but if he does he must submit
his case to his class, and then be guided by the class decision
as to whether he must fight or not. Mr. Clairy has not done this."

"He's a cur!" shouted a voice.

"I accept the remark," bowed Mr. Gosman, "if I am permitted to
express the class's apology to all dogs for the comparison."

"Good!" yelled several.

"Mr. President and classmates," continued the angry orator, "I
believe we are all of one mind, and I believe that I can express
the unanimous sentiment of the first class."

"You can!"

"You bet you can!"

"Go ahead!"

"Mr. President, I take it upon myself to move that the first class
should, and hereby does, send Mr. Clairy to Coventry for all time
to come!"

"Second the motion!" cried several voices.

Then a diversion was created.

One of the big doors opened and a midshipman stepped into the
room, closing the door.

That midshipman was Dave Darrin. Every first classman in the
room felt certain that Darrin had entered for the express purpose
of saying something of consequence.

CHAPTER XIX

MIDSHIPMAN DARRIN HAS THE FLOOR

But Dave did not speak at first. Advancing only a short distance
into the hall he stood with arms folded, his face well-nigh
expressionless.

For a moment the class president glanced at Darrin, then at the
assemblage.

"Gentlemen," announced the class president, "you have heard the
motion, that Mr. Clairy be sent to Coventry for all time to come.
The motion has been duly seconded. Remarks are in order."

"Mr. President!"

It was Dave who had spoken. All eyes were turned in his direction
at once.

"Mr. Darrin," announced the chair. "Mr. President, and classmates,
I, for one, shall vote against the motion."

An angry clamor rose, followed by calls of, "Question! Put the
motion!"

"Do any of you know," Darrin continued, "why Mr. Clairy is not
here this evening?"

"He's afraid to come!"

"Did any of you note that Mr. Clairy was not at supper?"

"The hound hadn't any appetite," jeered Fenwick angrily.

"You have observed, of course, that Mr. Clairy was not here at
the meeting?"

"He didn't dare come!" cried several voices.

"If you have any explanation to make, Mr. Darrin, let us have
it," urged the chair.

"Mr. President and classmates," Midshipman Darrin continued, "all
along I have felt that there must be some explanation to match
Mr. Clairy's most extraordinary conduct. I now offer you the
explanation.