He entered his room glad in the thought that with two such friends as Sydney and O’Neil, Craig would soon be found and brought aboard to give his evidence before the court.
But Sydney’s greeting sent the happiness out of his heart and put there a feeling of hopelessness beyond power of expression.
“Phil, that scoundrel has laid his wires cleverly,” he cried angrily. “O’Neil and I are, by the admiral’s order, restricted to the ship until the ‘Connecticut’ sails. Lazar is bound that Craig shall not be found.”
CHAPTER XIX
THE COURT MARTIAL
Phil felt his last hope had gone. Craig, their only witness, would make good his escape. There was nothing left for him but to face the court martial and be found guilty of one of the most serious offenses against military discipline.
“It’s perfectly hopeless, Syd,” he exclaimed dejectedly; “we can make no defense without this man.”
“Cannot Marshall be induced to hunt for him ashore?” questioned Sydney thoughtfully; “he is your friend and hasn’t any love for Lazar.”
“We might do that,” answered Phil readily. Then he shook his head on second thoughts; “it won’t help us. Lazar will find it out and see a means of keeping him aboardship too. He is a master schemer.”
A soft tap on their door sounded startlingly to the unstrung lads. They exchanged glances, despair written on their faces. They had spoken in low tones, but they knew the ship was a sounding-board. Had they said anything that might be advantageous to their enemy?
Phil stepped to the curtain and drew it cautiously aside, half expecting to see the cynical face of Lazar.