ortion.

"Somehow or other I seem to have lost my taste for the stuff," he
explained, when this fact was drawn to his attention by Jack; "or else
this girl hasn't learned the wrinkle of mixing a drink as well as Miss
Sallie has. But there's something bothering me, and I was just going to
ask Harry if he didn't want to take a run over to the field hospital
with me."

"What's that?" exclaimed the one mentioned. "You don't think any of
those Boche bombs could have fallen there, do you, Tom?"

Jack looked worried at these words.

"Well, it's to be hoped not," replied Tom. "But somehow lately the
fiends have taken a savage delight in bombing British hospitals and also
sinking their hospital ships when crossing the Channel, in spite of
their being marked and running with all lights on. As I said before, I'm
worried some. Will you go with me, Harry?"

"But we couldn't undertake the trip without special permission, don't
you know?" objected the other; though his manner told how gladly he
would accompany Tom if given half a chance.

"Oh, I've got my permit, which is good until one A. M. to-night,"
explained Tom. "And as you're still limping some I can manage that
you're allowed to keep me company; only you must make sure to let the
hospital surgeon take a look at that leg of yours while we're there, and
have it bound up. I must save my face, understand?"

Harry gave Tom an eloquent look.

"You are certainly the limit, Tom," he avowed. "But I've always heard
that a poor excuse was better than none at all. So, as you've got me
anxious about my sister, why, yes, I'll be glad to go along with you."

"How about you, Jack?" Tom queried, turning on the remaining member of
the trio.

"Thanking you all the same I believe I'll stay here for a while longer,
as two ought to be enough to see the job through. The raid was not in
that direction, so the hospital is safe. Jeanne will be asleep so we
can't see her, or else I would go. No, I'll stay here, and when I get
good and tired I'll drop over to quarters, and hit the hay for a sound
sleep."

"I reckon we can trust you. Especially," added Tom, with an eye on
Harry's face, "since Miss Sallie has disappeared for the night."

When he saw Harry turn red Tom felt satisfied that he and Jack had
indeed guessed the other's secret, though he said nothing to indicate
the fact.

Jack saw the two depart, and wandered here and there, chatting with some
of the boys, who evidently meant to