m from outside view. At one side,
in the cabin, was another curtain, this screening the alcove in
which lay the berth.

But Darrin did not stop to study his new quarters just then.
There was a duty first to be performed. Opening his suit case,
he took out the trousers and blouse of the blue undress uniform.
Into this he changed as rapidly as he could, after which he brushed
his hair before the little mirror, then put on his cap.

Next he fastened on his sword belt, after which he hung his sword
at his side. An anxious head-to-foot glance followed, and Ensign
Darrin found himself spick and span.

Now he stepped to Dan's door, calling in:

"May I come in, old fellow?"

"I'll be in a strange state of mind if you don't," Danny Grin
answered.

Ensign Dalzell was putting the finishing touches to his own rapid
toilet.

"I'm going to help myself to your card case," announced Dave,
who already held a card of his own. Adding Dan's to that, Ensign
Darrin stepped to the doorway, glancing quickly about him.

"Sentry!" Dave called.

"Sir!" answered a marine, stepping forward and giving the customary
salute.

"Pass the word for a messenger, sentry!"

"Aye, aye, sir."

In a twinkling the messenger arrived, saluting.

"Take these cards to the captain, with the respectful compliments
of Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell, and state that they await his
permission to report to him."

"Aye, aye, sir."

In less than a minute the messenger returned, stating that the
captain would receive them at once.

Captain Gales, a heavily-built, stately-looking man of fifty,
rose from his desk in his office as the two young ensigns stepped
through the door. The young men saluted their commander, then
stood rigidly at attention.

"Mr. Darrin?" asked the captain, extending his hand, which Dave
promptly clasped. Then Dan was greeted.

"Glad to have you with us," was all the captain said. Then, to
the marine orderly who stood just within the door: "Show these
gentlemen to the executive officer."

"He didn't ask after our folks, nor even if we liked the looks
of the ship," Dalzell complained, in a whisper, as they followed
the orderly.

"Be silent, Danny Grin!" urged Darrin, rebukingly. "This is no
time for jesting."

Commander Bainbridge, the executive officer, received the young
officers in his quarters. He proved to be more communicative,
talking pleasantly with them for fully a minute and a half after
the young men had in