Another fellow was marched down the aisle by an Arlington worker. “Bad!” growled Buckhart. “And no one working against the fellow like that! Bad, bad!” At last there seemed no more to vote, and the polls were declared closed. A few moments later, amid breathless silence, the counting began. Would Arlington win? Ted Smart, Billy Bradley, Chip Jolliby, Bob Singleton, and Hugh Douglas were in a group at the rear of the room. “Dear me!” said Ted. “How slow this is! Why, there’s nothing interesting about it!” Singleton was watching Buckhart’s face. “I’m afraid Arlington has won,” he said. “What mum-mum-makes you think so?” chattered Jolliby. “Buckhart looks worried.” “Hi ’ave an idea it is very close, don’t y’ ’now,” said Bradley. The votes had been sorted into three piles, and the committee went over them again. The gathering was pretty quiet now, as it was a time of great anxiety. Chester Arlington seemed confident. He was smiling and serene. Buckhart was seen making some figures, but Dick Merriwell, who watched him, shook his head and seemed pointing out a mistake. Brad nodded, and then the slip of paper with the figures on it was passed to Dow by Merriwell. Dow rapped for order. “Gentlemen,” he said, “you will listen to your vote. Whole number of votes cast, 238. Necessary for choice, 119. George Hardy has 102; Chester Arlington, 97; Joseph Savage, 39. Therefore, there is no choice, and another ballot——” The rest of his speech was drowned in the roar that rose. Chester Arlington had not won. Hardy led him by five votes. “Fraud, fraud!” cried somebody. Instantly there was a surging mob round the fellow who uttered the accusing cry. Arlington’s friends were disappointed. They had anticipated throwing at least a hundred and fifty votes. “Shut up that fool who is crying fraud!” commanded Chester. “If you don’t, we’ll get it in the neck sure.” So the one who made the cry was choked off immediately. Another vote would have to be taken, and now the disappointed Arlington crowd set to work with redoubled earnestness. Chester went among them, assuring them that he believed the count had been fair. “Then how can you account for our failure to poll the number we expected?” he was asked. “Simply by the fact, as it seems, that a number of those who took votes and promised to support me failed to do so.” A large number of cadets had remained away from the meeting, but now the workers rushed away to various rooms, determined to bring out every one who could be induced to come. Many a fellow who declined to come, or tried to beg off, was brought along by main force and rammed into the crowded classroom. “It’s going to be a heavier vote this time,” said Dick. “You bet,” nodded Brad, who still looked worried. “I opine Arlington will carry it on the next ballot.” “What makes you think so?” “I’ll bet he has twenty fellows pulling ’em in. If he doesn’t make it, I shall be relieved.”