inutes. Then we will vote
again--for the same cadets or for new ones if you feel so inclined."

After this brief announcement by Captain Dale came a hum of voices and
there was some strenuous electioneering in all parts of the hall and also
in the corridors and out on the campus.

"Glasby is stronger than I thought he was," remarked Gif to Jack. "We'll
have to do some tall work to overcome his vote."

"I think we can get some of the Harkness fellows to come over to us," put
in Spouter. "I don't believe he's as popular as he thinks."

"Maybe we can get him to withdraw," suggested Andy, with a grin.

"Withdraw, not!" broke out Fred. "He's not that sort."

While the conversation was going on somebody touched Jack on the
shoulder, and turning he found himself confronted by Paul Halliday.

"Say, see here, Rover! I'd like a word with you," whispered Halliday
somewhat excitedly.

"All right, shoot!" answered the young captain.

"This is a little private matter," went on Halliday. "You can bring your
cousins along if you want to," he added.

Wondering what Halliday had in his mind, Jack, along with Fred and Andy
who happened to be close by, followed him to an out-of-the-way corner of
a corridor.

"We want to know if you're willing to make a deal with us," said Halliday
in a low, nervous tone of voice. "You know Harkness got twenty-four
votes. Well, he's willing to throw those votes to you if you are willing
to back him for the new captain of Company C."

"I can't do that," answered Jack quickly. "If I get to be major I'm going
to back Fred here for the captaincy."

"Oh, but, Jack, I could drop out of that!" put in his cousin quickly.

"Not much, Fred! I said I was going to do it, and I'm going to stick to
my word. Besides that, I might as well tell you, Halliday, that I don't
believe Harkness is the best fellow for the position."

"Then you won't consider my offer?" demanded Halliday sourly.

"Certainly not!"

"I don't believe you can control the Harkness votes," put in Andy. "I
believe Jack will get a whole lot of them on the next ballot."

"He won't get a one of them, and he'll lose some of his own!" answered
Paul Halliday. "You just wait and see!" And then he walked away.

"Jack, that move might have given you the majorship," said Fred.

"If I've got to get it that way, Fred, I don't want it," was the prompt
reply. "I wouldn't vote for Harkness under any circumstances. He's in
hand and glove with Brass