"A thousand pardons."
"Will you be good enough to summon the young men here?"
"Certainly."
A few moments later the Battleship Boys were standing in the presence of Mr. Hamlin and the Prefect of Police.
"Well, lads, your appearance is certainly against you. Indeed, you look as if you might be all they have accused you of being," exclaimed Mr. Hamlin with a laugh.
The faces of the Battleship Boys brightened. It was one of their own countrymen who was speaking.
"What is your name?" he asked, addressing Dan.
"I am Daniel Davis, sir. This is Samuel Hickey. I am a gunner's mate on board the 'Long Island,' he being a coxswain on the same ship."
Mr. Hamlin nodded affirmatively.
"How did you happen to get into the difficulty?"