"I wonder if Captain Cortland is on deck at this moment?" remarked Sergeant Hal.
"I saw him five minutes ago," Noll answered.
Almost at that moment B Company's commander came to the forward rail of the saloon deck and looked down. Then his glance rested on Hal.
"Are the papers ready, Sergeant?" the captain called down.
"Yes, sir; I have them with me," replied Hal. Pressing through the throng of soldiers, he ascended the steps to the saloon deck, saluting and passing over the envelope.
"Thank you, Sergeant."
"I think you'll find them all right, sir. I'm somewhat new at the work, but I've taken a lot of pains."
"There's always a lot of pains taken with any work that you do, Sergeant."
"Thank you, sir."
Hal saluted and was about to turn away when he heard a voice saying: