"And there comes the corporal of the guard, making a rifle salute," added Hal. "It must be a new officer joining the regiment."
"That—an officer?" gasped Noll, in unfeigned disgust. "Don't libel the good old Army, Hal."
Of a sudden the big car shot forward again, and came up the main road to officers' row at a smashing clip.
Then, just as suddenly, it halted beside the two young corporals.
"Hello, boys!" greeted the dapper, smiling little fellow in the tonneau. "Say, I'm afraid I'm all at sea. I've come to live with you fellows, but I'm blessed if I haven't already forgotten what that fellow with the gun told me down at the porter's lodge."
"Porter's lodge? Do you mean the guard house, sir?" Hal asked respectfully.
"Why, yes—if that's what you call it—of course. Names don't matter much to me. Never did. Some one over in Washington—the secretary of something or other—sent me over here. I'm a new lieutenant, and I believe I'm to stay at this beastly place."
At the mention of the word "lieutenant" both Hal and Noll came to a very formal salute.
"Now, what do you mean by that?" smiled the new-comer affably. "Sign of some lodge on the post? I haven't had time to get into any of your secret societies yet, of course."
"We offered you the officer's salute, sir," explained Corporal Hal.