“What are we to do?” Sydney exclaimed. “If O’Neil fails you must take the stand and tell all.”
“No, I shan’t do that,” Phil declared; “the court would not believe our estimate of Lazar. It would be easy for him to convince the court that he had acted honestly and that our charges were malicious. If Craig is not found I must take my punishment in silence.”
“But if O’Neil and I both testify to the truth of your story, Phil,” Sydney urged.
“Even then,” he replied. “Lazar could not be accused. The fact that Craig deserted would point to the latter’s guilt in allowing the guns to be taken from the legation and would prove Lazar’s innocence. Sydney, if Craig is not found I stand convicted.”
The weary, anxious day dragged slowly by. The fateful morning dawned.
At the hour set, Phil and Sydney were ready to appear before the court.
Phil dreaded the ordeal. Far rather would he have faced a battery of Colt guns than go before those seven commissioned officers, accused as he was of a military crime.
With heart beating fast, and with pale, set face he took the chair next the judge advocate; Sydney sat beside him, a determined look in his eyes.
Phil raised his head and braved the eyes of the court.
The picture now before his eyes would never be forgotten. The officers were all strangers to him, selected from other ships than his own. At the head of the long table sat the president, a captain in the navy, commanding a battle-ship in the fleet; the other six officers were all above the rank of ensign.