"Open your mouth," directed one of the surgeons.
Then followed some more exploration of his teeth.
"Oh," murmured Dan, when the medical men gave him a rest for a moment. "It's only my teeth, eh? That's not a vitally important point, is it, sir?"
"We reject candidates for what might seem very slight defects of the teeth," replied the senior surgeon, with emphasis. "Open your mouth again."
The cold ooze stood out on Dan's brow this time. Joke as he might, he did not want to be dropped out of the Navy. Were these medical officers going to find, in his mouth, the clue his disqualification?
"Hm!" said the senior surgeon, watching while another medical officer did the probing and the holding of the dental mirrors.
That "hm!" sent a cold chill of dread coursing down young Daniel's spine.
"Your teeth just about pass," remarked the senior officer. "You may dress, Mr. Dalzell."
It was not long before Dave and Dan both had their clothing on.
As Dan was finishing, Dave turned to the senior surgeon.
"Is it improper, sir, for me to ask whether we have passed?" asked
Darrin quietly.