Juarez stooped down and rising, thrust his hands in his pockets.
Phil felt every nerve thrill. His secret service had begun under a lucky star.
CHAPTER VII
AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY
Returning to the “Connecticut,” Phil told his remarkable experiences to Sydney.
“Phil, I believe we have blundered upon the way in which these insurgents are receiving their arms,” he replied excitedly.
“I am sure of it,” answered Phil; “and to think that our good minister’s name is being used in such a way. We must intercept these boxes before they reach their destination.”
“One thing is certain,” Sydney insisted; “the minister’s name will be removed from the boxes before they are sent to the insurgents. Juarez is too clever to allow himself to be discovered in this risky undertaking.”
“You are right,” agreed Phil, “and that means Juarez will land the boxes on shore here and remove all marks of identification. Come, we must find where the minister’s launch will land and try to discover when they will attempt to smuggle the arms to the insurgents. It will be by water, surely, for he wouldn’t dare attempt to pass through the lines of the loyal army with his bulky packages.”
Having received the required permission, the lads landed again on the great iron pier of La Boca.
They were both dressed in civilians’ clothes, but in this town of so few strangers, they were recognized immediately as coming from one of the men-of-war in port.