"I was in Washington last night, sir. I spent the night at the house of my congressman, Mr. Blake. We were talking together between ten and eleven o'clock. You will have no trouble in ascertaining whether or not this statement is correct. My brother was in Annapolis at that time. He has been here for some weeks, living in Conduit Street. I have not told him why he was wanted here nor have we talked about what may have happened last night. Perhaps he may imagine. Whatever he may have done, I believe you may accept his statement as truthful." "Will you please tell me, sir, what you are doing in that uniform?" demanded the commandant in a stern tone. "I was sitting in my room when my brother John bolted in and pulled me out in a rush. He gave me no time to change." "Where did you get that uniform?" "Oh, it's John's. He has come out frequently to see me and brought it over one day. It's much more comfortable to sit about in than that bobtailed stiff jacket midshipmen wear." "Humph! Two midshipmen were seen stealing an examination last night. One was recognized to be your brother. What have you to say to that, sir?" "Do you believe that, sir?" "I believe it to such an extent that I told him he would be dismissed from the Naval Academy for scandalous crimes. I accused him also of lying and of being a shameless hypocrite." "I think you have an apology to make, captain, if that is your title," remarked Frank Stonewell, in great good nature. "John was in Washington last night. And John isn't that kind of a fellow; evidently you don't know him." "Well, if your brother didn't do it, then you did." "You may find some trouble in proving that." "Mr. Drake, was this the man you saw last night?" shouted the commandant angrily to Robert. Before he had finished his question, Stonewell said quickly to his brother, in a low imperative tone: "Acknowledge it, Frank. Don't force Drake either to refuse to answer or to tell on you." "I was the man, I acknowledge it," quickly interposed Frank Stonewell. "You are a brother to be proud of, aren't you?" announced the commandant scornfully. "In your brother's absence, donning his uniform, you committed a despicable act, trusting if caught that his uniform and the marked resemblance you bear to him would throw the blame and shame on him." "Not at all, captain," replied Frank Stonewell, in an easy manner as one talking socially with a friend; and it was a sharp contrast to the deference and crisp military replies of the others. "Not at all; you mistake the purpose of my wearing his uniform. It was to permit me to be about the grounds and buildings at night; as a civilian the watchmen would have fired me out; but rigged up in this way I would never be questioned. And as for throwing blame or shame on him; before he came for me this morning I knew I might have been seen and mistaken for him. No blame could come to him because I have been ready to acknowledge the facts."