The petty officers in command ran their eyes over the line in some surprise. They did not understand what it meant. They knew, however, that something had gone wrong.
The executive officer was standing to the rear of the line, at some distance, while the battalion was going through its evolutions. His observant eyes had suddenly caught sight of something that filled him with amazement and indignation.
Quickly striding down to the line, the men facing away from him, he called the chief quartermaster to him.
“Take those men out of line.”
“Which ones, sir?”
The executive officer, pointed, and then the petty officer saw that which also amazed him. A moment more and he had tapped both Dan and Sam on the shoulder.
“Fall out!” he commanded.
They obeyed promptly, but wonderingly.
“Report to your quarters, and remain there in detention.”
The boys saluted and moved away.