Smash! Dan's forceful right landed on Jetson's neck, sending that midshipman to the floor, whereupon Dalzell sprang back three paces.
"Take your time getting on to your feet," called Dan in a low voice.
"I don't want any time," snapped Jetson, leaping to his feet.
The words of both speakers were heard at the door, and the visitor who had knocked now promptly entered.
Fortunate it was for the combatants facing each other that the intruder was not one of the discipline officers. Had it been, both midshipmen would have been reported at once under charges that would have borne serious results.
Instead, it was Farley who entered, followed by Page, Hepson and Joyce.
"Wow!" uttered Midshipman Farley in a low voice. Then: "Stop this, fellows!"
At the order, which Dan knew to be intended for his own good, the latter turned away, letting his hands fall. Jetson, on the point of a rush, realized that he had better desist.
"Joyce, you stand outside," ordered Farley in a low voice. "Stand right at the door. If you see the O.C. (officer in charge) turning into this corridor, you rap as hard as you can on the door, and we'll understand."
Midshipman Joyce wanted most badly to be a spectator to what was likely to happen on the inner side of the door, but he had the good sense to realize that some one must do guard duty, so he stepped outside, closing the door after him.