Dick was beginning to feel a trifle dizzy. He turned aside. Dutton took a step forward, in spite of his strained ankle. "Hamilton," he said, and there was a husky note in his voice. Dick turned back. "Hamilton--I--er--I--I--will you shake hands?" asked Dutton suddenly, and he seemed much affected. Dick grasped the outstretched hand, and the two, one of whom had been an unrelenting enemy of the other, looked into each other's eyes. "Hamilton," went on Dutton, still holding Dick's hand, "I don't know how to thank you. Will you--will you forgive me?" "Oh--there's nothing to forgive," said Dick. "Yes, there is," said Dutton huskily. "I've treated you--I've been a cad, that's what I have! I didn't like you at first--I thought you were proud of your millions. I didn't like the idea of you being here--I was jealous, I guess. I wanted to make you quit. It was I who tied your dog to the saluting gun, and tried to throw the blame on you. I've done other mean things. I--I----" "Forget it!" said Dick so heartily that the other cadets laughed, and thus broke what was becoming quite a strain. Major Webster, when he heard the beginning of Dutton's confession, walked away. He was a wise old soldier, and he knew that the lads could best settle those things among themselves. "And you don't bear me any grudge?" asked Dutton, after a pause. "Not a bit. But you'd better get back to the hospital and have your ankle looked after," for Dutton was limping. "Oh, that isn't anything. It might just as well have been my head. But, say, you got a nasty dig." "Only a scratch," replied Dick with a happy laugh. He would have welcomed another one if it could have insured him such an outcome as had followed this. "I guess we'd better take you both to the hospital," said Butler, who had ridden up, fearful lest he had seriously injured Dick. And thither the two wounded cadets were taken, though their stay there was brief. It was a week after the sensational rescue of Dutton that a meeting of the exclusive society of the Sacred Pig was held in the cosy little club-house which had been built by contributions and donations of the cadets themselves or their fathers. Dutton arose and proposed Dick for membership, the election being unanimous. The next day being Saturday, was an occasion for the cadets enjoying considerable freedom. It was after the evening parade, when Dick and some of his new chums had received permission to go to town to a theatrical performance, that Major Webster sent for our hero. "I'll not keep you a moment, Hamilton," he said, "as I know your friends are waiting for you. But you remember that battered marksman's medal that Toots had, and which you requested me to investigate for you?" "Yes; have you any information about it?" "I have. I sent it to a friend of mine, an officer at Fort Laramie, Wyoming, and he has just returned it. With it he sends some surprising news." "What is it?"