In the meantime Ferrers had bounded past an orderly and had broken into the office of the regimental adjutant.
"Hello, old chap!" was his joyous greeting of dignified Captain Hale.
"Sir?" demanded the regimental adjutant. "Who the blazes are you, sir?"
"Name's Ferrers, old chap," responded the newcomer, lightly, dropping a card down on the adjutant's desk.
Captain Hale glanced at the card. Then a light seemed to dawn on him.
"Oh! I think it likely you are the Lieutenant Ferrers who has been ordered to the Thirty-fourth," went on Captain Hale.
"You're a wonderful guesser, old chap. Now, where do I go to see about my rooms, housing my servants, storing my cars, etc.?"
Captain Hale tried to hide his grim smile as he held out his hand.
"Welcome to the Thirty-fourth, Mr. Ferrers. And now I think I had better take you to Colonel North. He has been expecting you."
Lieutenant Algernon Ferrers followed the broad-backed adjutant into an inner office, where the very young man was presented to the grizzled-gray Colonel North. Then, as quickly as he could, Captain Hale escaped back to his desk in the outer office.