One less a stickler for duty than Prescott might have replied that
he had been on the spot the night before in obedience to a special
order from the officer in charge.

Dick Prescott, however, felt that to make such a statement would
be a breach of military faith. The order that he had received
from Lieutenant Denton he looked upon as a confidential military
order that could not be discussed, except on permission or order
from competent military sources.

"Now, Prescott," continued Cadet Durville almost coaxingly, "we
don't want to be hard on you, and we don't want to do anything
under a misapprehension. Can't you be more explicit?"

"I have already regretted my inability to go further into the
matter with you," Dick replied, pleasantly though firmly.

"And you can give us no explanation whatever of how you came to
report Jordan for being beyond the camp limits?"

"All I am able to tell you is that my reporting of Mr. Jordan
was a regrettable but military necessity."

"Is that all we wish to ask, gentlemen?" inquired Durville, turning
to his six companions.

"It ought to be," retorted Brown dryly.

The seven nodded very coldly. Durville turned on his heel, leading
the others away.