tack. They heard, however, that Totten
had not heard of their predicament until just after chapel call.

The commandant of midshipmen sent for Mr. Totten. That official, however,
after hearing the story, felt that the matter was one for the
superintendent. The superintendent did not send for Totten and question
him, but sent, instead, for the civilians who had lodged the complaint
the evening before. He sent also for young Crane the man Totten had
named, and who had not been among the complainants of the evening before.

"Mr. Crane," announced the superintendent, "you know, of course, the name
of the midshipman who assaulted and knocked you down before the other
three midshipmen interfered in the matter?"

"Er--er--possibly I do," confessed Crane, reddening.

"Mr. Crane, if you wish us to deal frankly with you, you must accord the
same treatment to the officials of the Naval Academy," replied the
superintendent coldly.

"I--I--personally do not desire to press any complaint," continued young
Crane. "I am sorry that my friends took such a step."

"Then you consider, Mr. Crane," pressed the superintendent, "that the
knock-down blow you received from a midshipman was in the nature of a
merited punishment?"

"I--I won't say that," cried Crane quickly. "No, sir! I won't admit it!"

"Then, as we know that Midshipman Totten was your assailant," continued
the superintendent, "we shall have to place that young man on trial. We
shall be obliged to summon you as a witness at that trial, Mr. Crane."

"But I have no intention, sir, of appearing as a witness," blustered that
young man.

"Mr. Crane, you can have no choice in the matter. If we summon you, you
can be brought here from any part of the United States."

"I--I--can't the matter be dropped, sir?" urged the young man anxiously.

"Not unless you confess yourself in the wrong, and exonerate Mr. Totten.
In any other event the case will have to come to trial before a
court-martial, and you, Mr. Crane, since we are certain that you possess
material evidence, will be forced to appear as a witness."

Mr. Crane looked almost as uncomfortable as he felt.

"Mr. Totten," continued the superintendent, "states that you grossly
insulted his cousin, a young woman, and that he met you on purpose to
avenge that insult."

"There--there--was some trouble about a young woman," admitted Crane.
"But I am a gentleman, sir."

"I am not expected to decide the last question that you