“I—­I haven’t had so much fun since the gasoline engine blew up,” protested Eph.

“We entered most heartily into the spirit of the thing,” Jack hastened on to say, “and feel that we owe the deepest thanks to these young gentlemen of the Navy.  Yet, if our desire to know more about the life—­that is, the former life—­of the Academy is to result in getting our entertainers into any trouble, we shall never cease regretting our unfortunate curiosity.”

For some moments the naval officer regarded the three submarine boys, solemnly, in turn.  From them he turned to look over the cadet midshipmen.  The latter looked as stolid, and stood as rigidly at attention, as ever.

“Under this presentation of the matter,” said the officer, after a long pause, “I am not prepared to say that there has been any violation of discipline.  At least, no grave infraction.  However, some of these young gentlemen are, I believe, absent from their quarters without leave.  Mr. Merriam?”

“I have permission to be absent from my quarters between nine and ten, sir.”

“Mr. Caldwell?”

“Absent from quarters without permission, sir.”

So on down through the list the officer ran.  Nine of the young men proved to have leave to be away from their quarters.  The other seven did not have such permission.  The names of these seven, therefore, were written down to be reported.  The seven, too, were ordered at once back to their quarters.

Having issued his instructions, the naval officer turned and walked away. 
Jack and his comrades, too, left the scene.

Yet they had not gone far when they heard a low hail behind.  Turning, they saw Cadet Midshipmen Merriam hastening toward them.

“Gentlemen,” he said, earnestly, as he reached them, “it may not be best for me to be seen lingering here to talk with you.  But my comrades wanted me to come after you and to say that we think you bricks.  You carried that off finely, Mr. Benson.  None of us will ever forget it.”

“It wasn’t much to do,” smiled Jack, pleasantly.

“It was quick-witted of you, and generous too, sir,” rejoined Mr. Merriam, finding it now very easy to employ the “sir.”  “Probably you agree with us that no great crime was committed, anyway.  But, just the same, hazing is under a heavy ban these days.  If you hadn’t saved the day as you did, sir, all of our cadet party might have been dismissed the Service.  Those absent from quarters without leave will get only a few demerits apiece.  We have that much to thank you for, sir, and we do.  All our thanks, remember.  Good night, sir.”

“My courage was down in my boots for a while,” confessed Hal Hastings, as the three chums continued their walk back to the Basin.

“When?” demanded Eph, grimly.  “When your boots—­and the rest of you—­were so high up in the air over the blanket?”

“No; when the cadets were caught at it,” replied Hal.