:

"Impertinence admitted, but in my opinion entirely warranted."

So utterly astounded was Darrin by this queer turn of affairs,
that he forgot the matter that had taken him from his room. On
his way back he met Midshipman Page. On the latter's face was
a look as black as a thundercloud.

"What on earth is wrong, Page?" Darrin asked.

"I've got the material for a first-class fight on my hands," Page
answered, his eyes flashing.

"What---"

"Clairy has ordered me to report myself."

"What does he say you were doing that you weren't doing?" inquired
Midshipman Darrin, a curious look in his eyes.

"Clairy has the nerve to state that I was coming along the corridor
with my blouse unbuttoned. He ordered me to button it up, which
I couldn't do since it was already buttoned. But he declared
that I buttoned it up while facing him, and so I'm on my way to
place myself on report for an offense that I didn't commit."

"Clairy just sent me to the O.C. to frap the pap for having my
shoes unlaced," remarked Dave, his face flushing darkly.

"What on earth is Clairy up to?" cried Page.

"I don't know. I can't see his game clearly. But he's certainly
hunting trouble."

"Then-----"

"See here, Page, we've no business holding indignation meetings
in study hours. But come to my room just as soon as release
sounds---will you?"

"You can wager that I will," shot back Midshipman Page as he started
along the corridor.

"Hello," hailed Midshipman Dalzell, looking up as his chum entered.
"Why, Darry, you're angry---really angry. Who has dared throw
spitballs at you?"

"Quit your joking, Dan!" returned Dave Darrin, his voice quivering.
"Clairy is hunting real trouble, I imagine, and I fancy he'll have
to be obliged."

Dave thereupon related swiftly what had happened, Dan staring
in sheer amazement. Then Dalzell jumped up.

"Where are you going?" Darrin answered.

"To interview Clairy."

"You'd better not, Dan. The trouble is thick enough already."

"I'm going to interview Clairy---perhaps," retorted Midshipman
Dalzell. "I've just thought of a perfectly good excuse for being
briefly out of quarters during study hours. I'll be back
soon---perhaps with some news."

Off Dan posted. In less than ten minutes he returned, looking
even more indignant than had his chum.

"Davy," broke forth Dalzell hotly, "that idiot is surely hunting
all the trouble there is in Annapolis."

"He went after you, then?"

"I