The next morning the lads went to see Captain Taylor. They had thought the matter over during the evening and had lain awake thinking about it a good part of the night; they were no nearer a solution of the vexing problem.
Captain Taylor received them with his usual kindness.
“Captain,” Phil commenced as spokesman, “please do not believe us incredulous always, but the idea that the guns are elsewhere than in the legation has taken such a hold on us that we have come to ask you to take us to the legation with you this morning.”
Captain Taylor looked puzzled. He realized the lads were in deadly earnest.
“Bless me!” he exclaimed. “If it will ease your minds, of course I shall take you.”
He ordered his boat and the boys found themselves shortly climbing Legation Hill on the way to the residence of the American minister.
“I feel sure,” spoke Captain Taylor while they climbed the steep streets, “that your doubts will soon be set at rest. Mr. Lazar is a careful officer; he has shown me how he has placed his guards and it seems impossible that the arms could be taken without detection. The guns, I explained before, are in the cellar. There is but one exit, a stairway leading up to the ground floor. At the top of the stairs is a door and there two sentinels are posted night and day. Machinist’s Mate Craig, the man who was wounded in your expedition, sleeps on a cot in the cellar within reach of the boxes. So you see how well they have been guarded? The full force of the guard are encamped on the grounds of the legation and are ready for instant call.”
Phil and Sydney exchanged knowing glances. Craig—Lazar’s tool! The arms were surely not in the legation!
Lazar met them at the gate and saluted the captain. He bowed to the lads in mock courtesy.
“I am delighted,” he said, “to see you are safe.” He did not offer his hand. He doubtless knew it would be ignored by the midshipmen.