“Yes, the general had him down here the other day,” the captain said, “and he was impressed the same way. He’s a power among the lower classes, although he has many enemies among the educated ones.”
Captain Blynn had been holding a telegram in his hand while the above conversation was taking place and now he passed it over in silence for Phil to read.
“Colonel Martinez is not the name of insurgent officer that left Manila about the time of sailing of steamer ‘Negros.’ Our secret service men are sure that he is the noted outlaw ‘Remundo.’”
“So you see,” the captain said not unkindly, “you have twice allowed this desperado to escape.
“But now,” the captain continued, “what we’ve got to do is to break up this secret society and find poor Tillotson if he is still alive. I can hardly believe that they have been able to carry him away unless it was by water. However, Espinosa should know of this. I will send for him to come here at once.”
The captain rang his bell and sent the orderly who answered for the Filipino.
The midshipmen sat silently waiting while the judge-advocate returned to his interrupted office work.
The orderly soon returned, reporting that Señor Espinosa was not at his house, and that his servant reported that he had not been home since the evening before.
The midshipmen exchanged knowing glances. Was Espinosa then the leader whom Phil had shot?
“Come!” Captain Blynn exclaimed, starting up from his chair. He led the lads down to his carriage at the door and motioned them to enter. Then giving an address to the driver they went whirling through the narrow streets.