Midshipmen have been known to be in bed at taps, and visiting in quarters of other midshipmen ten minutes later.

True, the electric light in rooms is turned off at taps---but midshipmen have been known to keep candles hidden, and to be experts in clouding doors and windows so that no ray of light gets through into a corridor after taps.
Just how often discipline officers were accustomed to look in through the night, Dave Darrin did not know from his own knowledge.
Usually, at the times of such extra visits, Darrin was too blissfully asleep.
Tonight, however, despite the darkness of the room at present, Dave lay wide awake.

No sleep for him before daylight---perhaps not then---unless Dan turned up in the meantime.
After an interval that seemed several nights long, the dull old bell of the clock over on academic Hall began tolling.

Dave listened and counted.

He gave an almost incredulous snort when the total stopped at eleven.
Then another long period of waiting.