got it set
me to thinking.

"About what?"

"Well, about the way Bert Dodge got his hand smeared back in the
days of ancient history. And, old ramrod, I believe that following
up the clue may lead to some other discoveries that will possess
a vital interest for you."

"But-----"

"No more at present! That's a special order," affirmed Greg.
"Be good, like the rest, and wait until 8.15 to-night."

At supper, in cadet mess hall, the talk all naturally turned to
the diamond game with Lehigh that afternoon. The Army, at the
outset, had hardly expected to win against that year's Lehigh
nine. When the game was well under way, Army hopes had been still
lower. Now, the talk was all on how Prescott and Holmes had saved
the game to the Army. Even Maitland, without a trace of jealousy,
conceded them most of the credit.

"What has cherubic, spoonoid Holmesy got up his sleeve for 8.15?"
asked Dunstan in an undertone of Anstey.

"I reckon, suh, you'll have to apply for particulars to the Information
and Security Service, suh," replied the Virginian. "To the best
of my belief, suh, the secret is all Mr. Holmes's."

So no more questions were asked. But at 8.15, to the second,
Furlong and Dunstan tapped on the Prescott-Holmes door, and, as
they did so. Anstey turned at the head of the stairs. Punctuality
is one of the cardinal virtues of the soldier; to be a half minute
late is a grave breach of etiquette; to be five minutes late amounts
almost to a crime.

"Now, Holmesy, we want light," insisted Furlong.

"At first blush," returned Greg, "some of you may not like the
job. It is nothing more nor less than a visit to Dodge's room,
while he and Blayton are absent at the hop."

"It is an extreme measure, surely," murmured Dunstan.

Anstey remained silent, waiting for further particulars.

"What I would call to your attention," went on Greg, "is that
my roommate, old ramrod, was nearly bounced out of West Point
for something he never did. I believe, and probably you all do,
that Mr. Dodge played an evil and guilty part in what became nearly
a tragedy."

"I wouldn't put anything mean beyond Dodge," replied Furlong.

"Now, I believe I can take you to Dodge's room. Both he and Brayton
are absent at the hop. Brayton has always been a decent fellow,
I don't believe he admires Dodge any too much, but he has to put
up with his roommate. Now, in that room I hope to find evidence
which will prove that Dodge is not