"Orders from the Admiral," said Lieutenant Totten, in an undertone, and passed over the envelope.
Stepping under the light which he had hastily turned on, Darrin read his orders.
"Read this, Dan," said Dave, passing the letter of instructions to his chum, who was now also fully dressed. "Then I will read it once more, after which we will burn it."
"Suits me," commented Dan, when he had finished and was passing back the letter. "I've always wanted to see Paris."
"You won't see much of it this time," smiled Ensign Dave. "This is business, and nothing else."
Then Dave tore the letter into strips. Taking these to the open fireplace he set fire to them. All three officers watched until the letter had been completely burned.
"And now," Dave continued, "I will mix this charred paper thoroughly with the ashes that, fortunately, are left in the grate."
When he had finished, the mixing had been done so well that they would be keen eyes, indeed, that could note the presence of minute particles of burned paper in the grate's contents. His next act was to telephone the hotel clerk to send up a time-table.
"We have plenty of time, yet," smiled Darrin, glancing at his watch, after he had finished consulting the time-table. "It won't be the height of comfort to travel to Paris without baggage. However, when we get there we can buy anything that we may need."
"It will be great to shop in Paris," cried Dan, his eyes gleaming.