Marshall and Morrison remained on deck with the men awaiting Lazar’s return, before being dismissed to go to their quarters.
Phil and Sydney examined closely every one of the hundred bronzed faces of the legation guard. Craig was missing.
In a few minutes Lazar returned, and gave orders to “break ranks” and go forward; then he turned to his two assistants, and raising his voice for the benefit of Phil and Sydney, he said:
“Craig is a good riddance. I believed he was a trustworthy man, but I find he has betrayed my confidence. I have recommended to the captain that no effort be made to apprehend him.”
Lazar cast a glance of mingled triumph and scorn at the discomfited midshipmen as he passed down the hatch to the deck below.
The boys were stupefied. This contingency had never occurred to them. So Craig had deserted!
“We can catch him, Phil,” Sydney cried, when the terrible significance of Lazar’s words forced themselves upon him; “steamers are infrequent, and if he remains in the country he can be apprehended by the government.”
“Lazar has doubtless arranged for that,” Phil answered brokenly; “he is too clever for us, Syd. We are children in his hands.”
“But we must capture him,” Sydney exclaimed, thoroughly aroused; “he is our only witness.”
O’Neil, showing no ill effects from his rough handling of the day before, was back at his ship’s work. He saw the boys standing disconsolately on the quarter-deck and crossed over to them.