"I repeat, sir," said Jeff, "that was my reason for looking in the log."

Vidac paused, and when he spoke, his voice was cold. "The control-deck
logbook contains classified information, Marshall. You know that. I
won't say you're lying about reasons for looking at it, but that does
not excuse the fact that you _did_ look at it without my permission. I'm
confining you to the brig for ten days."

Jeff didn't bat an eyelash. The fact that he had found no entry of Tom's
report to Captain Strong in the log, and the unreasonable annoyance
Vidac expressed over his having looked into the logbook, convinced him
that the cadets were not wrong in their suspicions concerning the
lieutenant governor.

Vidac dismissed him and the enlisted sergeant was escorted to the
_Polaris_' brig by two hastily summoned crewmen.

When the cadets learned of Jeff's punishment they immediately went to
Vidac's quarters and requested permission to speak with him. After
making them wait for nearly three hours, Vidac finally received them.

"Well, what now?" demanded Vidac.

"We would like to ask a question, sir," said Tom.

"Speak up!" snorted Vidac impatiently.

"It's about Sergeant Marshall, sir," said Tom.

"What about him?"