"He—-he's in the next room now," whispered Dan across the few feet of space.
"Yes," returned Dave Darrin despairingly, "and I can't think of a single, blessed way of getting you out of the scrape."
"Woof!" sputtered Midshipman Dan Dalzell, which was a brief way of saying, "Here he comes, now, for our door."
Then a hand rested on the knob and the door swung open. Lieutenant
Adams, U.S.N., entered the room.
"Mr. Darrin, are you awake?" boomed the discipline officer.
Dave stirred in bed, rolled over so that he could see the lieutenant, and then replied:
"Yes, sir."
"Rise, Mr. Darrin, and come to attention."
Dave got out of bed, but purposely stumbled in doing so. This might give the impression that he had been actually awakened.
"Mr. Darrin," demanded Lieutenant Adams, "have you been absent from this room tonight?"