all seemed to depend, now, on
the verdict of the examining Naval surgeons!

But there was little time for thought. Once inside, they were
ushered, by a white-gloved midshipman, into the office of Commander
Jephson, commandant of midshipmen.

That gentleman, also in uniform, as were all Navy officers on
duty at the Academy, looked briefly as the two young men stood
before him.

"Candidates, gentlemen?"

"Yes, sir," replied Dave.

"Your orders?"

Each young man handed over the slip given him by the aide. Commander
Jephson scanned each sheet closely, then made some entries on
a set of papers of his own.

Next the commandant touched a button on his desk. Almost immediately
footsteps were heard outside. Another white-gloved midshipman
entered, raising his hand smartly to his cap in salute. This
salute the commandant acknowledged in kind.

"Mr. Salisbury, conduct Candidates Darrin and Dalzell outside.
Ascertain how soon the surgeons will be ready to examine them,
and conduct the candidates to the Board Room at the time assigned
for their examination."

"Very good, sir," replied Midshipman Salisbury, in measured tones.
Again the inter-change of salutes, after which Midshipman Salisbury
led Dave and Dan to an outer office.

"Wait here," directed the midshipman briefly, "I'll let you know when
it's time to go to the Board Room."

Five minutes later the midshipman again approached them.

By this time there were seven more candidates in the room. The
aide to the superintendent and the commandant were passing the
young men quickly through the mill.

"Mr. Darrin, Mr. Dalzell!" called the midshipman master of ceremonies.
As Dave and Dan started to their feet their conductor added:

"Follow me to the Board Room."

Down the corridor and into the Board Room the two chums were led.
There, awaiting them, they found three Naval medical officers,
all in their proper uniform and one of them seated at a desk.

"Strip, with the least delay possible," ordered the senior surgeon.

In a very short space of time Dave and Dan stood forth, minus
clothes and, it must be confessed, both very nervous as to what
these medical men might or might not find.

Thorough, indeed, was the examination, which began with the heart.
But it went much further, including the hair, scalp, eyes, teeth,
the condition of the tonsils, the appearance of the tongue, and
so on, by regular stages, down to the soles of their feet.

"If there's