They were nearing a part of the street which to the lad seemed the very place to carry out his design to render harmless the companion walking so confidently beside him. “Our chairs should be near here,” he said, leading the way down a narrow alley behind a great white building, the English Bank, which Phil recognized as the scene of his first encounter with Commander Ignacio. What spot could be more fitting for this last encounter? Then he continued: “What makes you think a telegram will come from Washington disgracing the American captain?” “The telegram you sent me this morning was from my friend, the naval attaché in Washington; he says it is already published in the American paper,” Commander Ignacio answered. “Everything is printed in the newspapers in America, you know. They do not understand there the military value of secrecy, which is the fundamental basis of diplomacy.” Phil ground his teeth in rage and mortification. He could have struck the man down for talking of his country and countrymen so slurringly. Yet he could only acknowledge that the man was but repeating what had often been said in Europe. “Where are the chairs?” Commander Ignacio asked in some alarm, as they reached the end of the alley and it was apparent that the square, court-like space was empty. Phil appeared to search the deeper shadows with his eyes, at the same time making the guttural call which he had heard used by Chinamen calling to them a chair and coolies. Ignacio still had one hand in his pocket and Phil felt sure his nervous finger was on a trigger. The lad racked his brain to devise some scheme to get him off his guard. Even now his suspicions might have been aroused. Langdon and Sydney were close behind their victim, doubtless watching eagerly for the sign from Phil. Ignacio stood close to a door, his right hand, which was no doubt encircling the butt of a revolver, nearest the knob. “Try that door,” Phil said in as careless tones as he could command. “It’s rather damp outside and they might have gone inside to sleep.” It apparently did not occur to the foreigner that the great bulky chairs would not be taken inside, and if the coolies were there the chairs would have been plainly in evidence in the court, for he unguardedly took his right hand from his pocket and raised it to the doorknob. Phil waited not a second, but raised his hand quickly above his head. He saw the bodies of Sydney and Langdon hurl themselves upon the unguarded victim. Then the door flew open inward and his heart stopped beating with terror and dismay, while the silence was broken by the loud report of a pistol shot, accompanied by the most unearthly yells he had ever heard. CHAPTER XV AN ENEMY SILENCED