e matter?" demanded Dick, halting short
and staring hard.

"I can't help it," replied Greg miserably, shaking his head.

"Can't help what?" demanded Dick thunder-struck.

"I can't help what I've gone and done. I had to do it!" cried Greg,
with sudden fierceness in his tone.

"What you've done?" echoed Dick. "Well, what have you gone and
done, anyway, old fellow? Does it stop anywhere short of
murder--or lying?"

For in the West Point code of honor lying ranks very nearly as bad
as murder.

"I guess perhaps it isn't quite as bad as either," smiled Greg wanly.
"However, I couldn't help doing it."

He rose to his feet, a bit unsteadily, leaning one hand on his study
desk.

Greg's hair was a bit awry, as though he had run his hands many
times through it in some mood of desperation. This, in itself, was
in defiance of West Point traditions for the personal neatness of
the cadet.

"You still have me altogether in the dark, Greg," murmured Dick
wonderingly.

"You'll lose all respect for me, Dick," went on Greg miserably.

"Then it must be something awfully bad that you've done," retorted
Dick, opening his eyes wider than ever.

Without another word Greg reached to his desk, picked up a sheet
of paper and in silence passed it over to his comrade.

Dick read with a gathering of his eyebrows. Then gradually a look
of anger shot into his clear eyes.

"Greg Holmes," uttered the other cadet indignantly, "you're a
disgrace to your native town of Gridley!"

"Well, what are you going to do about it!" demanded Greg almost
defiantly.

"Do?" retorted Cadet Prescott. "I believe I'll thrash you--just for
being a disgrace to our native place!"

Not intending anything of the sort, but merely as a dramatic
expression of his rage, Dick doubled one fist, advancing upon
Holmes.

At that instant the door was flung open. Cadet Lieutenant Edwards,
of the first class, strode into the room.

Instantly both cadets straightened, where they were, standing at
"attention," as required to do when a superior officer entered their
quarters.

"What is this?" demanded Cadet Lieutenant Edwards, though
betraying no more than official curiosity in his tone. "Have I
entered just in time to prevent a fight!"

"No, sir," replied Cadet Prescott.

"Then what!"

"Sir," responded Cadet Prescott, "I wish to report my roommate,
Mr. Holmes, for writing this letter!"

Dick held out the sheet of paper, which the cadet lieutenant
scanned ea