CHAPTER VI.
TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO THE GIRLS Breakfast, the next morning, was a repetition of what had happened the night before.
At Dick's table the silence was absolute.
Even Captain Reid, cadet commissary, noticed it and understood, in his trip of inspection through mess hall.
The thing that Reid, who was an Army officer, did not know was---who was the victim?
He never guessed Prescott, who was class president, and believed to be one of the tallest of the class idols.
It speaks volumes for the intended justice of the cadets when they will, in time of fancied need, destroy even their idols.
Thus it went on for some days.
Dick performed all of his duties as usual, and as well as usual.
Nothing in his demeanor showed how keenly he felt the humiliation that had been put upon him.

Only in his failure to attempt any social address of a classmate did he betray his recognition of the silence.
Greg did his best to cheer up his chum.

Anstey expressed greatest sorrow and sympathy for his friend Prescott.

Holmes promptly reported this conversation to Dick.

Other good friends expressed their sorrow to Holmes.