“What the cadets may see fit to do for their own protection is hardly a matter that can be discussed with you, sir,” returned Douglass coldly.

“Oh, now see here, there are ways and ways,” spoke Henckley in a wheedling tone.  “Let’s all be friendly.”

Before Douglass could guess what was happening the money shark had pressed a hand against the cadet’s.  With an impatient gesture Douglass shook his own hand free.  But something like paper remained in his palm.  Douglass held up that hand, and discovered that it held a banknote that Henckley had slipped into Douglass’ hand as a bribe.

Cadet Douglass calmly tore that banknote in bits and flung it off on the breeze.  The fragments were out of sight in an instant.  Then Douglass coolly knocked the money shark down.

“Come along, fellows,” spoke the class president quietly, and turned on his heel.

“Confound you, Mr. Fresh, I’ll report this to the superintendent,” bellowed Henckley.

“Do!” called Douglass in cool contempt over his shoulder.

Douglass, Durville and Prescott tramped together around to the front of Cullum Hall.

There Douglass again paused to hold out his hand, remarking: 

“Mr. Prescott, the class meeting is not to be held until Monday evening.  All I am privileged to say is that I think what we have overheard tonight will very materially affect the class action.  I am very grateful to you, my dear sir, for having called us.”

Durville, too, held out his hand in sign that the past grudge was forgotten so far as he was concerned.

Full of a new happiness, Dick trudged back to cadet barracks.  Finding Greg Holmes in, Prescott imparted the wonderful news.

Greg leaped up delightedly, pumphandling his chum’s arm and patting him on the back.

“Come out all right?” sputtered Holmes.  “Of course it will, and I always knew it would.”

Meanwhile Cadet Jordan was surveying Henckley with a look of mingled rage, disgust and consternation.

“Now, you’ve gone and done it, you bull-necked, toad-brained idiot!” cried the elegant Mr. Jordan.

“Why didn’t you pay up like a man, and this would never have happened,” growled Henckley, rubbing the spot where Douglass had struck him.

“Pay up like a man?” sneered Jordan.  “Well, this affair has one small, good side to it.  You’ve got me run out of the cadet corps, but-----”

“Out of the cadet corps?” screamed Henckley.  “Then what becomes of what you owe me?”

“That’s something you’ll have to settle to your own satisfaction,” jeered the dismayed cadet.  “I can offer you no help.”

Jordan turned on his heel, starting to walk away, when Mr. Henckley leaped after him, seizing him by the arm.

“See here-----” began the money shark hoarsely.

“Let go of my arm,” warned Jordan in a rage, “or I’ll hit you harder than Douglass did.”