"It looks to me as though the commission alone would have to settle this matter." "I don't see how I can go behind the official documents," replied the commander as Corny presented himself at the door.
A minute later Christy appeared with his report in his hand, and both of them were presented to the captain.

The handwriting was as different as possible in the two papers.

Corny's was in a large, coarse hand, but it was a fair copy, while Christy's contained several corrections and inter-lineations.

No one could recognize the writing of either of the claimants, and the documents proved nothing at all.

The captain was evidently weary of the investigation, and nothing but the commission seemed to throw any reliable light upon the claim of either one or the other.
"Any further questions, Mr.Salisbury ?" asked the captain, bestowing a bored look upon the executive officer.
"Nothing more, Captain Battleton." "Dr.Connelly ?" "Nothing, captain." "Now, gentlemen, I will thank you to retire to the ward room, and I will send for you to hear my decision," continued the commander, and the cousins retired together, and both of them appeared to be as good-natured as though they were in perfect accord on the question in dispute.
"What is your opinion, Mr.Salisbury ?" asked the captain, when the claimants had retired, careful not to indicate his own conclusion.
"While I acknowledge that I am somewhat prepossessed in favor of the Lieutenant Passford who came on board this morning, I do not think he has established his claim to be the true Lieutenant Christopher Passford.