Darrin made a note of the man's return and entered the time.

Twice, a messenger brought some small order from the executive officer.

Yet it was a dull watch, with the ship docked and nothing of importance happening.
"Cantor will soon be back," thought Dave, at last, slipping out his watch and glancing at it under the light that came from the cabin.

His timepiece showed the time to be five minutes to eleven.
But a quarter of an hour passed, and no Lieutenant Cantor appeared.
More time slipped by without the lieutenant's return.
"That doesn't sound much like the punctuality that is required of a naval officer," Dave told himself, in some disquiet.
Then finally a step was heard on the gangplank.

Lieutenant Cantor came briskly up over the side, halting on the deck and saluting toward the stern, where the colors flew until sundown.
"Mr.Darrin, I've come on board," reported the lieutenant, turning in time to catch Dave's salute.
He stepped closer, to add: "You will enter a note that I came on board at 10.58." "The time is eleven-forty, sir," Dave reminded his superior, at the same time displaying his watch.
"Note that I came on board at 10.58," insisted Cantor, frowning.
"Sentry!" called Dave, briskly.
"Aye, aye, sir!" "Note the time on the chronometer inside," Darrin ordered.
"Aye, aye, sir." Then, returning the marine sentry answered: "It's eleven-forty, sir." Dave made the entry of the lieutenant's return.
"You infernal trouble-maker," hissed Cantor, as the sentry paced on.