“A cadet,” he called, in answer to the sentry’s challenge.

The sentry halted.

“Advance, cadet, to be recognized,” he commanded.

Prescott came to a halt not far from the sentry.

Slowly, with evident reluctance, the figure moved forward.

“Mr. Jordan!” called Prescott, in considerable amazement.

“Yes, sir,” admitted Jordan huskily.

Now, Dick had every reason in the world for not wanting to report this cadet again, but duty is and must be duty, in the Army.

“Mr. Jordan, you are under orders of confinement to the company street,” cried Dick sternly.

“Yes, sir.”

“And yet you are found outside of camp limits?  Have you any explanation to offer, sir?”

“I was nervous, sir,” replied Jordan, “and couldn’t sleep.  So I slipped out past the guard line to enjoy a quieting smoke.”

“Smoking causes vastly more nervousness than it ever remedies, Mr. Jordan,” replied the young cadet captain.  “Have you any additional explanation or excuse for being outside the company street?”

“No, sir.”

“Then return to your tent, sir.”

“I—–­I suppose you are going to report this, Mr. Prescott?” asked the other first classman.

“I have no alternative,” Dick answered.  “You are under confinement to the company street; you have made a breach of confinement, and I am your company commander.”

“Very good, sir.”

Jordan stiffened up, saluted, then passed on across the guard line, making for the street of A company.

Dick turned back, more slowly, a thoughtful frown gathering on his fine face, while the yearling sentry was muttering to himself: 

“Great Caesar, but Prescott surely has put both feet in it.  He reports a fellow classman for a little thing like a late smoke, and the man reported will be doomed to go into close arrest!  Glad I’m not Prescott!”

It would be untruthful to deny that Dick Prescott was worried; nevertheless, he made his way briskly to the tent of the O.C.

“Jove, what luck!” chuckled Jordan tremulously, as he hastened along the street of A company to his tent.  “Of course I’ll be in for all sorts of penalties, and I’ll have to be mighty good, after this, to keep within safe limits on demerits.  But I have Prescott just where I want the insolent puppy!  The class, this evening, was much in doubt about giving him the silence.  But flow!  When he has gone out of his way to catch me in such an innocent little breach of con.!  Whew!  But my lucky star is surely at the top of the sky to-night.”

Cadet Jordan was soon tucked in under his bed cover.  He had not fallen asleep, however, when he heard a step coming down the street.

Dick had chanced to find the O.C. still up.  In a few words Prescott made his report.

“This is a very serious report against a first classman, Mr. Prescott,” said kind-hearted Lieutenant Denton gravely.  “It is most unfortunate for Mr. Jordan that he has not a better excuse.  You will go to Mr. Jordan’s tent, Mr. Prescott, and direct him to remain in his tent, in close arrest, until he hears as to the further disposition of his case by the commandant of cadets.”