A desperate thought entering his mind, Dave addressed the commander as
soon as his salute had been returned.

"Sir, may I ask you a question connected with my own personal
affairs?" he asked.

"Certainly," replied the executive officer.

"I was wondering, sir, if it would be wise for me to seek counsel
from an older officer if at any time I found myself threatened
with trouble, or, at least, with unpleasantness."

"It would be a very wise course on your part, Darrin," replied
Commander Bainbridge, though he regarded the ensign's face with
keen scrutiny. "An older officer should always esteem it a pleasure,
as well as a duty, to advise a younger officer. I take an interest
in all the officers of this ship. If there is anything in which
I can advise you, you may command me."

"Thank you, sir. But, if you will permit me to frame an instance,
if the advice that I asked of you might tend to prejudice you
against one of your subordinate officers, would it be wiser for
me to seek counsel of some officer not higher in rank than the
officer whom I have just supposed?"

"That is to say, Mr. Darrin, that the advice you might otherwise
wish to ask of me might be taken in the light of a complaint against
an officer who is one of my subordinates, and against whom you
would not wish to carry tales? In that case, you would, by all