I held our door very slightly ajar, and stood in such a position that I could glance down the corridor and keep Mr.Darrin's room door constantly within my range of vision." "As a matter of vital fact, Mr.Farley," interrupted the commandant of midshipmen, "did you at any time relax such vigilance, even for a few seconds ?" "Not even for a few seconds, sir." "After the inspection that Mr.Page and yourself made, who was the first person that you saw enter Mr.Darrin's room ?" "Mr.Henkel! "Was he Alone ?" "Yes, sir." "Did you then immediately send Mr Page to the officer in charge ?" "I did, sir." "And yourself ?" "Without allowing my glance to turn from Mr.Darrin's door, sir, I stepped out into the corridor, walked close to Mr.Darrin's room door, and then stood there until Lieutenant Nettleson and Mr.
Hawkins arrived." "Then, Mr.Farley, you are certain that there was no disorder in Mr.Darrin's room at the time when he and Mr.Dalzell left to recite in mathematics?
"I am absolutely positive, sir." "And you are also certain that none but Mr.Henkel entered that room up to the time when the disorder was discovered by Lieutenant Nettleson ?" "I am certain, sir." Midshipman Page was then questioned.

He bore out the testimony just given by Farley in every particular.
The manner of the commandant of midshipmen was still gentle when he turned again to Henkel.
"Mr.Henkel, do you wish to modify your previous statements in any way ?" "No, sir," replied Henkel.

"In all my answers I have told the whole and exact truth, as I know it.

I am eager, sir, to answer any further questions that you may wish to put to me on the subject." "Gentlemen, you may all withdraw, save Lieutenant Nettleson and Mr.Henkel," announced the commandant, after a few moments of seemingly mild thought.

"Mr.Hawkins, of course you understand that what you know of this matter you know officially, and that you are not to mention or discuss it until such time as official action shall have been taken.