"Where's yer permit?"
"Haven't got any."
"Don't get no horse then!"
Mark gazed at the man in consternation—he hadn't thought of that difficulty. Then a sudden idea occurred to him, and he thrust his hand into the watch pocket of his uniform. There was money there, money which as a cadet Mark had no business to have. But he thanked his stars for it all the same. There was a five-dollar bill, and he handed it to the man.
"For Heaven's sake," he panted, "give me a horse! Quick! Don't lose a moment! I'll see you don't get blamed—say I took it away from you if you want to."
The man fingered the bill for a few moments, lost in thought.
"It'd take more'n you to take a horse away from me," he said at last. "But since you're in such a hurry——"
He stepped inside the building, and a moment later reappeared, leading one of the government cavalry horses.
"Saddle?" he inquired.
By way of answer Mark sprang at the animal's head, and in one bound was on his back.