"About five dollars."
"Now, Grant, if you will hand it to me, I will give you a receipt for it, or send it to your father. I will keep it, subject to your order, if you desire it."
"I don't like the rule, sir."
"I think it is an excellent rule. But you waste my time. Your decision, Grant."
"I should like to think of the matter, sir."
"Your decision at once," said the colonel; and Richard saw the sharp eyes grow a shade sharper, and heard the deep voice grow a shade sterner.
The recruit winced under the necessity thus laid upon him. The principal could not be trifled with, and he must either submit, or take the consequences, which were so indefinite to him that they seemed sufficiently terrible.
"I will give up the money," said he, with a struggle, as he handed his wallet to the colonel.
"I am glad to find you are a discreet and sensible youth," added the colonel, as he wrote the receipt, and handed it, with the wallet, from which he had taken the money, back to the owner. "If you wish to use money for any proper purpose, you can draw on me, and your paper shall be honored to the extent of the funds in my hands."
"I don't think I am likely to want money here," answered Richard, gloomily.