With this parting word the corporal started out on his reconnaissance along the road where the Fräulein had met with her adventure. There was no moon, and soon the trail turned back from the bay. Here the darkness of the tropical night hung heavily about the little party. The old soldier took no chances in his work, and formed his three-man patrol in accordance with the rules of warfare. One man marched about fifty yards ahead, the other the same distance in rear of Dorlan. This formation lessened the danger of a surprise, and increased the chances of at least one member of the patrol’s escape, if attacked. Dorlan had brought his small flash-light with which to search the ground for clues of any import. "I know that lad ain’t mixed up with that rascal Joe Choiniski," mused Dorlan as he walked, "no matter what the First Lieutenant believes. It’s more’n likely he’s the very one what knocked out them two fellers what tackled the Dootch girl, and--ah! Here we are!" he exclaimed. With a low peculiar whistle he halted his men and began a systematic search of the tracks in the dusty path. "Here’s where the Dootch girl fainted, and here’s where the shoe marks show the scrimmage took place. These tracks were made by government issue shoes and were worn by a marine. The imprint of the strap of the leggin’ is plain as the nose on yer face. Them’s Dick Comstock’s tracks; and it’s as I says,--he’s gone after them greasers for sure. Hello, what’s this? The grass and bushes all bendin’. Ah, ye dirty Dago ye. I’ve got ye. Come back here, Smithers, and help untie these two fellers. We’ll take ’em back and see what they’ve got to say for themselves. And I guess that’s about all I can do this night, accordin’ to me orders." And back over the trail to the consulate went the patrol to deliver their two prisoners and make their report. But if the natives knew anything, they refused to talk, and the whereabouts of little Soledad and Drummer Comstock still remained an unsolved mystery. CHAPTER XIV DICK MAKES THE ACQUAINTANCE OF COLUMBUS Lieutenant Commander Ogden’s surmise as to the manner in which Joe Choiniski jumped ship was correct, but as to the theft of the revolvers, which he was inclined to fasten on Drummer Comstock, was not. Just before the noon hour Choiniski, happening by the armory and finding the door ajar, entered, confiscated the weapons and ammunition and with them tucked inside his dungaree jumper left the place, snapping the lock after him; he was unseen by any of his shipmates.