N., as fine a looking young naval officer as
ever trod bridge or quarter-dock, stood looking in.

"Come in, Darrin," cried Prescott, leaping up and moving forward.
"Captain Foster, permit me to present Mr. Darrin, of the Navy."

Captain Foster made Darrin wholly welcome in a few words.

"Hullo, Overton. Where's Terry?" cried Ensign Dave.

More greetings were in order.

"Just as you announced yourself, Mr. Darrin," said Captain Foster, "Mr.
Prescott was asking permission to take you on the water as a passenger
to-night. I beg to assure you that you will be most heartily welcome to
go anywhere with this very small slice of the Army."

Darrin expressed his thanks.

Readers of the third volume of this series are sure to remember Ensigns
Darrin and Dalzell, then midshipmen, who visited Prescott and Holmes in
the Rocky Mountains and took part in a famous hunting trip. Hal and
Noll, then sergeants, then made their first acquaintance with Darrin and
Dalzell.

All readers of the "HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' SERIES" know full well that Darrin
and Dalzell were famous members of the Dick & Co. of bygone school days,
while readers of the "ANNAPOLIS SERIES" have followed Dave and Dan all
through their days at the United States Naval Academy.

"As all you youngsters know each other from old times I fancy you'll
have a most agreeable time on the water to-night, if there proves to be
nothing to do but swap yarns of former days," smiled Captain Foster.

"Don't you go with us on the water, sir!" inquired Ensign Darrin.

"No; I am on shore. Mr. Overton, however, will give the best account of
my hospitality that the limited resources of this boat permit."

"Where's Mr. Dalzell?" asked Lieutenant Hal, as he finished his coffee.

"Why, he's up at Fort Clowdry--waiting--to--well, I guess I'll let
Prescott tell it," finished Ensign Dave.

For some reason Prescott blushed slightly, opened his mouth as though to
speak, and then failed to do so. The reason for his confusion will
appear later.

By this time darkness had come on, and the cook, who was also the only
cabin attendant, had switched on the electric lights in the snug cabin.
The young officers, however, felt that they had so many matters to
discuss that the deck would give them more room, so they adjourned.

Some of the officers noted that Captain Foster frequently glanced down
the river through the darkness, but none asked him his reasons.

Finally, however, Sergeant Havens and