[CHAPTER V.]
OFF TO THEIR FIRST COMMAND.
Herc felt a strong hand on his collar. The next second he was yanked to his feet "all standing." Flushed, dust-covered and indignant he began a fusillade of irritated speech.
But Ned cut short the flow with a peremptory gesture.
"That's quite enough. Come inside at once."
"But I——"
"At once, I said; march!"
Herc knew it was no use to disobey, and with a backward look at Rankin, he sulkily climbed up the steps. Rankin picked himself up out of the dust. He appeared to be about to say something, but before he could find words, the two Dreadnought Boys were through the door of the hotel and inside the small office.