"Silence in the ranks," growled Corporal Cotter.
But at breakfast tongues were unloosed. Hal quickly told what little he had seen and heard in the night. Others passed the gossip that twenty men had been silently summoned from a squad room in A Company, and twenty more from a squad room in D Company.
"There's some mischief floating in the air—that's certain," muttered Private Hyman.
"How did you happen to be up to see and hear it all, Overton?" demanded Sergeant Gray.
Hal explained, frankly and briefly, but the sergeant's eyes were keenly questioning.
Before the meal was over the company commander, Captain Cortland, entered the room.
"Keep your seats, men. Go on with your breakfast. Sergeant Gray, I will speak with you for a moment."
The first sergeant hastily rose, going over to his captain and saluting. After the company commander had gone, at the end of a brief, almost whispered conversation, Gray came back to his seat, looking wholly mysterious.
"B Company, rise," ordered the first sergeant, at the end of the meal. "Attention! The men of this company will have ten minutes for recreation, then be prepared to fall in at an extra inspection on the parade ground. After filing out of here no man will go indoors again before inspection."
"Is it to be inspection without arms, Sergeant Gray?" called Sergeant Hupner.