him with smiling, friendly faces.

Dick could not send them a formal greeting. But he looked straight
into the eyes of each in turn. His smile was steady, clear and
full of courage. His look carried in it his appreciation of their
loyal friendship.

Among the visitors there were also the wives of a few Army officers
stationed on the post. Nearly all of these knew Prescott, and were
interested in his fate.

Among the spectators up there was one heavily veiled woman whom
Dick could not see from the floor as he entered the room. Nor
did that woman, who had drawn back, intend that he should see her.

The president of this court-martial called it promptly to order.
The members of the court were sworn, then the judge-advocate
took his military oath. It was then announced that the accused
cadet wished to have Lieutenant Topham represent him as counsel.
To this there was no objection.

In a twinkling the judge-advocate was again on his feet, a copy
of the charge and specifications in his hand.

Facing the president of the court, standing rigidly at attention,
his face expressionless, his bearing every whit that of the soldier,
Cadet Richard Prescott listened to the reading of the accusation
of dishonor.

In an impressive tone the president of the court asked what plea
the accused cadet wished to enter.

"The accused offers, to the charge and specifications, a blanket
plea of 'not guilty,'" replied Lieutenant Topham.

Captain Abbott was first called and sworn. In concise, soldierly
language the instructor told the events of the preceding Friday
forenoon. He described the dropping of the slip of paper, and
of his request that it be handed to him. "The paper," continued
the witness, "contained a crude, brief outline of the demonstration
which Mr. Prescott had just explained so satisfactorily that I
had marked him 2.9."

"Which is within one tenth of the highest marking?" suggested
the judge-advocate.

"Yes, sir."

"Had you noted anything in Mr. Prescott conduct or performance at
the blackboard that indicated any uncertainty, at any time, about
the problem he was demonstrating?"

"When he had gone a little way with the writing down of the
demonstration," replied Captain Abbott, "Mr. Prescott hesitated
for some moments, then asked permission to erase, which was given."

"Did he then go straight ahead with his work?"

"To the best of my observation and remembrance, he did, sir."

"Had Mr. Prescott bee