Then, for the third time, Flint tried the performance.

This time he succeeded, but his two previous failures had provoked such a storm of laughter that no man present heard a cautious rap on the door.

The next instant that door was flung open and Lieutenant Preston stepped into the room.
With the entrance of that discipline officer half of the midshipmen present wheeled about, then, startled as they were, did not forget to come to attention.
"Hm!" said Lieutenant Preston, at which the other half heard and came to attention.

Flint, whether too scared, or perhaps enjoying the discomfiture of his tormentors, made no effort to return to normal position.
"What's your name, sir ?" thundered the discipline officer, glaring fiercely at Midshipman Flint.
"Flint, sir," replied the fourth classman in a gasp.
"Bring your feet down and come to attention, sir!" Flint obeyed.
During this time Lieutenant Preston had stood so that no midshipman in the room could slip by him into the corridor.
"I will now take the names of the gentlemen present," went on the discipline officer, drawing a notebook and pencil from an inner pocket and commencing to write.
"All except the fourth classmen present will at once fall in by twos outside," commanded Lieutenant Preston, closing the notebook and slipping it away.

"Midshipmen Flint and Austin will mend their appearances as speedily as possible and then form the last file outside." "Wow!" whispered Dan in his chum's ear outside.