tt and a dozen other plebes who had football
hopes had a spent a delightful evening in Lieutenant Pierson's
quarters. They left rather early, nevertheless.

"Come to my room and talk things over, Anstey," urged Dick.
"We've time before taps."

Dick ran ahead to turn on the light while Anstey mounted the stairs
slowly. As he entered the room, Prescott could see from the light
that entered from the corridor some one crouched over by the
fireplace.

"Have I a visitor?" said Dick pleasantly. "Wait till I get a look at
you."

To have run from the room would have been a confession of guilt.
Moreover, Dodge heard the mounting steps of Anstey outside. So
he stayed while Dick turned on the light.

"It's Dodge!" exclaimed Dick. "At last accounts you were in
hospital. I'm glad you're better," the cadet went on coldly.

"I slipped out of hospital," whispered Dodge. "Don't give me away,
Prescott. I'd like to get back without being seen by any one else."

"What's up?"

"Don't keep me," said Bert nervously.

"What were you doing in this room?" asked Dick, becoming
suspicious.

"I forgot that Holmes was away and came to see him."

"When you found the room dark did you still think Greg was
here?"

"Don't keep me now. You don't want to see me skinned, do you?"

"What were you doing by the fireplace?"

"Why--why--"

"Were you aware that in days past plebes who occupied this room
had pried up two of the bricks from the base of the fireplace and
had a hiding cubby there?"

"Of course not! What do you take me for?" Anstey had come to the
doorway, but stayed there, blocking the passage. Prescott stepped
to the fireplace and stooped as though to look under the loose
bricks. Dodge, in a panic, got there before him and pulled out
some papers.

"I was trying to play a prank on you and Holmes. As you've
forestalled it, I don't think I'll let you know what it was," and
Dodge struck a match and set the papers on fire, throwing them
into the fireplace.

"Perhaps you don't mind letting me enjoy your int'resting joke
with you, Mr. Dodge," drawled Anstey, coming into the room.

"It wouldn't interest you, Mr. Anstey. Its foundation lies in by-gone
days back in Gridley," floundered Dodge.

"At any rate, your fire has destroyed the--ah--joke. Will you
assure me, Mr. Dodge, that the joke was only a good-natured one?"
asked Dick Prescott, eyeing Dodge sternly.

"I assure you of that on my honor as a cadet and a gentleman," said