"Well, I really don't see how you could have helped it," agreed Midshipman Hepson after he had listened. "But that doesn't save us any. We're out our two best line players and our quarter-back." "Oh, we'll be restored to the squad as soon as the sentence has been pronounced," predicted Dan Dalzell. "Even if you're bounced out of the Naval Academy?" demanded Hepson savagely. "It--it won't be as bad as that," faltered Dan. "Perhaps not," agreed Hepson, "though you must understand that the charge of assaulting civilians is not a light matter. You can be dismissed for it, you know." "Yes," nodded Dave Darrin, and then Danny boy went several shades less ruddy. "Here's hoping for the best," grumbled Hepson, holding out his hand to each in turn. "And, for the love of Mike, keep out of all further trouble! Don't look cross-eyed--once--until after November!" CHAPTER XIV TWO SIDES OF A STORY One circumstance puzzled all of the midshipmen who first heard of the affair. The fourth, and unknown, midshipman, who had waited outside of the house and assaulted the first civilian, must have known the latter or it was not likely that he would have committed the assault. That being the case, it was just likely that the civilian knew and had recognized the unknown midshipman who had knocked him down. Such an attack must have followed some prior dispute. Then, since the civilians had undoubtedly made complaint to the Naval Academy authorities, how had they been able to get out of supplying the name of the midshipman unknown to Dave and his friends? Right after breakfast the next morning Dave Darrin and his friends of the evening before were summoned before the commandant of midshipmen. By that officer they were questioned very rigidly, but they had nothing to add to their statement of the night before. They were therefore ordered back to their quarters, with permission only to attend chapel that forenoon. Just after chapel, however, the fourth midshipman discovered himself to the officer in charge. He was Midshipman Totten, of fourth class. Totten admitted that it was he who had waited outside of the house in question, and who had knocked down the civilian. He further gave the name of that civilian, who was the son of one of the prominent officials of the state government. "Why did you strike him, Mr. Totten?" demanded the officer in charge. "Because, sir, the fellow had grossly insulted a young lady whom I felt bound to avenge." "Who is the young lady?" "Am I obliged, sir, to give her name in the matter?" "It will be better, Mr. Totten. You may be sure that your statement will be treated with all the consideration and confidence possible."