The officer in charge was coming out. At his side was the very youthful looking one in the lieutenant's uniform.
"The O.C. is decoying the stranger away to turn him over to the watchmen without violence," guessed Midshipman Farley.
Three officers were approaching. These the five midshipmen turned and saluted. In another moment all of the five save Dave Darrin received a sharp jolt. For the O.C. had halted and was introducing the three Navy officers to the youthful one.
"This is Lieutenant Benson, the submarine expert of whom you have heard so much," said the O.C., loudly enough for the amazed middies to hear.
"Sub—-sub——say, did you fellows hear that?" begged Dan hoarsely.
"Yes," assented Dave calmly. "And say, you fellows are a fine lot to be serving here. You all remember Mr. Benson. He was here last year—-he and his two submarine friends. We didn't see them, because our class didn't go out on the Pollard submarine boat that was here last year. But you remember them, just the same. You remember, too, that Mr. Benson and his friends were hazed by some of the men in last year's youngster class. You heard about that? A lot of the fellows came near getting ragged, but Benson didn't take offense, and his quick wit pulled that lot of last year's youngsters out of a bad fix."
"Then Benson and his mates are real people?" demanded Dan, still doubtful, if his voice were an indication.
"Yes; and Benson is a real submarine expert, too, even if he is a boy," Dave went on.
"Then he is only a boy?"
"He's seventeen or eighteen."