that the young assistant had a strong liking for this
bah, bah black sheep. He knew that Tom had been responsible for Hervey's
latest truancy and he believed that Tom, knowing that a little trick was
the only way to bring Hervey back, might have played such a little
trick, then sent him up the hill to square himself.

Mr. Denny was quite in sympathy with the stunt and double dare business,
but he did not approve of trying to circumvent Hervey by dangling the
Gold Cross before his eyes. He was afraid that Hervey would not forget
this and that the disappointment would be keen. As we know, Tom was
dead set against this kind of thing. Mr. Denny did not know that. But he
did know that Hervey was unfamiliar with the rigorous requirements for
winning the highest award, for most of the pages in Hervey's handbook
had been used to make torches and paper bullets. Mr. Denny was resolved
that Tom Slade should not get away with such tactics unrebuked. He was
resolved to speak to the Honor Court about it in the morning. He would
not have one of his boys made the victim of vain hopes....

* * * * *

Early in the morning, Tom took a little stroll with Robin Hood and
improved his acquaintance. Tom liked odd people as much as Hervey did
and he found this unfortunate stranger rather interesting. One thing, in
particular, he learned from him which was of immediate interest to him
and which Hervey, with characteristic heedlessness, had forgotten to
mention.

"I dare say we can dig you up something to do," said Tom, "when the work
on the dam gets started. That'll be in two or three days, I guess.
Suppose you hang around."

"I'd like to stay right here for the rest of the summer," said the
young fellow. "I'm out of luck and I'm all in."

"France?" Tom queried. For soldiers out of luck were not uncommon in
camp.

"No, just hard luck; lost my grip, that's all."

"Well, hang around and maybe you'll pull together. I've seen lots of
shell-shock; had it myself, in fact."

"Oh, it's nothing like that."

"Come in and see the Supreme Court in session, won't you? It's great. We
have this twice during the summer. Reminds you of the League of Nations
in session.... H'lo, Shorty, what are you here for? More merit badges?"

Outside the main pavilion the choicest spirits of camp were loitering;
Pee-wee Harris still working valiantly on the end of his breakfast, Roy
Blakeley of the Silver Foxes, Bert Winton on from