was to raise Hal Overton considerably in the esteem of his comrades at
Fort Clowdry.

As his service in the Army lengthens the soldier acquires a trained
sense of justice.

A non-commissioned officer is never allowed to lay hands in anger on any
man beneath him in rank, save to restrain a drunken or crazy man, or in
defense of himself or of another non-com. or officer.

But Hinkey had struck at Hal, and the latter, had he been so inclined,
would have been justified in leaping upon the private and beating him
into submission. Instead, he had ordered disinterested soldiers to bring
about the submission and the arrest.

More, Major Silsbee's comments on the case had been repeated by the
witnesses to other comrades in barracks.

A soldier soon comes to realize, if he is a reasonable man, that his
officers always endeavor to work out impartial justice. Therefore, Major
Silsbee's comments had greatly strengthened Hal's reputation among his
soldier comrades.

This does not mean that all suspicion against Sergeant Overton was
forgotten, but the men now remembered that Hinkey had been the most
active and bitter poisoner of minds against Hal. So, now, reaction had
its natural effect--somewhat in Hal Overton's favor.

The fourth day of Hinkey's imprisonment Sergeant Hal had charge of the
guard that controlled the seven prisoners, in all, who were now working
out guard house terms.

Hinkey now managed to come close to the young sergeant in command of the
fatigue party.

"You may think you've won out," growled Private Hinkey.

"My man," spoke Hal almost kindly, "I've no desire to see you get into
more trouble. Attend to your fatigue duty!"

"You may think you've won out," repeated Hinkey. "But wait!"

CHAPTER XI

WHEN HINKEY WON GOOD OPINIONS

GREAT news came to Fort Clowdry these days.

All summer the War Department had been considering the advisability of
holding a military tournament at Denver. An enormous religious
organization of young people of both sexes was to hold its convention in
that city.

In the same week two great secret societies were also to hold annual
meetings in Denver.

Thus there would be an unusually large crowd in this handsome, hustling
city of the Rockies.

The War Department, in its efforts to conduct the Army like any other
great business enterprise, occasionally "advertises" in the way of
holding a military tournament.

These tournaments, at which seats are provided for