He was by no means confident that the soldier would bear his request to the colonel and still less was he hopeful that the colonel would grant him an interview.
He was, therefore, the more surprised when an hour later an orderly came to the tent and said, "Who is the man that asked to see the colonel?"
Instantly three of the inmates replied that they had made this request. To the surprise and consternation of Noel Curtis the orderly simply said, "There will be time for only one and he will have to be quick. I don't see why the colonel waits, anyway. The only place for a deserter is at the end of a rope that's tied so that his feet will be about three feet above the ground. That's the way one of the deserters was served this morning."
"What!" demanded Noel, his face turning pale in spite of his effort to be calm. "Do you really mean to say that a deserter was hanged to-day?"
"That's exactly what I mean to say," said the soldier lightly. "So many men have tried to break loose lately that it has been decided to use stricter measures. Perhaps they will be better to you, though, and instead of hanging you, they will just let you be shot. That's a better way. Leastwise, that's what I would want if I had to take my choice."
"I'm the one," said Noel hastily, "who sent word to the colonel asking for permission to see him."
"He isn't the man!" shouted the other three in unison; and each added, "I'm the man!"
"How will I ever know?" said the orderly as he gazed in confusion first at one prisoner and then at another.
"I'll tell you," suggested Noel. "Ask each man to tell how he sent his message, and the one that gives it right is to be the one who shall have a chance."
"Good!" said the orderly. "How did you send word?" he asked, turning to Noel as he spoke.