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Geroldstone remained sulky, with an air of bravado; the other three young men were so downcast that all their companions were heartily sorry for them. The hospital orderly marched back to the adjutant's office those who had been rejected, while another orderly appeared and led those who had passed the surgeons to the cadet barracks.
"But I'm a big candy eater," urged Geroldstone, with a grin. "No argument, if you please, sir!" rapped the treasurer rather sharply. "Turn over all your money and remember that you are on honor in the matter." Mr. Geroldstone received a receipt for nine hundred and sixty-two dollars, plus a few small coins.
"If we had a few tom-tom players we'd be ready with a fine imitation of an Indian war dance," muttered one of the candidates, gazing about him at his blanketed companions. There was a laugh, of course. These highly nervous youngsters were ready to laugh at anything just now. "Is Mr. Geroldstone ready?" asked the hospital orderly, marching into the room.
At last the candidate under fire came out, a sickly grin on his face. Though the others looked at him curiously, not a word did Geroldstone offer. "The big fellow has failed; I'll bet," muttered Greg Holmes. "I'm sorry for him, poor fellow." Still another candidate was now undergoing the ordeal inside. When he came out, nodding contentedly, the summons sounded: "Mr. Prescott!" "Brace up, Dick!
"I will be, in five minutes or so," replied Geroldstone, slowly pulling his shirt off over his head. "Mr. Danvers, then," called the orderly, consulting a slip of paper in his right hand. Candidate Frank Danvers, a good-looking young man, self-contained, slight of build, not very tall, but very black as to hair, stepped forward.
"Yes, gentlemen; I'm very happy to say that I passed," nodded Danvers, as he sprang across the room and began to don his clothes once more. "Mr. Geroldstone!" called the orderly, and the big candidate went in. An anxious twenty minutes passed anxious alike for Geroldstone and for those who still dangled on tenterhooks in the outer room.
"In here, sir," requested the hospital orderly, holding open the door. After Danvers had gone the other young men held their breath for a few moments all except Geroldstone, who was still leisurely disrobing. Back came Danvers after a few moments. Every candidate in the room looked at him inquiringly.
Though the treasurer frowned slightly at the slang use of "century," he replied briskly: "You must deposit all the money you have, Mr. Geroldstone." "But that doesn't seem like a square deal," protested young Geroldstone. "You'll need no money here, Mr. Geroldstone. Cadets are allowed no spending money outside of the so-called confectionery allowance, and that is charged to you from your pay."
There's nothing to be afraid of," whispered Dick Prescott. "They got through with you in mighty quick time," smiled one of the other candidates. "Did they?" laughed Prescott. "It seemed to me as though the surgeons started yesterday and finished to-morrow." Mr. Geroldstone had finished dressing and sat by, a sulky look on his face.
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