“Then what took place here, Mr. Benson, really took place at your
request?” insisted the naval officer.

“It all answered the questions that we had been asking,” Jack replied,
promptly, though, it must be admitted, rather evasively.

“This is your understanding, too, Mr. Hastings?” demanded the officer.

“Surely,” murmured Hal.

“You, Mr. Somers?”

“I—I haven’t had so much fun since the gasoline engine blew up,” protested
Eph.

“We entered most heartily into the spirit of the thing,” Jack hastened on
to say, “and feel that we owe the deepest thanks to these young gentlemen
of the Navy. Yet, if our desire to know more about the life—that is, the
former life—of the Academy is to result in getting our entertainers into
any trouble, we shall never cease regretting our unfortunate curiosity.”

For some moments the naval officer regarded the three submarine boys,
solemnly, in turn. From them he turned to look over the cadet midshipmen.
The latter looked as stolid, and stood as rigidly at attention, as ever.

“Under this presentation of the matter,” said the officer, after a long
pause, “I am not prepared to say that there has been any violation of
discipline. At least, no grave infraction. However, some of these young
gentlemen are, I believe, absent from their quarters without leave. Mr.