n doing well previously?" asked the
judge-advocate.

"Only during the last week, sir. During the last week he displayed
such a new knowledge and interest in mathematics that I was prepared,
on his last week's marks, to recommend that he ascend two sections
in his class."

"Is it not true, Captain, that Mr. Prescott, in the last week,
showed such a sudden, new proficiency as might be accounted for
by the possibility that he had then begun to carry written 'cribs'
to the class?

"His progress last week was such as might be accounted for by that
supposition," replied the witness reluctantly.

"That is all, Captain."

Lieutenant Topham then took the witness in hand, but did not succeed
in bringing out anything that would aid the cause of the accused
cadet.

"Cadet Dunstan!" called the judge-advocate.

Dunstan stepped forward and was sworn. He had testified that, during
the blackboard work, he had stood beside Mr. Prescott. Dunstan was
positive that he had not seen any slip of paper in Prescott's hands.

"Did you look his way often, Mr. Dunstan

"Not directly, sir; I was busy with my own work."

"Yet, had Mr. Prescott had a slip of paper held slyly in either
hand, do you think you would have seen it?

"I am positive that I would, sir," replied Cadet Dunstan.

Under the questioning of Lieutenant Topham, Dunstan stated that
he had witnessed Prescott's loan of his handkerchief to Dodge
before the sections formed to march to mathematics section room.

"In what condition, or shape, did Mr. Dodge return Mr. Prescott's
handkerchief?" ask Lieutenant Topham.

"The handkerchief was crumpled up, sir."

"So that, had there been a paper folded in it, the paper very
likely would not have been visible?"

"The paper most likely would not have been visible, sir."

"In what form was the handkerchief handed to Mr. Dodge by Mr.
Prescott?"

"I am almost certain, sir, that Mr. Prescott passed it holding
it by one corner."

"So that, had there been any paper in it at that time, it would
have fallen to the ground?"

"Yes sir."

"What did Mr. Prescott do with the handkerchief when it was returned
to him."

"My recollection, sir, is that Mr. Prescott took his handkerchief
without examining it, and thrust it into his blouse."

"Are you sure that he did so?"

"I cannot state it with absolute certainty, sir. It is my best
recollection, sir."

Bert Dodge had sat through this testimony trying to look unconcerned.
Y