young cadet captain.




CHAPTER III

CATCHING A MAN FOR BREACH OF "CON."


Lieutenant Denton was the tac. who served as O.C. during this
tour of twenty-four hours.

A "tac.," as has been explained in earlier volumes, is a Regular
Army officer who is on duty in the department of tactics. All
of the tacs. are subordinates of the commandant of cadets, the
latter officer being in charge of the discipline and tactical
training of cadets. Each tac. is, in turn, for a period of twenty-four
hours, officer in charge, or "O.C."

During the summer encampment of the cadets, the O.C. occupies
a tent at headquarters, and is in command, under the commandant,
of the camp.

It was in the evening, immediately after the return of the corps
from supper, when Lieutenant Denton had sent for Cadet Captain
Prescott.

"Mr. Prescott," began the O.C., "there has been some trouble,
lately, as you undoubtedly know, with plebes running the guard