.

"What are you trying to do to that youngster?" asked Trent, coolly.

"What am I trying to do to him?" Cantor repeated, in seeming
astonishment. "Nothing, of course, unless I'm driven to it. But
Darrin insulted me, and then followed it up with a blow."

Trent fixed his brother officer with a rather contemptuous glance
as he answered, stiffly.

"Cantor, there are two marines aft. Go and tell your version
to the marines."

"Are you going to call me a liar, too?" demanded Cantor, his eyes
blazing, as he turned a threatening face to Trent.

"Keep cool," urged Lieutenant Trent, "and you'll get out of this
affair more easily than you would otherwise."

"But you spoke," argued Cantor, "as though you doubted my word.
If you were outside my door at the time, then you know that I
asked Darrin, 'Am I a liar?' Then he struck me at once."

"Are you going to prefer charges against Darrin for knocking you
down?" demanded Lieutenant Treat.

"I am most certainly," nodded Cantor, taping his breast pocket
wherein hay the report.

"Then I am obliged to tell you, Cantor," Lieutenant Trent went
on, "that at the courtmartial I shall be obliged to appear as
one of Darrin's witnesses. Further, I shall be obliged to testify
that you said to him, 'you lie.' Then Darrin knocked you down,
as any other self-respecting man must have done."

"But I didn't tell him he lied," protested Cantor, with much seeming
warmth. "On the contrary, I asked him if he meant to imply that
I lied."

"That may be your version, Cantor," Lieutenant Trent rejoined,
"but I have just told you what my testimony will have to be."

"What's your interest in this Darrin fellow?" Cantor demanded,
half-sneeringly.

"Why, in the first place," Trent answered, calmly, "I like Darrin.
And I regard him as an excellent, earnest, faithful, competent
young officer."

"But why should you try to shield him, and throw me down, if this
matter comes before a court-martial?"

"Because I am an officer," replied Trent, stiffly, drawing himself
up, "and also, I trust, a gentleman. It is both my sworn duty
and my inclination to see truth prevail at all times in the service."

"But think it over, Trent," urged Lieutenant Cantor. "Now, aren't
you ready to admit that you heard me ask, 'Am I a liar'?"

"I can admit nothing of the sort," Trent returned. Then, laying
a hand on the arm of the other lieutenant, Trent continued:

"Cantor, all the signs point to the belief