"Why do you not reply, Mr. Prescott?"

"I didn't understand, sir, that you had asked me a question."

Captain Bates flushed. He hadn't asked a question, in question
form, and he saw how neatly this cadet had "caught" him. But
that only served to increase the suspicion of both officers present
that Mr. Prescott was a very clever witness who was successfully
contriving to keep something back.

"Mr. Prescott, do you now know who was responsible for the monument
affair of last night?" insisted the O.C.

"I don't know sir," replied Dick, putting all proper emphasis
on the word.

"Yet you suspect?"

"I suspect one man, sir," Dick responded without attempt at concealment.

"Is the one you suspect a cadet?"

"Yes, sir."

"His name?" broke in Lieutenant Colonel Strong.

Dick Prescott whitened a bit. He knew the chances he was taking now,
but he replied, in a clear, steady voice:

"I very respectfully decline to answer, sir!"