me. I believed you to be a man of
honor, and I accepted your word that you were innocent of evil intention
against me. Having accepted your word, I held no further grudge in the
matter, and I have as nearly forgotten the whole business as a man with a
memory can."

"Then tell me why I didn't play on the football eleven?" flamed up
Midshipman Jetson.

"Principally, I imagine, because Captain Hepson, after consultation with
the coaches, didn't call you to the Navy eleven."

"And why didn't Hepson call me?" followed up Jetson, all his pent-up
sulkiness boiling over now.

"I don't know, particularly. Probably, I imagine, for the same reason
that he didn't call a lot of other men to the eleven--because he believed
he could make a better choice."

"Darrin, you know well enough that you so influenced Hepson to keep me
off the team!"

"Jetson, are you mad?"

"No; but I'm naturally angry."

"I give you my word that I didn't do anything to prevent your making
the team."

"And you expect me, Mr. Darrin, to believe that?"

"If you decline to do so, it amounts to passing the lie. But I'll
overlook that for a moment. Joyce, I think Hepson is not dancing at
present. Will you return to the hop, and, if he is not dancing, will you
bring him out here?"

"I don't want to see Hepson," cried Midshipman Jetson. "You're the only
one I'm interested in in this matter, Mr. Darrin."

"You've virtually refused to accept my word."

"I do so refuse."

"Then you call me--"

"A liar, if you like!" snapped back Midshipman Jetson.

"Sir, do you realize--"

"I realize that you're still talking!" sneered Jetson.

"Then I won't talk any longer," replied Dave Darrin in a quiet but
dangerous voice. "Since you refuse to listen even to Hepson--"

"Who's taking my name in vain?" demanded a laughing voice as a burly
figure moved in between Dave and his enemy.

The new comer was Hepson, who had come upon the group unnoticed.

"Perhaps you're just in time, Hep," murmured Dave, fighting to cool down
his temper. "I wanted you to prove--"

"Stop!" ejaculated Jetson angrily. In his extreme passion he threw all
restraint and courtesy to the winds. "I wouldn't take the word of
Hepson, or of any man in the entire brigade in this matter. Darrin has
lied, and--"

"Step aside, Hep, please," urged Dave, giving the late football captain a
gentle shove. "This matter can't go any further in words. Mr. Jetson, you
have insulted me, and grossly. Ar