"Very good, Mr. Pennington."
With two very stiff nods the midshipmen parted.
Pennington hastened at once in search of Hallam.
"Will you serve me, old man?" queried Pennington.
"Sorry, but——"
"Well, you see, Pen, not knowing all the facts of the case, I must admit that all my sympathies are with Darrin."
"All your sympathies?" echoed Pen, frowning.
"Well, nearly all, anyway. You see, I've known and observed Darrin for a full year now, and I don't believe patient old Darry is the one to start any trouble."
"He called me a liar," protested Pennington.
"Did he?" gasped Hallam.