"I am sorry, too, but not for that reason. I am sorry, deeply grieved that there is a man on board the 'Long Island' base enough to commit, or attempt to commit, such a crime. It is quite evident that you had a very narrow escape. I trust you are not suffering greatly from the wound?"
"Very little, sir."
"I am glad of that."
"Thank you, sir."
"In view of the fact that you are the person most directly interested, outside of myself, I have sent for you to direct you to devote every effort toward learning who your assailant was. It is of vital importance that we locate the man and send him up for general court-martial. Of course, he will be severely punished and then dismissed from the service. You have no suspicions?"
"None at all, sir."
"Have you had any difficulty with any of the men?"
"Not that I can recall at the present moment, sir. I would not intentionally give any man cause for such enmity."
"I am sure of that, lad. Have you watched the men who might possibly have been implicated in this?"
"I have not had an opportunity, sir. And, besides, I should not know whom to watch. I am wholly at a loss to account for the attempt."