However, there was no thought of running. Though it was too dark for the discipline officer to have recognized any of them at the distance from which he had hailed them, yet, in a flight, it would be easy enough for Lieutenant Hall, who was an athlete, to catch one or two of them and then the names of all present could be obtained.
It was an instant of utter terror.
Then another voice broke in on the stillness.
"All hands to the fire apparatus! Fire in Bancroft Hall!"
The fight party felt another thrill. If the big Academy building was in danger they must rush to do their share.
The officer's running footsteps were already heard. He had turned and was speeding away.
"Get on your clothes, quickly, you two fellows!" ordered Midshipman
Bailey crisply "We've got to turn in with the rest for fast work!"
Just then another figure darted up to them. It turned out to be
Midshipman Farley.
"Yes; get on your clothes with some classy speed," chuckled Farley. "Lieutenant Hall will be back here with a bunch of watchmen, the marine guard, or any other old crowd, when he finds that he has been lured on the reefs by false signals!
"Mister, did you give that call of fire?" demanded Midshipman
Bailey sternly.