After they had left Albany there occurred another incident which, though trifling at the time, was destined to be long remembered. They were sitting comfortably back in their seats discussing their plan of campaign, when a boy of about sixteen came through the car. He was dressed in ordinary summer outing fashion save that he wore a scout hat, and as he passed the two boys he raised his right hand to his forehead and made the full salute to Harry. He was one of a long line of people carrying bundles, suitcases, and so forth, who were passing through the aisle, and it would have caused a slight interruption to the others had he paused. Probably for this reason he went straight on through the car and disappeared through the doorway.
“He’s a scout, all right,” said Gordon.
“Yes,” answered Harry, “but this is what puzzles me—how did he know I am entitled to the full salute?”
“From the badge on your hat, of course!”
“Only my hat’s upside down on my knees. Guess again.”
“Well,” said Gordon, “he knew you were a first-class man by your seamanship badge.”
“But how did he know I was patrol leader?”
“Your flag?”
“No—that’s gone on with the troop.”
The only conclusion they could reach was that the strange boy was a wonder. Every now and then they reverted to it, and one or the other would suggest going back through the train to hunt him up and ask him how he knew that Harry Arnold was patrol leader. But they invariably settled back satisfied with the observation that the boy was a “winner” until finally Gordon shouted: