diff --git a/java/wordStat/WordStatLengthMiddle.java b/java/wordStat/WordStatLengthMiddle.java
index d852c21..2d75d89 100644
--- a/java/wordStat/WordStatLengthMiddle.java
+++ b/java/wordStat/WordStatLengthMiddle.java
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ public class WordStatLengthMiddle {
           if (sb.length() > 0) {
             String word = sb.toString().toLowerCase();
             if (word.length() >= 7) {
-              word = word.substring(2, word.length() - 3); 
+              word = word.substring(3, word.length() - 3); 
               if (wordMap.containsKey(word)) {
                 wordMap.get(word).count++;
               } else {
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ public class WordStatLengthMiddle {
       if (sb.length() > 0) {
          String word = sb.toString().toLowerCase();
          if (word.length() >= 7) {
-           word = word.substring(2, word.length() - 3);
+           word = word.substring(3, word.length() - 3);
            if (wordMap.containsKey(word)) {
              wordMap.get(word).count++;
            } else {