“Do I understand that you have charged us with conducting a naval expedition into your lines for the purposes of ascertaining your forces and position?” asked the middy in a firm voice.
“You do, sir,” rejoined Charbonde, sitting back and nibbling his pen point in a judicial manner. It was evident that he was enjoying the situation thoroughly.
“But—but I protest,” burst out the young officer, “the navy has nothing whatever to do with this thing. It is purely a private enterprise—if you want to call it that. Don’t you understand?”
“I must confess I do not. There now remains but one thing to do. Gentlemen, you have heard the evidence and the defense, what is your verdict?”
He turned to the lounging officers.
“This is an outrage!” shouted the midshipman. “I demand to be heard. I——”
A touch on his arm quieted him. It was Stanley.
“Keep cool, sir,” he advised, “it ain’t no use appealing to reason when you find yourself in a den of tigers.”
After a few moments of whispering among themselves, Charbonde stepped forward from the group of officers. All looked curiously at the boys.