When a fellow's friends all believe in him, what more is there to ask?
But I wonder how the news reached Annapolis?
I know---Belle has telegraphed Dave.

She knew he'd stand by me." It was a very cheery Prescott to whom Anstey and Holmes returned.
Anstey could remain but an instant, but that instant was enough to cheer the Virginian, the change in Prescott was so great.
In the few moments left before taps sounded, Greg told his chum all he could of the hop, and of the resolute conduct of Laura and Belle in refusing absolutely to be downcast.
"Have you sent any word home ?" asked Greg.
"To my father and mother?
Not a word! Nor shall I, until this nightmare is all over," breathed Dick fervently.
"Laura wanted to know," Holmes explained.

"Of course Mrs.Bentley had to send some word to her husband, to account for their longer absence, but she cautioned Dr.Bentley not to let a word escape." To himself, as he reached up to extinguish the light, Greg muttered: "I believe that unhanged scoundrel, Dodge, will see to it that word reaches Gridley!" In this conjecture Holmes must have been correct, for, the next forenoon, there came a telegram, full of agony, from Prescott's mother, imploring further particulars at once.

Mrs.Prescott's dispatch mentioned a "rumor." "That's Dodge's dirty work," growled Holmes.

"So that fastens the guilt of this whole thing upon him---the dirty dog!" Yet how to fasten any guilt upon Dodge?
Or how force from him any admission that would aid to free Cadet Prescott from the awful charge against him that had now been made official?
That Sunday, Greg, besides paying a long visit in the hotel parlor, and seeing to the dispatch of Dick's answer to his mother, also called, under permission, at the home of Lieutenant Topham, of the tactical department.