Why did you take such chances?"
"In the first place," replied the cavalry officer quietly, "because
it was simple duty. There was another reason. If I am hurt,
in the line of duty, I have my retired pay, as an officer, to
live on. But a cadet who is hurt so badly that he cannot remain
in the service has to go home, perhaps hopelessly crippled for
life---and a cadet injured in the line of duty has no retired pay."
"Why is that?" asked another of the ladies.
"I do not know, replied Captain Albutt simply, unless it is because
Congress has always been too busy to think of the simple act of
justice of providing proper retired pay for a cadet who is injured
for life."
"Has Mr. Prescott been injured so that he'll have to leave the Army?"
"I don't know. But, if you'll excuse me, ladies, I am going over
to the hospital now and find out."
CHAPTER XX
THE CADET HOSPITAL
Cadet Prescott lay on one of the operating tables at cadet hospital.
Without a murmur he submitted to the examination. At times the
work of the medical officer's hurt a good deal, but this was evidenced
only by a firmer pressing together of the young soldiers lips.
At last they paused.
"Are you through, gentlemen?" Dick asked, looking steadily at the
two medical officers.
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