“Why do you ask for the papers marked 155?” inquired the superintendent.
“That was the number of the desk nearest my own, the desk just behind
mine,” explained Ralph.
“Did you have any conversation with the candidate at desk number 155?
Was there anything in his manner, or did he do anything that now leads
you to believe he might have exchanged his papers for yours?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What was it, please? Tell all the circumstances.”
“Soon after I commenced my work last Monday morning,” began Ralph, “my
attention was attracted by a noise of heavy breathing, and I heard some
whispered swearing. I turned around. The candidate behind me looked
wild with anger. Then he whispered to me to let him have my sheets as I
finished with them, to compare the answers, he said, but I wouldn’t do
it. Then a little later he kicked my chair and whispered to me that he
would give me one hundred dollars if I would give him my papers.”
“What did you say to that?”
“I called him a scoundrel and asked him what he paid for the
examination he had had stolen, and told him if he said anything more to
me I would report him.”
“You should have done so anyway, Mr. Osborn.”
“Yes, sir, I know I should, but I was thinking of nothing but my
examination.”
“Do you know the candidate’s name?”
“I think it’s Short, sir; I don’t know anything about him except I have
heard people say he is a millionaire.”
“Mr. Osborn, please sit down at that desk and write a complete
statement of what you have just told me.” And calling his aide, he
directed that all of the entrance examination papers of Candidates
Short and Osborn be brought to him. “Did Mr. Short pass the other
examinations?” he asked.
“Yes, sir,” replied the professor, “and he was sworn in as a midshipman
and is now aboard the _Santee_.”
“Send for Mr. Short,” directed the superintendent.
By the time Ralph had finished writing the statement required, the
examination papers which the superintendent had sent for were brought
to the office.
“Here are Mr. Short’s mathematical papers, admiral,” remarked the
professor. “He did very well indeed; he made 3.63.”
“May I look at those papers, sir?” asked Ralph, eagerly. He took but
one rapid glance at them, and then said simply, but with glistening
eyes: “That is my work, sir; I left those papers on my desk. Each sheet
was marked 153 when I left the room.”
“They are marked 155, sir,” said the professor.
“Will you please see if the last figure on each sheet does not look as
though it had been erased?” asked Ralph.
The superintendent took the sheets, and without remark, deliberately
examined each number with a magnifying glass. Then he said slowly:
“Professor, the last figure of the number 155 shows evidence on each
sheet of having been erased. There is no doubt whatever of this fact.
And on some of the pages you can plainly see that the figure 3 was
erased and made into a 5. See for yourself.”
“This is unquestionably so,” remarked the professor, after deliberate
scrutiny.
“Now compare these papers,” continued the superintendent, “with the
examinations in the other subjects; they are all here, I believe.”
The two officers were much interested. After a few moments, the admiral
said: “It is certain that the mathematical papers marked 155 were
written by the same person who wrote these papers on my left hand. Now
we’ll see who are credited with having written these respective piles.”
It was soon evident to whom the respective piles belonged, and the
superintendent, turning to Ralph, said, “Mr. Osborn, there isn’t
a doubt but what you are entitled to 3.63 on your examination in
mathematics; and it is certain that Mr. Short should have received the
nine-tenths. But I’ll make a further test. Professor, please send for
the officer who was in the examination room when these young men were
examined.”
“Yes, sir. It was Lieutenant Brooks; I’ll have him here in a moment.”
Before long Lieutenant Brooks appeared in the superintendent’s office:
and a moment later the orderly came in, saluted, and said: “Sir, there
be a new midshipman, Mr. Short, sir, who says he was directed to report
to you.”
“Show him in immediately.”
Short entered, dressed in civilian’s clothes and midshipman cap. On
seeing Ralph he gave a start and turned pale, and seemed to tremble.
“Are you Midshipman Short?” demanded the superintendent.
“Yes, sir.”
“Mr. Brooks, have you ever seen this midshipman before?”
Lieutenant Brooks looked intently at the young man. Then he said: “Yes,
sir, I remember that half an hour before his examination in mathematics
had finished, last Monday, he came up to me with his papers and asked
me if he should sign his name. I told him no; there was really no need
whatever for his question; full instructions had been given.”
“Thank you; that’s all, Mr. Brooks. Now, professor, you will take these
two young men and give them immediately the same examination they had
last Monday, and when they have finished, bring the papers to me.”
Ralph was exultantly happy. Terror was exhibited in every feature
of Short’s face; he was nervous and frightened, and hesitation and
uncertainty were in every motion he made.
“Wh--wh--what’s the matter, sir?” he faltered. “I--I have finished my
examination in mathematics; I made 3.63, sir.”
“Which is your paper, sir?” demanded the superintendent, “this numbered
153, or this numbered 155?”
“This, this one, sir,” indicating the latter.
“Then will you please tell me why the number 155 bears evidence of
erasure on every sheet? And can you explain why the handwriting of the
papers marked with your number and which you claim as your own, should
be in such utterly different handwriting from that of your papers in
geography, grammar and history? Are not these your papers, sir?” And
the superintendent handed him the mathematical papers marked 153, for
which Ralph Osborn had received the mark of nine-tenths. “These papers
are certainly in the exact handwriting of your papers in the other
subjects, and yet they are charged against Mr. Osborn.”
Short was unable to speak, and he stood before the superintendent
awkward and abashed. He dared not, could not answer.
“Professor,” continued the superintendent, “start these two young men
on this same examination immediately; take them into the board room
across the hall.”
