excitement you want, Joyce," Dave
remarked dryly.

"Like most good things, it didn't last long," complained Joyce.

"Oh, it isn't over yet, by any means. We've the O.C. and the com. to
face," grumbled Darrin. "But we couldn't stand by and see one of our own
punched by a whole gang."

"Of course we couldn't, but why fuss about the com, and his satellite,
the O.C.? They'll never hear of this."

"I think there's a big chance that we shall hear of it," retorted Dave.
"That's why I advised you not to look at the unknown midshipman closely
enough to be able to recognize him in the dark."

"I don't know who he was," admitted Dan candidly.

"Nor do I," supplemented Joyce.

"Then, whoever he is, the chap stands little chance of being caught
unless he voluntarily announces himself."

Presumably the police didn't answer the hail of the young civilians.
At any rate, Darrin and his friends heard nothing more of the matter
while in town.

But when they returned to Bancroft Hall the trio were met by this
announcement:

"The officer in charge wishes to see you in his office."

"It's coming," warned Dave, as he and his companions turned and went in
to report themselves.

"There has been a disturbance in Annapolis," stated Lieutenant-Commander
Denham. "Mr. Darrin, were you in it?"

"I was in one kind of disturbance, sir," Darrin answered at once.

"Of what kind?"

"Several civilians attacked a man in a midshipman's uniform. I went
to his aid."

"And attacked some civilians?"

"Yes, sir."

"Mr. Dalzell, Mr. Joyce, did you also take part in that affair?"
inquired the O.C.

"Yes, sir," answered both midshipmen.

"For what reason?"

"Because, sir," answered Joyce, "several civilians pounced upon one man
who wore a midshipman's uniform."

"And you three rushed in and pounded some civilians?" asked the
O.C. coolly.

"I'm afraid we did, sir," answered Dave, who found the
lieutenant-commander's gaze turned on him.

"Who was that other midshipman, Mr. Darrin?"

"I don't know, sir."

"Didn't you recognize him when you went to his aid?"

"I did not, sir."

"Did either of you gentlemen recognize the midshipman to whose rescue
you rushed?"

Dan and Joyce replied in the negative.

"Tell me the circumstances of the attack, Mr. Darrin. Take pains to make
your statement so exact that you will not have to amend the statement
afterwards."

Darrin told the affair as it had happened.

"Hm! And none of you recog