He sprang to his feet with a hoarse cry; at the same moment the other two plebes sat up and stared about them wildly.
"What's that?" cried one.
"Mark's gone!" fairly shrieked Texas.
"Mark gone! How?"
"He's out of bounds! Great Heavens, he went to see Mary Adams! And he'll be found out!"
The two crowded about him, their faces pale with fright, their eyes staring.
Mark gone! Mark, their leader! What on earth would they do?
The Texan's wild exclamation had been heard in the Company B tent to the rear, and its occupants had rushed in regardless of rules, of discovery, of everything. An alarm! An inspection! And Mark beyond limits!
Things were happening with incredible swiftness outside. The shouts had been echoed by excited inquiries from awakened cadets, by the cries of sentries for the corporal of the guard, and by the quick, sharp commands of officers.
Lieutenant Allen, the "tac" in command, had sprung up from his bed at the very first cry. And in half a minute more, dressed and with lighted lantern in hand, he was rushing down the company street.