Again Jordan marched in the line of the file closers, and now this first classman had received his official sentence from the commandant of cadets.
So far as the demeanor of the class toward Prescott was concerned, dinner was an exact repetition of breakfast.
On the return of the corps to camp, a few minutes followed that were officially assigned to recreation.
Dick stood just inside the door of his tent when he heard the tread of several men approaching.
Looking out, he saw seven men of his own class coming up.

Durville was at their head.
"Good afternoon, Prescott," began Durville.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen," nodded Dick.
"We represent the class in a little matter," continued Durville, "and I have been asked to be the spokesman.

Can you spare us a little time ?" "All the time that I have before the call sounds for my next drill," replied Prescott.
"Mr.Prescott, you reported a member of our class last night," began Durville.
"I did so officially," Dick answered.
"Of course, Mr.Prescott, we understand that.

The offender was a member of A company, and you are the cadet captain of that company.
But this affair happened at the guard line, and you were not cadet officer of the day.

Mr.Jordan feels that you exerted yourself to catch him in his delinquency." "I did not," replied Prescott promptly.