“Attention!” called the petty officer in charge of the mess when he saw the lieutenant commander entering.
Dan saw at once that something had happened, yet he could not understand it at all, unless Sam had been in a fight. That was the first thing that occurred to Davis.
All hands had risen to their feet, and had come to attention at command.
“Mr. Coda,” said the lieutenant commander sharply, “you assigned this man to extra duty, did you not?”
“Yes, sir,” answered the quartermaster. “Acting on your command, as delivered to me by the man himself.”
“Exactly. How long did he tell you he was to remain on duty?”
“Two hours, sir. I was to give him his orders when the tour of extra duty was ended, sir.”
“Do you know how long he has been on duty?”
“About four hours, I think, sir.”
“Exactly,” answered the line officer dryly.