"So!" Now the major's voice began to roar again. "Fighting, eh? Well,
now we really have something here."

"Sir," began Richards tremulously, "if you'll let us explain--"

"I'll let you explain all right," thundered Connel. "Out after hours,
fighting, you'll have a great time explaining to an inquiry."

"An inquiry!" Tom exclaimed involuntarily.

"Did you expect anything less?" roared Connel. "You are all under arrest
and confined to quarters."

The six cadets all trembled but said nothing, standing at rigid
attention, eyes straight ahead.

"Return to your quarters immediately."

As one, the cadets wheeled and marched off. Tom, Astro, and Roger walked
across the quadrangle back to their dorm, and the _Capella_ unit took
the slidewalk that led to their quarters. Connel watched them go, a
ferocious scowl on his craggy features.

"Little rough on them, weren't you, Major?" asked the man who stood
beside the Solar Guard officer.

"Rules are meant to be obeyed, Professor Hemmingwell," retorted Connel
stiffly.