“That's the way I took it,” replied Jack. “So did Hastings and Somers. We've enjoyed ourselves more than anyone else here has.”
This was truth surely enough, for, in the last two minutes, not one of the cadet midshipmen present could have been accused of enjoying himself.
“Then what took place here, Mr. Benson, really took place at your request?” insisted the naval officer.
“It all answered the questions that we had been asking,” Jack replied, promptly, though, it must be admitted, rather evasively.
“This is your understanding, too, Mr. Hastings?” demanded the officer.
“Surely,” murmured Hal.
“You, Mr. Somers?”
“I—I haven't had so much fun since the gasoline engine blew up,” protested Eph.
“We entered most heartily into the spirit of the thing,” Jack hastened on to say, “and feel that we owe the deepest thanks to these young gentlemen of the Navy. Yet, if our desire to know more about the life—that is, the former life—of the Academy is to result in getting our [pg 129] entertainers into any trouble, we shall never cease regretting our unfortunate curiosity.”
For some moments the naval officer regarded the three submarine boys, solemnly, in turn. From them he turned to look over the cadet midshipmen. The latter looked as stolid, and stood as rigidly at attention, as ever.