After d.i.c.k had given Larry the story of the attempted swindle, the young reporter took the millionaire's son to the newspaper office, and showed him something of how a great daily is published. The two lads had struck up quite a friendship, and they had pleasant memories of each other.

"What are you doing here?" asked d.i.c.k, as they walked up the street with his newspaper acquaintance.

"Oh, I came here on a peculiar robbery yarn, but it turned out to be an ordinary affair, and not worth much of a story. I sent in the account by wire, and, as a reward for my past valuable services to the paper, I have been given a couple of days' leave of absence. You see, the managing editor thinks quite highly of me," and Larry made a mock bow.

"Then you're just in time," said d.i.c.k.

"How so?"

"Why, you can spend a few days with me. There's going to be a big masked ball at the military academy where I attend, and perhaps you'd like to see it."

"I think I would, if the military authorities will admit a mere civilian."

"I'm sure they will. Come along back with me. I'll introduce you to Colonel Masterly, and you can bunk in with Drew and me. Paul Drew is my roommate--a fine fellow."

"Oh, I'm afraid I'll put you out."

"You couldn't do that, Larry. Come on. We'll have some fun."

So Larry Dexter accompanied d.i.c.k back to the Academy, where he was speedily made welcome by Colonel Masterly and members of the latter's staff.

"We would be very glad to have you remain and witness some evolutions of the cadets, a day or so after the ball," invited the colonel. "They will possibly interest you."

"I should be glad to," replied Larry, "but I can't stay long enough. It is very kind of you to invite me to the ball."

Possibly Colonel Masterly had a purpose in seconding d.i.c.k's invitation to this affair. The head of the military school was not averse to a little free advertising for the Academy, and he thought perhaps Larry might "write up" an account of the ball. Which, as a matter of fact, Larry did, and a fine account it was.

The reporter, though d.i.c.k invited him to don a costume, thought it better not to, and, when the night of the gay affair came, Larry was in sober black, forming a strange contrast to the lads in gay uniforms. The dresses of the young ladies and the uniforms or costumes of the cadets, with the hundreds of electric lights, the gay streamers and flags festooned about the gymnasium, made the apartment a brilliant picture.

The Academy cadet band struck up a lively march, and the dancers paraded around the room, two by two. d.i.c.k was not in this, as he had not yet made the acquaintance of any of the girls, and after ascertaining that Larry Dexter was in a position where he could see well, our hero retired rather disconsolately to a secluded corner. He saw Paul Drew dancing with a very pretty girl, and was just beginning to envy him, when his roommate walked up, and introduced her to d.i.c.k.

"Allow me to present my friend, d.i.c.k Hamilton," said Paul with a low bow. "Mr. Hamilton--Miss Fordice. d.i.c.k is a better dancer than I am,"

added Paul.

It was plainly a hint to d.i.c.k, who at once took advantage of it, and asked:

"May I have the honor?"

"If it pleases you, sir," replied the girl, with a mischievous smile, and an old-fashioned courtesy.

d.i.c.k led her into a two-step, and they were soon whirling about. But d.i.c.k was not selfish, and he knew better than to keep Paul's partner away from him for long, so, making some excuse, he led Miss Fordice back to his roommate.

"I'll introduce you to some other girls, after this dance, Hamilton,"

Paul called back to him.

d.i.c.k noticed that a tall, dark girl, who was standing near one of the pillars, started at the sound of his name. A moment later she advanced toward him, appeared to hesitate, and then came forward.

"Excuse me," she said, "but are you d.i.c.k Hamilton?"

"I am," said our hero, secretly delighted at the chance of talking to the girl.

"I thought I heard Mr. Drew call you that. You must think it dreadfully forward of me to speak to you without an introduction----"

"Nothing of the sort," said d.i.c.k promptly.

"But I know friends of yours," went on the girl. "I am Miss Mabel Hanford, and I know Birdy Lee, who lives in your town--I mean in the place where you come from. She and I used to be great chums. We went to school together."

"Indeed," said d.i.c.k. "Birdy Lee and I are well acquainted."

"So she said when I wrote to her, telling her I was coming to this ball.

She suggested that I might meet you, and when I heard your name mentioned, I couldn't help speaking."

"I am glad you did," said d.i.c.k, smiling.

"Won't you come over and let me introduce you to my mother?" went on Miss Hanford. "I feel as if I had known you a long time, for Birdy often spoke of you in her letters to me."

"I am glad she did," said d.i.c.k, gallantly.

Mrs. Hanford greeted him kindly, evidently approving of her daughter's action.

"May I have the next dance?" asked d.i.c.k of the daughter.

"Yes," said Miss Hanford, blushing a little. "But I hope you don't think I spoke to you just to have you dance with me----"

"Not at all," d.i.c.k hastened to say.

"Because my card is nearly filled now," she went on.

"I hope I may find room to put my name down in several places."

"You may look. I think the next waltz is open."

"It seems to be the only one," said d.i.c.k, ruefully.

A little later he and the girl were sailing about the room to the strains of a dreamy waltz. d.i.c.k was a fine dancer, Miss Hanford was his equal, and the two made a pleasing appearance on the big ballroom floor.

"Where were you?" asked Paul, as d.i.c.k came walking up to him after the young millionaire had taken his partner back to her mother. "I was looking for you to introduce a girl to you."

"I managed to meet one myself."

"Who?"

"Miss Mabel Hanford."

Paul whistled.

"What's the matter?" asked d.i.c.k. "Isn't she all right?"

"I should say so! Every fellow here is anxious to dance with her, but Dutton seems to monopolize her. He seems to think he's engaged to her."