CHAPTER XXII.
THE BOMBSHELL FALLS.
Nothing happened that evening; Mark and his friends passed their time inserene unconsciousness of any danger, merrily discussing the latesthazing effort of the enemy. Bull Harris and his crowd did not put inappearance, or try to put their plot into execution, for the simplereason that there was no chance. The first "whack," so to speak, wasscheduled for the A. M. inspection the next day. The only inspection atnight is made by a "tac"--a practical officer--who goes the rounds witha dark lantern after taps to make sure that no plebes have been run awaywith.
Reveille and roll call the next morning passed without incident, exceptthat Cadet Mallory was reported "late" at the latter function; thecharge being true, no suspicions were awakened. After that came themarch to mess hall, the plebe company, which was by this time able tomarch presentably though rather stiffly, falling in behind the rest ofthe corps. During that march "File Closer" Vance had occasion to rebukeCadet Mallory for loud talking in ranks. It hadn't been loud, at leastnot very loud, but Mark swallowed it and said nothing.
Breakfast passed without incident, and the plebes were marched back tobarracks, there breaking ranks, and scattering to quarters to "spruceup" for inspection. Mark and Texas, who shared the same room, lost notime in getting to work at the sweeping and dusting and arranging.
It seems scarcely necessary to say that there are no chambermaids atWest Point. Cadets do their own room cleaning, "policing," as it iscalled, and they do it well, too. A simpler, barer place than a room inbarracks it would be hard to imagine. Bare white walls--no picturesallowed--and no wall paper--a black fireplace, a plain table, an ironbedstead, a washstand, two chairs, and a window is about the entireinventory. And every article in that room must be found placed withmathematical precision in just such a spot and no other. There is a"bluebook"--learned by heart--to tell where; and there are penalties forevery infringement. Demerits are the easiest things in the world toget; enough might be given at one inspection to expel.
The signal, dreaded like poison by all plebes, that the time forinspection has come, is a heavy step in the hall and a single tap uponthe door. It came that morning while the two victims-to-be were stillhard at work. In accordance with orders each sprang up, stood atattention--heels together, head up, eyes to the front, chest out,etc.--and silently awaited developments.
Mark gasped for breath when he saw who it was that entered; CadetCorporal Jasper had been transferred and the man who was to do the workthis time was none other than Murray, next to Bull Harris, Mark'sgreatest enemy on earth.
Cadet Murray looked handsome in his spotless uniform of gray and white,with his chevrons of gold; he strode in with a stern and haughty lookwhich speedily changed to one of displeasure as he gazed about him atthe room. He took a rapid mental count of the possible charges he couldmake; and then glanced up at the name which is posted on the wall,telling who is "room orderly" for the week--and so responsible for thefaults. It was Mallory, and the yearling could scarcely hide a smile ofsatisfaction.
"You plebes have had nearly two weeks now," he began, frowning withwell-feigned displeasure, "in which to learn to arrange your rooms. Thedisorder which I see shows not only carelessness but actualinsubordination. And I propose to make an example of you two for onceand for all."
The two victims were expected to say nothing; and they said it. But Markdid a pile of thinking and his heart sank as he realized what his enemymight do if he chose. It is possible to find a thousand faults in themost perfect work if one only hunts long enough and is willing to splithairs.
Cadet Corporal Murray took out a notebook and pencil with obviousmeaning.
"In the first place," said he, "where should that broom be? Behind thedoor, should it not? Why is it not? I find that your bedding is piledcarelessly, very carelessly. The blanket is not evenly folded; moreover,the bluebook states particularly that the blanket is to be placed at thebottom of the pile. You may see that it is not so. Why, Mr. Mallory, Ido not think it has ever happened to me to find a room so utterlydisorderly, or a cadet so negligent! Look at that bluebook; it belongsupon the mantelpiece, and I see it on the bed----"
"I was reading it," put in Mark, choking down his anger by a violenteffort.
And as he spoke the corporal's face grew sterner yet.
"In the first place, sir," said he, "you have no business to be readingwhile awaiting inspection, and you know it--though I must say a morefrequent study of that book would save you much trouble. In the secondplace, you are not expected to answer under such circumstances; theproper thing for you to do is to hand in the explanation to theauthorities, and you know that, too. I am sent here to notice and reportdelinquencies and not to argue about them with you. I regret now that Ishall be obliged to mention the fact that you remonstrated with anofficer during inspection, a most serious charge indeed."
And Cadet Corporal Murray made another note in his book, chucklinginwardly as he did it.
"What next?" thought the two plebes.
There was lots more. The yearling next stepped over to the mantelpieceand ran his finger, with its spotless white glove, along the inneredge. Texas had rubbed that mantel fiercely; yet, to get it so clean asnot to soil the glove was almost impossible, and so the corporal firstheld up the finger to show the mark of dirt and then--wrote down "duston mantel."
There is no need to tell the rest in detail, but simply to say thatwhile Mark and his roommate gazed on in blank despair, their jubilantenemy made out a list of at least a dozen charges, which he knew wouldaggregate to at least half of the demerit maximum, and for every one ofwhich there was some slight basis of justification. The yearling wasshrewd enough to suspect this fact would prevent their being excused,for he did not think that Mark would sign his name to a lie in hisexplanation.
The disastrous visit was closed with a note--"floor unswept"--becausethree scraps of paper were observed peering out from under the table;and then without another word the cadet turned on his heel and marchedout of the room. And Mark and Texas stood and stared at each other inutter and abject consternation.
It was a minute at least before either of them spoke; they were bothtoo dumfounded. The bombshell had struck, and had brought ruin in itspath. Mark knew now what was the power of his enemies; knew that he wasgone. For with such a weapon as the one the cowardly Murray had struckhis dismissal was the matter of a week or less. Already he was more thanhalfway to expulsion; already the prize for which he had fought so longand so hard was slipping from his grasp. And all on account of acowardly crowd he had made his enemies because he had been strong andmanly enough to do what he knew was right.
It was a cruel fact and Mark felt pretty bitter toward West Point justthen. As for Texas, his faithful friend and roommate, Texas said not oneword; but he went to the chimney, up which he had hidden his sixteenrevolvers for safety, calmly selected two of the biggest, and havingexamined the cartridges, tucked them safely away in his rear pockets.Then he sat down on the bed and gave vent to a subdued "Durnation!"
About this same time Cadet Corporal Murray, having handed in his reportsat headquarters, was racing joyfully back to camp, there to join hisfriend, Bull Harris, with a shout of victory.
"Rejoice! Rejoice!" he cried, slapping his chum on the back. "We've gothim! I soaked him for fifty at least!"