CHAPTER IV.
THE CLASS COMMITTEE CALLS Outwardly A company and the entire corps of cadets was as placid and unruffled as ever when the two battalions marched to breakfast that morning.
One conversant with military procedure, however, would have noted that Jordan, being a prisoner, marched in the line of the file closers.
And Mr.Jordan's face was wholly sulky, strive as he would to banish the look and appear indifferent.
Even to a fellow naturally as unsocial as the cadet now in arrest, it was no joke to be confined to his tent even for the space of a week, except when engaged in official duties; and to be obliged, two afternoons in a week, to march in full equipment and carry his piece, for three hours in the barracks quadrangle under the watchful eyes of a cadet corporal.
This penalty would last during the remaining weeks of the encampment and would be pronounced upon Jordan as soon as the commandant of cadets perfunctorily confirmed the temporary order of Lieutenant Denton.
Dick, at the head of A company, looked as impassive as ever, though he felt far from comfortable.
Through the ranks, wherever first classmen walked, excitement was seething.
When Prescott was seated at table in the cadet mess hall, Greg, who sat next his chum, turned and raised his eyebrows briefly, as though to say: "There's something warm in the air." Dick's momentary glance in return as much as said: "I know it." None of the other cadets at the same table turned to address Prescott directly, with the single exception of Greg Holmes.

True, when Dick had occasion, twice or thrice, to address other men at his table, they answered him, though briefly.
Whatever was in the air it had not broken yet.

That was as much as Prescott could guess.
The instant that they had returned to camp, and the two chums were in their tent, Greg whispered fiercely: "That sulker, Jordan, is putting up trouble for you, as sure as you're alive." "Then I've given him a bully handle to his weapon," admitted Dick Prescott dryly.
They were hustling into khaki field uniform now, and there was little time for comment; none for Greg to go outside and find out what was really in the air.

Battery drill was right ahead of them.

Barely were the chums changed to khaki field uniform before the call sounded on the bugle.
On the recall from battery drill, the chums had but a few moments before they were called out for a drill in security and information.
So the time passed until dinner.