ront of the house with
the tin roof.

Several times Frank saw his companion take out a rule and measure
impressions he found in the soft earth under the thickets, and once he
saw him put something he had picked up in his pocketbook. Knowing well
the methods of his chum, Frank looked on with interest and maintained a
discreet silence.

When the two reached the hut at last they found Captain Godwin and
Jimmie and Jack sitting on the porch with a government map of the
islands before them.

"That is just what I was thinking of," Ned said, taking a seat by their
side. "I have yet to learn in what portion of the Philippines we are
stopping."

"Strange the Major did not inform you as to that," Captain Godwin said.

"I have an idea that he knew very little of our future movements when we
landed here," Ned said. "His instructions were unopened, remember,
besides being a month or more old."

"I see," observed the Captain. "Well, you are on a little island of the
Babuyan group, in the Balintang channel, north of the island of Luzon
and southeast of the coast of China and Hong Kong. The transport sailed
due west from Honolulu and to the north of Luzon. The nearest station of
any size is Pata, on Luzon. The Major left without informing you as to
his instructions?"

"Yes, he was in such haste to get away that he left us here without a
word of information as to what we were to do. Rotten, don't you think?"

"He was in a hurry to get back to the soft side of military life at
Manila," laughed the Captain. "Well, before you investigate the hut it
may be well for me to give you some idea as to the situation. What I
have to say may give direction to your search of the place."

"Everything is as when the discovery of the absence of the men was made,
I hope," Ned said.

"Nothing has been touched," was the reply.

"Then go ahead with your story," Ned replied. "I have come a long way on
speculation, and am anxious for something tangible."

"Some months ago," the Captain began, "it was discovered that hostile
influences--hostile to the United States Government--were at work among
the outer islands of the Philippine group."

"I was told that much."

"Yes; well, investigation--and a crude and indifferent investigation it
was--developed the fact that the tribes on some of the islands were
forming an alliance against Uncle Sam."

"Now," said Ned, "you have come to the end of my information of the
subject. What comes next?"

"A