“Then you don’t think we can stop Prescott?”

“I reckon I don’t Holmesy.  This is the kind of matter, suh, that every man must settle for himself.  If I were a much older man, Holmesy, with much more experience in the Army, I reckon I might be able to give him some very sound advice.  But as it is, suh, I know I can’t.”

When Greg returned to the room he found Dick preparing books and papers to march to the next section recitation.

“What have you done with that resignation of yours?” growled Greg.

“It’s in that drawer,” replied Dick, with a weary smile, “and I rely on you, old fellow, not to do anything to it.  It would only give me all the pain over again if I had to rewrite it.”

“Dick, can nothing change your mind?”

“I have thought it all over, old friend.”

The call for section formation sounded, and both hurried away.

Later, Dick’s section returned a full minute and a half ahead of the one to which Holmes belonged.

“Now’s the time!” muttered Dick, opening the drawer and slipping the envelope into the breast of his blouse.

Then he hurried out, crossing the quadrangle to the cadet guard house.  Cadet Holmes, in section ranks, marched into the quadrangle in time just to catch a glimpse of Prescott’s disappearing back.

Going up the stairs, Dick knocked on the door of the office of the O.C.

“Come in!” called the officer in charge, who proved to be none other than Lieutenant Denton again.

“What is it, Mr. Prescott?” inquired the Army officer, as Prescott, saluting, advanced to the officer’s desk, then halted, standing at attention.

“Sir, I have come to ask for some information.”

“What is it, Mr. Prescott?”

“Sir, I have a paper, addressed to the superintendent.  I do not know whether I should take it to the adjutant’s office, or whether I should forward it through this office.”

“I thought you understood your company paper work, Mr. Prescott,” smiled Lieutenant Denton.

“I think I do, sir; but this kind of paper I have never had to put in before.”

“What kind of paper is it?”

“My resignation, sir,” replied Dick quietly.  Lieutenant Denton looked almost as much astonished as he felt.

“What?” he choked.  Then a slight smile came into his face.

“Oh, I think I begin to understand, Mr. Prescott.  You wish more time for your studies, and so you are resigning your post as captain of A company.”

“This is my resignation, sir, from the corps of cadets.”

Lieutenant Denton looked utterly nonplussed.

“Oh, very good, Mr. Prescott.  If you are bent on leaving the Military Academy, I presume I have no right to demand your reasons.  But—–­won’t you sit down?”

The lieutenant pointed to a chair near his own.

“Thank you, sir,” nodded Prescott.  Taking off his fatigue cap, he dropped into the chair, though he sat very erect.