"-to carry out the duties of the position to which I am now appointed-
"-and to obey the lawful orders of my superior officers,
"To these ends I subordinate all other loyalties and renounce utterly any that may conflict with them.
"This I solemnly affirm in the Name I hold most sacred."
"So help me, God," concluded the Commandant. Matt repeated his words, but the response around him took a dozen different forms, in nearly as many languages.
The Commandant turned his head to the cadet by his side. "Dismiss them, sir."
"Aye aye, sir." The cadet raised his voice. "On being dismissed, face to the right and file out. Maintain your formation until clear of the door. Dismissed!"
At the cue of his command, music swelled out and filled the hall; the newly created cadets marched away to the strains of the Patrol's own air, The Long Watch. It persisted until the last of them were gone, then faded out.
The Commandant waited until the youngster cadets had left, then faced around. His aide joined him at once, whereupon the acting cadet adjutant moved quickly from his side. Commodore Arkwright turned toward the departing cadet. "Mr. Barnes."
"Yes, sir?"