“Do you wish to make any complaint, Captain Rover?” went on the professor, as Blake came around with the lantern and some other cadets began to gather.
“I don’t think so—at least not to-night, Professor,” answered Jack, after a few seconds of rapid thinking.
“I hope they didn’t do any damage,” went on Professor Grawson.
“They didn’t have time. Although in the struggle, when I tried to catch one of them, we fell over one of the cots and broke it down.”
“I see.” The professor mused for a moment. “Well, perhaps you might better let the matter rest,” he continued. He was afraid someone would ask him about himself, and then he would have to acknowledge that he had been asleep instead of remaining on guard.
The excitement soon died away, the report being that some of the cadets had been starting in for a little more horseplay, but that the scheme had been nipped in the bud. Andy and Randy were on hand, and asked Jack for some of the particulars.
“I’ll tell you about it to-morrow,” whispered the young captain. “But mum is the word just now.”
Returning to their tent after the excitement was over, the Rovers assisted Lieutenant Blake to put up his cot, so that he could sleep upon it. In doing this, Jack picked up the flashlight and the silk handkerchief with which the end had been covered. In the struggle the light had been turned off. Without saying anything about his find, the young captain slipped the articles into his pocket.
Running as fast as his somewhat clumsy steps would permit, Bill Glutts reached the tent which he and Werner occupied along with two of their cronies, cadets who had asked them to join Company B just previous to their leaving Company C. Glutts had run so fast that he could hardly breathe, and he sank down on his cot gasping.
“You look to be in a hurry, Bill,” remarked one of the other cadets, who was awakened by the sudden entrance.