ght," hinted Noll.

"I hardly believe they will," replied Hal, shaking his head.

That day at noon Sergeant Gray warned Hal for guard the following day.
Just after dinner Hal found that his chum Noll had also been warned.

"If the thieves are coming again I hope it will be to-morrow night,"
suggested Hal.

"No good," retorted Noll cynically.

"Why not?"

"We're only rooks."

"Well?"

"There isn't a ghost of a chance that we'd be put on post up in
officers' row. The oldest and keenest soldiers will be put on that duty
every night."

"Oh, I suppose so," sighed Hal. "Of course rookies are just rooks. We'll
get the post down by the commissary stores, where a wagon train would be
needed for stealing anything really worth money."

At guard mount the next morning both recruits turned out spick and span.
Knowing that they could not expect to get any important posts for night
tours both boys hoped to be selected by the officer of the day for
orderly duty. But two older soldiers were chosen for that. When guard
mount was over Sergeant Hupner, as commander of the guard, marched the
new guard over to the guard-house, where the old guard was relieved.

This was the first time that the rookies had been detailed to guard duty
since joining their regiment. No matter to what inconsequential posts
they might be assigned both were full of determination to show
themselves model sentries.

During the day Hal and Noll, who were assigned to the same relief, had
two tours. The first was in officers' row; the second, which ended just
before dark, was down at the main entrance of the post.

Then followed some hours for leisure and sleep.

"You men will go on post again at two in the morning," announced
Corporal Sanders, who was in command of the relief to which the rookies
belonged.

Punctually that relief was turned out, aligned, inspected and
instructed.

"Post number three, Private Overton. Post number four, Private Terry,"
ran the corporal's orders. "Post number five----"

And so on.

Hal's heart was already beating high with hope. He had the post along
officers' row, Noll the one just beyond.

"All sentries will exercise unusual vigilance," announced Sergeant
Hupner, as commander of the guard. "This applies especially to the
sentries on posts number three and four. But let no sentry, anywhere,
allow his whole attention to wander from his duties for an instant.
Corporal, march the relief."

"Attention," called Cor