rly Anstey's gift for oratory.
One of them now took the floor, pointing out that the class would
not have rebuked Prescott for having reported Jordan in the tour
of pontoon bridge construction.

"That may have been justified," continued the speaker. "But,
afterwards, Mr. Jordan and Mr. Prescott had words. There must
have been some bitterness in that. That same night Mr. Jordan
was caught and reported by Mr. Prescott, who was not cadet officer
of the day, and who therefore must have deliberately shadowed
Mr. Jordan in order to catch him."

"Prescott did not shadow Mr. Jordan, or do anything of a sneaky
nature," shouted Anstey.

"He refused to explain to our class committee how he happened
to be on band at just the time to catch Jordan," shouted Durville.

"Then be assured he had a good military, a good soldierly, a good
manly reason for his silence," clamored Anstey.

The meeting was an excited one from all points of view. In the
end the best that the staunch friends of Dick could secure was
that action on the resignation of the class presidency be deferred
until a cooler hour, but that the silence be continued for the
present.

And so the meeting broke up. Jordan had been dismayed, fearing
that Anstey's impassioned speech might result in putting his enemy
back into greater popularity than ever.

But now Jordan was reassured. He was satisfied that things were
still moving in his direction, and that Prescott's proud spirit
would soon lead him into some action that must make the breach with
the class wider than ever.

At noon the next day Prescott returned from the second drill of
the forenoon. In his absence a mail orderly had been around. An
envelope lay on the table addressed to Dick.

"From Laura," he exclaimed in delight.

"That'll cheer you some," smiled Greg.

"Why it's postmarked from New York," continued Dick swiftly.
"Whew! She must be headed this way!"

Hurriedly Prescott tore the envelope open.

"It couldn't have happened at a worse time," he muttered, turning
white.

"What?"

"Laura, Mrs. Bentley and Belle Meade are in New York, and will
reach here this afternoon. Laura says they have learned that
there is a hop on to-night, and they are bringing their prettiest
frocks."

"Whew! That is a facer!" breathed Greg in perplexity.

"Of course I can't take Laura to the hop."

"You can, if you have the nerve," insisted Greg.

"And I have the nerve!" retorted Dick defiantly. "But