His first words were addressed to Reeder.
“What does this mean, sir?” he demanded. “If you cannot keep order in this camp when my back is turned I shall find an officer who can. Who is this?” he added, pointing at me. I became suddenly conscious of the fact that I was without my hat or coat, and that my sleeves were pulled up to the shoulders. Aiken was just behind me, and as I turned to him for my coat I disclosed his presence to the General. He gave an exclamation of delight.
“Mr. Aiken!” he cried, “at last!” He lowered his voice to an eager whisper. “Where are the guns?” he asked.
Apparently Aiken felt more confidence in General Laguerre than in his officers, for at this second questioning he answered promptly.
“I regret to say, sir,” he began, “that the guns were seized at New Orleans. Someone informed the Honduranian Consul there, and he—”
“Seized!” cried Laguerre. “By whom? Do you mean we have lost them?”
Aiken lowered his eyes and nodded.
“But how do you know?” Laguerre demanded, eagerly. “You are not sure? Who seized them?”
“The Treasury officers,” Aiken answered
“The captain of the Panama told me he saw the guns taken on the company’s wharf.”