The San Francisco call., 1908-09-06

badly rusted. and believe could be
broken out without any necessity for
saving them through"
This was great news to Captain
Bainbridge. and Dicky saw il in his
face. but the captains only remark
was. still in whisper:
Return to your quarters Mr. Fall
coner A few more instances of In
subordination such as yours would en-
danger the freedom and safety of every
one of u.s.
The rebuke was severe. but some
thing in Captain Bainbridge's eve took
the sting out of it, and. reprimand or
no reprimand. Dicky had got ahead OF
Grey and all the other midshipmen. He
returned TO his pallet with sense of
exultation that permitted him to look
forward TO the interview which he was
certain to have next day with Mr.. Por-
ter and Captain cambridge with the
glorious philosophy of youth.
Within an hour everything was again
quiet and the officers were supposed to
be asleep, although the information
gained as TO the possibilities of escape
was agitating enough TO keep most of
them awake Dicky Falconer, how
ever. slept like baby. certain in the
consciousness of having got ahead of
an elder. bigger, heavier and ranking
midshipman.
Next morning Captain cambridge and
Mr. Porter conferred together over
what was TO be done to Dicky- Grey.
returning from an Interview with Cap
tain cambridge, remarked cheerfully TO
Dicky:
You'll catch it, 4Ealconer.. Captain
Bafnbridge and Mr. Porter. know. are
in there talking about you. and saw
look in old Gimlet Eyes face that
means trouble for YOU 1 wouldn't like
to be in your shoes.
You would last night" retorted
Dicky coolly And Grey was forced to
admit that he would.
Dicky felt himself immensely ele-
waited by being a subject of discussion
between Captain Bainbridge and Mr..
Porter He shrewdly surmised that Mr..
Porter was for dealing out Justice with
a heavy hand. as 1T was a direct breach
of discipline to leave the room without
permission. and still more SO to under
take without orders any part or the in
vestigation of the secret chamber.
Nevertheless he had succeeded; that
was enough for Dicky. To be repri-
manded for reaching the window ahead
of Grey was in itself a triumph. There
fore, when Bulge came in and. saluting,
requested Mr.. Falconer to attend Cap
tain Bainbridge. Dicky marched on.
feeling himself distinctly important.
ear as they went out:
I'D give Mary Ann herself--I mean
the gal, not the gun. sir-if / had done
what you done, sir, last night"
AS they entered the officers room
Mr.. Porter passed out. He returned
Dicky's respectful salutation with a
glare which plainly said:
"Youngster, if I had my way you
should get your deserts
Captain Bainbridge was sitting at a
table alone, and after Bulge had de-
parted. Dicky confronted the captain.
Mr.. Falconer," said Captain Balm
bridge in his sternest voice. your con-
most reprehenSible. You left your
pallet, not only without orders. but in
defiance of orders. and your undertak-
ing share in the investigation made
was most presumptuous. You ran the
risk not only of personal injury in
climbing up as you d, but of discovery
for III you had falIen'-here Captain
Bainbridge stopped. slightly puzzled as
how to proceed. for if Dicky had fallen
there were ready arms to catch him,
and no harm could have come.
After moment or two the captain
cleared his voice and continued:
IF you had fallen you would prob
ably have made an outcry."
No. sir, answered Dicky. L wasn't
going to say a word. even if 1 broke my
neck"
You would not be able to say many
words, continued the captain with In
creasing austerity. Il can only repeat
that your conduct was in every way
subversive of the orders 1 have given
and of discipline in general. and I de-
sire that you consider yourself severely
reprimanded- Meanwhile. wish TO say
that the evidence of enterprise and
spirit you gave, the daring you showed
and your intelligent observation after
you reached the window are most graft
flying to me and promise great success
in your future career"
Dicky's mouth came open as il on
hinges. He had heard of former reprf-
mands being given for conduct which
was secretly approved. and he realized
that such was the case at present He
retained his self possession enough to
say thank you, sir" to the captain
and then, obeying the signal of dis
missal, saluted and walked out OF the
door. Once outside he made a dash for
his own quarters The midshipmen
were sitting around the table with
their books and papers. awaiting
Mr. Porter's entrance to begin their
instructions. Dieky. clapping both
hands on Roger Thorne's shoulder,
made a spring and alighted on the
table. where he proceeded to stand on
his head. an accomplishment which he
possessed in great perfection. At the
same time he shouted:
Il have been northumberland told
that my conduct was against orders and
the articles Of war and~the whole ten
commandments. and also that il 1 kept
on doing as l did last night some day
shall be a first class officer. Hurrah.
Hurrah Hurrah,'
Dicky bawled so loudly that he did
not hear Mr.. Porter's quiet step. and
the first knowledge he had OF old Gim-
let Eyes presence was sarcastic
voice at his elbow:
Will you kindly oblige me. Mr.. Fal-
eoner. by getting OF that table and re-
membering that you are an officer un-
der orders and not professional aero
bat?"
Dicky was so frightened that he aid
not know. how he scrambled on the
table and found himself on the bench
beside it. He realized his iniquity in
daring to use the sacred table as a
stage for the ebullition of his enthusi-
asm. when Mr.. Porter proceeded to put
him through in the finest style possible
The other midshipmen sat and grinned
slyiy while Mr.. Porter gave Dicky a
broiIing in algebra and geometry. For
two solid hours Dicky was under IRE.
demonstrating or falling to Demon