“I thought at once of Espinosa,” Sydney answered, “but I’m not sure; he talked in a voice that was not familiar, but that may have been feigned. Think of it,” he exclaimed, “those masked men are all in the employ of our government. They have taken the oath of allegiance and yet they are plotting to massacre our soldiers.” “It seems queer,” Phil exclaimed in a puzzled voice, “that the meeting and Tillotson’s disappearance should happen the same evening. Do you suppose it was only a coincidence?” Sydney shook his head. “Let’s get Captain Blynn to unravel that,” he answered. “He’s not half as clever as some believe, not to have discovered in six months what we have in less than two days. But remember, we promised Señorita Maria to say nothing of her share in the work.” An hour later the lads had laid their startling discoveries before the judge-advocate. “How many of these men did you count?” he asked excitedly, after he had listened with rising indignation to the account of the Katipunan meeting and the accusation against Rodriguez. “About forty, I should say,” Phil answered. “I don’t understand,” the captain exclaimed aloud, “why Espinosa has not told me of the existence of this society. Of course I knew it was active elsewhere, but I had no idea they would dare plot against us within our lines.” “Have you never suspected Espinosa?” Phil asked quietly. “Yes, once,” the captain answered, after a moment’s hesitation, “but I found I was mistaken. He would not have led us against this fellow Martinez if he had been a traitor. I have the note here which I took from Espinosa that gives the information. It is in Visayan but I have translated it.” He handed the scrap of paper to Phil, who read it and passed it back. “Colonel Martinez and two hundred men encamp to-night at Barotoc Hill near Banate en route to join Diocno.” Phil pondered over the words of the message. Then he remembered the terrible personal attack of Espinosa against Martinez. Was this a clue to his betrayal? Were Martinez and Espinosa personal enemies? “No,” the captain continued assuredly. “Espinosa has aided us in every way. It was through him that we sent Captain Gordon to the north to prevent more of these deserters from Aguinaldo’s army landing. He has kept us well posted on the movements of our enemy.” “But still,” Phil insisted, “there have been no big fights and we’ve lost a number of men cut up through surprise.” “That’s due in a great measure to the country and the inexperience of our volunteer officers,” the captain explained readily. “Are you so sure of the honesty of Rodriguez?” he asked suddenly. “I have heard it insinuated that he aspires to the leadership if Diocno were removed.”