Many times during the long weeks that Ralph Osborn spent in the hospital did the young man’s heart well up with gratitude for Collins’ devoted bravery. “I never could have gotten out,” he said over and over again. He wrote to Collins a letter full of feeling, though the words looked cold and lifeless to him. It was as follows:

Ralph heard from Collins as follows:

A glow of warm feeling filled Ralph’s heart as he read this letter; it was indeed pleasing to believe he had been helpful to Collins, had influenced him to his own good; but that the direct result of his influence upon Collins should have saved his own life was a remarkable reward, for Ralph had no idea that he would ever have left that fire room alive had it not been for Collins.

The days in the hospital were long; September days came and Ralph, though mending rapidly, was still kept in bed; he grew very restive, thinking of his classmates enjoying their month’s vacation, and as he grew better daily he became impatient. Finally he was discharged from the hospital and was sent to Annapolis, arriving there September 28th; two days later the midshipmen were all back, and enthusiastic were the greetings Ralph received from his classmates and other midshipmen he knew, and it did seem so good to him to be once more with these friends.

Though Ralph was restored to health he was ordered to be excused from drills, and directed to take part in no violent physical exercise. This was a disappointment, as he intended to go into athletics, and the idea of trying for the football squad was very attractive to him.

Ralph plunged into his studies with great zest; he determined to do better in French and felt confident that hard work in mathematics would keep him high up in the class in that branch. The first term took up the study of conic sections, and Ralph reveled in these subjects, and at the end of October his class standing in this all-important department was number one. Himski was number two, Bollup number three and Creelton number four.

“Confound it, Os,” remarked Bollup as they were standing around the bulletin, “I worked hard last month in math and made as good recitations as you did, but you knocked a 4 on the exam. Now what chance has a fellow if you’re going to do that right along? Let up on it, old chap, won’t you?” The kindly twinkle in Bollup’s eye didn’t look as if he felt badly that Ralph had beaten him. “Say, Os,” he continued, “we’re going to elect class officers next week; you’ve heard the fellows talking about it, haven’t you?”

“Oh, yes; Creelton seems much interested, but I haven’t taken very much interest in the subject. It doesn’t make a great deal of difference who is elected; they’re sure to be good fellows.”

“Yes it does; the class president is frequently in consultation with the commandant and he ought to be a man who can represent the class feeling. Some good fellows get scared when they get into the commandant’s office. Now we want a man who can talk to the commandant without losing his nerve, and you’re just the man. Several of us have talked this over and we’re going to run you for it.”

“That’s awfully kind, old chap, but I’m not at all the man you want, and besides nothing whatever could induce me to accept if I were elected.”

“Why not? what’s your reason?” asked Bollup in blank surprise.

“Until this thieving business is cleared up I don’t want any more prominence than I can help.”

“Pshaw, there isn’t a soul that connects you with that—and people have forgotten about it; now don’t let that bother you any.”

“Bollup, I have had repeated things happen that prove beyond a doubt that some one here is determined to injure me. I can’t even imagine who it can be—now that Short is not here. My reason may be a poor one, but all the same I would not accept a class office. But I’m much obliged, all the same, old fellow.”

“Who do you think would make a good class president?” continued Bollup.

“I’m going to vote for Himski. I’m sure he’d be a good one.”

“I believe he would,” agreed Bollup. “Now if you don’t want it, suppose we electioneer for Himski. He’s a fine fellow; there isn’t a better man in the class. We’ll have a surprise party for him next week. He is working for you, thinks you’re sure to be elected president. Now we won’t say a word to him and we’ll keep him in the dark. It’ll be a regular joke.” And Bollup laughed heartily at the surprise he conjured in his mind that was to happen to his own roommate.

“By the way, Os, have you heard that both the superintendent and commandant are detached?”

“No; by George, I’m sorry!” And Ralph looked the dismay he felt. “They were my protectors; I have felt safe with them here; are you sure they are going to leave?”

“Yes, their orders have come and I suppose they will leave immediately. The admiral goes to command the Pacific Squadron and the commandant is ordered to command the cruiser Albany.”

“I am indeed sorry to hear that; I fear that something bad may happen to me, and the new commandant won’t know about what has already occurred.”

“Don’t worry, Os,” said Bollup affectionately, laying his arm on Ralph’s shoulder; “we’ll look out for you, and if anything should happen we’ll let the new commandant know what has gone on before.”

On a Saturday night, a week later, a meeting of the third class was called in the reading-room for the purpose of electing class officers. The third classmen went to the hall immediately after supper. Bollup elected himself temporary spokesman, and said: “We’re here to elect class officers. I move that Himski be made temporary chairman until the ballots are cast.”

“Second the motion,” called out Ralph. The motion was unanimously carried, and Himski, to his great surprise, took charge of the meeting. “I see my good friend Bollup has caught you unawares,” he said. “I imagine if Bollup had nominated the man in the moon you’d have elected him.”

“Right you are, old man,” called out Streeter, provoking much laughter from the youths present, all of whom were in the mood for fun.

“Nominating speeches for class president are in order,” said Himski.

“We don’t want any nominating speeches; let’s vote,” shouted Creelton. “We know whom we want for president, so pass around the ballots.”

