Any one of the three men might have committed the crime with which Fremont was charged.
Two of the three were sleeping in that tent, while the third one was expected.

What connection could there be between the man in evening dress and the sullen Scoby and the villainous Felix?
What significance could there be in the schedule of firearms he had left in the suite?
How were the attack on Cameron, the matter of the hidden mine, and the matter of international importance associated together?
These questions and many others presented themselves to the boy as he watched the fire die out and waited for Nestor to go on.
"This third man is a diplomat, is he ?" he finally asked.

"Does that mean that he is in the diplomatic service of some government, and that he is acting here in that capacity ?" "Something like that," was the reply, "though it might be difficult to get any government to father the mission he is really on.

He claims, I understand, to be acting for a junta.

At least, he has not brought any government into the affair so far, that I know of." "Well, what does he want ?" "His benevolent purpose is to bring on a war between Mexico and the United States," was the astonishing reply.
"I don't think he's next to his job as a statesman, then," observed Frank, "unless he wants to see Mexico cleaned out." "However that may be, he believes that a raid on Texas soil from this side of the river would provoke our government to an invasion, as it probably would." "I should hope so." "And he believes, too, that in such an emergency the Mexican federals and insurrectos would join hands in fighting the common enemy." "That is quite likely.