was wholly disarmed.

He honestly believed that he had stumbled upon a party of yearlings having a good time with a bit of nonsensical dialogue.
"Mr.Prescott! Mr.Holmes!" "Sir ?" answered both yearlings, saluting.
"I will suggest that you two might work up the act you were just indulging in.

You ought to raise a great laugh the next time a minstrel show is given by the cadets." "Thank you, sir"-- -from both "performers." Lieutenant Topham turned and passed on down the company street.
The two expelled plebes, in the meantime, had a chance to slip off silently.

Even had Briggs and Ellis been inclined to "show up" their hazers, they knew too well the fate that would await such a pair of plebes at the hands of the cadet corps.
"That shows how easily a suspicious man's eyes may deceive him," mused Lieutenant Topham as he walked along.
Kelton now allowed his gaze to follow the retreating O.C., while the yearlings in the tent stood in dazed silence.

They were still panting over the narrow escape from a scrape that might have cost them their places on the roll of the battalion.
"Safe!" whispered Kelton.