"But——-"
"Go at once, sir, and place yourself on report"
Dave meditated, for two or three seconds, over the advisability of knocking Mr. Clairy down. But familiarity with the military discipline of the Naval Academy immediately showed Darrin that his only present course was to obey.
"I wonder who's loony now?" hummed Dave to himself, as he marched briskly along on his way to the office of the officer in charge. There be picked up two of the report slips, dipping a pen in ink.
First, in writing, he reported himself on the charge of having his shoes unlaced. In the space for remarks Darrin wrote tersely:
"Untrue."
Against the charge of unwarranted impertinence to the midshipman in charge of the floor Dave wrote the words:
"Impertinence admitted, but in my opinion entirely warranted."
So utterly astounded was Darrin by this queer turn of affairs, that he forgot the matter that had taken him from his room. On his way back he met Midshipman Page. On the latter's face was a look as black as a thundercloud.
"What on earth is wrong, Page?" Darrin asked.