"Stand at attention, ready to salute the officer."

Pennington, with the blood flowing from his damaged nose, would have
made a most ludicrous figure saluting!

The instant that he saw such evidence as Pen's nose presented the
officer would be bound to make inquiries.

Then, just as surely, his next step must be to Border the three before
the commandant of midshipmen.

Fighting carries with it a severe penalty. Even Dan was certain to be
reported, through the mere fact of his presence there, as aiding in a
fight. And those who aid are punished as severely as the principals
themselves.

It was a tense, fearsome instant, for midshipmen have been dismissed
from the Naval Academy for this very offense.

The passage was not brilliantly lighted.

The on-coming officer, a lieutenant, junior grade, was looking at the
floor as he came along.

Suddenly he paused, seemed lost in thought, then wheeled and walked
back whence he had come.

Dan breathed more easily. Dave heaved a sigh of relief.