Ting-ling-ling! The 'phone bell rang, cutting off Hal. The latter had received his orders, and his next concern was to obey them. That was lesson number one in brisk Army discipline.
Hal was on hand in five minutes. While Jack was recounting to him the adventure with Millard, Eph Somers came in. He stood in the background, listening, his jaw gradually dropping until his mouth was wide open.
"You heard how Benson ran into the fellow?" asked Lieutenant Ridder, turning to Somers.
"Yes," muttered Eph, disgustedly, "and I guess I have been enjoying the fool's part of the adventure!"
"How so?" demanded the Army officer quickly.
"I met that same woman, I'll bet a cookie," growled Eph, "and—and—I—"
"Well, sir?" demanded Lieutenant Ridder, briskly.
"I carried that bag for her—carried it nearly two blocks!"
"What's that?" cried Jack Benson, leaping up. "How—"
"No; I don't believe, on second thought, that I'm the prize fool."