"All right; I'll drop around and see Wright as soon as I put my car up and get a bath," replied Lieutenant Algy, striking a match.
"Beg your pardon, sir; don't light that cigarette until you've driven on."
"Now how long since sergeants have taken to giving officers orders?" inquired Mr. Ferrers in very great astonishment.
"The guard always has power to enforce the rules, sir. And smoking is forbidden when addressing the guard on official business."
"Oh, I daresay you're right, Sergeant," assented Algy, dropping his match out of the car. "Very good; I'll see Wright within an hour or so."
"But the order was explicit, sir, that you are to report to the adjutant at once. If you'll pardon the suggestion, Lieutenant, I think it will be better, sir, if you drive straight to the adjutant's office."
"Oh, all right," nodded Algy indifferently. "'Pon my word, it takes a fellow quite a while to get hold of some of these peculiar Army customs. Even an officer is likely to be ordered about a good deal as though he were a dog. Eh, Sergeant?"
"I have never felt like a dog, sir, since entering the Army."
"Oh, I dare say Wright is quite proper in his order, you know. I'll go up and drop in on him right now."
Both sergeant and sentry saluted again as this very unusual officer turned on the speed and went driving lazily up to headquarters' building.