n. Hal's heart
and other organs were examined; his skin and body were searched for
blemishes. He was made to run and do various other exercises. After this
the surgeon again listened to his heart from various points of
examination. Finally Hal was told to lie down on a cot. Now, the
examination of the heart was made over again in this position. It was
mostly Greek to the boy. When the examination was nearly over Noll was
ordered to strip and take his turn.

When it was over Captain Wayburn turned to them to say:

"If I pronounced you young men absolutely flawless in a physical sense,
it wouldn't be much of an exaggeration. You are just barely over the one
hundred and twenty pound weight, but that is all that can be expected at
your age."

"You pass us, sir," asked Hal eagerly.

"Most decidedly. As soon as Terry is dressed I'll hand you each your
papers to take back to the recruiting officer."

Five minutes later Hal and Noll returned to the main waiting room.

"Pass?" inquired the sergeant, with friendly interest.

"Yes," nodded Hal.

Tip Branders was sitting in a chair, a dark scowl on his face.

"Orderly, take Branders to the surgeon, now," continued the sergeant,
and Tip disappeared. Then the sergeant knocked at the door of the
lieutenant's office and entered after receiving the officer's
permission. He came out in a moment, holding the door open.

"Overton and Terry, the lieutenant will see you now."

Hal and Noll entered, handing their papers back to Lieutenant
Shackleton, who glanced briefly at the surgeon's reports.

"I don't see much difficulty about your enlisting," smiled the officer.
"I congratulate you both."

"We're delighted, sir," said Noll simply.

"Now, Overton, I can let you sign, provisionally, to-day but I can't
accept your friend, Terry, until to-morrow, when he will have reached
the proper age for enlisting. This may seem like a trivial thing to you,
but Terry is just one day short of the age, and the regulations provide
that an officer who knowingly enlists a recruit below the proper age is
to be dismissed from the service. Now, if you prefer, Overton, you can
delay enlisting until to-morrow, so as to enter on the same date with
your friend."

"I'd prefer that, sir," admitted Hal.

"You are both in earnest about enlisting?"

"Indeed we are, sir," breathed Noll fervently.

"I believe you," nodded the officer. "Now, have you money enough for a
hotel bed and meals until to-morr