But there was little time for thought.  Once inside, they were ushered, by a white-gloved midshipman, into the office of Commander Jephson, commandant of midshipmen.

That gentleman, also in uniform, as were all Navy officers on duty at the Academy, looked briefly as the two young men stood before him.

“Candidates, gentlemen?”

“Yes, sir,” replied Dave.

“Your orders?”

Each young man handed over the slip given him by the aide.  Commander Jephson scanned each sheet closely, then made some entries on a set of papers of his own.

Next the commandant touched a button on his desk.  Almost immediately footsteps were heard outside.  Another white-gloved midshipman entered, raising his hand smartly to his cap in salute.  This salute the commandant acknowledged in kind.

“Mr. Salisbury, conduct Candidates Darrin and Dalzell outside.  Ascertain how soon the surgeons will be ready to examine them, and conduct the candidates to the Board Room at the time assigned for their examination.”

“Very good, sir,” replied Midshipman Salisbury, in measured tones.  Again the inter-change of salutes, after which Midshipman Salisbury led Dave and Dan to an outer office.

“Wait here,” directed the midshipman briefly, “I’ll let you know when it’s time to go to the Board Room.”

Five minutes later the midshipman again approached them.

By this time there were seven more candidates in the room.  The aide to the superintendent and the commandant were passing the young men quickly through the mill.

“Mr. Darrin, Mr. Dalzell!” called the midshipman master of ceremonies.  As Dave and Dan started to their feet their conductor added: 

“Follow me to the Board Room.”

Down the corridor and into the Board Room the two chums were led.  There, awaiting them, they found three Naval medical officers, all in their proper uniform and one of them seated at a desk.

“Strip, with the least delay possible,” ordered the senior surgeon.

In a very short space of time Dave and Dan stood forth, minus clothes and, it must be confessed, both very nervous as to what these medical men might or might not find.

Thorough, indeed, was the examination, which began with the heart.  But it went much further, including the hair, scalp, eyes, teeth, the condition of the tonsils, the appearance of the tongue, and so on, by regular stages, down to the soles of their feet.

“If there’s a square quarter of an inch these fellows have missed, I didn’t notice it,” muttered Dan to himself.

“You may dress, Mr. Darrin,” announced the senior surgeon, and Dave went to the chair on which his clothing lay.

“Mr. Dalzell, come here a moment”

Dan began to feel queer.  What had they missed?  On what point was his physical condition doubtful?

“Open your mouth,” directed one of the surgeons.