Phil was alarmed at the serious sound of the charge against him; he felt he was hopelessly involved. Even if he could prove Lazar a traitor would not his own guilt be proven? According to military law an order must be obeyed without question. He tried to speak, but his throat was dry. Captain Taylor waited, his face full of compassion for the stunned boy.
“I shall not ask a statement from you now, Mr. Perry,” the captain said finally. “I fear the charge is of such a serious character that the admiral will order a court at once.”
Phil left the cabin and with a heart full of bitterness sought his own room. Sydney read in his chum’s face the bad news.
“So he has already done his work,” he exclaimed, as Phil entered looking tired and worried; “but cheer up; you are in the right, and when the court has the true story, Lazar will find himself in a position that with all his cleverness he will have difficulty to explain.”
Phil smiled gratefully at his companion’s cheerful attempt to console him.
“Syd, you must defend me,” he said, throwing himself in his chair dejectedly. “It’s a very serious charge,” and then Phil quoted the letter of Lazar’s, almost word for word, so deeply had it made its impression on his mind.
Sydney agreed readily to act as Phil’s counsel.
“Our case,” he declared, “must be based on Lazar’s motives for ordering us from the hill. This we can prove through Craig. Never fear, Phil, you will be cleared.”
“My last hope is in Craig,” answered Phil; “if he goes back on us, we are powerless. We can do nothing.”
“It’s a shame that such a scoundrel as Lazar can pose as such a paragon of virtue,” cried Sydney hotly, “while we know what a double dyed villain he is and have no means of proving it. As you say, we are alone dependent upon breaking down the testimony of his accomplice. If Lazar doesn’t know of Craig’s confession this may be easy, but if he does he will take great pains to teach Craig how to answer our questions.”