"In town?" grinned Eph, slyly.
Jack flushed, then grinned.
"No!" he answered quietly; "about the Academy grounds."
"I wonder if it would be against the regulations for a lot of rank outsiders like us to go through the grounds at this hour?"
"Rank outsiders?" mimicked Jack Benson, laughing. "You forget, Hal, old fellow, that we're instruct—hem! civilian instructors—here."
"I wonder, though, if it would be in good taste for us to go prowling through the grounds at this hour?" persisted Hal.
"There's one sure way to find out," proposed Benson. "We can try it, and, if no marine sentry chases us, we can conclude that we're moving about within our rights. Come along, fellows."
Putting on their caps, the three went up on the platform deck. The engine room door was locked and Williamson and Truax had already turned in. There was a shore boat at the landing. Jack sent a low-voiced hail that brought the boat out alongside.
"Will it be proper for us to go through the Academy grounds at this hour?" Jack inquired of the petty officer in the stern.
"Yes, sir; there's no regulation against it. And, anyway, sir, you're all stationed here, just now."