"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. The officer in charge sent for me, to impart some information that I am requested to repeat before this meeting." "Go on!" cried several curious voices when Dave paused for a moment. "Fellows, I hate to tell you the news, and you will all be extremely sorry to hear it. You will be glad, however, that you did not pass the motion now before the class. Mr. President, I have to report, at the request of the officer in charge, the facts in Mr. Clairy's case. "From the peculiar nature of the case both the superintendent and the commandant of midshipmen were convinced that there was something radically wrong with Mr. Clairy." "Humph! I should say so!" uttered Penwick, with emphasis. "Mr. Clairy was not at our mess at supper," resumed Dave Darrin, "for the very simple reason that he had been taken to hospital. There he was examined by three surgeons, assisted by an outside specialist. Mr. President and classmates, I know you will all feel heartily sorry for Clairy when I inform you that he has been pronounced insane." Dave ceased speaking, and an awed silence prevailed. It was the chair who first recovered his poise. "Clairy insane!" cried the class president. "Gentlemen, now we comprehend what, before, it was impossible to understand." In the face of this sudden blow to a classmate all the midshipmen sat for a few minutes more as if stunned. Then they began to glance about at each other. "I think this event must convince us, sir," Darrin's voice broke in, "that we young men don't know everything, and that we should learn to wait for facts before we judge swiftly." "Mr. President!" It was Gosman, on his feet. In a husky voice that midshipman begged the consent of his seconders for his withdrawing the motion he had offered sending Midshipman Clairy to Coventry. In a twinkling that motion had been withdrawn.