As he did so, with an expertness gained of practice, Haynes slipped the head of the black pin in under the front of the sole of his right boot. Then he straightened up again, chatting with Pierson.
"I say, Haynes," drawled Anstey, a few moments later, glancing at the turnback's right foot, "that's a dangerous-looking thing you have in your boot."
"What's that?" demanded Haynes, losing color somewhat, yet pretending to be surprised.
"That long pin, sticking out of the front of your right boot," continued Anstey, pointing.
Haynes glanced down, saw the thing, and pretended to be greatly astonished.
"How did I get that thing in my shoe?" he cried.
Then, with an appearance of indolent indifference that was rather overdone, the turnback stooped low enough to extract the pin. But his fingers trembled in the act, and half a dozen cadets noted the fact.
"That's a reckless bit of business, Haynes," continued Anstey in a voice that did not appear to be accusing.
"Reckless?" gasped Greg Holmes. "It's criminal!"
"What do you mean?" demanded Haynes, straightening himself and glaring coldly into Holmes's eyes.