Jack started to protest, then realized the hopelessness of such a course. In truth, he did not blame the hotel folks in the least.
“Oh, well,” he sighed, paling as soon as the new flush of mortification had died out, “there's nothing for it but to hurry to the Academy. I hope the sentries won't shoot when they see me,” he added, bitterly.
Across the State Capitol grounds he hurried, then down through a side street until he arrived at the gate of the Academy grounds.
“Halt!” challenged a sentry, as soon as Jack showed his face through the gateway.
[pg 095] Young Benson stopped, bringing his heels together with a click.
“What do you want? Where are you going?” demanded the marine.
“I know I look pretty tough,” Jack admitted, shamefacedly. “But I belong aboard the 'Farnum,' one of the submarines that arrived last night. And I'm due there at this minute. Please don't delay me.”
“All right,” replied the sentry, after surveying the boy from head to foot once more. Then he added, in a lower tone, with just the suspicion of a grin showing at the corners of his mouth:
“Say, friend, for a stranger, you must have had a high old frolic in the town last night.”
Jack frowned. The sentry's grin broadened a bit. As he did not offer to detain the boy longer, Benson hurried on along one of the walks. He took as short a course as he could making straight for the Basin, where he made out the “Hudson” and the two submarines.