Lieutenant Preston went into the room?"

"No; such a statement has not been made by either Mr. Darrin or
Mr. Dalzell," admitted the commandant. "Are you sure that Mr.
Darrin did protest?"

"I can only say, sir," replied Farley, "that I have been so informed. I
also know, from Mr. Darrin's own lips, that he has refused to inform you
that he made such a protest."

"Why?" shot out the commandant, eyeing Mr. Farley keenly.

"Because, sir, Mr. Darrin feels that he would be doing the baby act to
enter such a defense."

"And so has commissioned you to appear for him?"

"No, sir," returned Farley almost hotly. "In fact, sir, I believe Mr.
Darrin would be very angry if he knew what I am doing and saying at this
moment. This committee, sir, was appointed by some forty members of the
second class, sir, who are familiar with the facts. We have been sent to
you, sir, by our classmates, who are frantic at the thought of losing the
finest fellow in the class."

"I thank you, gentlemen," said the commandant, in a tone which signified
the polite dismissal of the committee. "I will keep in mind what you
have told me."

The investigation was being carried on daily. All of the third class
offenders were put on carpet more than once. At the next session with
the youngsters the commandant questioned them as to the truth of the
statement that Darrin had tried to protest against the hazing.

"Why, yes, sir," Eaton admitted, "Mr. Darrin did say something against
what we were doing."

"As an upper classman, did Mr. Darrin order you to stop?"

"No, sir," Eaton admitted; "he didn't command us to stop."

"What did Mr. Darrin say?"

"I can't state with accuracy, now, sir, just what Mr. Darrin did
say to us."

"Did he disapprove of your acts?"

"Yes, sir. I am very certain that he made every third classman present
feel uncomfortable."

"Then whatever Mr. Darrin's words were, they had the effect, if not the
exact form, of a rebuke against your conduct?" pressed the commandant.

"Yes, sir," replied Midshipman Eaton with great positiveness.

Eaton's companions in the hazing all bore him out in the statement. The
commandant of midshipmen then took up the matter of their testimony with
the superintendent of the Naval Academy.

After six days of confinement to quarters, Darrin and Dalzell were
ordered to report before the commandant. With that officer they found the
superintendent also. It was the latter officer who spoke.

"Mr.