own on us all. Farley, if you feel you've
a grievance you are privileged to take recourse to the regular
code in such matters."

"The fellow has lied about me, and I'm ready to settle it with
him now, or outside by appointment," broke in Dave, speaking as
coolly as before.

"He calls me 'fellow' and 'liar,'" panted Farley, turning white.
"Do you think I can stand that?

"You don't have to," replied one of those who held Farley back.
"Send Darrin a challenge, in the regular way."

"I will!" panted Midshipman Farley. "And I'll hammer him all over
and out of the meeting-place!"

"Then it's settled for a challenge," interposed Dan Dalzell.
"That will suit us all right. We'll be ready whenever the challenge
comes. And now, to prevent getting a lot of decent fellows into
a needless scrape, Darrin and I will withdraw."

Dan took Dave by the arm, and both turned to leave the room.

"You--" began Farley hoarsely, when another midshipman clapped
a hand over his mouth.

"Shut up Farley! Save all of your undoubted grit for the field, when
you two meet."

The door closed softly behind Darrin and Dalzell.

"Why didn't you let me at the sneak?" bellowed Farley, released,
now, from interfering hands.

"See here, Farley," advised one of his friends, "cool down and keep
your face in a restful attitude. Darrin behaved twice as well as
you did. If you don't look out you'll lose the sympathy of the
class. Just keep cool, and restrain your tongue from wagging until
you've met Darrin. Don't try to start the row again, this side of
the field where you meet. If you do, you'll get many a cold shoulder."

Other midshipmen present spoke in the same vein. Farley, who
wanted to be popular at all times, presently allowed himself to
be advised.

Of course the news of the meeting, and of the more emphatic one to
come spread fast through Bancroft Hall. There is an unknown
wireless that carries all such news on wings through the brigade
of midshipmen.

Within half an hour Henkel and Page brought the challenge to Dave
Darrin. Dan, in the meantime, had been busy, and had induced
Midshipman Rollins, of the fourth class, to act with him as second.
Rollins, indeed, needed little urging. He was eager to see the
fight.

Tyson, of the second class, was secured as referee, while Trotter,
of the third class, gladly agreed to act as time-keeper.

The time was set for an hour before taps, as, on this evening,
it would be easy fo