"I heard he had been in some trouble about demerits," put in Judge Fuller.
"In very serious trouble. I had to take a very radical step to get him out of it. Every once in a while I find that some new cadet is being 'skinned,' as the cadets call it, demerited unfairly. I always punish severely when I find that out. In this case, though, I had no proof; Mallory would say nothing, though he was within five demerits of expulsion. So I decided to end the whole matter by declaring a new rule I've been contemplating for some time. I've found that new cadets get too many demerits during the first few weeks, before they learn the rules thoroughly. So I've decided that in future no demerits shall be given for the first three weeks, and that delinquencies shall be punished by extra hours and other penalties. That let Mallory out of his trouble, you see."
"A very clever scheme!" laughed the other. "Very clever!"
It may be of interest to notice that Colonel Harvey's rule has been in effect ever since.
There was silence of a few moments after that, during which Judge Fuller tapped the floor with his cane reflectively.
"You promised to let me see this Mallory," he said, suddenly. "I'm ready now."
By way of answer, the superintendent rang a bell upon his desk.
"Go over to the hospital," he said to the orderly who appeared in the doorway, "and find out if Cadet Mallory is able to be about. If he is, bring him here at once."
The boy disappeared and the colonel turned to his visitor and smiled.
"Is that satisfactory?" he inquired.