“Nor mine,” chimed in his chum.

“Don’t worry, Dick,” whispered Tom.  “The final result isn’t reached yet.  Somebody has got to drop out first.”

The dinner finished, the boys gathered in knots to talk the question over.  Soon the line was re-formed for a second ballot.

At that moment Fred Garrison stepped forward.

“Fellow students!” he cried.  “One word before you vote.  I wish to withdraw from the contest, doing so in favor of two of my friends, Dick Rover and George Granbury.  I thank those who voted for me before from the bottom of my heart.”

“Hurrah for Fred!” came from a score of throats, and a cheer rent the air.  “We won’t forget you next time, old man!”

Soon the second ballot was cast, and amid another silence Captain Putnam read it off: 

Number of votes cast 87
Necessary to a choice 44
John Fenwick has 7
George Granbury has 23
Richard Rover has 57

“Richard Rover is declared elected second lieutenant of Company A for the balance of this term.”

A cheer broke forth, and many of the cadets came up to shake Dick by the hand.  Among the number were Fred and George Granbury.  “You beat me fairly, Rover,” said Granbury, a whole-souled fellow.  “I am satisfied —­ so long —­ as such a cad as Mumps doesn’t get an office.”

“Mumps was badly left,” put in Tom.  “See, he is sneaking off to his room.  I rather guess he wishes he hadn’t run.”

“I thank you all very much,” said Dick, his face glowing.  “I shall try to do my best as second lieutenant.  Three cheers for all of the cadets of Putnam Hall!”

And the cheers broke forth with renewed vigor.

“Dick, you must do the square thing tonight,” said Frank some time later.

“What do you mean?” asked the elder Rover.

“When a fellow is elected to an office he is supposed to treat his friends.  All of the cadets will be sneaking up to your dormitory some time between ten and twelve o’clock tonight.”

“Indeed!” Dick mused for a moment.

“All right —­ I’ll be ready for them, Frank; but mum is the word.”

“You will treat?”

“I’ll treat every cadet who shows himself and doesn’t make any noise.”

“Good for you!  Then I can spread the word that it is all right?”

“Yes —­ but, Frank...”

“Well?”

“Beware of Mumps.  If he heard of what is going on I think he would try to spoil our game.”

“I’ll be careful,” answered Frank, and hurried off in one direction, while Dick hurried off in another.

Both had scarcely disappeared than Mumps came forth from behind a hall rack which stood close at hand.

“How lucky to overhear their talk,” said the sneak.  “Will I spoil their game?  Well, just wait and see, that’s all!”

CHAPTER XXIV