"What--what do you mean?" stammered Fred Radwin, looking mightily
bewildered.

"In the future, sir," and Jack's voice barely fell, "do us the honor not
to speak to us."

"What on earth--" protested Radwin.

"If you don't heed my request," Jack continued, angrily, "I don't
believe I shall be able to curb my desire to land both fists in your
face."

Radwin drew back before the darkening, menacing glare in the eyes of
the young submarine captain.

Hal, however, turned white--though from a cause that few would have
guessed.

"Hold on, Benson! One moment--" protested Fred Radwin.

"Oh, get out of my sight, this instant," quivered Jack, taking another
step toward his enemy.

Before all the curious throng Fred Radwin, strangely enough, felt too
abashed, for the moment, to persist in his expressions of surprise.

"I'll talk with you later," he muttered, with a sickly smile, then
turned away.