I have ever seen."

"The report is true in every detail," repeated Dave, his face
flushing.

Lieutenant Cantor rose from his desk, facing his angry subordinate.

"You lie!" he declared, coldly.

"You cur!" Dave Darrin hissed back, his wrath now at white heat.

Instantly he launched a blow full at Cantor's face. The lieutenant
warded it off.

Within three or four seconds several blows were aimed on both sides,
without landing, for both were excellent boxers.

Then Dave drove in under Cantor's guard with his left hand, while
with his right fist he struck the lieutenant a blow full on the
face that sent him reeling backward.

Clutching wildly, Cantor seized a chair, carrying it over with
himself as he landed on the floor.

In an instant Lieutenant Cantor was on his feet, brandishing the
chair aloft.

"Ensign Darrin," he cried, "you have made the error of striking
a superior officer when on duty!"

CHAPTER XI

A BROTHER OFFICER'S WHISPER

"I know it," Dave returned, huskily.

"You have committed a serious breach of discipline," blazed the
lieutenant.

"I have struck down a fellow who demeaned himself by insulting
his subordinate," Darrin returned, his voice now clear and steady.
"Lieutenant Cantor, do you consider yourself fit to command others?"

"Never mind what I think about myself," sneered the lieutenant.
"Go to your quarters!"

"In arrest?" demanded Dave Darrin, mockingly.

"No; but go to your quarters and remain there for the present.
You are likely to be summoned very soon."

Saluting, Ensign Dave turned ironically on his heel, going back
to his quarters.

In an instant Danny Grin came bounding in.

"There's something up, isn't there?" Ensign Dalzell asked, anxiously.

"A moment ago there was something down," retorted Dave, grimly.
"It was Cantor, if any one asks you about it."

"You knocked him down?" asked Dan, eagerly.

"I did."

"Then you must have had an excellent reason."

"I did have a very fair reason," Darrin went on, "the fellow passed
the lie."

"Called you a _liar_?"

"That was the purport of his insult," Dave nodded.

"I'm glad you knocked him down," Dalzell went on, fervently.
"Yet I see danger ahead."

"What danger?" Dave asked, dryly.

"Cantor will report your knock-down feat to Captain Gales."

"Let him. When he hears of the provocation Captain Gales will
exonerate me. Cantor will have to admit that he deliberately
insulted me."

"If Cantor