Dick looked more closely at it. Besides the name of some soldier the badge contained the name of the command to which he had belonged, but everything save the letters "mie, Wyo." were obliterated by dents and scratches. A sudden thought came to Dick. It was in connection with Toot's half-recognition of the picture of missing Bill Handlee. It was evident that Toots knew something of the captain's son, but he could not straighten out the kink in his memory, and possibly this marksman's badge might be a clue. Dick hoped so, and he decided to try to learn from what fort or command the medal had been given. "I wish you'd let me take this for a few days, Toots," he said. "I'll take good care of it." "All right, Mr. Hamilton, but don't lose it. If it's what you say it is, I'm going to wear it, to show I'm a good shot. Then I won't have to be telling people all the while. They can see it for themselves." "Can't you recollect where you got it?" asked Dick again. Toots shook his head. "It's like--like the time you asked me about his picture," he said, pointing to the photo on the mantle. "I get all sort of confused in my head. Maybe I always had it. Maybe someone gave it to me when I was janitor at the fort out west." "What fort was that?" "I've forgotten. It's a good while ago. But don't lose that medal, Mr. Hamilton. I'm going to wear it." "Poor Toots," thought Dick. "All the medals in the world will never make you a good shot." He put the badge carefully away, resolving to ask Major Webster, at the first opportunity, from what military post it was likely to have come. Thanks to the jolly companionship of Toots, Christmas was not as gloomy as Dick had feared it would be. The dinner over the janitor left Dick to himself, and our hero fell into a refreshing sleep. When he awoke he felt much better, and the doctor said he could be out in a couple of days, if the weather moderated. The first of the year dawned; a fine bracing day, and, as there was no biting wind, Dick was allowed to stroll about the campus a short time. This brought the color to his cheeks, and completed the cure begun by the surgeon's medicine. "Well, things will be lively a week from to-night," said Toots one day, as he came in to make up Dick's room. "Why?" "The boys will be back then. Vacation will be over." "I'm glad of it," commented Dick, and then, with pain in his heart, he wondered if the coming term would bring him more fellowship than had the preceding one. Major Webster was among the first of the instructors to arrive, in anticipation of the return of the students, and to him Dick showed the medal. "Why, yes; that's one given out years ago, at Fort Laramie, Wyoming," he said. "I can send it to a friend of mine for you, if you like. Possibly they may be able to trace the illegible name from the fort records." "I wish you would," said Dick. "Maybe I can get a trace of Captain Handlee's son for him."