Algy Ferrers had his cigarette going by the time that he stepped leisurely into the adjutant's office.
"Some one told me you wanted to see me, Wright," began Algy.
Lieutenant Wright wheeled around briskly upon his subordinate.
"I want to see you, Mr. Ferrers, only to pass you on to the colonel. I'll tell him that you're here."
Adjutant Wright stepped into the inner office, nodding his head at the colonel, then wheeled about.
"Colonel North will see you, sir."
Algy took three quick whiffs of his cigarette, then tossed it away. He had already gained an idea that a young officer does not go into his colonel's presence smoking.
"So you're here, sir?" demanded Colonel North, looking up from his desk as Algy came to a halt before him.
"Yes; I'm here, Colonel—or most of me is. My, how seedy I feel this afternoon! Do you know, Colonel, I'm almost persuaded to cut out social——"
"Silence, Mr. Ferrers!" commanded Colonel North very coldly. "Concern yourself only with answering my questions. Yesterday afternoon you were warned that you would be officer of the day to-day."