es
in the offices at Manila, doubtless, he learned that the treachery of
the Filipinos at Godwin's island had been discovered. He knew that the
government would look there first, and determined to block the
investigation until he could accomplish what he had set out to do and
get his blood money."

Keene frowned up from his chair at the boy, but said nothing. The
senator's son smiled weakly and kept his eyes on the floor.

"Go on!" the Captain said, greatly interested.

"Lieutenant Rowe was detailed to investigate the matter, and ordered to
the Godwin island. If the isle has another name I have never learned of
the fact."

"It is called Penalty Island," smiled the Captain, "because the man sent
there is supposed to be given the detail for some oversight of duty.
However, in the case of Captain Godwin, I do not think this holds good."

"After the Lieutenant left for Penalty Island, then," Ned went on,
"Keene discovered what was going on and feared that Tag and his fellows,
if arrested, would snitch, as the boys have it. Then the messenger was
sent after Rowe with more definite instructions. That is, he was given
more positive instructions and sent out in haste. On the way to Penalty
Island the instructions were stolen and another paper substituted.

"While the original order required Rowe to arrest Tag and his fellow
conspirators, the false one required the Lieutenant to return at once to
Manila. This would indeed have blocked the investigation and given Keene
and his confederates time in which to complete their work of organizing
the tribes.

"But the messenger knew what the papers he had been given contained, and
when they were read by the Lieutenant--exactly opposite to the
instructions given him--there was a pretty row. He informed Rowe of the
substitution and advised him not to obey the orders delivered.

"Tag and his men, clustered about the windows and porch of the nipa hut,
heard what was going on and decided to get rid of Lieutenant Rowe and
his party by assassination. This plan was not carried out because this
young man Clem, whom we know only as the senator's son, arrived with a
party of Americans and Filipinos.

"This man Keene might have been with the party, but I'm not sure of
that. I don't know the date when he left Manila, or when he took charge
of the _Clara_ as Lieutenant Carstens."

"I was not there!" Keene gritted out.

"Oh, yes, you were!" insisted the senator's son. "You were in command