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We can't afford to have the ward-room mess torn by any court-martial charges against any officer, unless he richly deserves the prosecution. Darrin doesn't; that I know. I have no right to balk any officer who demands a courtmartial of any one on board, but it is right and proper that I should he prepared to take oath as to what I know of the merits of the matter.

Only a few moments had passed, but that was time enough for any man to come to the surface if his buoyancy remained. Darrin had paid no heed to Mr. Salisbury or the latter's engineer, for he had seen them jumping for their life-preservers. In the meantime the other boats of the sailing fleet were making for the scene of the disaster. Yet, with the light breeze, that was no easy thing to do.

There has never been any question here about his honor," Darrin replied. "I accepted his denial of intention at the time, and I still accept it." "It's queer, then, how Jetson came to give you such a nasty trip," observed another caller. "I'll tell you what I think really must have happened," Dave continued frankly. "I think Jet was crazy to stop me.

"Sir, do you realize " "I realize that you're still talking!" sneered Jetson. "Then I won't talk any longer," replied Dave Darrin in a quiet but dangerous voice. "Since you refuse to listen even to Hepson " "Who's taking my name in vain?" demanded a laughing voice as a burly figure moved in between Dave and his enemy. The new comer was Hepson, who had come upon the group unnoticed.

But what on earth ails Dodge, anyway?" "Why, for one thing, he's worried to death about the disappearance of his father," replied Dick Prescott. "I've seen people awfully worried before, and yet it didn't make madmen of them," snorted Darrin. "Well -perhaps " Dick hesitated. "Well ?" Darrin insisted, rather impatiently.

Then he rushed to the horse and untied it. "Halt!" Shouted Ensign Darrin, as he saw the man dart from the doorway. "Halt!" he ordered, a second time, as the man seized the horses's bridle ready to mount. Quick as a flash the stranger drew a revolver, firing two shots down the street. "Fire! Get him!" shouted Darrin. Five rifles spoke, instantly.

"There used to be girls enough last year," complained Joyce. "Well, I'm off for home and bed." "We'll stroll along up with you," proposed Darrin. "No girls for you, either?" "Not for two numbers. Then we return to the young ladies that we escorted here."

Dan picked up a text-book and opened it, as though he believed that he had triumphantly closed the discussion. Midshipman Darrin, however, was not to be so easily silenced. "Then, if you're not fitted to be a Naval officer," blurted Dalzell, "what on earth can be said of me?" "You may not stand quite as high as I do, on mere markings," Dave assented.

"Hi-yi-yi-yi-yoop!" answered Dave Darrin. Amos Garwood started forward with a bound like that of a deer. Then his long legs went into rapid operation. Prescott and Darrin ran onward as fast as they could go. They were trained to running, too, but this "master of the world" set them a pace that no fourteen-year-old boys on earth could have followed with any hope of success.

"Not even under orders?" Darrin inquired. "We'd hate to disobey orders, sir," Riley mumbled, looking rather abashed, "but " "Hark!" called Dave, holding up a hand. Back of the flowering hedge he heard the swift patter of bare feet. Out of the darkness came a flash of a pistol shot. It was answered instantly by a ragged but crashing volley. Long tongues of flame spat out into the night.