"Come, quit your nonsense!" grumbled Jack, disgustedly.
"I can't," roared Eph, going off into still another burst of laughter.
Just at that instant Somers gave himself the lie. The door opened,
admitting the Secretary of the Navy. In a fraction of a second Ensign
Eph had straightened up, while his face was solemn enough for an Indian
chief's countenance.
"I have just been straightening out that little matter," explained Mr.
Sanders. "I have talked with the police, and have described Hastings.
The police are in deep chagrin over their blunder. Mr. Hastings is now
at liberty and on his way here."
At a motion from Mr. Sanders the two young officers seated themselves.
The Secretary turned to his desk to sign some papers.
From Eph, suddenly, came a suppressed, explosive sound. Jack seated
beside him on a sofa gave Somers an indignant elbow jab. The Secretary
glanced up, then resumed his writing.
A minute later there came from Eph the sound of another smothered
explosion. The picture of Hal Hastings's indignant astonishment had
once more been conjured up before young Somers's face. Poor Eph was
red in the face with all the effort of keeping back his laughter.
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