CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE STORY TOLD.
Mark Merrill’s first act was to go at once to the officer of the day and report the occurrence at the gymnasium.
Accompanied by Cadet Captain Byrd Bascomb, Herbert Nazro and Winslow Dillingham, who were there to vouch for the affair as stated, the officer of the day suggested that the young cadet go immediately to the commandant, and he would give no order of arrest against Barney Breslin until he heard from headquarters.
It was decided then that Mark should go alone to the commandant and tell his story, while the three cadets whom he had as witnesses would hold themselves in readiness to be called upon for their version of the affair.
“There will be plenty more of us, Merrill, never fear, to report the affair as it occurred,” said Byrd Bascomb.
“Yes, all there knew that you were attacked by Breslin, which was reversing the old saying and adding injury to insult, to attempt to annihilate you after he had accused you of stealing; but, great Scott! what a knock-down you gave him,” said Nazro, while Dillingham responded:
“Oh, yes, Merrill can do it, as I have cause to remember—he tumbled me into the drink,” and all three laughed at the remembrance.
“It will go hard with Breslin even if he escapes arrest for stealing, for Clemmons gave him an awful ugly look when he saw that he was the thief—that it was his room mate who had robbed him,” said Dillingham.
So Mark wended his way to headquarters, and the commandant granting him an interview, he made a clean breast of the whole occurrence.