least one of the perpetrators was."

Mr. Prescott remained silent.

"Why do you not reply, Mr. Prescott?"

"I didn't understand, sir, that you had asked me a question."

Captain Bates flushed. He hadn't asked a question, in question
form, and he saw how neatly this cadet had "caught" him. But
that only served to increase the suspicion of both officers present
that Mr. Prescott was a very clever witness who was successfully
contriving to keep something back.

"Mr. Prescott, do you now know who was responsible for the monument
affair of last night?" insisted the O.C.

"I don't know sir," replied Dick, putting all proper emphasis
on the word.

"Yet you suspect?"

"I suspect one man, sir," Dick responded without attempt at concealment.

"Is the one you suspect a cadet?"

"Yes, sir."

"His name?" broke in Lieutenant Colonel Strong.

Dick Prescott whitened a bit. He knew the chances he was taking now,
but he replied, in a clear, steady voice:

"I very respectfully decline to answer, sir!"

CHAPTER VI

GREG PREPARES FOR FLIRTATION WALK

"For what reason, sir?" demanded the K.C. sharply.

Prescott opened his mouth, closed it again, without speaking,
then at last asked slowly:

"Sir, may I state my reasons in my own way?"

"Proceed, Mr. Prescott."

"My suspicion concerning a certain man, sir, does not cover a
really direct suspicion that he had a hand in the affair. His
remark led me only to infer that the man was present."

"That does not tell me, Mr. Prescott, why you have refused to
answer the question that I put to you," insisted Colonel Strong.

"My reason, sir, for respectfully declining to answer is twofold:
First, I do not know whether I am legally required to state a
suspicion only. My second reason, sir, is that to state the name
of the man I suspect would make me, in my own eyes, and in the
eyes of my comrades, a tale-bearer."

Since the K.C. had started this line of questioning, Captain Bates
remained silent. So, too, did the K.C. for some moments after
Dick had finished.

It was the first problem that faced the tactical officers---much
harder one than it would considered in civilian life.

In the first place, it is one of the highest West Point ideals
never to treat a cadet with even a trace of injustice. The young
man who is being trained to be an officer, and who will, in time,
be placed over other men, above all must be just. In no other
way can the cadet learn