Such is the spirit of the cadet corps.  Any comrade and brother must be wholly above suspicion where his honor is concerned.

Had Dick been really guilty he would have been the meanest thing in cadet barracks.

At a little before nine o’clock Lieutenant Topham called.  To Cadet Prescott it seemed grimly absurd that he must now go forth in holiday attire of cadet full-dress uniform, white lisle gloves and all—–­to stand before the court of officers who were to decide whether he was morally fit to remain and associate with the other cadets.  But it was the regulation that a cadet must go to court, whether as witness or accused, in full-dress uniform.

“I’m going to do my best for you today, Mr. Prescott,” declared Lieutenant Topham, as they walked through the area together.

Into the Academic Building counsel and accused stepped, and on to the great trial room in which so many cadets had met their gloomy fates.

At the long table sat, in full-dress uniform, and with their swords on, the thirteen Army officers of varying ranks who composed the court.

At one side of the room sat the cadet witnesses.  These were three in number.  Mr. Dunstan and Mr. Gray were there as the two men who had occupied blackboards on either side of Prescott the Friday forenoon before.  Cadet Dodge was there to give testimony concerning the handkerchief episode in the area of barracks before the sections had marched off to math.

Captain Abbott, of course, was there, to testify to facts of his knowledge.  Never had there been a more reluctant witness than that same Captain Abbott, but he had his plain duty to do as an Army officer detailed at the United States Military Academy.

Lieutenant Topham and Dick, on entering, had turned toward the table reserved for counsel.

For a moment, Dick Prescott had raised his face to the gallery.  There he beheld Mrs. Bentley, Laura and Belle, all gazing down at him with smiling, friendly faces.

Dick could not send them a formal greeting.  But he looked straight into the eyes of each in turn.  His smile was steady, clear and full of courage.  His look carried in it his appreciation of their loyal friendship.

Among the visitors there were also the wives of a few Army officers stationed on the post.  Nearly all of these knew Prescott, and were interested in his fate.

Among the spectators up there was one heavily veiled woman whom Dick could not see from the floor as he entered the room.  Nor did that woman, who had drawn back, intend that he should see her.

The president of this court-martial called it promptly to order.  The members of the court were sworn, then the judge-advocate took his military oath.  It was then announced that the accused cadet wished to have Lieutenant Topham represent him as counsel.  To this there was no objection.

In a twinkling the judge-advocate was again on his feet, a copy of the charge and specifications in his hand.