e-advocate
of the court-martial need much time for his preparation of the
case. The judge-advocate of a court-martial is the prosecuting
officer. Theoretically he is also somewhat in the way of counsel
for the defence. It is the judge-advocate's duty to prosecute,
it is also his duty to inquire into any particulars that may establish
the innocence of the accused man.

Mr. Topham at once consented to act as Dick's counsel, and entered
heartily into the case.

"But I don't mind telling you, Mr. Prescott," continued Lieutenant
Topham, as he was talking the matter over with Dick in the latter's
room, "that both sides of the case look to me, at present, like
blank walls. It won't be enough to clear you of the charge as
far as the action of the court goes. We must do everything in
our power to remove the slightest taint from your name, or your
position with your brother cadets will never be quite the same
again."

"I know that full well, sir," Cadet Prescott replied with feeling.
"Though the court-martial acquit me, if there lingers any belief
among the members of the cadet corps that I was really guilty,
then the taint would not only hang over me here, but all through
my subsequent career in the Army. It is an actual, all-around
verdict of 'not guilty, and couldn't be,' that I crave sir."
"You may depend upon me, Mr. Prescott, to do all in my power for
you," promised Lieutenant Topham.

CHAPTER XV

ON TRIAL BY COURT-MARTIAL

Tuesday was the day for the court-martial.

In the Army there is little patience with the law's delays.

A trial must move ahead as promptly as any other detail of the
soldier's life. Nothing can hinder a trial but the inability
to get all the evidence ready early. In Cadet Prescott's case
the evidence seemed so simple as to require no delay whatever.

The weather had been growing warmer within a short time. When
Dick and Greg awoke at sound of reveille, they heard the heavy
rain no sign of daylight yet.

When the battalion turned out and formed to march to breakfast a
more dispiriting day could not be imagined. The rain was converting
deep snow into a dismal flood.

But Dick barely noticed the weather. He was full of grit, burning
with the conviction that he must have a full vindication today.

It was when he returned to barracks and the ranks were broken,
that Dick discovered how many friends he had. Fully twoscore
of his classmates rushed to wring his hand and to