“Do you know what he means? Will you tell me?” he asked.
“Yes, I know what he means,” replied Chester, laughing, “and I believe he is right. However, it wouldn’t do for me to tell you either. You must ask someone else.”
Alexis turned to the man on his right, and repeated his question. The man acknowledged he knew no more what the expression meant than Alexis himself.
Alexis accosted several other officers, but with no better luck. He turned to Hal aggrieved.
“You should not have said that unless you tell me what you mean,” he said.
“Ask Colonel Bluekoff, perhaps he may tell you,” said Hal.
Alexis approached the Colonel.
“What is it, sir?” asked the latter.
“Colonel,” said Alexis, saluting, “can you tell me what drawing the long bow means?”
The colonel looked at him in amazement. Then he said sternly: