He started off toward the main gate, and Dick followed. The dust clouds became larger, and approached closer. Then Dick saw that they were made by two large stages, and, a little later, he could discern that the vehicles were crowded with youths. Above the rumble of the wheels could be heard laughing, joyous voices. There were shouts, yells, cheers, whoops and cries. "Three cheers for Kentfield!" called some one, and the resulting yells caused the horses of the stage to prance more madly than ever. A few moments later the vehicles had halted at the gate, and from them, pell-mell leaped the cadets, returning to the academy after the long, summer vacation. "There's William the Silent!" cried one lad, rushing up to Dick's odd friend, and shaking hands with him. "Hello, Will! How are you? Are you the only one here, so far?" William merely nodded. Then he waved his hand toward our hero. "Dick Hamilton," he said. Dick stepped forward to greet the students, expecting them to tell him their names. From the group of cadets that had gathered around Will, a tall, good looking chap, but with rather a hard, cruel gleam in his dark eyes, stepped forth. "What's your name, new chap?" he asked somewhat sneeringly. "Hamilton--Dick Hamilton," replied the young millionaire. "Oh, Hamilton--Millionaire Hamilton's son, eh?" asked Dick's questioner, with an unpleasant air. "I believe so," answered Dick, trying to smile good-naturedly in spite of the overbearing air of the lad, who was no older than himself. "I've heard about you," went on the other. "Fellows," he said, turning to those surrounding him, "this is the young hostage of fortune who has consented to dwell a while in our midst. I saw a little paragraph in the paper a few days ago to the effect that Millionaire Hamilton's son had decided to take a course at Kentfield Military Academy. That is he condescended to inflict his presence on us. I'm sure the academy is highly honored," and the lad made a mocking bow. Dick felt the hot flush rising to his face. He had never been so insulted before. An angry reply was on his lips. "Millions don't go here, Hamilton," said another youth. "Your money won't count, and the sooner you find that out the better. Come on, fellows, let's see if old Toots is still alive, and then we'll have some fun." "Ta-ta, Hamilton, I suppose you brought a solid gold bedstead with you," said the lad who had first spoken, as he turned on his heel, and followed the others. "Maybe you'd like to buy the place," he fired back over his shoulder. "You--you----" began Dick angrily. He was stopped by a touch on his shoulder. He looked around, to see William the Silent standing near him. "Take it easy," was all Will said, but Dick understood. Choking down, as best he could, his righteous wrath at the mean treatment accorded him, Dick strolled down to the lake. Will did not attempt to follow, for he understood.