e to do for me what many a company in the army does for
a young officer."

They gave him a hearty cheer that was a promise in itself.

"I can tell you I felt pretty bad when I found they wouldn't let me go to
the front," he went on. "It seemed hard to have to sit back and read the
newspapers when I knew I ought to be doing some of the work. But then
Grenfel told me about you boys, and what you meant to do, and I felt
better. I saw that there was a chance for me to help, after all. So here I
am. These are times when ordinary routine doesn't matter so much--you can
understand that. Grenfel put the troop at the disposal of the commander at
Ealing. And his first request was that I should send two scouts to him at
once. Franklin, I believe you are the senior patrol leader? Yes? Then I
shall appoint you assistant scoutmaster, as Mr. Greene has not returned
from his holiday in France. Will you suggest the names of two scouts for
this service?"

Franklin immediately went up to the new scoutmaster, and they spoke
together quietly, while a buzz of excited talk rose among the scouts. Who
would be honored by the first chance? Every scout there wanted to hear his
name called.

"I think they'll take me, for one," said Ernest Graves. He was one of the
patrol to which both Harry Fleming and Dick Mercer belonged, and the
biggest and oldest scout of the troop, except for Leslie Franklin. He had
felt for some time that he should be a patrol leader. Although he excelled
in games, and was unquestionably a splendid scout, Graves was not popular,
for some reason, among his fellows. He was not exactly unpopular, either;
but there was a little resentment at his habit of pushing himself forward.

"I don't see why you should go more than anyone else, Graves," said young
Mercer. "I think they'll take the ones who are quickest. We're probably
wanted for messenger work."

"Well, I'm the oldest. I ought to have first chance," said Graves.

But the discussion was ended abruptly.

"Fleming! Mercer!" called Mr. Wharton.

They stepped forward, their hands raised in the scout salute, awaiting the
scoutmaster's orders.

"You will proceed at once, by rail, to Ealing," he said. "There you will
report at the barracks, handing this note to the officer of the guard. He
will then conduct you to the adjutant or the officer in command, from whom
you will take your orders."

"Yes, sir," said both scouts. Their eyes were afire with enthusiasm. But as
th