the presence of half-a-dozen
officers in undress uniform, one of whom, a keen-looking, aquiline-nosed
man, gave them in turn a sharp, searching look, which Punch afterwards
said went right through him and came back again. He then turned to a
grey-haired officer and said shortly, "Go on. I will listen."

The grey-haired officer nodded and then turned to the two lads.

"Look here, boys," he said, "we have heard something about your
adventures while you were away from your regiment. Now, stories grow in
telling, like snowballs. Do you understand?"

"Oh yes, sir," said Punch, "I know that;" and, apparently not in the
slightest degree abashed by the presence in which he found himself, the
boy eagerly scanned each officer in turn, before examining every item
within the tent, and then letting his eyes wander out through the open
doorway.

"And you, my lad?" continued the officer, for Pen had remained silent.

"Yes, sir," said the lad quietly.

"Well," said the officer, "we want the plain, simple account of where
you have been, without any exaggeration, for I am afraid one of you--I
don't know which, but I dare say I shall make a very shrewd guess before
we have done--has been dressing up your adventures with rather a free
hand."

"I beg your pardon, sir," said Pen quietly, "my comrade here, Punchard,
has told nothing but the simple truth, and I have only answered
questions without the slightest exaggeration."

"Without the slightest exaggeration?" said the officer, looking
searchingly at Pen, and there was a touch of irony in his tone. "Well,
that is what I want from you now."

Pen coloured and remained silent while the officer asked a question or
two of Punch, but soon turned to the elder lad, who, warming as he went
on, briefly and succinctly related the main points of what they had gone
through.

"Very well said! Well spoken, my lad," said the aquiline-nosed officer;
and Pen started, for, warming in his narration, Pen had almost forgotten
his presence. "How long have you been a private in the --th?"

"A year, sir."

"Where were you before you enlisted?"

"At Blankton House School."

"Oh, I thought they called that College."

"Yes, sir, they do," said Pen, smiling; "but it is only a preparation
place."

"Yes, for the sons of gentlemen making ready for the army?"

"Yes, sir."

"And how come you to be a private in his Majesty's Rifle-Regiment?"

Pen was silent.

"Speak out, comrade," put in Pu