By way of answer the spokesman took from beneath his jacket a folded paper. This he opened before him with some solemnity.
“Mr. Mallory,” he began—“ahem! I have been appointed, together with my two classmates here, to—er—convey to you the following notice from the first class.”
Here the spokesman stopped abruptly and shifted uneasily. Mark bowed, as well as he could under the circumstances.
“This letter,” continued the cadet, “is from the president of the class. Listen, please:
“‘Cadet Mallory, West Point:
“‘Dear Sir: As president of the first class of the corps of cadets I have the duty and pleasure of submitting to you the following set of resolutions adopted unanimously by the class at a meeting held this morning.
“‘Respectfully Yours,
“‘George T. Fischer,
“‘Cadet Captain, Company A.’”
After that imposing document the spokesman paused for breath. Mark waited in silence. When the cadet thought that there had been suspense enough for so important an occasion he raised the paper and continued:
“‘Whereas—
“‘Cadet Mallory of the fourth class has performed before the whole academy an act of heroism and self-sacrifice which merits immediate and signal recognition.