"Dodge is an unpopular and b.j.-ish fellow.

He has undoubtedly been making his brags that he'd bag any yearlings who tried to interfere with him on post.

Some of the yearlings must have taken up the challenge." "Yet at roll call last night, which was held at once, every cadet responded or was properly accounted for," broke in the K.C.
savagely.
"Yes, Colonel; but the young men had nearly half an hour in which to work." "They couldn't have rowed both ways across the Hudson and have gotten back into camp in time for that swift roll call," retorted Colonel Strong.
"Even that part of the affair doesn't seem very puzzling to me, sir," replied Captain Vesey.

"Assuming that yearlings bagged Mr.
Dodge, as I think they did, they may have had citizen friends at hand to carry out the rest of the affair with a boat.

They may even have arranged with soldiers belonging to one of the Army detachments here." "The only matter of importance now, Captain Vesey, is to find out just which cadets, if cadets were engaged in the outrage, seized Mr.Dodge on his post." "In ferreting them out, Colonel, I will follow to the last extremity any instructions you may give me, sir," promised Captain Vesey.
The K.C.tugged hard at his moustache, then scowled harder than before.
"What do you think the chances are, Vesey, of our finding the perpetrators ?" "Frankly, Colonel, I don't think we have a chance in a million, unless some yearling concerned in the matter voluntarily confesses." "A yearling voluntarily confess!" snorted the K.C.rising.