"I remember it well," he said. "Now, what is it?" he asked.
"Why, we want to join an artillery company," said Alfred.
"And is that all?" he inquired with an amused air.
"Yes; we thought you might help us out; of course, we know we are minors, and Americans, and all that, but we can help out, just the same," said Ralph.
"Yes; that is, indeed, commendable. Your cases are so different from the ordinary ones that it may make the job of getting you in much easier; at any rate, I hope so," he remarked.
"Thank you," said Alfred.
"Now, mind you, I may not be able to succeed, for the War Department is very particular, and we are working under a pretty rigid set of rules, but you have been in the service and are entitled to consideration; and, by the way, won't you tell me how you succeeded in getting in heretofore. Did you have any influence to push you along?" asked the colonel.
"Oh, yes; we had considerable influence," said Alfred with a smile.
"Yes, that's what I wanted to find out," replied the colonel. "How did you work it?"