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hey would cut but sorry figures in such a trial. They therefore begged to withdraw their former complaint. When they had departed the superintendent smiled at his reflection in the glass opposite. Before supper all of the midshipmen involved knew their fate. They were restored to full liberty. Darrin, Dalzell and Joyce were again rebuked for having taken such elaborate pains to escape recognizing Totten at the time of the encounter. Beyond the lecture by the commandant of midshipmen, each of the trio was further punished by the imposition of ten demerits. In Frenching and in taking justice into his own hands Midshipman Totten was held to have erred. However, the nature of his grievance and the fact that he was only a new fourth classman were taken into consideration. For Frenching he was punished with twenty-five demerits; for the assault on a civilian, considering all the circumstances, he was let off with ten additional demerits. Yet, somehow, all of the midshipmen involved felt their punishment very lightly. They could not escape the conviction that the Naval Academy authorities did not regard them as especially guilty offenders. "We've got you back on the gridiron, at any rate," exclaimed Hepson exultantly. "We of the football squad wish that we might be permitted to divide your demerits up among ourselves." "You might suggest that little point to the commandant of midshipmen," grinned Dan. "And get jolly well trounced for our impudence," grimaced Midshipman Hepson. "No, thank you; though you criminals have our utmost sympathy, we will let matters rest where they are at present. Only a fool tries to change well enough into worse." CHAPTER XV THE NAVY GOAT WEEPS "Did you hear that Ella had a bad tumble down three stories?" asked Midshipman Dan. "Ella who?" questioned Dave, looking up. "Elevator!" grinned Dalzell. "Ugh!" grunted Dave disgustedly. "Say, do you know how that would strike the com.?" "No," replied Dan innocently, looking away. "How would it strike him?" "Hard!" Dave responded. Slam! The somewhat heavy book that Darrin, aimed went straight to the mark, landing against Dan's nearer ear with all the force of a sound boxing. "I see you appreciate a good joke," muttered Dalzell grimly. "Yes," Dave admitted. "Do you?" "When I tell you another," growled Dan, "I'll be holding an axe hidden behind my back." "Say, did I show you that letter of Dick's?" Dave asked,
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