“What would Captain Blynn say now?” Phil exclaimed laughingly as O’Neil too squeezed the colonel’s hand until the latter winced. “He’d shoot us for traitors sure.” Sydney smiled. “It would be rather difficult to explain the situation,” he replied, the drollness of the meeting suddenly striking him. “You saved my life, señor,” Rodriguez exclaimed suddenly, as Maria led him to the Americans. “My daughter has told me all. I do not know how she could have gone where she did, or how she found out that I had been summoned, but bringing you there has shown that often one’s greatest enemy lives in one’s house and eats his bread. I came this evening bringing with me my own men, for I know these blackguards too well to trust myself alone. As all were masked I recognized no one, but I have suspicions as to many and especially he who you probably have killed, for he fell limply at my feet just before the lights were extinguished.” A sudden pang of remorse came into Phil’s thoughts. “Colonel Martinez came with me as my friend and protector,” said Rodriguez, “and although he is an enemy within your lines I ask that he be allowed to withdraw in safety. You see,” he added with a smile, “we had no idea of meeting those who would recognize him.” Phil as the leader of the Americans gave a ready assent. He well knew that a strict interpretation of his duty required that he arrest Colonel Martinez on the spot and take him prisoner before the general, but intuitively he realized that to do so would hurt the American cause. He felt that Rodriguez had reached a crisis in his avowed intention of neutrality. By arresting Martinez after this appeal Phil might lose the government a valuable friend, now wavering between his loyalty to his own people and the more earnest duty of fighting against them to protect them from the domination of this treacherous band of murderers. “Good-bye, señores,” Maria cried eagerly, as her father signified his intention to depart. “I can never thank you enough for what you have done to-night. If your bullet,” she added earnestly, “has silenced forever that terrible leader of the Katipunan society, my father will be in no further danger.” “Can you pass through the lines?” Sydney asked, “or shall we vouch for you?” “If it is not too much trouble,” Rodriguez replied gratefully. “My carriage is just there, and we are then near the last patrol. The general has allowed me free conduct always, but this disturbance may have aroused suspicion, so I shall be grateful for your services.” The mixed party of sailors and natives walked briskly through the silent streets. The carriage drawn by two fast horses was reached, and Maria, her father, and Martinez entered, while Lopez mounted the box and drove slowly forward followed by the Americans on foot. A loud American challenge suddenly brought the horses on their haunches. “Halt! Who comes there?” “Officer,” answered Phil. “Advance one, and be recognized,” the sentry called.