one of the most
democratic places in the world. I haven't brought any of my 'lugs' here
with me--'pon my word I haven't. I'm Lieutenant Algernon Ferrers. I hope
all of you fellows will soon like me well enough to call me Algy."

Though Mr. Ferrers was certainly the biggest joke in the way of an
officer that either of the young soldiers had ever seen, it was
impossible not to like this pleasant young man.

"Jump in--won't you, boys?" invited Lieutenant Ferrers, throwing the
nearer door of the tonneau open. "I'll be tremendously obliged if you'll
pilot me to the right place. Where do I ring the bell? Of course I've
got to give some one here the glad hand before I can be shown to my
rooms."

Though they did so with some misgivings Hal and Noll both stepped into
the tonneau.

"Sit right down, boys," urged Lieutenant Ferrers amiably.

"Pardon me, sir," explained Hal Overton. "It would be a bad breach of
discipline in this regiment for any enlisted man to sit in the company
of his officers."

"Oh, you're enlisted men, eh?" queried the new lieutenant, showing no
signs whatever of feeling taken aback. "I'm glad to say I didn't have to
enlist. My guv'nor has some good friends at Washington, and I was
appointed from civil life."

Hal and Noll had already guessed that much without difficulty. No
officer quite like Lieutenant Ferrers had ever been turned out at West
Point, and surely such a man had never risen from the ranks. Now, when
all the West Point graduates have been commissioned into the Army, and
all meritorious enlisted men have been promoted to second lieutenancies,
then, if there be any vacancies left, the President fills these
vacancies in the rank of second lieutenant, by appointing young men from
civil life.

Generally these appointments from civil life go to the honor graduates
of colleges where military drill is conducted by an officer of the Army
detailed as instructor. But, occasionally, there are more vacancies
than these honor graduates can or will fill--and then political
influence very often plays a part in the appointment of some young men
as lieutenants in the Army.

"Tell Francois where to drive, will you?" begged Lieutenant Ferrers.

"I don't believe, sir, that Colonel North is at his office so late in
the forenoon," Corporal Hal replied. "But I think, sir, that Captain
Hale, the regimental adjutant, will be found there."

"Does Hale assign a fellow's rooms to him?" queried Lieutenant Ferrer