gentleman like you have in common with Benedicto Lupez?"

"I want to get hold of some bank money that he carried off," answered
the young captain, and told the story of the missing funds and the
part the Spaniard was supposed to have played in their disappearance.

"It is like Lupez," answered Senor Romano. "He is wanted in Cuba for
having swindled a rich aunt out of a small fortune; and in Manila you
will find a hundred people who will tell you that both brothers are
rascals to the last degree, although, so far, they have kept out of
the clutches of the law--through bribery, I think."

"Not during General Otis's term of office?"

"No; before the city fell into your hands. The government was very
corrupt and winked at Lupez's doings so long as he divided with
certain officials."

"And what did he work at?"

"Land schemes and loan companies. He once got me interested in a land
scheme, and his rascality cost me many dollars, and I came pretty near
to going to prison in the bargain." Senor Romano paused a moment. "If
your troops take San Isidro, you will have a good chance to catch both
of the brothers."

"What! do you mean to say they are at San Isidro?" exclaimed the young
captain.

"They are, or, at least, they were two or three days ago. How long
they will stay there, I cannot say. They were at the council of war
held by Aguinaldo's followers."

"I see." Ben mused for a moment. "Of course you do not know if they
had the stolen money with them?"

"They appeared to have some money, for both were offered positions in
the army, and that would not have happened had not they had funds to
buy the offices with. They appeared to be very thick with a general
named Porlar,--a tricky fellow of French-Malay blood. I believe the
three had some scheme they wished to put through."

"Well, I'd like to catch the pair. I wonder if Aguinaldo would keep
them around him, if he knew their real characters?"

At this Senor Romano laughed outright. "You do not know how bad are
some of the men around the arch rebel, _capitan_. He has some bad
advisers, I can tell you that. To some of the worst of the crowd,
Aguinaldo is but a figurehead."

The pair discussed the matter for half an hour; and during that time
Ben became convinced that Senor Romano had small sympathy for the
insurgents, and was certainly not of their number.

"I will do what I can for you, senor," he said, on parting. "I do not
believe you will be kept a prisoner