"Hope you won't come back again," replied the doctor, with a laugh.
The boys were really unprepared for mirth just at this time, but they managed to assure the doctor that his wishes were reciprocated.
"Which way now?" continued the doctor.
"We don't know," replied Alfred. "We are debating what to do."
"You see," interrupted Ralph, "since Lieutenant Guyon's death we are all broken up, and we have been debating whether or not we can go back into the service."
"Go back?" queried the doctor. "You don't have to go back; you are still in the service. Were you discharged by any one?" he asked, glancing at them keenly.
"Why, no; we never thought of that," said Alfred, looking at Ralph.
"We were just talking about going to England," explained Ralph.
"If you did you would be deserters," replied the doctor with a smile.
"Well, I thought it was singular that when they gave us the certificates they should give us these slips," said Alfred, pulling out the document.