The general adjusted his glasses and read from beginning to end the report placed on his desk by the captain; then he glanced up, a puzzled look on his deeply lined face. “This is a very ugly business,” he said sharply. “We have no time to investigate such matters. We are busy putting down this rebellion. Yet such conduct as charged in this report, Mr. Perry, cannot go unheeded. There’s but one thing to do,” he continued after a moment’s thought. “Wire to the admiral at Manila and request your detachment for private reasons.” “That would be a tacit acknowledgment that I am in the wrong,” Phil cried out, his voice trembling with anger at the injustice in the general’s words. “Read this letter,” the general said brusquely, “and if you can clear yourself do so before Captain Blynn and myself.” Phil took the letter and read page after page of incriminating evidence against him. It told of the disagreement as to the plan of landing and the time of landing. Then of the departure of the expedition from the gunboat, when the accuser claimed that Phil had deliberately shoved off without him, “doubtlessly jealous of being outranked,” the report read. Then of his insubordination ashore after the attack when he, Tillotson, had taken charge of the work of clearing up the battle-field. Of the withdrawal of the sailors and their refusal to help until an imperative order had been sent the midshipman not to go to the gunboat, but to return and give aid to the soldiers. Phil’s heart thumped as he read. The report was untrue in so far as the imputations on his reasons were concerned, but the incidents were only too true, and except by bringing a charge of cowardice and calling soldiers and sailors to corroborate him, he could not deny the report. Tillotson’s report stated further that both midshipmen had during the return trip acted toward him in a manner which lessened the respect of the sailors for him. That one of them had made remarks derogatory to his character as a soldier. Phil handed the report back, his eyes swimming. His anger was rife within him and he dared not speak. “This is a case for a Court of Inquiry,” Captain Blynn said to the general, “but I cannot see how an army court can decide on the case of a naval officer. Mr. Perry apparently cannot deny these charges, so if he is disinclined to wire the admiral, I suggest that you send a message asking to have him relieved.” The general nodded his head in the affirmative and Captain Blynn withdrew to prepare the fatal telegram. “I am sorry, Mr. Perry,” the general said, his face softening. “I have heard of your fight, and it was a masterpiece. I believe you have the stuff in you; but insubordination cannot be condoned. You must learn to obey and be respectful to officers higher in rank.” “Why couldn’t he tell the general just how everything had happened?” he thought as he listened to the kindly voice, “not to ask that he might retain his ship but simply to clear his name of this cloud.”