e office of the commandant of cadets.

By both officers Dick was congratulated on his fortunate escape
from death. Each officer asked him a few direct questions. Prescott
stated that he had remained over night with the village clergyman,
giving his wet, icy clothing a chance to dry.

It was when asked how he came to fall from the rear platform of
the car that the cadet hesitated.

"I thought I was thrown from the platform, sir," Dick replied
in each case.

"Who was on the platform with you?"

"No one, sir, an instant before."

"Did you see any one come out of the car?"

"No, sir."

"Did you recognize any assailant?"

"No-o, sir."

"Have you any good reason to suspect any particular person?"

"No _good_ reason, sir."

"Could any one have come out of the car, unless it had been a
tactical officer, a cadet or a railway employee?"

"No, sir."

That was as far as the questioning went, for both the adjutant
and the commandant of cadets believed that Dick had been pitched
from the rear platform by some sudden movement of the car. No
other belief seemed sane enough to be considered.

It was the commandant of cadets who suggested:

"If you feel the slightest need of it, Mr. Prescott, you may go
at once to cadet hospital, and be examined by one of the surgeons.
We don't want you coming down with illness later, on account
of a neglected chill."

"I am very certain I don't need a medical officers attention,
sir," replied Cadet Prescott, with just the trace of a smile.
"The Rev. Dr. Brown and his wife were about the most attentive
people I ever met. I was pretty cold, sir, when I reached their
house. But inside of five minutes they had me rolled up in warm
blankets and were dosing me with ginger tea. Afterwards they
gave me a hot supper. I slept like a top, sir, last night."

"You feel fit then, Mr. Prescott, to return to full duty? asked
the K.C.

"Wholly fit, sir."

"Very good. Then I will so mark you. Go to your quarters, Mr.
Prescott, and wait until the next call, which will be the call
for dinner formation."

Saluting the commandant, Prescott left the cadet guard house,
hastening to his own room.

A few minutes later Cadet Holmes burst in upon his chum.

To him Dick told the whole story of his striking the water, of
his swimming to shore, and of hurried trip through the cold night
to the nearest house.

"And you're sure you were pushed?" questioned greg thoughtfully.

"Either I was