loyalty would not allow him
to stand by a mere mute spectator of Greg's downfall.

Prescott felt sure that he himself had not yet been seen by the
Army officer.

Slipping out from behind the bush, Cadet Prescott stepped briskly
along the path, bringing one hand sharply to his cap in salute.

"Captain Bates, have I your permission to speak, sir?"

Dick Prescott's voice, though not unduly loud, carried like a
pistol shot to Greg's alert ears.

Young Mr. Holmes did not immediately change his course, start
or do anything else that would betray alarm. Yet, ere Captain
Bates's voice could be heard in reply, Greg had swung slowly around,
and he came toward the path.

"Permission is granted, Mr. Prescott," replied Captain Bates---but,
oh, how coldly he spoke.

The Army officer seemed trying to look Mr. Prescott through and
through, for Bates thoroughly suspected Dick of a bold stroke
to save his friend from watchful tac. eyes.

"There was a question that came up among some of the yearlings
in camp today, sir," Dick went on, very respectfully. "I found
myself ignorant, as were some of the others, as to the correct
answer to the question. As you are the officer in charge of the
encampment, I have made bold, sir, to ask you the answer."

"Is it a matter relating directly to military tactics or discipline,
Mr. Prescott?" asked Captain Bates, speaking as coldly as before.

"Indirectly, sir, I think."

"Then state the question, Mr. Prescott."

Greg, having reached the path, halted at attention several yards
away from his bunkie.

"The question that came up, sir," continued Dick, and he was speaking
the truth, for the question had been discussed, "is whether there
is any regulation, or any tacit rule that requires a cadet of
the upper classes to attend any stated number of hops in the season,
or during the year?

"No cadet, Mr. Prescott, is required to attend any hop unless
he so elects. The single exception would be that any cadet, having
once made an engagement to attend a hop, would be bound by his
word to attend, unless he had received proper release from that
engagement. Such release, in nearly all instances, would come
from the young woman whom the cadet had invited to attend a hop
with him."

"Thank you, sir." Again Dick saluted very respectfully.

"Any other questions, Mr. Prescott?"

"No, sir."

Dick saluted carefully. Captain Bates returned the salute, and
turned to go.

Cadet Holmes, waiti