Silently the cadets saluted, returned the colonel's goodnight and went to their room.
"I see the next Alumni affair will be a dance," Don remarked, looking across the table to Jim, who was studying.
"Yes. Looking in the _Bombardment_, are you?" his brother replied.
"Sure. I guess that is the affair at which Colonel Morrell intends to clear George Long," Don went on.
"It is. There will be a dinner and a dance and then the colonel will tell his story. It will be a pleasant evening for Long and his wife."
"Goodness knows they have it coming to them," mused Don. "I'd hate to go around for a number of years with a cloud like that hanging over me. If I met an old fellow student I'd have to be prepared to see suspicion showing in his face or even to meet with outspoken slighting. It has been a fearful burden and I'm glad that it is to be lifted soon."
"So am I," agreed Jim. "Mr. Long must think we have forgotten him, though. So many months have gone by since we went to see him about the matter. Here it is the last of February already."
"Yes, time has passed rapidly. It won't be long before the spring is at hand."
"That was a terrible tongue-lashing that the colonel gave Gates the other night, wasn't it?"
"Nothing more than he deserved," retorted Don, promptly. "Just imagine, he wanted to pay the colonel to keep quiet and let Long go on with this blight on his good name! Just as the colonel said, if the whole thing had been some failing of the son's in which he had injured no one but himself, why we'd all be glad to keep still and give the man a chance. But that particular type of outrage calls for extreme measures."
"Right you are. Where is that red-headed friend of ours?"
"Out visiting," grinned Don. "That boy surely has a multitude of friends!"
Terry returned to the room just before the lights went out and brought some news with him. But before he told them the news he played one of the tricks of which he was so very fond. When he approached the room he tapped on the door sharply, turned the knob and stepped briskly into the room. Imitating to perfection the tones of Officer of the Section he called out:
"Attention, gentlemen! Stand at attention for inspection, please!"
Once a day their rooms were rigidly inspected and although the officer of that section was not in the habit of calling them to attention so pointedly the boys fell into the trap. Terry's voice was so like that of the officer that the two boys put down their books, leaped to their feet and were just about ready to stand at attention when they caught sight of the grinning face of their friend.
