filled the midshipman’s heart with joy. He looked with gratitude on the president, who had relieved his mind of its heavy burden. This acknowledgment of their verdict was irregular and for that reason Phil felt all the more grateful. The official news might be days in reaching him and relieving his mind. The proceedings must first be written smoothly, signed by all the members and reviewed by the admiral before he would hear officially that he had been cleared of the terrible charges. With hearts overflowing with gladness the two midshipmen helped the almost prostrated witness to his feet and supported him from the court room. “You have nothing to fear,” Phil whispered to him encouragingly as the doctor’s attendants bore him away to the sick bay. At the door of their room they found O’Neil awaiting them, a broad smile on his face. “I knew it was going to be all right,” he exclaimed as they greeted him enthusiastically, “when I saw Mr. Lazar steal away in a shore boat from the port gangway. He slipped off when the officer of the deck wasn’t looking and left a paper with the corporal of the guard.” “That was his resignation,” Sydney explained. “After he knew Craig was before the court his courage deserted him; but however did you find the witness?” O’Neil led them into the room, drawing the curtain, then detailed his experiences of the night before. “Captain Garcia is the one who got him,” he ended unselfishly. “If it had not been for him and the ‘Aquadores,’ Craig would have gotten away sure.” “Captain Garcia has put me as much in his debt as he claimed he was in ours,” exclaimed Phil gladly. “Where is he? I hope we’ll have a chance to thank him before we sail.” “That you will, sir,” O’Neil returned. “He said he’d go direct to General Barras, so that Mareno could be nabbed, and then he’d come aboard here to say good-bye; he knows we sail at noon.” Sydney and O’Neil went about their routine work on shipboard, but Phil remained in his room. His empty sword rack, however, gave him no twinges of regret. For the first time in two days he felt at peace with the world. The illness of Craig, the man whose testimony had stood between him and dismissal, concerned him. He resolved to stand by him and see that he received the best of care.