A moment before Jack Benson had been pallid enough. Now, two bright,
furious spots burned in either cheek.

The red-haired boy, however, was spared the pain of going any further,
for, at that moment, a heavy tread was heard on the spiral staircase. Then
Lieutenant Commander Mayhew, holding himself very erect, one hand resting
against the scabbard of the sword that he wore at his side, came into view
below.

Many were the questions that the naval officer put to the victims of the
night’s mishap.

“Well, gentlemen,” Mr. Mayhew said at last, rising, “your story is
strange. Yet, I believe you are young men of honor. I’m sorry we have not
in custody the men who sailed that sloop.”

“Pardon me, sir!” burst out Eph.

“Well, Mr. Somers?”

“Perhaps, sir, if you should question Truax you could learn something from
him. I tell you, sir, there’s a scheme to ruin Jack Benson; and that’s
only part of a bigger plot to discredit our company with the Navy!”

Mr. Mayhew, looking thoughtful, replied:

“I’ll find some way of questioning Truax. And now, Mr. Benson, since you
and Mr. Hastings are not fit to instruct the cadets to-day, I’ll send out
sections under Lieutenant Halpin on board the ’Pollard’ only. To-morrow