But his charges relate to eight different delinquencies, and not one of the eight accused midshipmen is in a position to act as witness for any of the other accused men." "Then what are we going to do, sir ?" "I will admit that I do not yet know," replied the superintendent.
"Some method of getting at the truth in the matter is likely to occur to us later on.

In the meantime, Graves, you will not publish any punishments for the reported delinquencies." "Very good, sir," nodded the commandant.
"Keep your wits at work for a solution of the mystery, Graves." "I will, sir." "And I will give the matter all the attention that I can," was the superintendent's last word.
If anger had been at the boiling point before, the situation was even worse now.
Page and Fenwick openly challenged Clairy to fight.

He replied, in each case, with a cool, smiling refusal.
"We've got to hold that class meeting!" growled Farley.
"Why ?" inquired Dave.

"The class can't do anything more to Clairy than has already been done.

His refusals to fight will send him to Coventry as securely as could action by all four of the classes.
No fellow here can refuse to fight, unless he couples with his refusal an offer to submit the case to his own class for action.
No one, henceforth, will have a word to say to Clairy." "Perhaps not; but I still insist that the class meeting ought to be called." This was the general sentiment among the first classmen.