"No charge has been made against you—yet," replied the Congressman.
"I should have said a suspicion," replied Rhinds, tremulously.
"That suspicion seems to be pretty general," answered the member of
Congress. "Have you anything to smoke here?"
Rhinds, with an almost childish eagerness, brought forth a box of cigars, adding:
"I'll ring and order breakfast served for you here, while we talk."
"Thank you, no," responded the Congressman. "I've got to move fast to-day, for I can't spend much time here. I suppose you don't know, yet, that Admiral Townsley is here—sent by the Secretary of the Navy to investigate and report on this matter."
"You'll see him—you'll make him understand, won't you?" demanded
Rhinds, eagerly.
"You can't make Townsley understand anything but facts," replied Mr. Simms, dryly. "I know the man. He's a hard-headed truth-seeker. You see, Rhinds, when I received your telegram, I hurried over to the Navy Department to say what I could for you. The Secretary told me that of course he didn't want you injured by any unjust suspicions."
"Of course not," quivered Rhinds.
"At the same time the Secretary made it plain to me that public sentiment demands that the whole case be brought past the suspicion stage. He advised me to come down here with Townsley, and see, for myself, just what I ought to believe."