CHAPTER IV.
THE WARD-ROOM HEARS REAL NEWS Hurrying to the now empty office of the executive officer, Cantor made correct entry of his return to ship on the record, then hurried to his own quarters, and with almost the speed of magic, slipped into his undress uniform, belted on his sword, and appeared smartly on the quarter-deck.
For two minutes he paid no heed to Darrin, save to return the salute with which the young ensign greeted his superior's return to command of the deck.
Presently, however, Lieutenant Cantor stepped over to say in an undertone: "Darrin, you have made the wrong start, and I see that you are bound to keep it up." "I am trying to do my duty, sir," Darrin returned.

"I could not consent to make a false official return." "Officers often have to do that for each other," Cantor went on, in the same low tone, "and they do it willingly as between comrades." It was on the tip of Darrin tongue to retort that he didn't believe any true officer, being a man of honor, could stoop to making a false official report.

Yet he instantly thought better of it, and forced back the sarcastic retort that rose to his lips.
"You're not going to succeed in the Navy, sir," Cantor continued, then, seeing the young ensign's face still impassive, he added, with a malicious leer: "Since you are determined to make an enemy of me, Darrin, I shall do my best to see to it that you have short shrift in the service." "Of that I haven't a doubt," Dave returned, but he caught himself in time and said it under his breath.
Then came the changing of the watch.

Trent and Dalzell appeared and went on duty.
Formally, Dave wished his division commander good night, Cantor answering only with a grunt.
Returning to his stateroom, Dave threw off belt and sword, hung up his cap, then sat down in his desk chair, leaning back and steadily regarding the breech of the great gun.
"I wonder if any other young officer in the service is at the mercy of such a brute," Darrin asked himself, wretchedly.

"I love good discipline, but there's one thing wrong with the service, and that is, the ease with which a dishonorable officer can render the life of his subordinate miserable.