“His explanation, sir,” he added, “was so readily given, that I thought I had been mistaken. Then when I learned his name was Schultz, the suspicion returned; only that didn’t seem sufficient proof to accuse him of spying. When you told me earlier of the loss of the lease I again thought of Schultz, but you seemed to think the paper was only mislaid. I’m sorry, sir,” Phil stammered in embarrassment. “I see now I should have made a clean breast of it before.”
“Don’t worry over that, Perry,” Commander Tazewell said kindly. “Hindsight, you know, is always better than foresight. If I had been you I doubt if I should have acted differently, so I have no right to blame you. I know you are loyal, and will always act in a way that seems to you right and straightforward.”
Stump had been sent forward to seek out O’Neil. The captain had desired that the mate remain on board the “Sitka” for the present, a request which Stump was only too happy to accept.
“The most serious part of this news,” Commander Tazewell exclaimed, “is that it shows the whole plot unearthed, and yet I don’t see any way now to thwart the conspirators.”
“Where’s the ‘Sacramento’?” Phil asked excitedly.
“At last accounts, in Honolulu, or at least expected there. She sailed from Panama some weeks ago,” Commander Tazewell replied thoughtfully. “There’s no cable to Honolulu, so if she is to come here, word must be dispatched by steamer from San Francisco. If Stump has heard correctly, the count knew that a Herzovinian war-ship was waiting in Auckland to bring the government’s orders to annex or not to annex. That, according to the count, would depend upon the diplomatic conditions. Of course,” the commander added, “there can be no question of a European war over Kapua. The thing would be impossible, and not worth the life of a single soldier or sailor.”
Phil shook his head, much puzzled over the situation.
“It’s all very confusing to me, sir,” the lad said. “The personal feelings between the Herzovinians on one side and the English and ourselves on the other are so strongly antagonistic that I’m sure if we were put ashore together and left there for a week we would be fighting, although for the life of me I can’t see what it would be about. I haven’t any personal interest in Kapua and really admire the Herzovinians greatly, yet I am as antagonistic as any one to her getting the islands.”
Commander Tazewell laughed in high amusement. “Yes,” he replied, “it is remarkable how men isolated as we are focus our minds upon local affairs that should not really influence us. Here am I, out of cable communication with Washington. I see this nation through private individuals plot to take over a group of islands in which the country I represent has one-third share. If I precipitate a fight with a foreign power in order to retain that one-third right given us by treaty, I may find upon receipt of mail that the government has decided to relinquish its claim. Meanwhile through my action blood may have been spilled.”
“Why does a government, like ours especially, so often change its mind in these international affairs?” Phil asked.