The commandant was furious; Frank Stonewell was cool and entirely self-possessed and not at all intimidated. None of the others present attempted to say a word. Robert Drake listened with absorbing interest. A great load had been lifted from him, and in spite of his own unfortunate position great happiness had suddenly come to him in the knowledge that John Stonewell's character was as clean and true as he had always believed it to be.
"If you have cleared your brother, Mr. Frank Stonewell, there is one person you cannot clear, and that is the contemptible midshipman who was with you," vehemently exclaimed the commandant.
Frank Stonewell was silent.
"Do you deny, sir, that a midshipman accompanied you last night?"
"I will answer only such questions as concern myself," replied Frank decidedly.
"I know your companion, sir, and I'll show him to you." And turning abruptly toward Harry Blunt he exclaimed, "Come over here, and let Mr. Frank Stonewell look at you."
As Frank looked up into Harry Blunt's face, he said coolly enough, "Who are you?"
"Who is he?" almost shouted Commander Dalton. "Do you mean to say you don't know who he is?"
"I never saw him before in my life. What has he to do with this matter?"
"He's Harry, the Harry you spoke to last night."