hire," said Hal, after looking up and down
the Escolta. "Let's walk across the bridge over the Pasig. We'll be more
likely to find an idle _cochero_ on the other side of the river."

As they started the sky was darkening, and the lightning beginning to
flash, for this was in early July, at the height of the rainy season.

"I hope we find a _cochero_ soon," muttered Noll, looking up at the dark
sky. "I don't fancy the idea of walking all the way out to Malate in a
downpour."

They were not quite over the bridge when the storm broke in all its
force. Tropical thunder crashed with a fury that made artillery fire
seem trifling. Great sheets of lightning flashed on all sides.

"Hustle, before we get drowned," laughed Sergeant Hal, breaking into a
fast run. "There's shelter just beyond the end of the bridge."

The shelter for which both soldiers headed was a kiosk, barely larger
than a sentry-box, that had once been erected for the convenience of the
native boys who stood there with relief horses for the service of the
old street car line.

The door stood open. Eager to make any port in a storm, Hal and Noll
bolted inside just in time to hear an angry voice declare:

"I had them picked out--two young _sergentes_, mere boys. At first they
were very polite--a minute later they made fun of me to my face--me,
Vicente Tomba! But I shall know them again, I shall see them, and I
shall make them wish they had never been born. I----"

The Filipino dandy stopped short as the two Army boys stepped briskly
inside. He gave a gasp as he recognized them.

"We meet again," remarked Hal dryly.

The dandy's companion, a big, florid-faced man of forty, in the usual
immaculate white duck of the white man, eyed the boys keenly.

CHAPTER II

A MEETING AT THE NIPA BARRACKS

It was only for a moment.

Then, without answering Hal's remark, the Filipino clutched at the white
man's arm, shoving him out into the rain. The native followed.

Just then a _cochero_ with an empty _quilez_ drove up. With instant
presence of mind Vicente Tomba, as the dandy had called himself, held up
his hand.

It was all done in an instant, and native and white friend were driving
away through the gusts of rain.

"Wonder who our friends are?" Noll remarked curiously.

"We know that one of them calls himself Vicente Tomba," replied Sergeant
Hal.

"But he spoke of having us picked out for something, and he seemed
almost peevish because we didn't