hey would
cut but sorry figures in such a trial. They therefore begged to withdraw
their former complaint. When they had departed the superintendent smiled
at his reflection in the glass opposite.

Before supper all of the midshipmen involved knew their fate. They were
restored to full liberty. Darrin, Dalzell and Joyce were again rebuked
for having taken such elaborate pains to escape recognizing Totten at the
time of the encounter. Beyond the lecture by the commandant of
midshipmen, each of the trio was further punished by the imposition of
ten demerits.

In Frenching and in taking justice into his own hands Midshipman Totten
was held to have erred. However, the nature of his grievance and the fact
that he was only a new fourth classman were taken into consideration. For
Frenching he was punished with twenty-five demerits; for the assault on
a civilian, considering all the circumstances, he was let off with ten
additional demerits.

Yet, somehow, all of the midshipmen involved felt their punishment very
lightly. They could not escape the conviction that the Naval Academy
authorities did not regard them as especially guilty offenders.

"We've got you back on the gridiron, at any rate," exclaimed Hepson
exultantly. "We of the football squad wish that we might be permitted to
divide your demerits up among ourselves."

"You might suggest that little point to the commandant of midshipmen,"
grinned Dan.

"And get jolly well trounced for our impudence," grimaced Midshipman
Hepson. "No, thank you; though you criminals have our utmost sympathy, we
will let matters rest where they are at present. Only a fool tries to
change well enough into worse."

CHAPTER XV

THE NAVY GOAT WEEPS

"Did you hear that Ella had a bad tumble down three stories?" asked
Midshipman Dan.

"Ella who?" questioned Dave, looking up.

"Elevator!" grinned Dalzell.

"Ugh!" grunted Dave disgustedly. "Say, do you know how that would strike
the com.?"

"No," replied Dan innocently, looking away. "How would it strike him?"

"Hard!" Dave responded. Slam! The somewhat heavy book that Darrin, aimed
went straight to the mark, landing against Dan's nearer ear with all the
force of a sound boxing.

"I see you appreciate a good joke," muttered Dalzell grimly.

"Yes," Dave admitted. "Do you?"

"When I tell you another," growled Dan, "I'll be holding an axe hidden
behind my back."

"Say, did I show you that letter of Dick's?" Dave asked,