rnestly.

CHAPTER IV

GREG'S CASE OF "BLUES"

Only a moment did Mr. Edwards need for the reading of Greg's
note. Then the cadet lieutenant frowned at Dick.

"Mr. Prescott, what do you mean by perpetrating a poor-spirited
joke under the guise of making an official communication?"

In an instant Dick saw clearly that be had made a military mistake.

"I beg your pardon, sir," he said meekly.

"This may all be a joke to you, Mr. Prescott," went on the cadet
officer dryly, "but I presume it is none whatever to Mr. Holmes."

As he hadn't been addressed, Greg did not venture to answer. He
stood rigidly at attention, though both he and Dick were flushing.

The paper that Mr. Edwards now held in his hand read as follows:

"To THE SUPERINTENDENT,"

"THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY."

"Sir: I have the honor herewith to tender my resignation as a cadet
in the United States Military Academy, the same to take effect
immediately. I have the honor to be, sir,"

"Very respectfully,"

"GREGORY HOLMES."

"So that's the way you feel about it, is it, Mr. Holmes?"
questioned the cadet lieutenant, after a second glance at the
paper.

"Yes, sir," replied Greg.

"This is the fourth letter of the kind that I've seen this week,"
continued Mr. Edwards stiffly, though a curious smile played
about the corners of his mouth. "I presume that two or three dozen,
at least, of the same sort have been written by the new plebes. Mr.
Holmes, do you know what was done with the other letters of
resignation that I saw?"

"No, sir."

"Their writers tore them up," went on the cadet lieutenant stiffly.
"Now, Mr. Holmes, if you persist in believing that you want to send
this letter in to the superintendent, then I think it will be the best
thing you can do; for if you still persist in wanting to resign, then
you haven't manhood enough, anyway, to make a fit brother-in-arms for
the comrades in your class."

This was severely said. Greg paled under the verbal thrashing.

"If you really wish to send in this letter," continued Mr. Edwards,
"you have a perfect right to do it, Mr. Holmes."

"May I speak, sir?" asked Greg when the cadet lieutenant ceased
talking, but remained looking fixedly at the new plebe.

"Proceed," replied Mr. Edwards.

"May I have that letter, sir?"

The cadet lieutenant handed it back without a word.

"May I--may I--"

"Out with it, Mr. Holmes."

"May I handle this letter at once in the way that I