e
town hall.

"That building holds our fate!" muttered Dave, as they drew near.

"Stop that!" ordered Tom. "Anyone would think that Annapolis
was all the candy in the land. What are you worrying about, anyway?
Haven't I taken all the responsibility for this thing upon myself?
Haven't I promised you both that you shall find your little toy
appointments in your Christmas stockings? Do you think I'm lying?"

"But the exams!" groaned Dave.

"Well, they're competitive," quoted Tom cheerily.

"That's just what ails 'em!" argued Dave.

"You make me think of my cousin, Jack Reade, of the militia,"
taunted Tom. "He's a captain. Now, Jack wanted to be appointed
assistant inspector general of rifle practice. He was ordered
up for his exam. Poor fellow spent three weeks, days and nights,
boning for that exam. The family had the doctor in twice, for
they were afraid Jack was studying himself crazy. Then the day
came for the exam. Jack went into the ordeal shivering. The
examiner asked Jack to write down his full name, the date of his
birth, and the date of his entry into the militia. Jack answered
all three questions straight, and got a hundred per cent. for
his marking. Yet you fellows talk about exams as though they
were really hard!"

Still laughing the three passed inside.

Dick Prescott had firmly resolved to do no more talking about
the ordeal. But Darrin hadn't. So, after the boys had entered
the building, and had climbed to the next floor, where the hall
was, and had taken a look inside, Dave drew back into the corridor.

"Great guns, did you look inside?" he demanded. "There are a
million boys in there already."

"Cheer up," soothed Tom. "Most of 'em want to go to West Point."

Tom fairly forced his chums inside. The boys already there, some
three-score, at least, turned to regard the newcomers curiously.

"The rest of you may as well go home," announced Tom laughingly.
"My friends have a first mortgage on the jobs you're after."

Presently, more fellows came in. Then some more, and still more.

"Let's go down and stand by the door, where we can get more air,"
urged Darrin.

"Yes," agreed Tom. "And we'll throw out any of the rest that
may have a nerve to try to step in here."

Hardly had they taken their stand by the door when the three chums
received a shock.

For the next arrivals were Phin Drayne, and his father, Heathcote
Drayne.

Phin was now in attendance at the Wilburvil