Phil was about to cry out his assured belief that Rodriguez was sincere, but with the words on his lips he hesitated. He had seen Rodriguez but once, and to be convinced of his honesty after such a short acquaintance would sound ridiculous. He saw that Maria’s part would have to be told if Captain Blynn was to be convinced. “I have every reason to believe in his sincerity,” Phil said instead. “I can understand Spanish and I heard the leader denounce him as a traitor to the natives. Then I heard Rodriguez’s eloquent appeal to the men against their two-faced dealings. He surely had the courage of his convictions, for every hand there was against him.” “Yes, the general had him down here the other day,” the captain said, “and he was impressed the same way. He’s a power among the lower classes, although he has many enemies among the educated ones.” Captain Blynn had been holding a telegram in his hand while the above conversation was taking place and now he passed it over in silence for Phil to read. “Colonel Martinez is not the name of insurgent officer that left Manila about the time of sailing of steamer ‘Negros.’ Our secret service men are sure that he is the noted outlaw ‘Remundo.’” “So you see,” the captain said not unkindly, “you have twice allowed this desperado to escape. “But now,” the captain continued, “what we’ve got to do is to break up this secret society and find poor Tillotson if he is still alive. I can hardly believe that they have been able to carry him away unless it was by water. However, Espinosa should know of this. I will send for him to come here at once.” The captain rang his bell and sent the orderly who answered for the Filipino. The midshipmen sat silently waiting while the judge-advocate returned to his interrupted office work. The orderly soon returned, reporting that Señor Espinosa was not at his house, and that his servant reported that he had not been home since the evening before. The midshipmen exchanged knowing glances. Was Espinosa then the leader whom Phil had shot? “Come!” Captain Blynn exclaimed, starting up from his chair. He led the lads down to his carriage at the door and motioned them to enter. Then giving an address to the driver they went whirling through the narrow streets. After a ten minutes’ drive the carriage stopped in front of a large Filipino house. Without knocking the army man pushed open the door intruding his great bulk into the room. A half dozen natives arose from the floor, sudden fear in their faces as they saw the officers. “Señor Cardero,” the captain said in a quiet voice, “where has Señor Espinosa gone?” “I do not know,” the native replied sullenly.