errers. "It all comes of having a
colonel who understands nothing of the social life. There; now I'm
ready, and I must get away on the bounce."

"I'll walk along with you and explain the nature of your offense of
to-day, if you don't mind," proposed Prescott.

Algy Ferrers reported at Colonel North's office and soon came out.

"Now I'm off," cried Ferrers gayly, as he came out again.

"I don't believe you've ever been anything else but 'off,'" murmured
Prescott, as he stood in front of headquarters and watched Algy, who was
actually walking briskly.

As Lieutenant Prescott stood there Colonel North came out. The younger
officer wheeled, saluting respectfully.

"Mr. Prescott, if you've nothing important on this evening, will you
drop down to the guard house for a little while? You may be able to
prevent Mr. Ferrers from doing something that will compel me to resort
to almost as strong measures as I would adopt with a really responsible
being."

"Yes, sir; I'll pay Mr. Ferrers a visit soon after dinner."

"Of course, the young man has to break in at guard duty some time,"
continued the regiment's commander. "But I am very glad to know that
young Overton is sergeant of the guard to-night. He will prevent anyone
from stealing the guard house!"

"I rather think Sergeant Overton would, sir. He's pretty young, but he's
an all-around soldier."

"I wish," muttered the colonel, as he turned to stride toward his own
quarters, "that Overton were the lieutenant and Mr. Ferrers the
sergeant. Then I could reduce Ferrers and get the surgeon to order him
into hospital!"

CHAPTER IX

PRIVATE HINKEY DELIVERS HIS ANSWER

THANKS to a most capable sergeant of the guard, Lieutenant Algy got
through his balance of the tour of guard duty without setting the post
on fire.

There was no rest, however, for the irresponsible young lieutenant.

For three successive mornings Ferrers had to grub hard at drill, with
Lieutenant Prescott standing by to coach him.

Then, on the fourth morning, Lieutenant Algy was ordered out to take A
Company on a twenty-mile hike over rough country.

"Sergeant Reed knows the whole route and will be a most capable guide,
Mr. Ferrers," explained Captain Ruggles. "We shall look for you to be
back by five o'clock this afternoon. Don't use your men too hard. Now,
I'll stand by to see you start the company."

With a brave determination to show how worthy he was of trust,
Lieutenant Algy stepped