Phil feared he had gone too far. He would like to hold the proofs of Commander Ignacio’s perfidy, but not at the risk of detection.
“No, your captain gave me no letter,” he answered carelessly; “he supposed that Ta-Ling, the viceroy’s secretary, was well enough known; I am Ta-Ling, the viceroy’s secretary; but if you do not wish to trust me I shall return and get a letter from him. It will, however, displease both your commander and the viceroy.”
The officer gave Phil a searching look, but apparently seeing nothing suspicious in his appearance, handed him the package.
Phil was about to descend the ladder, when the officer, as if wishing to make amends for doubting the honesty of the Chinaman, stopped him by a motion of the hand.
“There’s a Chinaman on board who came over in a sanpan, shortly after our captain left the ship. He had escaped from a mob ashore and asked our protection.”
Phil held himself well in hand, fearing by undue interest he would jeopardize his cause.
“Would you care to see him?” the officer continued.
The midshipman nodded indifferently.
“I must hurry,” he said; “my viceroy becomes very impatient if he is kept waiting.”
An order was given to a sailor standing near and Phil saw the man go rapidly forward. The lad’s hopes ran high. Was it Emmons?