"His manner when I asked him to write it, and his attempt to disguise his hand, prove a good deal to me. It proves to me, sir, that he is lying, and that you are a very foolish and indulgent father to believe him as you do. He has lied to me and to you, and he lies still when he denies it. Look at him cower now, sir! I knew that this whole thing was an outrageous plot the very moment the cadets showed me that paper this morning. One of them is one of my most trusted officers, and I believe his account. And what is more——"
Here the colonel stopped and glared at Benny.
"I say this for the benefit of your son, who evidently hates Mark Mallory. I believed and was glad to believe, that Mallory, who is the finest lad I had seen for many a day, is as honest as he is brave. And I shall take great pleasure in telling him so, and in apologizing for my doubts. And in conclusion——"
Colonel Harvey arose to his feet and bowed.
"I bid you a good-day, Squire Bartlett. Cadet Mallory will not be expelled from this academy, if I can help it."
And Benny and the squire left West Point that morning, which was the end of Mark's peril in that direction.
CHAPTER XXII.
MARK RECEIVES A COMMITTEE.
"Oh, say, Mark, I wish you'd fight that ole cadet! An' ef you do, jest won't we whoop her up! Gee whiz!"
The speaker was Texas. His quiet gray eyes were glistening as he spoke, and his face was alive with excitement.