ll,
and the next instant a heavy hand was laid upon him.

CHAPTER VI

THE "FORGOT" PATH TO TROUBLE

"Here, confound you! I'll teach you to-----"

"Teach me how to walk the way you were going when I stopped you?"
demanded the same voice, and a harder grip was taken on Dalzell's
shoulder.

In his misery Dan was not at all averse to fighting, if a good
excuse were offered. So his first move was not to look up, but
to wrest him self out of that grip, haul away and put up his guard.

"Dave Darrin!" gasped Midshipman Dan, using his eyes at last.

Dave was laughing quietly.

"Danny boy, you shouldn't cruise without lights and a bow watch!"
admonished Dave. "What sent your wits wool gathering? You look
terribly upset over something."

"Do I?" asked Dan, looking guilty.

"You certainly do. And see here, is this the way to the Preston
house?"

"No; it's the way away from it."

"But you had permission to visit at the Prestons."

"That isn't any news to me," grunted Dalzell.

"Then---pardon me---but why aren't you there?"

"Are you the officer of the day?" demanded Dan moodily.

"No; merely your best friend."

"I beg your pardon, Dave. I am a grouch tonight."

"Wasn't Miss Preston at home."

"I---I don't know."

"Don't know? Haven't you been there?"

"Yes; but I didn't ask-----"

As Dan hesitated Dave rested both hands on his chum's shoulders,
looking sharply into that young man's eyes.

"Danny, you act as though you were _loco_. (crazy). What on
earth is up? You went to call on Miss Preston. You reached the
house, and evidently you left there again. But you don't know
whether Miss Preston was in; you forgot to ask. Let me look in
at the answer to the riddle."

"Dave---Miss Preston is going to be married!"

"Most girls are going to be," Darrin replied quietly. "Do you
mean that Miss Preston is going to marry some one else than yourself?"

"Yes."

"Soon?"

"Monday noon."

Dave Darrin whistled.

"So this is the meaning of your desperation? Danny boy, if you're
stung, I'm sincerely sorry for you."

"I don't quite know whether I want any sympathy," Dan replied,
though he spoke rather gloomily. "Perhaps I'm to be congratulated."

He laughed mirthlessly, then continued:

"When a girl will treat a fellow like that, isn't it just as well
to find out her disposition early?"

"Perhaps," nodded Darrin. "But Danny, do you mean to say that
you attempted to pay your call w