love good discipline, but there's one thing wrong with the service,
and that is, the ease with which a dishonorable officer can render
the life of his subordinate miserable. It ought not to be possible,
and yet I don't see any way of preventing it. I wish I could
talk with a gentleman like Lieutenant Trent, but he would only
regard me as a tale-bearer, and after that he would have no use
for me. One thing I can see clearly. Cantor is likely to have
me broken and kicked out of the service if I am forced to remain
in his division week after week."

Then, realizing that his time was slipping away, Darrin hastily
undressed and got into his berth. It was a long time, though,
before sleep came to him.

In the morning Lieutenant Cantor was obliged to listen meekly
to a long discourse by the executive officer on the virtue of
punctuality in a naval officer. The offender told of a car block
in New York that had made it impossible for him to return on time.

"Lieutenant Cantor," returned the executive officer, dryly, "a
careful officer will allow himself sufficient margin of time to
make it morally certain that he can be back to his duty on time.
Now, sir-----"

But at this moment an apprentice messenger, standing in the doorway,
his right hand drawn up in salute, attracted the gaze of Commander
Bainbridge:

"The captain" compliments, sir; will the executive officer report
to him at once."