sant, most unmerited charge."

"No charge has been made against you--yet," replied the Congressman.

"I should have said a suspicion," replied Rhinds, tremulously.

"That suspicion seems to be pretty general," answered the member of
Congress. "Have you anything to smoke here?"

Rhinds, with an almost childish eagerness, brought forth a box of cigars,
adding:

"I'll ring and order breakfast served for you here, while we talk."

"Thank you, no," responded the Congressman. "I've got to move fast
to-day, for I can't spend much time here. I suppose you don't know,
yet, that Admiral Townsley is here--sent by the Secretary of the Navy
to investigate and report on this matter."

"You'll see him--you'll make him understand, won't you?" demanded
Rhinds, eagerly.

"You can't make Townsley understand anything but facts," replied Mr.
Simms, dryly. "I know the man. He's a hard-headed truth-seeker. You
see, Rhinds, when I received your telegram, I hurried over to the Navy
Department to say what I could for you. The Secretary told me that of
course he didn't want you injured by any unjust suspicions."

"Of course not," quivered Rhinds.

"At the same time the Secretary made it plain to me that public sentiment
demands that the whole case be brought past the suspicion stage. He
advised me to come down here with Townsley, and see, for myself, just
what I ought to believe."

"You'll act as my friend, won't you?" begged Rhinds, tremulously.
"You'll show Townsley the absurdity of this whole business. Simms, I
look to your friendship, for you are my friend, aren't you?"

"Possibly," nodded the other, dryly. "But I'm also a Congressman,
responsible to my district, my state and the whole country. Now,
Rhinds, the whole thing is just here. I'm going to look into this
matter, and I'm going to sift it all I can. If I find you're innocent
beyond a question--then--well, you know I'm a pretty good fighter."

"Yes, yes; you'll fight my enemies to a standstill," cried Rhinds,
piteously.

"But, if I find the facts against you, then my hands are tied."

"If--if it's a question of money--" stammered the submarine man.

"Money?" demanded the Congressman, crisply. "What for?"

"Why--er--er--for expenses."

"I can pay my own expenses, Rhinds, in a matter that affects the good
name of my district. Now, give me your side of this affair."

For an hour the two men remained talking. Rhinds fought for himself
as hard as he co