Tossing the hat and beard to one side Frank Stonewell laughed and said: "It was the beard and hat that were recognized, not your son, sir." Hardly had he spoken when the door of the commandant's office opened, and a midshipman entered unannounced. "What is it, sir? Why do you enter my office without permission?" inquired the commandant. "I think I'm needed in this investigation, sir," replied the midshipman, a tall, broad-shouldered young man, athletic of build, of rather pleasant features, and with stern resolution written in his face. "I am Midshipman Bligh of the fourth class." CHAPTER XXVII ROBERT FINALLY ANSWERS "What is it, sir?" demanded the commandant, sternly, of Midshipman Bligh. The latter hesitated for a moment, as if uncertain how best to express himself. "I--I--have heard that some--that some civilian clothing and a false beard were found in Mr. Blunt's room this morning--I learned Mr. Blunt was in your office--and a little while ago I saw Mr. Frank Stonewell come into the building with his brother. I have thought that perhaps Mr. Blunt is charged with having used that disguise last night; is that so, sir?" "It is; what do you know about the affair, sir?" returned the commandant, looking fixedly at Bligh, while Frank Stonewell regarded him with friendly approval in his expressive face. "Mr. Blunt is not guilty, sir. I was in possession last night of the things found this morning in his room." "And did you accompany Mr. Frank Stonewell in an attempt to steal the examination last night, sir?" "I am guilty of having made that attempt, sir." "Mr. Blunt is also charged with being the person who proposed the three groans for the superintendent and commandant. Were you guilty of that, too, sir?" "I was, sir." When Bligh said this Captain Blunt was undoubtedly the happiest person in the room; he seemed to relax from the strain and tension he had been on for the past hour; and it is likely that a more crestfallen young man than Robert Drake would have been hard to find. Relieved as the latter was, he felt abjectly foolish. He had made a most needless sacrifice; he had jumped to conclusions and had been entirely wrong. The commandant was silent for a few moments, apparently lost in thought. He finally remarked: "Mr. Bligh, do you know that this confession of yours will cause your dismissal from the Naval Academy?" "Yes, sir," replied Bligh, simply. "I suppose that you do this to save Mr. Blunt; was this your reason?"