seconds.

This time he did not require as much attention. Within five minutes he
was dressed.

By this time Mr. Treadwell, under the ministrations of his seconds and
of the late officials, was just coming back to consciousness.

"Something happened, eh?" asked the top classman drowsily.

"Rather!" murmured Mr. Edgerton dryly.

"Did I--did I--lose the fight?"

"You did," Edgerton assented. "But don't let that disturb you. You went
down before the best man in the Naval Academy."

Treadwell sighed gloomily. It was a hard blow to his pride--much harder
than any that Dave had landed on his head.

"Mr. Treadwell," inquired Dave, stepping over, "we are comrades, even if
we had a slight disagreement. Do you care to shake hands?"

"Help me to my feet," urged the first classman, who was sitting up.

His seconds complied. Then Midshipman Treadwell held out his hand.

"Here's my hand," he said rather thickly. "And I apologize, too, Mr.
Darrin."

"Then say no more about it, please," begged Dave, as their hands met in
a strong clasp.

None of the others present had the least idea of the provocation of
this strange, spirited double fight. All, however, were glad to see the
difficulty mended.

Then Dave and his seconds, leaving the field first, made their way back
to Bancroft Hall. Farley and Page went straight to their own room.

"How did it come out?" demanded Dan Dalzell eagerly, as soon as his chum
entered their quarters.

Dropping into a chair, Dave told the story of the double fight briefly.
He told it modestly, too, but Dan could imagine what his chum omitted.

"David, little giant," exclaimed Dalzell, leaping about him, "that fight
will become historic here! Oh, how I regret having missed it. Don't you
ever dare to leave me out again!"

"It wasn't such a much," smiled Dave rather wearily, as he went over to
his study desk.

"Perhaps it's indiscreet, even of a chum," rambled on Dalzell, "but
what--"

"What was the fight all about?" laughed Dave softly. "Yes; I suppose you
have a right to know that, Danny boy. But you must never repeat it to
any one. Treadwell wanted to dance with Belle at the hop, but she had
already noticed him, and declared she didn't want to dance with him. Of
course that settled it. But Treadwell accused me of not having asked
Belle."

"The nerve !" ejaculated Dan in disgust.

"And then he accused me of lying when I declared I had done my best for
him," continued Dave.

"I fee