"Let me see if I can think up a way of presenting my statement so that the O.C.

won't scorch me." As Dick stood there in the gloom, a quick, soft step sounded outside.
Then the door was carefully opened, and a young man in citizen's dress entered.
Civilians rarely have a right, to be in cadet barracks at any time of the day.

It is wholly out of the question for one to enter barracks after taps.
"What are you doing in here, sir ?" Dick questioned sternly, putting out his hand to take the other's arm.
Then the young cadet captain drew back in near-horror.
"Good heavens! Durville ?" he gasped.
"Yes.

Sh!" whispered the other cadet, slinking back, a frightened look in his eyes.
No cadet, while at West Point, may, without proper permission, appear in any clothing save the uniform of the day or of the tour.
No cadet ever attempts to don "cits." unless he is up to some grave mischief, such as leaving the post.
"Don't say a word! Let me reach my room!" whispered Durville hoarsely.
Dick Prescott wished, with all his heart, to be able to comply with the other cadet's frenzied request.
But duty stepped in with loud voice.

As a cadet officer, as captain of Durville's company, Prescott had no alternative within the lines of that duty.