I did hear a slight sound at the back of the tent."

"You didn't investigate that sound, Mr. Topham?"

"Why, no, sir. I thought I was looking at the whole show."

"Instead of which," chuckled Captain Bates, "you saw only the
curtain that had just been rung down, and the author of the piece
bowing to the audience."

"Well, I'll be---switched!" ejaculated Mr. Topham, dropping into
his chair.

"Mr. Prescott has the reputation of being the cleverest dodger
in the yearling class," declared the K.C., in a dry voice. "It
was Bates who first discovered that quality in Mr. Prescott, but
I must admit that he has convinced me. Tomorrow a new cadet corporal
will be appointed, and the fact published in orders. The new
corporal takes the place of Corporal Ryder, who has been busted
(reduced). Mr. Prescott would have been appointed corporal, but
for his reputation for dodging out of the biggest scrapes of his
class. So Mr. Dodge is to be the new cadet corporal."

"Oh, you sly old ramrod!" Dunstan was murmuring ecstatically,
back in that other tent. "When I think of all the yearlings who've
been dropped for hazing in past years! If each class had only had
a Prescott all of those yearlings would have been saved to the
service!"

But Dick, though he did not know it, had a reputation in the