“Exactly; if she wants to seize Kapua I don’t see any way to stop it,” Commander Tazewell answered. “Whether she will hold it or not must depend upon how highly England and the United States appraise the value of the Herzovinian army and navy to back up her act. If we think she is in earnest and will go to war rather than give up Kapua, then our statesmen must decide what will be the advantages or disadvantages of war to us.” “But,” Phil exclaimed, “she couldn’t fight both the United States and England, all at once.” “There, you see, is the true value of her great army and navy,” Commander Tazewell answered solemnly. “The two great nations might be able to defeat her, but it would not stop there. Probably many other nations of Europe would become involved.” “Then if Herzovinia had only a small army and navy,” Phil said questioningly, “the United States or England would pay no attention to her demands, and she would be forced to give in.” “That’s the whole thing in a nutshell,” the commander exclaimed. “Let us hope, Perry,” he added, “our great nation will be sensible enough to keep always a strong army and navy, so that we can be assured that we can do right without the need of asking some other nation’s permission.” As Commander Tazewell paused he unrolled a chart and spread it before him on the cabin table. “It’s nearly twenty miles from here to Fangaloa Bay,” he said after a few minutes’ silent scrutiny of the chart of the Kapuan Islands. Phil was at once keenly alert. What was in Commander Tazewell’s mind? “I believe I am fully justified in seizing Scott and his schooner, and with Stump a witness against him we could try him for something very near piracy.” Commander Tazewell smiled amusedly as he regarded Phil’s eager face, and was prepared for the lad’s earnest question. “Will you go there with the ship?” Phil asked. “No,” the commander replied. “I’m thinking of sending you on a ‘cutting out’ expedition to bring back Scott and the schooner, either or both. Will you accept the job?” Phil fairly beamed with joyful anticipation, but he composed himself and answered: “I’m ready to go anywhere you send me, sir.” “Schultz had best be watched,” the commander added. “It’s wiser not to show him that we suspect him. He may help us to find out something to our advantage concerning our friends, the count and Klinger. “I’ll tell the executive officer to let you have the steam launch, and he will get it ready for you beginning after dark. You can select the men you wish to go with you. Tuamana can pilot the launch through the reef at Fangaloa. Is there any suggestion you wish to make?” the commander asked as Phil arose to go from the cabin. “I’d like to have Mr. Monroe go along to keep me company,” Phil replied quickly, “and I thought it might be wise to go ashore now and try to find out from Avao or Mary Hamilton whether the ‘Talofa’ has reached Fangaloa on her return from her trip to Tua-Tua.”