But Dick's refusal had no effect on Glen's other guests. They drank more than was good for them, and smoked considerable. They were becoming rather noisy and silly, and Dick was in momentary terror lest some guard or instructor should come along and discover the violation of the rules. The spread was held in an unused room, in the basement of the east barrack, and, though permission for it had been given, the officer in charge of the building was supposed to keep a sort of lookout over such affairs. If one of the cadet officers discovered the beer and cigars he would hardly "squeal" on his comrades, but one of the academy staff would not be so lenient. The fun became more and more noisy, and Dick was thinking of withdrawing, no matter if he did offend his host, when he was saved the trouble by something that happened. A cadet officer, who was on night guard knocked on the door, and when there came a sudden hush to the merry-making, he whispered that Major Webster was approaching, and would almost certainly discover the breach of rules. "Quick fellows, get this stuff out of the way, and then skip!" cried Glen, and the boys quickly hid the beer bottles, and threw away their cigars. Then, by opening the windows, the smoke was gotten rid of, and the cadets prepared to disperse. "I say, Hamilton," began Glen, a bit thickly, as he walked alongside Dick, to his room, "you couldn't lend me twenty-five dollars; could you? I spent more on this racket than I intended, and I'm a bit short until I get my next allowance. I want to bet a little on the game to-morrow." "I guess I can let you have it," said Dick good naturedly. "Come to my room, and I'll get it." It was after ten o'clock, but as Dick had received permission to attend the spread, he had a permit to be out after taps. Paul, who had not been invited, was asleep when Dick and Glen entered. "I say, Hamilton, you keep your room looking nice," said the "sport" as he looked around the neat apartment. "I'm always getting a mark at police inspection, for having something out of kilter. You and Drew are as neat as girls." "Hush! Not so loud," cautioned Dick. "You'll wake, Paul." "Aw, what's the odds. He'll go to sleep again. It's early yet. Be a sport!" Glen was noisy from the beer which he had taken. "Here is the money," said Dick, handing over some bills. "Thanks, old chap. I'll see that you get it back all right." "There's no hurry." "All right; if I win, though, I'll pay you to-morrow. Do you think we'll lick Mooretown?" "I hope so. But you'd better go to bed now." "Me? Go to bed? Wha' for?" "Well, it's getting late, and some one might come along. You'd better go." "That's a' right. I'm goin'. You're a' right, Ham'ton. You're a' right. You're sport!" And, rather unsteady on his legs, poor, foolish Glen went away, much to Dick's relief. "I don't much care for friends, such as he is," thought Dick, as he got into bed.