either his father nor Captain Neil Fraser in the office.

"Gone out for the afternoon, sir," was the word from the orderly in
charge.

Wandering about the village, he saw in a field at its outskirts, a squad
of recruits doing military evolutions and physical drill. As he drew
near he was arrested by the short, snappy tones of the N. C. O. in
charge.

"That chap knows his job," he said to himself, "and looks like his job,
too," he added, as his eyes rested upon the neat, upright, soldier-like
figure.

Captain Neil he found observing the drill from a distance.

"What do you think of that?" he called out to Barry, as the latter came
within hailing distance. "What do you think of my sergeant?"

"Fine," replied Barry. "Where did you get him?"

"What? Look at him!"

"I am. Pretty natty sergeant he makes, too."

"Let's go out there, and I'll introduce him."

As they crossed the parade ground, the sergeant dropped his military
tone and proceeded to explain in his ordinary voice some details in
connection with the drill. Barry, catching the sound of his voice,
stopped short.

"You don't mean it, Captain Neil! Not dad, is it?"

"Nobody else," said Captain Neil. "Wait a minute. Wait and let's watch
him at his work."

For some time they stood observing the work of the new sergeant. Barry
was filled with amazement and delight.

"What do you think of him?" inquired Captain Neil.

But Barry made no reply.

"My company sergeant major got drunk," continued Captain Neil. "I had no
one to take the drill. I asked your father to take it. He nearly swept
us off our feet. In consequence, there he stands, my company sergeant
major, and let me tell you, he will be the regimental sergeant major
before many weeks have passed, or I'm a German."

"But his age," inquired Barry, still in a maze of astonishment.

"Oh, that's all right. You don't want them too young. I assured the
authorities that he was of proper military age, telling them, at the
same time, that I must have him. He's a wonder, and the men just adore
him."

"I don't wonder at that," said Barry.

Together they moved over to the squad. The sergeant, observing his
officer, called his men smartly to attention, and greeted the captain
with a very snappy salute.

"Sergeant major, let me introduce you to my friend, Mr. Barry Dunbar,"
said Captain Neil with a grin.

"I say, dad," said Barry, still unable to associate his father with this
N. C. O. in uniform who s