"Who was your instructor?"
"One of them, sir, was a namesake of yours—Corporal Davis."
"He will be glad to hear of this," nodded the major, smiling. "Corporal Davis is my son."
"Your son, sir—an enlisted man?" stammered Hal.
"Yes. My son enlisted in order to try to win a commission. Thank you, men, and good-night. I will tell the sheriff's men that you will be found at Fort Clowdry if you are wanted as witnesses."
Again acknowledging their salutes, Major Davis stepped inside.
Hal and Noll waited a moment before entering the station. When they did so, and passed on to the lunch room, they saw Major Davis at a table in one corner, so the rookies passed on to stools before the lunch counter.
"How long have we to eat?" asked Hal, of one of the trainmen.
"You've about twenty-two minutes left."
"I feel as if I could make excellent use of all the time," laughed Hal.