"How about it?" whispered Prescott.

"I was asked more questions, but all of the same import," Holmes
answered in a whisper.

"Did the O.C. make you tell on yourself, about being over by the
reveille gun?"

"No; I thought some of his questions led that way, but my other
answers stopped him in that line. As a last resort I would
respectfully have declined to say anything to incriminate myself."

As was afterwards learned, Dick and Greg were the only witnesses
examined that night. Captain Bates had followed the only trail
at which he could guess, and had learned nothing.

* * * * * * * *

"Mr. Prescott and Mr. Holmes both have the usual excellent reputation
of cadets for truthfulness, haven't they, Captain?" asked Colonel
Strong.

"Yes, Colonel."

"Then I am afraid we shall get no further in this investigation."

"Unless, sir, my questions were so badly put as to give them a
chance of shielding themselves without giving untruthful answers.
I shall sleep on this matter tonight, Colonel. I don't want
these young men to think they can put such an easy one right over