Their presence over by Battle Monument had not been officially requested.

Yet, as it was not time for taps, the cadets could and did stand where they were.
Two different armed forces were now moving swiftly forward to reinforce the O.C., as the officer in charge is termed.
Two policemen of the quartermaster's department---enlisted men of the Army, armed on with revolvers in holsters---ran over from the neighborhood of the nearest officers' quarters.
Cadet Corporal Haynes and the relief of the guard, moving at double quick, passed Dick and Greg on the path.
"Some fellows touched off firecrackers," whispered Greg to his chum.
"Number one cannon crackers," guessed Prescott.
They could see Captain Bates take a dark lantern from one of the quartermaster's police detail, and scan the ground closely all around where the cannon crackers had been discharged.
"Nothing more doing," muttered yearling Prescott.

"We may as well be going back to camp, Greg.

But we'll lose a heap of that six hours and a half of sleep tonight." "Think so ?" demanded Holmes moodily.
"Know it.

The tac.