“For a while, eh?” said Stubbs, grinning. “I didn’t think you could mean permanently.”
At that moment Captain O’Neil approached. Hal and Chester saluted and stood at attention.
“You had better turn in, lieutenants,” said the captain. He eyed Stubbs closely. “What’s this man doing here?” he wanted to know.
“War correspondent, sir,” replied Hal, and introduced Stubbs.
“You have no business at the front, Mr. Stubbs,” said Captain O’Neil. “I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to leave. Not that I am afraid you’ll let loose any military secrets—the censor will see to that when you file your dispatches—but it’s against orders, you know.”
“Maybe so,” said Stubbs, “but somebody has to tell the people at home what is going on over here.”
“The proper authorities will see to that, sir.”
“Well,” said Stubbs, “in my mind the newspapers are the proper authorities in this case. They know how to tell the people so they will understand.”
“I don’t wish to quarrel with you, sir,” said Captain O’Neil sharply.
“Nor I,” said Stubbs. “I’m not a fighting man, captain.”