urt
of inquiry would be ordered forthwith, and that the young officers would
be informed of the time and place of the meeting of the court.

An officer, when placed formally under charges, is tried before a
court-martial, whose members are officers of higher rank than the
accused. A court of inquiry, on the other hand, may hear charges in the
first instance, and on the finding of this preliminary court the War
Department decides whether a court-martial shall be convened.

"You see, Noll, the Hepburns are going right through with their 'case,'"
observed Lieutenant Overton.

"So are we," retorted Noll, pursing his lips. "And the best crowd will
win."

"Or else the crowd whose witnesses won't hesitate to perjure
themselves," Hal muttered.

As the Army boys had just been appointed officers, the immediate present
was the best time for getting them out of the service if they were not
worthy of places in it. So the War Department acts with unusual speed in
such matters. Within a week from the time of receiving the complaint the
court of inquiry, composed of three officers sent over from Army
Headquarters in New York, was on the scene.

The mayor offered the court the use of one of the council chambers at
the city hall, and the offer was accepted.

"We shall soon know," remarked the _Sphere_, "what the national
government's idea of justice is. The culprits face their ordeal to-day!"

At nine o'clock that morning, in fact, Major Elbert, president of the
court, rapped for order.

CHAPTER V

THE WAR DEPARTMENT SAYS ITS SAY

For witnesses Bunny had rounded up all of his gang of that notable
night, with the one exception of Skinny Carroll. It would never do to
have Carroll go on the stand and admit that he had been posted as a
lookout.

Bunny and all his friends, under the coaching of a local lawyer, had
proved themselves expert perjurers.

Even Major Elbert, president of the court, before that body had been in
session for an hour, looked as though he believed the case a dark one
against the young officers.

The elder Hepburn was on hand. He tried hard to palm off one of his pet
orations on the court, but Major Elbert shut him off sternly.

Not one of Bunny's crew told the truth. That wasn't what they were there
for.

Hal and Noll attended court, as required, in dress uniform. It was the
first time that they had worn these handsome service garments
officially, and it seemed a pity that they should have