rior to speak.

Dan's ear was done up in adhesive plaster, and a bandage had been wound
under his chin and up over his head, giving him the appearance of being
much worse off than he really was.

"Davis, I hear you have had an accident?"

"Yes, sir; a slight one, sir. It is of no great consequence, sir."

"I understand differently. I should say that it is of greater
consequence than you imagine. The master-at-arms is quite sure that an
attempt has been made to do you serious injury, if not worse."

"Perhaps it was not so bad as that, sir. It was a pretty close call,
just the same. I am sorry to have been the cause of so much
disturbance on board, sir."

"I am sorry, too, but not for that reason. I am sorry, deeply grieved
that there is a man on board the 'Long Island' base enough to commit,
or attempt to commit, such a crime. It is quite evident that you had a
very narrow escape. I trust you are not suffering greatly from the
wound?"

"Very little, sir."

"I am glad of that."

"Thank you, sir."

"In view of the fact that you are the person most directly interested,
outside of myself, I have sent for you to direct you to devote every
effort toward learning who your assailant was. It is of vital
importance that we locate the man and send him up for general
court-martial. Of course, he will be severely punished and then
dismissed from the service. You have no suspicions?"

"None at all, sir."

"Have you had any difficulty with any of the men?"

"Not that I can recall at the present moment, sir. I would not
intentionally give any man cause for such enmity."

"I am sure of that, lad. Have you watched the men who might possibly
have been implicated in this?"

"I have not had an opportunity, sir. And, besides, I should not know
whom to watch. I am wholly at a loss to account for the attempt."

"I understand. But keep your eyes open. You will be the best person
to find the man. You will feel instinctively that you have the right
man, before any of the rest of us could have a suspicion. Have your
friend do a little investigating also. I have an idea that he is a
very shrewd boy. If either of you need any leisure time in which to
make your investigations, then inform the master-at-arms, and say that
I told you to do so. I trust to your good sense to carry on this
investigation in a discreet manner."

"I think you may trust us, sir. I am as anxious as anyone to find the
man who did th