hing had been mutilated, and he had been robbed of
his gun, cartridge-box and bayonet-scabbard. He showed Frank his
clothing, and the latter was scarcely less indignant than Lieutenant
Gordan had been.

"This is not fun," Merriwell declared. "It is malicious and wanton
brutality, and I fancy I can lay my hands on the fellow who was at the
bottom of it."

The search for Fred's rifle had proved unsuccessful, and so he was
given another from the armory, while a new uniform was ordered for him.

Lieutenant Gordan came around, and questioned the unlucky plebe again
concerning the assault upon him; but it had been too dark for him to
recognize any of his assailants, and the voice of the fellow who had
announced himself as corporal of the guard had been muffled and
disguised.

It now began to appear that the unusual activity during the night had
been for the purpose of drawing the attention to the side of the camp
opposite Davis' post, so that the attack upon him might be carried out
successfully.

The boys found enough to think of and talk about during such
opportunities as were given them.

At dinner the conversation was almost entirely about the tumultuous
events of the night, and, by keeping eyes and ears open, Frank sought
to discover who knew the most concerning those things which had taken
place.

Bascomb seemed in high spirits. Over and over, in a sarcastic way, he
repeated Lieutenant Gordan's assertion that such actions were
outrageous, and must be stopped, appearing very grave as he did so, but
winking slyly to some particular friend.

And Frank noted every fellow to whom Bascomb winked.

The big fellow could not keep his bullying propensities suppressed, and
the sight of Fred Davis seemed to arouse him. Singling out the little
plebe, he took a station at the opposite side of the table, observing:

"It is really too bad anybody should haze a pretty boy like him. Look
at the tender blue in his eyes, and the delicate pink in his cheeks.
Isn't he just too sweet to live! Oh, the fellows won't do a thing to
him here--not a thing!"

Fred paid no attention to Bascomb, although the hot blood rushed to his
face.

The bully continued:

"Before you, gentlemen, masticating his rations, sits a section edition
of the late lamented George Washington. Those who are conversant with
history are aware that little George found it impossible to tell a lie.
Evidently Baby has heard of George, and seeks to emulate