“Don’t say a word!  Let me reach my room!” whispered Durville hoarsely.

Dick Prescott wished, with all his heart, to be able to comply with the other cadet’s frenzied request.

But duty stepped in with loud voice.  As a cadet officer, as captain of Durville’s company, Prescott had no alternative within the lines of that duty.  He must report Cadet Durville.

“Now, don’t look at me so strangely,” begged Durville.  “Let me go by, and tell me you’ll keep this quiet.  By Jove, Prescott, you know what it means to me if I’m placed on report for—–­this!”

“Yes, I know,” nodded Dick, dejectedly, and speaking as hoarsely
as did the other man.   “Oh, Durville, I wish I could do it, but-----”

Dick had to clench his fists and gulp hard.  Then the soldier in him triumphed.

“Mr. Durville”—–­he spoke in an impassive official tone, now—–­“you will accompany me to the office of the officer in charge, and will there make such official explanation as you may choose.”

“Prescott, for the love of-----” began the other over again, in
trembling desperation.

“About face, Mr. Durville.  Forward!”

Now, all the gameness in the other cadet came to the surface.  He wheeled about, head up, his clenched fists seeking the seams of his condemning “cit.” trousers.  Durville marched defiantly out into the quadrangle, across and into the cadet guard house, up the flight of stairs and into the office of the officer in charge.

Lieutenant Denton was again O.C. that night.

Both cadets saluted when they entered after knocking.

Lieutenant Denton glanced in sheer dismay at the “cit.” clothes worn by Durville.

“Sir,” began Dick huskily, “I regret being obliged to report that I just discovered Mr. Durville entering the sub-division in citizen’s dress.”

“Have you any explanation to offer, Mr. Durville?” asked Lieutenant Denton in his official tone.

“None, sir.”

“Very good, Mr. Durville.  You will go to your room and remain in close arrest until you receive further official communication in this matter.”

“Very good, sir.”

Durville spoke in steady, if icy tones, as he saluted and made this response.

“That is all, Mr. Durville.”

“Very good, sir.”

Like one frozen, the cadet in unfamiliar attire turned and left the office.

“How did you happen to make the discovery, Mr. Prescott?” gasped the O.C.

“I discovered, sir, that I had overlooked this report, which I now turn in, sir,” Dick replied rather hoarsely.  “It was just as I was about to leave the sub-division that Mr. Durville came in.  I had no alternative but to report him, sir.”

“You are right, Mr. Prescott.  As a cadet officer you had no alternative.”

Then, with a memory of his own West Point days, Lieutenant Denton unbent enough to remark feelingly: