Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-01

4 navent got any permit, SAID boIJy, III
his pompous fashion. and for very good
reason-I am acting under the personal or
ders of Commander Brant himself. IL am
ordered to fetch something from the ward,
room which the commander left there and
wants at once"
What was it," asked the watchman,, :,
Lofty regarded the watchman with look
that was intended to "sduelch" the young man
right out. though it didn't.
"Allow me to remark he said, with hau-
teur, that Commander Brant's business is
none of your business. Britton. Perhaps 1T
is Brants cigar-case | have come for. ! know
it's against the rules for cadet to smoke but
Commander Brant, being favorite, may be
an exception. Again, it may be something
very different from a cigar case that am
to look form fact, | happen to know that
il is. You see the point 7"
"Just the same you ought to have a per-
nit" said the watchman. evidently in doubt
what to do.
If this were an invented story, it was GER
tainly an example of the cheelllest proceed.
Cadet Britton. Besides, what object could
Lofty Rankin have in visiting the vessel Tor
moment, if he had not really been sent on
an errand, as he claimed?
While the watchman deliberated, Lofty
acted. He pushed past the intervening cut
lass and ran down the after companion lad
der to the lower deck.
just as he entered the ward-room, which,
on board the Venture. corresponded to the
saloon on board a larger vessel, one of the
cabin doors at the stern opened, and youth,
clad in naval costume, resplendent with gold
lace and glittering brass buttons, came out.
He glanced into the ward-room, but Lofty had
heard him coming, and had lodged out OF
sight forward.
The officer went on up the companion
stair, and there came upon the watchman,
who stood lust as Lofty had left him, gazing
doubtfully down the companion-way.
At sight of the officer Britton started, then
brought his eutlass to present, and saluted.
sMr Brant! I-ah-I thought you were
ashore"
fT came aboard moment before you went
on duty. I have been busy in my CABIN
replied the Ventures commander. Didn't
somebody come aboard just now, Brittony
/ thought heard foot make the landing
stage, and voices up here on deck"
"You did, sir; Cadet Rankin, Of Com
pany, is below"
| Cadet Rankin!' repeated the commander,
perhaps more sharply than he intended to do:
| ''Did he present the usual written permit 2,
"He did not. He gave as his excuse that
| he was acting under your orders"
/ ~ have given no orders of any sort to Ran
kin. You must have known, Britton-"
] The young commander stopped and bit his
/ lip. He was on the point Of remarking that
Lofty Rankin was the last cadet in the school
who would be likely to be trusted with an
1 official errand, but bethought himself in time.
LOFTY is up to mischief OF some sort, he
said to himself, and then he glanced up toward
the academy buildings ri happen to know
that this is one of Rankin's recitation hours"
he reflected "T am afraid shall have to
call upon you to make an arrest, Britton."
"Here comes file in charge of an orderly
the school buildings. as his superior had
done.
saThey are looking for him." said the Off
Ger. "Britton, you will stand at the head OF
the N rsad;ness fo act on y orders S'a
As the watchman obeyed, a movement was
heard below. Lofty was about to return to
the deck.
The Ventures commander stood in patience,
waiting for him to appear.
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT SUNDAY
!, =, a n m -