Alas! That jewel box no longer rested in his pocket, for the yellow boy with the bead-like eyes, at that very instant, had filched the little package. Nor did the picking of the white men’s pockets cease at that point.
Once through the throng, the two young ensigns were not long in reaching the building in which are situated the offices of the Captain of the Port. It is opposite this building, on the bank of the Pasig River, where launches from naval vessels and army transports come in and tie up.
“Launch not in,” announced Danny Grin.
“We’ll have some minutes to wait,” Dave answered. “Let’s go over there and get a soda.”
“Over there” referred to a little white one-story building, in which plain soda and similar beverages were sold.
Dave and Dan stepped inside, calling for soda water and drinking thirstily.
“Tastes good,” muttered Dan. “Let’s have another.”
So the second soda was ordered, and was finished more slowly. Then Darrin reached into one of his pockets. Soon he explored another pocket.
“Why, that’s queer!” muttered Dave, aloud. “I thought my money—”
“Never mind your money, chum,” interrupted Dan Dalzell. “I’ll pay for—”