Barney Breslin seemed to have turned at bay, for he was no longer the obsequious toady of Scott Clemmons that he had been.

What he had said, the alternative he had offered, seemed to have deeply moved Clemmons, for he now appeared more anxious-faced than did Breslin.

Thrice he essayed to speak, and each time the words failed him.

He at last sat almost helpless before the other, wishing him to break the silence.

Breslin paced up and down the room now with a calmer mien.

The man had suddenly become the master.

What hold he had upon Clemmons he gave no utterance to, but certainly he had a secret power to thus move the other as he did.

“Yes, I shall resign. I shall take my resignation over now to the commandant, for, after all I am tired of study, and I hardly think I am cut out to be a naval officer. The standard of excellence and honor are a trifle too high for me to reach—you see I confess it, Clemmons. So I’ll take a vacation, and as I have only a few dollars, I’ll call on you for a loan, you know. If you have not a large amount about you, give me an order upon your father, for I must have money, Clemmons, yes, I must have money, or——”

He paused as though hoping that Scott Clemmons would ask:

“Or what?”

But Clemmons remained silent, and with a determined look in his face, Breslin finished his sentence with the words:

“Or—you go with me, Clemmons.”

Half an hour after Barney Breslin left his room, and went to the commandant’s quarters.

He met an orderly at the door, who said politely:

“I was just going to seek you, sir, for the commandant wishes to see you.”

The next moment Breslin crossed the threshold with a look upon his face that expressed plainly his thought: “He who enters here leaves Hope behind.”

The commandant was there, and so were a number of officers, all wearing a serious look upon their faces.

Breslin saluted promptly and awaited the commandant’s pleasure.

“Mr. Breslin, I sent for you, as an occurrence in the gymnasium to-day demands a full inquiry,” said the commandant sternly.

“I was on my way here, sir, when I met your orderly. I am here now, sir, to make the statement that I was wrong, that what I meant as a joke proved serious; so serious, in fact, sir, that I hereby tender you my resignation as a cadet midshipman.”

All heard the words distinctly, and they were uttered without a tremor, though the face of the young man was very pale.

“Mr. Breslin, you will please sit down at that table and write and sign your explanation of this unfortunate affair.”

The youth obeyed, writing the same explanation he had sent through Scott Clemmons to the cadets.

The commandant read it aloud, and then said:

“This wholly exonerates Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill, as you intended it should?”

“From the charge of taking the luck coin. Yes, sir.”

“From what else do you infer that he is not exonerated, sir?” sternly asked the commandant.

“From the blow he gave me,” almost fiercely answered the youth, whose revengeful nature was now revealed in his face and words.

The commandant smiled, while he said:

“From all accounts, Mr. Breslin, you had better let well enough alone, and certainly your charge was a just provocation.”

“I never forget nor forgive an injury, sir,” said the youth in a pompous manner.

“Then my decision was a wise one, just arrived at, that you leave the Naval Academy at once.”

“And this is an acceptance of my resignation, sir?”

“On the contrary, Mr. Breslin, I decline to accept your resignation.”

“I do not quite comprehend you, sir,” faltered the young man.

“I decline your resignation, Mr. Breslin, to reserve to myself the right to dismiss you, as you richly deserved. Not only did you pilfer from the pockets of your room mate, but to hide your theft, your ignominious crime, you tried to fasten the guilt upon another, a fellow cadet. Your explanation is an awkward one, a lame one in the extreme, but it serves to exonerate Mr. Merrill, and to stamp you, under your own signature, as what you are. I shall at once send my decision to the Secretary of the Navy for his approval, and for the honor of this Naval Academy I trust that the affair will not be blazoned abroad over the land. For your own sake, you had best depart quietly from the academy, for the charge against you is a most serious one.”

The stern, indignant manner of the commandant completely cowed the disgraced youth, and he departed from the presence of his judges with a crestfallen air.

Returning to his room he found Scott Clemmons there anxiously pacing the floor.

His look questioned Breslin, who dropped into a chair with the words:

“He refused my resignation.”

“What?”

“He dismissed me.”

“And—and——”

“That is all,” said Breslin, with a reckless laugh, and Scott Clemmons gave a deep sigh of relief.