ieutenant Shackleton flashed an angry look at Branders, though a keen
reader of faces would have known that this experienced recruiting
officer was trying hard to conceal a smile. The lieutenant had dealt
with many of these "tough" applicants.

"Orderly!" rasped out the lieutenant.

Private Aldridge appeared in the doorway, standing at attention.

"Orderly, I understand that this man wishes to enlist----"

"That's dead right," nodded Tip encouragingly.

"But his application has not been received by me," continued the
lieutenant, ignoring the interruption. "Take him outside and let
Sergeant Wayburn look him over first. Also ask the sergeant to inform
this man as to the proper way to approach and address an officer."

"Very good, sir," replied Private Aldridge. He tried to catch Tip's eye,
but Branders was not looking at him, so the soldier crossed over to
Branders, resting a hand on his arm.

"Come with me," requested the soldier.

"Hey?" asked Tip.

"My man, go with that orderly," cried Lieutenant Shackleton, in an
annoyed tone.

"Me? Oh, all right," nodded Tip, and went out with the soldier.

"Overton! Terry!" called the recruiting officer.

"Here, sir," answered Hal, as both boys entered the room.

"One of you close the door then come here," directed Lieutenant
Shackleton.

Noll closed the door, after which both boys advanced to the roll-top
desk behind which the lieutenant sat.

"You are Henry Overton and Oliver Terry?" asked the officer.

"Yes, sir," Hal answered.

"And these are your applications?"

"Yes, sir."

"You have filled them out truthfully, in every detail?"

"Yes, sir."

"You, Overton, are already eighteen?"

"Yes, sir."

"And you, Terry, will be eighteen years old to-morrow?"

"Yes, sir----" from Noll.

The lieutenant looked them both over keenly, as if to make up his own
mind about their ages.

"May I speak, sir?" queried Hal.

"Yes."

"To satisfy any doubt about our ages, sir, we have brought with us
copies of our birth certificates, both certified to by the city clerk at
home."

"You're intelligent lads," exclaimed the officer, with a gratified
smile. "You go at things in the right way. Be good enough to turn over
the certificates to me."

Hal took some papers from his pocket, passing two of them over to the
recruiting officer, who examined the certificates swiftly.

"All regular," he declared. "Terry, of course, if he passes, cannot be
sworn in until to-morr