"
"You still assert that Mr. Clairy's charge that your shoes were
unlaced when you approached him was false?"
"Absolutely false, sir."
"Do you wish any time to reflect over that answer, Mr. Darrin?"
"No, sir."
"You are willing your answer should go on record, then?"
"My denial of the charge of having my shoes unlaced is the only
answer that I can possibly make, sir."
The commandant reflected. Then he directed that Midshipman Clairy
be ordered to report to him. Clairy came, almost immediately.
The commandant questioned him closely. Clairy still stuck resolutely
to his story that Dave Darrin had been passing through the corridor
with his shoes unlaced; and, furthermore, that Darrin, when rebuked
and ordered to place himself on report, had used impertinent language.
During this examination the midshipmen did not glance toward each
other. Both stood at attention, their glances on the commandant's
face.
"I do not know what to say," the officer admitted at last. "I
will take the matter under advisement. You may both go."
Outside, well away from the office, Dave Darrin halted, swinging
and confronting Clairy sternly.
"You lying scoundrel!" vibrated Darrin, his voice shaking with
anger.
"It constitutes another offense, Mr. Darrin, to use such language
for the purpose of intimidating a midshipman in the performance
of his duty," returned Midshipman Clairy, looking back steadily
into Dave's eyes.
Pages:
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147