A ray of sunlight slanted across the hand as he stood there. Sam caught his breath sharply, then an eager look overspread his face. He hesitated a moment; then, springing over to where Flink was standing, Sam grabbed the hand, jerking it sharply down, examining it briefly in the few seconds that elapsed ere Flink could resist. “Attention!” commanded Lieutenant Commander Devall. “What does this mean?” “If you will examine this man’s hand, I think you will understand, sir,” answered Sam, saluting. The lieutenant commander stepped over to Flink. “Let me see your hands. Palms up!” The palms were smeared with red. “Is that your sea bag yonder?” Flink nodded. “So, you are the man who is responsible for this, are you? What have you to say for yourself?” The apprentice hung his head, making no reply. “You are released from quarters, Davis and Hickey. I begin to understand a few of the things that have happened here. Quartermaster, place this man under arrest. Turn him over to the master-at-arms with instructions to lock him in the brig.” CHAPTER X—THEIR FIRST DETAIL Summary court-martial met on the following afternoon. Louis Flink was found guilty, the recommendation of the court being that he be dismissed from the service. At a general muster the findings of the court-martial, approved by the commandant of the station, were read out by the executive officer. It was an impressive scene to the Battleship Boys—one that they never forgot, showing as it did that the United States Navy is no place for a man guilty of a dishonorable act. Louis Flink was read out of the service and driven from the grounds of the Training Station, a disgraced man. “I’m sorry for the poor fellow, though I have no sympathy for him,” murmured Dan. “What’s the difference?” demanded Sam. “Difference between what?” “The difference between feeling sorry for a man and having sympathy for him? I, for one, am mighty glad to see him go, but I’m sorry I did not get a chance at him first. I’ll never get over that.” “He must have been the one who was the cause of our other trouble, Sam.” “Of course he was, beginning with the pie he threw at us. But what are we going to do with the marks against us? We were no more to blame for the things we were disciplined for than we are for having our jackets ruined.” “We shall have to take our medicine; that is all,” answered Dan ruefully. Two days later, the boys were summoned to the office of the executive officer. They went rather apprehensively, wondering what could be the reason for the unusual summons. Arriving at the executive office the lads stated their business to the sentry, and were admitted after a little delay, coming to a halt and saluting as they reached Lieutenant Commander Devall’s desk. The salute was quickly answered, after which the boys stood at attention, hats in hands. “I presume you would like to join a ship, would you not?” he asked.