At last, however, the temptation proved too strong. He slid one hand
along the rail.

"Here, sir, don't handle that!" rasped in the voice of Whittam.

Pennington drew back his hand, a flush mounting to his face.

"The fellow has no right to talk to a midshipman in that fashion!"
quivered Pennington to himself. "But it was the fault of that low-minded
greaser Darrin, anyway. Darrin saw me, and he glanced swiftly at the
chief electrician to draw attention to me."

It is only just to Pennington to state that he actually believed he had
seen Dave do this. Darrin, however, was not guilty of the act. He had in
no way sought to direct attention at Pennington.

Towards the close of the tour the officer in whose department this
instruction fell passed through the dynamo room.

"Are there any breaches of conduct to be reported, Whittam?" inquired
the officer, halting.

"Nothing worth mentioning, sir," replied the chief electrician.

"I asked you, Whittam, whether there had been any breaches of conduct,"
retorted the officer with some asperity.

"One midshipman, sir, after having been instructed to touch nothing,
rested his hand on one of the brass rods."