Hearing a step in the office, Dan quickly turned. He saw
a young man coming through the office, holding himself very erect.
This young man was in dark blue uniform, with visored cap, and
on each side of his collar was the anchor insignia. Past the
anchor were two bars, but Dalzell didn't notice that at the moment.

"There's a real midshipman," whispered Dan, plucking at Dave's
sleeve. "I'm going to speak to him."

"Don't you do it," warned Dave, in an undertone. "You may make
a mistake."

"Mistake?" echoed Dan. "With that anchor on his collar?"

Hastily Dan Dalzell slipped back into the office, going up to
the young man in uniform, who had stopped before the desk.

"Good evening," began Dan politely. "I'd like to introduce myself.
'Tomorrow I expect to be one of the crowd. You're a midshipman,
aren't you?"

"I'm an officer of the Navy," replied the uniformed stranger coldly,
as he half turned to glance briefly at Dalzell. "You are a candidate,
I suppose? Then I fancy you will report at the superintendent's
office in the morning."

With that the Naval officer turned away, leaving poor Dalzell
feeling decidedly dumfounded.

"Wasn't that a midshipman?" gasped Dan, in a whisper.