“In what condition, or shape, did Mr. Dodge return Mr. Prescott’s handkerchief?” ask Lieutenant Topham.

“The handkerchief was crumpled up, sir.”

“So that, had there been a paper folded in it, the paper very likely would not have been visible?”

“The paper most likely would not have been visible, sir.”

“In what form was the handkerchief handed to Mr. Dodge by Mr. Prescott?”

“I am almost certain, sir, that Mr. Prescott passed it holding it by one corner.”

“So that, had there been any paper in it at that time, it would have fallen to the ground?”

“Yes sir.”

“What did Mr. Prescott do with the handkerchief when it was returned to him.”

“My recollection, sir, is that Mr. Prescott took his handkerchief without examining it, and thrust it into his blouse.”

“Are you sure that he did so?”

“I cannot state it with absolute certainty, sir.  It is my best recollection, sir.”

Bert Dodge had sat through this testimony trying to look unconcerned.  Yet around the corners of his mouth played a slight, greenish pallor.  The testimony of the cadets had not been looked for to be very important.  Now, however, the president of the court regretted that he had not excluded from the room all of three cadet witnesses except the one under examination.

Cadet Gray was next called.  He was able to testify only that, while at the blackboard, Mr. Dunstan had stood on one side of Cadet Prescott and the present witness on the other side.  Mr. Gray was strongly of the belief that, had Prescott been slyly using a written crib, he (Gray) would have noted the fact.  Mr. Gray had not been a witness to the handkerchief-loaning incident before formation of sections.

“Cadet Dodge!”

Dodge rose and came forward with a distinct swagger.  He was plainly conscious of the cadet corporal’s chevrons on his sleeve, and plainly regarded himself as a superior type of cadet.  He was sworn and questioned about the handkerchief-borrowing incident.

He admitted the borrowing of the handkerchief to wipe a smear of dirt from the back of his hand.  As to the condition of the handkerchief at the time of its return, Mr. Dodge stated his present belief that the handkerchief was very loosely rolled up.

Then Lieutenant Topham took the witness over.

“Would the handkerchief, when you handed it back, have held this slip of paper?” questioned Mr. Topham, holding up the slip that had brought about all of Prescott’s present trouble.

“It might have, sir, had the paper been crumpled as well.”

“Did you hand the handkerchief back with a paper inside of it?”

“Not according to any knowledge of mine, sir.”

“Was there a paper in the handkerchief, Mr. Dodge, when Mr. Prescott passed his handkerchief to you?”

“To the best of my belief, sir, there was not.”