"A liar, if you like!" snapped back Midshipman Jetson.
"Sir, do you realize—"
"I realize that you're still talking!" sneered Jetson.
"Then I won't talk any longer," replied Dave Darrin in a quiet but dangerous voice. "Since you refuse to listen even to Hepson—"
"Who's taking my name in vain?" demanded a laughing voice as a burly figure moved in between Dave and his enemy.
The new comer was Hepson, who had come upon the group unnoticed.
"Perhaps you're just in time, Hep," murmured Dave, fighting to cool down his temper. "I wanted you to prove—"
"Stop!" ejaculated Jetson angrily. In his extreme passion he threw all restraint and courtesy to the winds. "I wouldn't take the word of Hepson, or of any man in the entire brigade in this matter. Darrin has lied, and—"
"Step aside, Hep, please," urged Dave, giving the late football captain a gentle shove. "This matter can't go any further in words. Mr. Jetson, you have insulted me, and grossly. Are you capable of cooling down? Do you wish to retract?—to apologize?"
"Apologize to you—you—"