On the sixth day Durville was once more sent for by the commandant of cadets.  His sentence was handed out to him.  On account of an academic reputation of high grade, and a hitherto good-conduct report, Mr. Durville was not dropped from the corps.  Had the offender, before leaving West Point in “cits.,” gone to the cadet guard house and made any false report concerning his absence, nothing could have saved him from dismissal for making a false official report.  All things being taken into consideration, Cadet Durville was “let off” with loss of privileges up to the time of semi-annual examinations, with, in addition, the walking of punishment tours every Saturday afternoon during the same period.

Now the gathering wrath broke loose upon Dick.  A class meeting was called, that neither Prescott nor Holmes could attend with propriety.

Durville, as a matter of policy, did not attend, but there were not wanting first classmen who looked upon Durville as a sacrifice, and who were fully capable of presenting his side of the case at the meeting.

Upon Anstey, as on a former occasion, fell the task of making Prescott’s side clear.

The class meeting had not been in session many minutes when Dick’s accusers had made it rather plain that Mr. Prescott, following his previous course with Jordan, had revenged himself also on Durville, who had taken an active part in securing the imposition of the silence.

Anstey took the floor in a fiery defence.  He brought forth the statement that Prescott had not made any attempt to pry into the goings or comings of the unlucky Durville.  The Virginian declared that Prescott had happened to be abroad in time to “catch” Mr. Durville, simply because Prescott had started for the office of the officer in charge with an official paper that he had been tardy about turning in.

Though Anstey dwelt upon this side of the case with consummate oratory, the defence was regarded as “too transparent.”  Anstey’s good faith was not questioned, but Prescott’s was.

In the turmoil the office of class president was declared vacant.  Anstey was nominated for the office just made vacant, but, with cold politeness, he refused what, at any other time, would have been a high honor.

Cadet Douglass was presently elected class president.

Then further action was taken with regard to Cadet Richard Prescott.  Without further debate a motion was carried that Prescott be sent to Coventry for good and all.

The class meeting adjourned, and upon Greg Holmes, who was informed by Anstey, fell the task of carrying the decision to Dick.

“I expected it, Holmesy,” was Dick’s quiet reply.

“Buck up, anyway, old ramrod,” begged Greg.  “This terrible mess will all be straightened out before graduation.”

“Not in time to do me any good,” replied Dick gloomily.

“Now what do you mean?”

But Dick closed his jaws firmly.