“Yes, sir.”

“You have listened to the chaplain’s discourses, and I take it that you have had earlier religious instruction, also.  Prescott, do you or do you not believe that there is a God above who sees all, loves all and rights all injustice in His own good time?”

“Assuredly I believe it, sir.”

“And yet, in your own case, you have so little faith in that justice that, though you feel your course has been honorable, you cannot wait for justice to be done.  Prescott, isn’t that kind of faith almost blasphemy?”

Dick felt staggered.  Although his lot had been cast with Army officers for more than three years, he had never heard any of them, save the chaplain, discuss matters of Christian faith.  Yet he knew that Denton, who sat beside him, smiling with friendly eyes, was talking from full conviction.

“You’ve made me see my present predicament in a somewhat different light, sir,” Dick stammered.

“Prescott, I have knocked about in a good deal of rough life since I was graduated from here, but I have full faith that every upright and honorable man is ultimately safe under Heaven’s justice.  So have you, or I am mistaken in you.  Why not buck up, and make up your mind to go through your hard rub here firm in the conviction that this is only a passing cloud that is certain to be dispelled?  Why not stick, like a man of faith and honor?  Now, as officer in charge, I will inform you that you should take a letter of resignation to the adjutant’s office, and hand it to that officer in person.”

As your friend, I suggest that you give me your letter, with your permission to destroy it.”

“Here is the letter, Mr. Denton.”

“Thank you, my boy.  You may see what I do with it.”

Rising, Lieutenant Denton crossed to an open fire that was burning low.  He laid the envelope across the embers.

Prescott, too, rose, feeling that the interview was at an end.

“Just a moment more of friendly conversation, Prescott,” continued the lieutenant, coming forward and taking the cadet’s hand.  “I want you to remember that you are not to write or send in any other letter of resignation until you have first talked it over with me.  And I want you to remember that a soldier should be a man of faith as well as of honor.  Further, Prescott, you may feel yourself wholly at liberty to explain, at any time, what your orders from me were that led to your catching and reporting Mr. Jordan.”

“Thank you, sir; but I’m afraid I shan’t be asked for any further explanations.”

“Seek me, at any time, if there is anything you wish to ask me, or anything that puzzles you.”

“Yes, sir; thank you.”

Dick had again placed his fatigue cap on his head, and was standing rigidly at attention.  They were once more tactical officer and cadet.

“That is all, Mr. Prescott, and I am very glad that you came to see me,” continued the officer in charge.