“The captain found it out in some way,” said Dick to Powell.

“Shouldn’t wonder if Harry Moss let the cat out of the bag,” was the answer.

“It’s queer about Flapp and Pender,” declared Tom to his older brother.  “Do you know why they were dropped?”

“Yes, Tom, but I don’t want you to say anything about it.”

“There’s a report around that they were found cutting loose in the village,” put in Sam.

“Well, as I said before, I don’t want to speak about it,” went on Dick.

A few of the boys dared to question Flapp and Pender, but got no satisfaction.

“If I want to drop out I reckon I can do it,” growled Flapp, and that was as much as either he or his crony would say.

With Flapp out of the race there was considerable curiosity to know who would be elected for the term.  Each set of cadets had their favorite candidates and the spirit of rivalry ran high.  But most of the candidates were good-natured about it, and especially Dick and Tom Rover and George Granbury, Fred Garrison, and Larry Colby.

It had been decided that the cadets should first elect the major, then the three captains, and then the six lieutenants, all to be selected according to the highest number of votes received.

The voting began on Monday immediately after breakfast.  Captain Putnam had slips passed around and on these each cadet wrote down his choice for major.

“I will read the result,” said the captain, a few minutes after the poll was declared closed.  And he read as follows: 

“Whole number of votes cast—­96.

“Lawrence Colby has 67.

“The next highest student has 19.

“Lawrence Colby is declared elected major of the battalion for the present term, including the annual encampment.”

“Hurrah for Major Larry Colby!” cried Tom, and a rousing cheer followed, while Captain Putnam strode over and shook hands with the newly, elected commanding officer.

“I must congratulate you, Major Colby,” he said warmly.  “I must say I am well satisfied with the choice of our students.”

“Thank you, sir,” answered Larry, and blushed in spite of himself.

“We will now proceed to the election of the three captains,” went on Captain Putnam.  “Remember, the three standing highest on the list will be declared elected respectively.”

Again slips were passed around and again the students marked down the names of their favorites, three upon each slip.

Counting up the vote for captains took longer than that for major, but soon the captain had his statement ready and the cadets listened in silence as he proceeded to make his announcement: 

“Whole number of votes cast, 288.

“Richard Rover has 82.

“Fred Garrison has 67.

“Mark Romer has 59.

“The next highest student has 28.

“Richard Rover is elected captain of Company A, Frederick Garrison captain of Company B, and Mark Romer captain of Company C, for this term and during the annual encampment.”