Ralph started in vigorously with exuberant joy in his heart. Having
once worked the questions they were now doubly easy; and he figured
away with enthusiasm.
Short fidgeted about in a most unhappy way. In a little over two hours
Ralph reported he had finished. The professor took his papers to the
superintendent’s office where they were compared with the papers marked
155.
“Professor, there is not the slightest doubt but young Short handed
in Mr. Osborn’s paper as his own. It is certainly fortunate that this
young villain’s naval career has been nipped early. But get his papers
and we’ll compare what he has done with the papers that were accredited
to Mr. Osborn.”
In a few moments Short was called into the superintendent’s office.
“You have done a low, dastardly act,” exclaimed the superintendent, as
soon as he had entered; “you are a thief. Before I leave my office
to-night I shall recommend your dismissal to the Secretary of the Navy.”
“I will resign, sir.”
“Indeed you’ll not resign. You will be dishonorably dismissed. I have
given orders you are to be kept in close confinement until word of your
dismissal comes from Washington. I now am certain that you are the
scoundrel who stole the examination questions in mathematics.” Then
turning to a midshipman who was now in his office, he continued, “Are
you the midshipman officer of the day?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Mr. Short is in arrest. You will march him to quarters and deliver him
to the officer in charge.”
“Aye, aye, sir. Come along, Mr. Short.”
They marched out, Mr. Short presenting a most crestfallen, contemptible
figure.
“Now, professor, I’ll call a special meeting of the Academic Board,”
said the superintendent, “at ten o’clock to-morrow morning and
we’ll make a midshipman out of Mr. Osborn. Good-night, Mr. Osborn;
I congratulate you. If you pass your physical examination to-morrow
you’ll be a midshipman before twenty-four hours have passed.”
“Good-night, sir, and thank you so much for everything,” replied Ralph,
picking up his hat and leaving the office, probably as happy a young
man as Annapolis has ever seen.
His feelings were much to be envied that night. He had passed through a
most anxious time with defeat staring him in the face, but had emerged
triumphantly successful.
By noon the next day he had passed the severe physical test which all
candidates to Annapolis undergo, and had been sworn in as a midshipman,
and was happily walking about the decks of the old _Santee_ where
the enlisted men employed at the Naval Academy and recently sworn-in
midshipmen are quartered, feeling that the most glorious thing was to
be a midshipman in the Navy.
Mere words are incapable of expressing Short’s state of mind. Wild rage
possessed him. Bitter hatred against Ralph Osborn filled his heart,
enveloped his whole being. After the examinations had been completed
he had been somewhat nervous, but became reassured when he heard that
Ralph had suddenly left town that Wednesday evening. And as Short’s
name was reported as having passed and he was sworn-in as a midshipman,
he soon became confident that his cheating would never become known.
He was feeling particularly pleased with himself at the instant he was
directed to report to the superintendent. He was somewhat uneasy when
these summons came, yet could not believe he had been found out.
And what a difference on his return! Black, wicked passion so possessed
him that all other feelings were driven from his mind.
Upon his return to the _Santee_ he was informed he was to be kept in
close arrest until further orders, and was to hold no communication
with other midshipmen.
A little before nine that night while Short was brooding and planning
schemes for revenge against Ralph Osborn, a midshipman passed near and
whispered: “What’s the matter, Short?”
“I want to talk with you,” replied Short. “Be at the forward gun-port
on the starboard side at about eleven o’clock to-night.”
“I can’t. No one is allowed to speak to you. I’d get into trouble if I
did.”
“You’ll get into more trouble if you don’t,” whispered Short. “You will
be there to-night or you’ll be in the Annapolis jail to-morrow; take
your choice,” and Short turned away.
At ten o’clock taps were rung out by the bugler, and the new midshipmen
turned into their hammocks. Soon after all lights were put out and
everything was quiet aboard the _Santee_. At eleven o’clock two dark
forms quietly slipped out of their hammocks and crept to an open
gun-port. Here they had a whispered conversation that lasted till after
midnight. Then one handed the other a roll of bills; the latter said:
“Thank you, Short; you may depend upon me. I understand what you want
done and I’ll do it. I’m glad you’ve given me more than one year. He
would feel it much worse four years from now than he would to-day.”
“I suppose so,” grumbled Short. “He’s the superintendent’s white-haired
boy now and it would be useless to try anything just at present. But
mind you, if you let up on him when the time comes, or play me false,
I’ll have you landed in jail as sure as my name is Short. Have no false
notions on that subject.”
“All right, Short, I’ll remember; you need have no fear of me. I guess
everything is understood, so good-night.”
They separated, and each returned to his hammock.
Three days later, at dinner formation, Midshipman Short was directed to
stand in front of his classmates. Then the acting cadet officer, who
mustered the new midshipmen at all formations, himself one who had been
turned back into this class, read the following order which was signed
by the Secretary of the Navy.
“_Order_.
“For having been guilty of the most dishonorable, contemptible
action, for being in effect a thief, thereby proving himself to be
unfit for any decent association, Midshipman Thomas G. Short is
hereby dishonorably dismissed from the Naval Academy and the naval
service. Two hours after the publication of this order he will be
marched to the Naval Academy gate, and hereafter he will never be
permitted to enter the Naval Academy grounds.”
Astonishment was depicted on the faces of most of Short’s erstwhile
classmates, for though much speculation had been indulged in as to the
nature of Short’s trouble, the exact facts had not been divulged and
were known to but few people at the Naval Academy.