"Dobbs——-"
It was Dobbs's turn to show his back and stroll away.
"What the deuce has got into them all?" wondered Haynes, though his heart sank, for, much as he wanted to ignore the meaning, it was becoming plain to him.
Another cadet was passing along the walk. To him Haynes turned with an appealing face.
"Lewis," began the turnback, "I am afraid I shall have to ask you——-"
Whatever it was, Lewis did not wait to hear. He looked at Haynes as though he saw nothing there, and joined a little group of cadets beyond.
"Confound these puppies!" growled Haynes to himself. "They're all fellows that I hazed when they were plebes, and they haven't forgiven me. I see clearly enough that, if I am to have an explanation, or get a chance to make one, I must do it through the members of my old class."
Some distance down the quadrangle stood Brayton and Spurlock, first classmen and captains in the cadet battalion.
"They're high-minded, decent fellows," said Haynes to himself.
"I will go to them and get this nasty business set straight."
Past several groups of cadets stalked Haynes, affecting not to see any of the fellows. But these cadets appeared equally indifferent to being recognized.