see that
his father remits to you."

Dr. Stewart nodded, wrote the bill, and passed it over. It was
not by any means the first time that the physician had done business
on that basis.

"A fairly brisk walk, gentlemen, will be best," said the doctor,
at the street door. "Good evening--and good luck."

"Another Naval mystery, I suppose," smiled the physician, as he
turned back to his office. "But I shall never hear from it again,
except when the remittance arrives from the young man's father."

Arriving at the Maryland Avenue gate of the Academy grounds Dave
turned in report for both of them. Then the chums continued across
to Bancroft Hall.

Midshipman Brimmer was reported absent, but accounted for, at
that supper formation. At that moment Brimmer was undergoing
a Naval surgeon's treatment for his eye. Brimmer's brief explanation
to the surgeon was that he had run his face against something hard
in a dark alleyway while in town. The surgeon noted down the
explanation, smiling grimly.

That being Saturday evening, with release from studies, Dave slipped
down to the door of Farley and Page, and invited them to his quarters.
There sat Dan.

Both Farley and Page listened almost in stupefaction. They had
always rather liked Brimmer. Yet they were convinced that Darrin
spoke the truth.

"Now, help me with your advice," begged Dave. "Should I make
an official report of this whole matter?

"Not until you have stronger evidence against Brimmer," suggested
Farley.

"Would it do any good to ask for a class committee, and to bring
Brimmer before it?"

"Not until you have a better case to offer," replied Page.

"Then what should I do?"

"Cut Brimmer, of course," said Farley thoughtfully. "And don't
let him guess that you're going to let up at any point of the
investigation into the matter."

"We won't let up, either," blazed Dave, "if we can think of any
way to probe the facts.

"I don't believe it will do much good to fool with Tony, the Greek,"
suggested Midshipman Page. "Brimmer has more money than any of us,
and he'll pay blackmail to keep Tony's tongue quiet."

It was Tuesday when Midshipman Brimmer returned to formations.
Immediately after breakfast Dave Darrin went up to him.

"Mr. Brimmer, I want a word with you."

"I don't want any words with you, at any time, Mr. Darrin," Brimmer
retorted bitterly.

"You won't have any that are not necessary," retorted Dave. "Yet I
think it will be