The short December afternoon was drawing to a close. Standing in the shop Dan saw that the light in the street was growing less.
"I'll walk a little further down the street," thought Dan. "Then
I'll turn back, and keep on toward State Circle, and look for Dave."
As he took the first step away from the store Dalzell noticed a slight feeling of dizziness.
After a moment this passed off, but soon it came on again, heavier than before.
"What ails me?" wondered the astonished midshipman. "It can't be that I'm turning sick, for I've been feeling fine all along."
He tried the effect of will power, holding himself as erect as he could and trying to walk slowly in a straight line.
Then, though he did not realize it, three or four passers-by turned to look at the unsteady young man in a midshipman's uniform.
Two men passing in an auto runabout glanced quickly at Dan.
"Look at that fool midshipman, throwing away a great future for a few glasses of strong drink," he remarked to his companion. Then the auto sped on.
As for Dan Dalzell, he no longer understood clearly what was happening.