"I'm ready right now."
"You can count on me."
The air fairly bubbled with confusion and excitement.
The Lieutenant roared with laughter.
"I do believe if you boys were told to lead a forlorn hope up to a row of machine guns you'd do it," he exclaimed; "but all this time I've been leaving my friend outside. May I bring him in?"
"Why ask the question?" exclaimed Rob. "This room is at the disposal of the United States Army at any time."
"Well, in this case it must be at the disposal of the Navy also," smiled the officer. Then, turning his head, he called to someone outside in the hallway, "Dan, the Eagles are prepared to receive the Navy."
At the word, a stalwart young man of about Lieutenant Duvall's age, stepped into the room. He was deeply sun-burned, and had an alert, upright carriage that stamped him as belonging to Uncle Sam's service.
"Scouts of the Eagle Patrol," said Lieutenant Duvall, with becoming formality, "allow me to present to you Ensign Daniel Hargreaves, of the United States Navy, just now detailed on special service."
Once more came the Scout salute, and then, given with a will, the long drawn "Kr-e-e-ee" of the Eagles.