“I told him that I had no claim to it, as Breslin had stolen it from him and slipped it into my pocket, a fact corroborated by Cadets Dillingham and Nazro.”

“And he attacked you?”

“Yes, sir, and I knocked him down.”

“And then?”

“He arose and rushed upon me again.”

“No one interfered?”

“Yes, sir; but his movements were very quick, and——”

“Contrary to his usual manner,” dryly said the commandant.

“As he rushed upon me a second time, sir, some one struck my hand upward, and he grasped me, so I had to throw him, and I did so with a force which I intended should prevent a continuance of the fracas.”

“Then you acted only in self-defense?”