Emmons, with a genuine show of deep gratitude, thanked the midshipman for his unlooked-for deliverance; then he plied the lads with eager questions, and Phil gave him the unvarnished history of the night’s experiences; of the triumph over Ta-Ling, and then the ruse they had played upon Commander Ignacio and the officer on board the “Albaque.” “I have, I think, papers which will reveal all that villain’s secrets,” he ended, patting the papers in the pocket of his long Chinese robe. “And the plan of the secret channel--I have that safe here also,” he added. “We owe a great deal to you.” “Yes,” replied Emmons, “but it has cost me all that I have accumulated in ten years of business. I got warning this afternoon from the Tartar general that an order had been signed by the viceroy for my execution. I succeeded in hiding in an abandoned house in the foreign concession while the soldiers of Ta-Ling searched for me. After dark I tried to find Nam-Sing and the launch which I was holding in readiness to aid your escape, but when I reached the docks I found all my launches deserted, and their machinery wrecked. Knowing that I could not remain another day ashore without capture, I secured a sanpan and sculled to the nearest gunboat, believing I was then safe; but it seems that I had put myself in the hands of an enemy.” “The blood of every foreigner killed should be laid to Ignacio’s account,” Phil declared angrily; “but we have now the means of exposing his treachery. “Tell us about the mission,” he exclaimed anxiously. “Is it yet unharmed?” “It is still under the general’s protection,” Emmons replied, “and he will not permit an attack. I have expected every day to hear that the soldiers had been removed. Ta-Ling’s outlaws are encamped within a mile of the soldiers, apparently waiting an order from their leader.” “How many are there of these rebels?” Sydney asked in alarm. “I have not seen them, but my men tell me there are thousands,” Emmons answered. “There must be some reason for the delay,” Emmons declared. “Have you read the viceroy’s letter to your captain?” he asked quickly. “Maybe there we shall find the cause of it.” With trembling fingers Phil drew the letter from his pocket and without hesitation broke the formidable looking seal of the viceroy. The writing was in English and the penmanship seemed strangely familiar. “It’s the same writing as that in the letter I picked up in the bank!” he exclaimed in surprise, then in the lantern’s dim light his eager eyes traveled rapidly over the words before him. Sydney and Emmons waited impatiently until Phil began to read excitedly: