Bodkins, the musical member of the unit, had just brought forth his banjo, ready to indulge in his favorite pastime, when a noise at the door stopped him.
"Hello! Somebody's coming in," he exclaimed, looking up.
At that moment the door opened, and a dim, very vague form was seen standing at the threshold about to enter.
"Hello, fellows! Bon soir, Messieurs!" cried a cheery, youthful voice.
Whereupon every one in the room except Chase gave utterance to a hearty shout of welcome, Dunstan Farrington's voice rising high above the others.
"Hello yourself, Don Hale!" he shouted. "Back from your ten days' furlough, eh? You're a sight for sore eyes! Well, well, we're mighty glad to see you!"
[CHAPTER II]
A MYSTERY
"Say, what kind of a time did you have in Paris, boy?" exclaimed Gideon Watts. "Give us the latest news from civilization. What's in that bundle? Newspapers, by Jove! Hooray!"