ignal of the approach of the O.C."

Farley was industriously brushing the signs of dust from Jetson's
uniform.

"I tell you, fellows," boomed Hepson's tranquil, earnest voice, "we've
got to hustle every minute of practice time. Nothing else will give us a
chance to win."

"We haven't even a chance if Darry isn't soon back on the gridiron,"
argued Farley.

"Oh, he'll be all right soon," broke in Dan Dalzell eagerly.

Joyce had already stepped into the room, leaving the door open. Now, as
though by instinct, the midshipmen seemed aware that the O.C., who to-day
happened to be Lieutenant Cotton, U.S.N., was standing in front of the
doorway gazing in.

Instantly the middies came to the position of attention, looking straight
ahead of them.

"Good evening, gentlemen," greeted the O.C. "Is anything unusual
going on?"

"We have been discussing the football situation, sir," announced
Midshipman Hepson quite truthfully.

Had Hepson been asked if there had recently been a fight in progress he
would have answered truthfully, but he did not feel called upon to
volunteer damaging information.

"I thought I heard sounds as of some disturbance," remarked the O.C.,
looking at the young men rather sharply. "That is to say, I was under the
impression that there had been some unusual agility in operation. I heard
something that sounded like scuffling."

"Yes, sir," replied Mr. Hepson; "I think it very likely. The men on this
deck, sir, can't think of anything in these days but line-ups and
scrimmage tactics."

"It occurred to me," went on the O.C., "that there was some sound of
scuffling in this room."

"There was, sir," admitted Midshipman Hepson candidly. "There was a
species of scrimmage."

"Was it in connection with football?" inquired Lieutenant Cotton.

"Yes, sir,"--which answer, again, was wholly truthful.

"Ah, I thought I heard something like a scrimmage in the room," assented
Lieutenant Cotton. "Yet remember, gentlemen, that quarters is not the
place for football practice."

"Very good, sir; thank you, sir," replied the unmovable Hepson.

"And remember that it is now very close to the time for study call,"
continued the O.C.

"Yes, sir; thank you, sir. We are just parting to our various
quarters, sir."

"Good evening, gentlemen."

"Good evening, sir."

Lieutenant Cotton passed on down the corridor, and the midshipmen eased
themselves from the rigid position of attention.

"That was a narrow squea