“Doctor McCrea as good as admitted that we won't have anything to do to-day. What's wrong?” Then, after a brief pause: “Good heavens, does Mr. Mayhew believe we've been acting disgracefully? Are we barred out of the instruction work?”
Hal had been raising a glass of cold water to his lips. The glass fell, with a crash. He wheeled about, then clutched at the edge of the cabin table, most unsteadily.
“We-e-ll,” admitted Somers, reluctantly, “Mr. Mayhew said he would want to question you some, perhaps, this morning.”
“What did he say? Out with it all, Eph!”
A moment before Jack Benson had been pallid enough. Now, two bright, furious spots burned in either cheek.
The red-haired boy, however, was spared the pain of going any further, for, at that moment, a heavy tread was heard on the spiral staircase. Then Lieutenant Commander Mayhew, holding himself very erect, one hand resting against the scabbard of the sword that he wore at his side, came into view below.
[pg 200] Many were the questions that the naval officer put to the victims of the night's mishap.
“Well, gentlemen,” Mr. Mayhew said at last, rising, “your story is strange. Yet, I believe you are young men of honor. I'm sorry we have not in custody the men who sailed that sloop.”
“Pardon me, sir!” burst out Eph.
“Well, Mr. Somers?”