t first little attention was given to the matter. Some of the native
tribes are always in revolt, though the news of the battles and
skirmishes are kept off the wires. Finally, however, it was learned that
rifles were being received by the tribes belonging to this alliance."

"Then some nation alleged to be civilized must be at the bottom of the
matter," Ned suggested. "I am anxious for you to come to that point."

"Well," hesitated the Captain, "I don't know what nation to suspect. It
seems that no one does. I think that is the problem you were brought
here to solve."

"It seems to me that the wise men at Washington ought to be able to
secure information on the subject," Ned ventured.

"I half believe that the state department does know a lot about the
matter," the Captain replied, "but does not see fit to act in the
absence of conclusive proof."

"But how can a mess of Boy Scouts get the truth?" demanded Ned.

"By being Boy Scouts," was the smiling reply. "The launch was brought
here for your convenience, and you are to go floating about among the
islands north of Luzon, hunting, fishing, gathering specimens, and all
that until you find out what sort of people it is that is doing this
trading with the natives."

"That was the idea in the Canal Zone," laughed Ned, "but we had little
hunting to do! It was quick action down there."

"And I hope it will be here," said the Captain. "Military detectives
have been sent down here, but have gone back as ignorant as when they
came, for the seasoned secret service man shows what his occupation is
and betrays himself at the start. Now it is up to you. And you must go
ahead without further instructions, for Lieutenant Rowe, who was to have
posted you as to recent developments, is either dead or a prisoner in
the hands of the plotters!"

CHAPTER III.

THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR.

There was silence on the unsteady porch of the nipa hut for some
moments, and then Frank Shaw asked:

"Is there any proof at all that any government is trying to arm the
native tribes against the United States?"

"If there is," the Captain replied, "I do not know of it."

"It may be simply a commercial conspiracy," said Jack.

"Go on!" exclaimed Jimmie. "If anybody should ask you about it, it is
the Japs, or the Chinks!"

"When a play fails in New York, or a man jumps off one of the East River
bridges, if you leave it to Jimmie, the Japs or the Chinks are at the
bottom of it."

This