.

Dan Dalzell was now section leader of one group. Dave marched in
the ranks of a much lower section.

This morning the section with which Dave marched was one man short.
Not until the members had taken their seats, or places at the
blackboards, did Darrin give heed enough to note that it was Farley
who was absent.

The section leader, however, had reported that Mr. Farley was
absent by permission of the head of the Department of Mathematics,
"for purposes of study." Unusual as this excuse was the instructor
had accepted it without making any inquiry.

If Farley was in his room for purposes of study, then what kind
of "study" could it be?

For at that precise moment, Midshipman Farley was standing close
to a tiny crack between the edge of his room door and the jamb.
He was "peeking" out attentively.

Curiously enough Midshipman Page, Farley's roommate, had also
been excused from attending section work. At this moment Mr.
Page sat tilted back in his chair, with his feet resting across
the corner of the study table.

A most unmilitary pose for Mr. Page, to be sure. Yet what need
was there to fear report with roommate Farley thus industriously
standing by the door?

So Mr. Page hummed softly to himself and stared out of the window.

Midshipman Farley remained by the door until he was becoming decidedly
wearied of his occupation, and Page had several times shifted his feet.

Then, all of a sudden, Midshipman Farley turned with a low, sharp hiss.

"It?" whispered Midshipman Page, rising swiftly.

"Yes," nodded Farley.

Midshipman Page walked swiftly out of the room, though his heels
did not make as much noise as usual.

Just after Page had left the room Midshipman Farley stole along
the corridor, halting before a door.

There he paused, as though on duty. It was not long before his
erect attitude was accounted for, for Lieutenant Nettleson, the
officer in charge, came down into the corridor, followed by the
cadet officer of the day.

Just a little way behind them walked Midshipman Page.

Farley stood quickly at attention, saluting the officer in charge,
who returned the salute.

CHAPTER XIV

THE TRAP IN MIDSHIPMEN'S QUARTERS

Tap-Tap! sounded Lieutenant Nettleson's knuckles on the door.

Just a shade longer than usual the lieutenant waited ere he turned
the door knob and entered the room.

Behind him, like a faithful orderly, stood Midshipman Hawkins, of
the first class, cadet off