ranks.

The command for open order was given, after which Captain Cortland
commanded:

"Inspect the second platoon, Lieutenant Hampton."

With that the company commander himself passed behind the backs of the
men of the first platoon, looking each man over keenly.

"Private Hooper, fall out!" ordered Captain Cortland sharply.

When the captain had finished his own work, and Lieutenant Hampton had
reported all men in the second platoon to be soldierly in appearance,
Captain Cortland turned to Bill Hooper with a look of disapproval.

"Private Hooper, this is the third time within a month that you've
failed to report in neat and soldierly appearance. Who is in charge of
your squad room?"

"Sergeant Hupner, sir."

"Sergeant Hupner," resumed the captain, "what have you to say to this
man's appearance?"

"I ordered him, at least a half an hour ago, sir, to clean himself up."

"Keep right after Private Hooper, Sergeant. If he fails again to keep
himself as a soldier should, report him to the first sergeant."

Hooper's face burned darkly. Even honest Sergeant Hupner flushed. A
shiftless soldier is a sore trial to the sergeant responsible for him.

Now, at the brisk command, B Company moved off in column of fours. A
long practice march followed. While out, the company was halted and
drilled searchingly. It was a hard morning's work, B Company returning
just in time for dinner. In the afternoon there was another drill.
Parade wound up the day.

On his return from parade Lieutenant Wright, the adjutant, found in his
office mail a letter that caused him a good deal of astonishment.

"Watch Private Overton, B. Company, if you want to
find a man who knows a lot about the robbery the
other night. He has been acting suspiciously, and
I have it from a man in his squad room that
Overton sometimes talks in his sleep in a way to
show that either he was one of the robbers, or
else that he knows who they are.

"A FRIEND."

CHAPTER XIX

A SECRET COWARD

IF any official notice was taken of that lying anonymous note the
rascally writer thereof did not have the satisfaction of discovering it
for some time to come.

Duties in the battalion went on, as usual, at Fort Clowdry, the next
day.

Late in the afternoon, however, came a brief battalion drill, followed
by the glorious spectacle of dress