access. You may examine this piece of paper, Mr. Prescott, if
you think that will aid you to throw any light on the matter."

Dick stepped forward, lurching slightly. Most of the silent men
of the section took advantage of this slight distraction to shift
their feet to new positions. The noise grated in that awful silence.

How Dick's hand shook as he reached for the paper. At first his
eyes were too blurred for him to make out clearly what was on
the paper. But at last he made it all out.

"I am very sorry, sir. This paper tells me nothing."

Captain Abbott's gaze was fixed keenly on the young man's face.
White-faced Prescott, shaking and ghastly looking, showed all
the evidences of detected, overwhelmed guilt.

Innocent men often do the same.

"You may return the paper and take your seat, Mr. Prescott."

As Prescott turned away he made a powerful effort to hold his
head erect, and to look fearlessly before him.

It was a full minute, yet, before the bugle would sound through
the Academic Building to end the recitation period. Dick was
not the only one in this section room who found the wait intolerable.

But at last the bugle notes were heard.