“Then, sir, you must leave at once or I shall be forced to place you under arrest.”
“Oh, no you won’t,” said Stubbs grimly. “Hold on,” he cried, as Captain O’Neil took a step forward. “No offense, captain. Just have a look at this paper.”
He produced a document from his pocket and passed it to the captain. Captain O’Neil read it quickly and then passed it back.
“Why didn’t you say in the first place that you had a pass from the commander-in-chief?”
“You didn’t give me time, captain.”
Captain O’Neil turned to Hal and Chester.
“You may care for the company of war correspondents,” he said with some heat. “Every man to his choice. But I don’t.”
He turned on his heel and strode away.
“There, Stubbs,” said Chester. “You’ve made him mad.”
“Well, I can’t help it because he is so touchy, can I?” asked Stubbs.