The captain of the flag-ship and the admiral’s flag-lieutenant were both present in the cabin and followed the lad’s narrative with great interest and amazement. Phil told of the decision by the chief justice for Panu-Mafili, and then the attack upon Ukula by Kataafa and his warriors, armed with guns purchased apparently from the Kapuan firm, of the appointment of Count Rosen as governor, and the appeal for annexation to Herzovinia. “I think I can now see,” the admiral declared, “why the Washington government sent a revenue cutter post-haste from San Francisco to Honolulu to order me to proceed with my flag-ship to Kapua. A great wrong,” he added earnestly, “has been done the treaty, and my duty is clearly to set it right, by force if necessary. I shall consider this Count Rosen an adventurer. “Yet,” he said after a few thoughtful minutes, “you say the count is prepared against my coming. When those of the ‘de facto’ government see our ship approaching, they are ready to take the responsibility of hoisting the Herzovinian flag over Kapua. Then I shall be powerless; only an order from Herzovinia can remove the badge of annexation. What we do after that will not be an act against the government of Kapua. It will be against the sovereignty of Herzovinia.” A plan had suddenly flashed through Phil’s mind. The admiral was quick to see the sudden eagerness in the midshipman’s face. A kindly smile spread slowly over his own grizzled countenance. “You have something rash and daring in mind, I am sure,” he said, half in amusement, but half seriously. “You have the local color and inspiration of contact. Tell us your plan.” [Illustration: “IS IT QUITE CLEAR?” THE ADMIRAL ASKED] The humor of the situation suddenly struck Phil, and he blushed to the roots of his hair. “Pardon me, sir, for being so bold,” he replied apologetically. “The same thing must have also struck you, sir, and that is the ‘Sacramento’ must enter Ukula harbor at night and secretly and Commander Tazewell must meanwhile prevent the hoisting of the Herzovinian flag.” All three of his hearers gave an ungrudging assent. The admiral took out his watch. “It’s now a little after one o’clock,” he said. “We are thirty odd miles from Ukula. You can probably be there by dark. I’ll enter the harbor at ten o’clock to-night and shall have my entire force of three hundred men ashore within ten minutes after we anchor. Tell Commander Tazewell I shall leave all details to him, for he knows the situation better than I. Tell him my decision is to uphold the law of the chief justice under the existing treaty until our government orders me to do otherwise.” Phil thrilled with joyful excitement as he listened to the admiral’s quiet but decided voice. “Is it quite clear?” the admiral asked. “Perfectly, sir,” Phil assured him. “Then I must speed the parting guest.” The admiral smiled, and put out his hand. Phil shook the hand warmly.