So great had grown their confidence in the new friend that Henri and Billy at mess that evening jointly gave him details of their adventures in the château and the tunnel, and even told about the treasure they were carrying.
Jimmy was an eager listener, and as the tale unfolded, his admiration for the prowess of his new comrades reached the top degree.
“I’ve joined the band,” he insisted earnestly, “and I’m going to see you through. Count me in from date.”
“If we only had Leon with us now,” laughed Henri, “we could push over an army.”
“You bet Leon was a good one.”
Billy had more than once declared that if he ever got near to a place where they stocked Christmas ships there would be something special in the cargo for the little Belgian.
When the sergeant roll-called the boys, as usual, that night he was requested to include Jimmy.
“If I adopt a few more of you,” he grumbled, “I’ll be fit for the presidency of Bedlam.”
But the sergeant’s bark was far worse than his bite.