Dan Dalzell been able to be home from Annapolis
at this time, the cup of joy would have been full for all the old
chums of Dick & Co. But that was not to be.

Even Reade and Hazelton were home only on limited leave, for they
were still very young engineers, who could not sacrifice much
time away from their work lest they lose the ground already gained.

So just after the Fourth of July, Tom and Harry left, on a morning
train, the two young West Pointers going to the station to see
them off with many a handshake, many a yearning wish for the two
dear old chums of former days.

"The blamed old town will seem a bit empty, won't it?" demanded
Greg, as the cadet pair strolled back from the railway station.

"What'll it be in after years," sighed Dick, "with you up at some
fort on the Great Lakes, say, with me in Boston, Tom and Harry
somewhere out West, with Dave on the European station and Dan,
perhaps, on the China station? Oh, well, chums who want to stick
together through life should go in for jobs in the same factory!"

"I suppose we'll get more used to being apart, as the years roll
on," muttered Greg. "But I know it would be mighty jolly, this
summer, if all the fellows of Dick & Co. could be here in Gridley."

"There's Bert Dodge," whispered Prescott.

"It was hardly worth the trouble to tell me anything about him,"
retorted Holmes, not taking the trouble to look at their ancient
enemy.

"But what a scowl the fellow is wearing," smiled Dick, half in
amusement.

"Scowling is his highest pleasure in life," returned Greg.

"He looked at me," continued Dick, as though he had discovered
some new reason for hating me."

"If he knew how little thought you gave to him he wouldn't really
take the trouble to hate you. Dodge has far more reason to dislike
himself. Where are you heading now?"

"Home and to the store," replied Dick. "I just saw the postman
leaving. Come along."

As Dick and his chum entered, both his father and mother were
behind the counter.

"Dr. Davidson and his wife are in the back room," announced Mrs.
Prescott. "They would like to see you, Dick."

"Oh, your new pastor and his wife? Will you excuse me, and wait
for me a few minutes, Greg?" asked Dick.

Holmes, nodding, picked up a magazine and seated himself. It
was twenty minutes ere Dick came out from that back room. Then
the chums started out for another stroll.

"Where are you going now?" asked Greg, suddenly, realizing