ter misdeeds. Of course, if a cadet, plebe or otherwise,
is actually found outside the guard line after taps, then we cannot
excuse his conduct. This is where the ounce of prevention comes
in. Mr. Prescott, I wish you would be up and around the camp
between taps and midnight to-night. Keep yourself in the background
a bit, and see if you can stop any plebes who may be prowling
before they have had a chance to get outside the guard lines.
If you intercept any plebes while they are still within camp
limits, demand of them their reasons for being out of their tents.
If the reasons are not entirely satisfactory, turn them over
to the cadet officer of the day. Any plebe so stopped and turned
over to the cadet officer of the day will be disciplined, of course,
but his punishment will be much lighter than if he were actually
caught outside the guard lines. You understand your instructions,
Mr. Prescott?"

"Perfectly, sir."

"That is all, Mr. Prescott."

Saluting, Dick turned and left the tent.

"That's just like Lieutenant Denton," thought Dick, as he marched
away to his own company street. "Some of the tacs. would just
as soon see the plebe caught cold, poor little beast. But Lieutenant
Denton can remember the time when he was a cadet here himself,
and he wants to see the plebe have as much of the beginner's chance
as can be given."

As Dick pushed aside the flap and entered his tent, he beheld
his chum and roommate, Greg Holmes, now a cadet lieutenant, carefully
transferring himself to his spoony dress uniform.

"Going to the hop to-night, old ramrod?" asked Greg carelessly, though
affectionately.

"Not in my line of hike," yawned Prescott. "You know I'm no hopoid."

"Oh, loyal swain!" laughed Greg in mock admiration. "You hop
but little oftener than once a year, when Laura comes on from
the home town! You throw away nearly all of the pleasures of
the waxed floor."

"Even though but once a year, I go as often as I want," Dick answered,
with a pleasant smile.

"But see here, ramrod, an officer is expected to be a gentleman, and
a fellow can't be an all-around gentleman unless he is at ease with
the ladies. What sort of practice do you give yourself?"

"You're dragging a femme to the hop tonight?" queried Dick.

"Yes, sir," admitted Greg promptly.

"Then you're---pardon me---you're engaged to the young lady, of
course?"

"Engaged to take her to the hop, of course," parried Holmes.

"And engage