Himski looked pleased. He had been conducting a vigorous campaign for Ralph and every one had seemingly assented. In fact a very complete secret canvas had been going on for Himski, of which the latter was in entire ignorance. So Himski, thinking that Ralph had been settled on by all for class president, was delighted with what he believed to be the success of his electioneering. The votes were cast and the ballots were quickly collected and then counted by tellers, of whom Bollup was one.

“I’m ready to announce the result of the election,” called out Bollup in a few minutes.

“Order, order,” shouted Himski. “Now, Mr. Bollup, we’ll go through the form of hearing your report, though I guess we all know who’s been elected.” And Himski smiled in a superior way, though he was perplexed at the shout of laughter that greeted his words.

“Here it is,” cried Bollup. “For class president, Osborn,—one—— Say, Os, did you vote for yourself?”

A look of amazement spread over Himski’s face.

“For Himskihumskonski,” continued Bollup, “ninety-one—— Look here, Os, you’ve a chance to do the right thing and move the vote be made unanimous.”

A shout of laughter went up.

Himski was stupefied with surprise. “I voted for Os,” he said in a feeble, bewildered way; “I thought we were all going to; I had no idea any one was going to vote for me.”

All laughed, well pleased with the completeness of the surprise. Himski had the good-will and entire respect of all of his classmates, and after he had been suggested for the class presidency it seemed natural for everybody to vote for him.

“Fellows,” said Himski, his fine features quivering with mingled emotions, “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the compliment you have paid me; and it is such a surprise. I thank you; but frankly I don’t think I should permit you to do this——”

“Why not? Why not?” rang out from all parts of the room.

“To begin with, my name, though I am proud of it, is frightfully long and——”

“Sir,” cried Bollup, “I move that the sentiment of the class is that though each of the five syllables that go to make up our honored president’s name is in itself noble, euphonious and beautiful, yet the name is too long; I move that the class, by Himski’s consent, cuts off the last three syllables.”

“You have already done that,” said Himski smiling.

“Now, classmates,” continued Bollup, “this should be made official. And I also move that the last three syllables of his first name be dropped. His name is ostensibly Jacob, but in reality it is Jacobowbenski——” Here a roar of laughter burst from the midshipmen, and Bollup sat down.

“I am certainly Himski to everybody at the Academy,” said that young man, “and there’s no need of ever calling me anything else. Now, fellows, I’m going to ask you to reconsider your vote.”

“No, no, you’re the man, Himski. You’ll do,” was cried out by different third classmen.

Streeter was elected vice-president and Warren secretary.

Creelton got up and clamored for recognition, and then said: “Fellows, there’s always a row here about duty. When we’re section leaders marching through the yard, we are supposed to report any talking in our sections and any straggling, or other infractions. And when we are on duty as assistants to midshipmen in charge of floors we are supposed to report any violations we see, whether they are committed by classmates or not. Now I think it would be a fine thing for our class to make a stand, to resolve to do our duty as it is expected of us, to make reports no matter who is the man reported, to——”

“Oh, choke him off; sit down; give us a rest——” and all manner of cries good-humoredly assailed Creelton, who was entirely discomfited and sat down without further remark.

Ralph jumped to his feet. “Mr. President,” he called out.

“Mr. Osborn has the floor,” announced Himski.

“Classmates, there isn’t any need of Creelton’s motion. A matter of how duty should be done can hardly be settled by a class. It must come to be done as a matter of education. A third classman does not do his duty ordinarily as well as a first classman, because the latter is better educated as to what duty in the Navy means. We’ll progress in this and other things as we get higher up. This matter of being a crank on duty and making a lot of reports generally ends in bad feeling. If I were to make a motion on this subject I would move that the third class will do the best it can and that it hopes constantly to do better. I’ve no fear of our class; it will do just as well as its predecessors. But I have the following motion to propose:

“Resolved, should any member of our class know of any midshipman in the Academy lying or doing any dishonorable thing whatsoever, such an offense will be immediately reported to the class or to the authorities.”

“I second Osborn’s resolution,” rang Bollup’s clear voice. “The honor system has always held at our Academy and our class should put itself on record just as each preceding third class has done.” This resolution was unanimously carried.

Warren then got up and said: “Fellows, I’m sorry to tell you that between three and six o’clock this afternoon my diamond ring was stolen from the drawer of my table where I had left it. I can’t imagine who the thief could be, and I don’t know, and hate to believe a midshipman could be a thief. I haven’t been able to discover any evidence whatever, and——”

“Sir,” shouted Ralph passionately, “the thief, whoever he may be, has got busy again. That ring will probably be found in my wardrobe, or in my drawer. Repeated efforts have been made to injure me, to fasten some dishonorable act on me. You all know that. And now that we have a new superintendent and new commandant the thing is started up again. Now I insist you appoint a committee to search my room. I must have protection by my classmates.”

Himski utterly refused to entertain this motion, and then walked over to Ralph and said: “Os, we’ll do this for you quietly, but not as a class matter.”

A few more class affairs were discussed and the meeting then adjourned. Himski, Bollup, Creelton and Ralph then went directly to the latter’s room and a most complete search was made, but no ring was found. This relieved Ralph somewhat, but he was still very uneasy in mind as he felt that his hidden mysterious enemy had once more become active.