Both lads gasped at the scoundrel’s deceit, and hot words came in their thoughts, but their promise to Craig held them unspoken. CHAPTER XIV THE HOUSE ON LA MESA Captain Taylor was quite satisfied upon hearing Lazar’s ready explanation. The thought that the latter was aught but the honorable, efficient officer that he appeared never entered his generous mind. He gazed at the lads with compassion on his kindly face. “It must be a great disappointment,” he said to the silent, stunned lads. “You have worked so hard and then to be hoodwinked by the villainous cunning of the vice-consul must indeed be hard. But never mind, his just retribution will overtake him if the government is successful.” In silence they ascended the stairs and entered the minister’s office. That official had just received news that seemed to put him in an excited state of mind. “Captain, I was just about to tell you when you so hastily left me a moment ago,” he began rapidly, “that I have received reliable information that General Ruiz at last is going to make a determined assault on the city. My informant says the force of the attacking army will be concentrated on Tortuga Hill; it is a high, round-top hill to the right of the city. This appears to be the key to the situation and is now well fortified. I want your advice as to whether I shall give the information to the president in order that his general may be prepared to defend that position.” “Most certainly,” Captain Taylor replied at once, showing in his calm face a spark of excitement. “The admiral’s orders are, you know, to uphold the government; we have thrown our fortune into the scale against the rebels. When will the assault take place?” “That my informant does not know,” answered the minister, “but he believes it will be very soon, perhaps to-day or to-morrow.” “From whom does this information come, sir?” hazarded Phil, bluntly. His interest was so intense that he quite forgot his teaching that midshipmen should stay in the background of their seniors’ affairs. The minister looked surprisedly at him; then his face beamed with pleasure as he recognized the lad. “Mr. Perry, your work and that of your companions has awakened our admiration,” he exclaimed, shaking the boy’s hand. “I trust you will not again prove that my information is wrong;” he smiled ruefully; “the man who brings me this is a member of a rich and powerful business firm. He has too much at stake to afford to see the city given over to the lawless army of General Ruiz and yet he dares not take his information to the government for fear of the rebel sympathizers within the city; so he has brought it to me and begged me to see that it was received at once at the president’s palace.”