mand in the United States army. It is
the only standard of advancement, and there is no other instrument of
preferment. I am happy to know that you young men have started so well.
You two, and the friend who also was advanced to sergeant with you, have
brilliant futures before you."

They were saluting, preliminary to departure, when the major added:

"You will report to General Young, division commander, at ten o'clock."

A little bewildered by the salutes of those privates who knew of their
promotions, even though they did not yet wear upon their sleeves the two
stripes indicating their advance to corporals, Jerry and Slim hurried
toward the wash spigots, preliminary to an assault upon the mess tent.

There they met Joe, who had just come off duty as night wireless
operator at headquarters. They shook hands, and then Slim demanded to
know about that letter from Brighton.

"It was from our old friend, the telegrapher, Philip Burton," said Joe,
"and it was written about three weeks ago."

"That's pretty quick delivery," said Slim. "What did he have to say?"

"Well, it seems they've had reports there of some of our experiences
coming over, and Mr. Burton says some of the finest things."

"Good old Burton!" mused Jerry. "He always did credit us with being a
lot better and brighter and more capable than we really were."

"Yes, and we owe him a lot," added Slim, "for he was really responsible
in the first place for our getting here. If it hadn't been for what he
taught us about telegraphy we'd never be sergeants now."

"That's right," said Joe. "Fellows, Mr. Burton's getting pretty well
along now. He'll be an old man before very long. I wish we three could
do something to really show him our appreciation of what he's been to
us."

"We will," Jerry said. "We will. Let's make a promise to each other on
that."

And with this good resolution made, they started for the mess tent.

The first fifteen minutes they gave over unstintedly to appeasing
healthy and long-deferred appetites, and then Slim suddenly remembered
Major Jones' final instructions.

"Wonder what we have to report at General Young's headquarters at ten
o'clock for?" he queried. "I'm nearly dead for sleep myself."

"So am I," said Jerry.

Both of them caught Joe's averted smile.

"What's it for, do you know?" Jerry demanded.

"Well, fellows, I think I do," Joe answered. "But I only learned it over
the wireless--and that's information gained in