present moment, but I won't let
him have a wink more of sleep to-night. It's getting toward daylight,
anyway, and too much sleep isn't good for a fellow. But don't talk above
a whisper, Dick, when we get near the house. I don't want Harry, by any
chance, to catch a sound of your voice until he comes out on the porch and
runs into you."

Chatting away in low tones the two old-time high school chums gained the
porch.

"Now, just stay here," whispered Tom, then strode into the house. He
entered his partner's room, gripping the slumber-seized Hazelton with a
strong clasp.

"Oh, quit your fooling!" protested a sleepy voice from the pillow.

"Time to get up, you slant-eyed rations stealer!" muttered Tom gruffly.
"Come on. You're needed, and there's no time to be lost. Up with you!"

Tom dragged his drowsy partner from the bed, seating him on the edge of it.

"Now, shed your pajamas and pull on something decent," Reade commanded
grimly. "Hustle! There's a conference going on outside, and you're
wanted. Hurry! Want me to dump the pitcher of water on you? I'll do it
if you give your eyes another rub!"

Hazelton was now fully convinced that something important was in the air.
If not, he knew that his chum never would have hauled him out of bed in the
darkest hours of the night.

"If you throw any water I'll shave you with the bread-knife," retorted
Harry. "But you can keep on talking to me, so that I won't fall asleep
while I'm trying to dress."

Slowly, at first, then more rapidly, Hazelton got his clothes on. Pouring
water into the basin he sopped a towel in it, then liberally applied it to
his face. The water waked him rapidly.

"Now, lead me forth to where duty calls," mimicked Harry.

"Run along out on to the porch," ordered Tom. "I'll be there in a moment."

Still yawning, Hazelton groped his way out into the hall, along the dark
passage, and thence out into the night. Some one stood there, and Harry
walked curiously toward him.

"Howdy, whoever you are," was Hazelton's greeting.

"Halloo, Harry, old chum," came Dick Prescott's laughing answer.

"Dick Prescott!" gasped Harry delightedly.

"I suppose you think I might have waited until daylight," laughed Dick,
as their hands met.

"I'm heartily glad you didn't wait," said Harry. "How long can you stay
with us?"

"Not as long as I'd like to, for I'm due at Fort Clowdry in a very few
days."

"And Greg?"

Lieutenant Prescott gave the