“Nothing, absolutely nothing could justify Mr. Osborn. He will be dismissed immediately. But we will investigate all of the circumstances. Professor, please telephone to the officer-in-charge and direct him to get the first section in mathematics together and send them here immediately. We will wait here until they come.”
Ten minutes later the first section of ten wondering midshipmen marched into Mr. Moehler’s room.
“First section all present, sir,” reported Ralph.
“Mr. Osborn,” commenced the commandant severely, “were you the last midshipman to leave this section room half an hour ago?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Ralph, quietly wondering why the commandant should be in the room.
“Could any midshipman have gone to your board without your knowledge?”
“No, sir, none did. The section was all ahead of me as it left the room.”
“Then everything on your board when the section was leaving was your own work.”
“Yes, sir, everything.”
“Be very careful in your answer, Mr. Osborn. Is it possible that any midshipman of your section could, without your knowledge, have written anything on it?”