It was on this night, that he had determined to find out whether her heart beat for him, or whether it had already been captured by young Mr. Cameron back in the home town.

“And very likely she wouldn’t think of having either of us,” smiled Dick to himself.  “It’s easy enough for a girl to be a fellow’s friend, but when it comes to selecting a husband she is quite likely to be more particular.”

It was just after dark as the two young couples sauntered away from the hotel on their way to Cullum Hall.

“You young men are now sure of your Army careers,” remarked Belle, as the four strolled down the road.

“As absolutely sure as one can ever be of anything,” Dick responded.  “Yes, I feel positive that I am now to be an officer in the Army.”

“While poor Dave has just started on a two-year cruise, and must then come back for another examination before he is sure of his commission,” sighed Belle.

“The middies don’t get a square deal,” said Dick regretfully.  “When Darrin and Dalzell were graduated, the other day, they should have been commissioned as ensigns before they were ordered to sea.  Some day Congress and the people will see the injustice of it all, and the unfairness will be remedied.”

How could Prescott possibly know that his commission in the Army was not yet sure?

That same sandy-bearded, bespectacled and stoop-shouldered ex-cadet Jordan was even now eyeing Dick from a little distance.

“Humph!  Prescott feels mighty big at this moment!” growled the young scoundrel.  “I wonder how he’ll be feeling at midnight, down in cadet hospital, when the surgeons tell him he has no chance of ever being a sound man again?  Confound him!  I could almost find it in my heart to kill the fellow, instead of merely maiming him.  But maiming will be the keener revenge.  All his life hereafter Prescott will be thinking what might have been if he hadn’t met me this night!  Shall I leap on him when he’s coming back from the hotel, after the graduation ball?  No; for he’d have Holmes with him then.  I’ll send in word and call him out from the ball, with a message that an old schoolmate wants to see him on something most urgent.  I’ll have Prescott to myself, and all I need is a few seconds.  I’m half as powerful again as Prescott is!”

Jordan was not at all lacking in a certain type of ferocious brute courage.  As he had just boasted to himself, he was powerful enough to be able to overpower Dick in a hand-to-hand conflict, yet the scoundrel meant to attack Prescott unawares, without giving the latter a chance to defend himself.

Then, too, the sight of Laura, looking sweeter and more beautiful than she had ever appeared in her life, goaded Jordan on to greater fury.

“That is the very girl I had planned to cut Prescott out with, after he had been kicked from the service, and I was still in the uniform.  But it fell out the other way about,” gritted Jordan.  “Prescott wears the uniform, and I’ve been dishonorably dropped from the rolls!  Prescott, I’ve a double score to settle with you to-night!”