"We're out after hours."

Suddenly there was a movement in the brush behind Tom as McAvoy stumbled
to his feet. Richards also sat up groggily.

"Major!" It was the man behind Connel who spoke. "Who are they?"

As though in answer, Davison stood up too and the three members of the
_Capella_ unit were suddenly and horribly aware of the presence of
Connel. They immediately braced themselves, their faces white with
sudden fear.

"So!" Now the major's voice began to roar again. "Fighting, eh? Well,
now we really have something here."

"Sir," began Richards tremulously, "if you'll let us explain--"

"I'll let you explain all right," thundered Connel. "Out after hours,
fighting, you'll have a great time explaining to an inquiry."

"An inquiry!" Tom exclaimed involuntarily.

"Did you expect anything less?" roared Connel. "You are all under arrest
and confined to quarters."

The six cadets all trembled but said nothing, standing at rigid
attention, eyes straight ahead.

"Return to your quarters immediately."

As one, the cadets wheeled and marched off. Tom, Astro, and Roger walked
across the quadrangle back to their dorm, and the _Capella_ unit took
the slidewalk that led to their quarters. Connel watched them go, a
ferocious scowl on his craggy features.

"Little rough on them, weren't you, Major?" asked the man who stood
beside the Solar Guard officer.

"Rules are meant to be obeyed, Professor Hemmingwell," retorted Connel
stiffly.

"Perhaps you're right," mused the stranger. "But what's this about an
inquiry?"

"A trial, Professor. A trial conducted by the cadets themselves to see
whether or not the accused should be kicked out of the Academy."

"Kicked out?" exclaimed the professor. "You certainly do believe in
discipline."

"These boys are to be Solar Guardsmen," replied Connel shortly. "If they
can't obey orders now, they never will."

"Well, it's all very unimportant really, Major," Hemmingwell said with
a shrug. "We have many more vital things to think about now than mere
cadets. Shall we go? Commander Walters is waiting for us."

As the little man in civilian clothes walked away, Connel stifled a
blistering retort. True, his mission here at the Academy was of great
importance. But cadets were important too. And he was afraid. The
_Polaris_ unit was in grave trouble, grave enough to cause expulsion
from the Academy.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER 2

Space Academy, U.S.A.!

This was the