Dick glanced at Dave, who gave a barely perceptible nod.
"No; we won't try you," retorted Dick "We'll trust you, without any promise on your part."
"Good!" cried Laura, in a gratified tone.
"Well?" inquired Belle, as neither boy spoke.
"It's just here, then," Prescott went on, in a low tone, after glancing around to make sure that no one else was within hearing. "The Congressman from this district, in a year or so more, will have the filling of a vacancy at West Point. That means a cadetship from this district. Now, a Congressman can appoint a cadet as a matter of favoritism, or to pay a political debt to some relative of the boy he so appoints. But the custom, in this district, has always been for the Congressman to appoint the boy who comes out best in a competitive examination. The examination is thrown open to all boys, of proper age, who can first pass a good physical examination."
"So you're both going to try for it?" asked Belle quickly.
"No," retorted Dave very quickly. "That would make us rivals.
Dick and I don't want to be rivals."
"Then where do you come in?" asked Belle, glancing curiously at
Darrin.
"Whisper!" replied Dave, looking mischievously mysterious. After a pause he continued, almost in a whisper:
"At just about the same time there will be a vacancy at Annapolis. So while Dick is trying to get a job carrying the banner for the Army, it will be little David trying for a chance to be a second Farragut in the Navy."