At the forward end of the car was a small compartment set apart for the use of smokers Dave and Dan did not smoke; they had take seats in this compartment because they wished to be alone.

“You asked me to let you know when we got near Annapolis, gentlemen,” announced the conductor, a cheery-faced young man, thrusting his head in.  “There is the town right ahead of you.”

“You said that you go by the hotel, I think?” Dave asked.

“I’ll stop and call the hotel,” replied the conductor.  “We’ll be there in less than two minutes.”

It was a quaint, old-fashioned, very pretty southern town that the car now entered.

“I’ll bet they’re a thousand years behind the times here,” sighed Dalzell, as they gazed about them.

“Not at the Naval Academy, anyway,” retorted Dave Darrin.

“Oh, of course not,” Dan made haste to agree.

The car passed an imposing-looking brick building that housed the post-office, then sped along past the handsome, dignified old residence of the Governor of Maryland.  Up on a hill at their left the State Capitol stood out.  Then the car bell clanged, and the car stopped.

“Maryland Hotel!” called the conductor.

Dave and Dan caught up their suit cases and descended from the car.  At their right, the found the steps leading to the porch of the roomy old hotel.  In another moment they were in the office, registering.

“You want a room together, gentlemen?” asked the clerk.

“Surely,” retorted Dan.  “My friend is always afraid when the gas is turned off.  My presence quiets him.”

“Pardon me, gentlemen, but are you on your way to the Naval Academy?” queried the clerk.

“Yes,” nodded Dave quietly.

“Then you will want a room with bath, of course.  You’ll have to strip before the medical examiners tomorrow.

“A room with bath, of course,” assented Dan.  “I never have stopped at a hotel without a bathroom.”

Dan didn’t mention that this was the first time he had ever stopped at a hotel in his short life.

“Front!” called the clerk.

A small black boy in knee trousers came forward, picked up their suit cases and led the way to the next floor.

“My!  I wonder who else is expected,” muttered Dalzell, as the two young travelers found themselves in their room after the boy had left them.

It was an enormous room, and the three beds in it did not crowd the apartment in the least.  All the furniture was of a massive and old-fashioned pattern.

A few minutes later, with face and hands washed—­clean collars, clothes neatly brushed, the two clear-eyed, manly-looking young fellows returned to the first floor.

“I suppose this hotel is full of young men like ourselves, wondering what tomorrow will bring them, when they get before the sawbones,” muttered Dan.

“Candidates, like ourselves, you mean?” suggested Darrin.  “We’ll inquire.”  With that, he approached the clerk and made the inquiry.