e saw that several of his
brother officers were smiling.

"Meaning almost anything that you wish," continued Captain Holmes,
serenely, as he stirred his coffee.

"Sit down, Cartwright," urged a low voice. "This is a gentleman's
outfit," declared another voice, perhaps not intended to reach
Cartwright's ears. But he heard the words and his mounting rage
caused him to take a step nearer to Greg, at the same time clenching
his fists.

Greg, though he realized what was taking place, did not bother to
turn, but coolly raised his cup to his lips.

"Sit down," called another voice. "You're rocking the boat."

But Cartwright took a second step. It is impossible to say what
would have happened, but Dick Prescott, half turning in his seat,
caught the angry captain's nearer wrist in a grip of steel and
fairly swang Cartwright into a vacant seat at his left. Greg
was sitting at his right.

"Don't be foolish, Cartwright, and don't let the day's heat go
to your head," Prescott advised. "Don't do anything you'd regret."

Though Captain Cartwright's blood was boiling there was a sense
of quiet mastery in Prescott's manner and voice, combined with
a quality of leadership that restrained the angry man for the
next few seconds, during which Dick turned to a waiter to say:

"This meat is cold. Bring some hot meat for Captain Cartwright,
and more vegetables. Try some of this salad, Cartwright---it's
good."

Instantly the officers, looking eagerly on, turned their glances
away and began general conversation again, for they were quick
to see that Dick's usual tact was at least postponing a quarrel.

"It will be a hot afternoon for drill, won't it?" Dick asked,
in the next breath, and in a low tone.

"Maybe," grunted Cartwright. "But perhaps I shall find still
hotter work before the drill-call sounds."

"Nonsense!" said Dick quickly. "After the K.O.'s talk this morning,
don't start anything that will take our mind off our work."

"I've got to have a bit more than an explanation from Holmes,"
the sulky captain continued, though in a low voice.

"Cartwright," said Dick, in an authoritative undertone, "I don't
want you to start anything in that direction until you've had a
good talk with me!"

There the matter ended for the moment. Dick joined in the general
conversation. Presently Cartwright tried to, but the officers
to whom he addressed his remarks replied either so briefly or
so coolly that the captain realize