e eye.

"The fresh air, doubtless," continued the cool voice. "I always find
myself that even a whiff of fresh air is a very effective antidote for
threatening vertigo. I remember once--" continued the speaker, dropping
into a conversational tone, and leaning across the table slightly toward
Barry, "I was in the room with a company of men--" And the speaker
entered upon a long and none too interesting relation of an experience
of his, the point of which no one grasped, but the effect of which every
one welcomed with the profoundest relief. He was the regimental medical
officer, a tall, slight man, with a keen eye, a pleasant face crowned by
a topknot of flaming hair, and with a little dab of hair of like colour
upon his upper lip, which he fondly cherished, as an important item in
his military equipment.

"Say, the old doc is a lifesaver, sure enough," said a young subaltern,
answering to the name of "Sally," colloquial for Salford, as he stood
amid a circle of officers gathered in the smoking room a few minutes
later. "A lifesaver," repeated Sally, with emphasis. "He can have me for
his laboratory collection after I'm through."

"He is one sure singing bird," said another sub, a stout, overgrown boy
by the name of Booth. "The nerve of him," added Booth in admiration.

"Nerve!" echoed a young captain, "but what about the pilot's nerve?"

"Sui generis, Train, I should say," drawled Hopeton.

"Suey, who did you say?" inquired Sally. "What's her second name? But
let me tell you I could have fallen on his neck and burst into tears of
gratitude. For me," continued Sally, glancing about the room, "I don't
hold with that dirt stuff at mess. It isn't necessary."

"Beastly bad form," said Hopeton, "but, good Lord! Your Commanding
Officer, Sally! There's such a thing as discipline, you know."

"What extraordinary thing is it that Sally knows?" inquired Major
Bustead, who lounged up to the group.

"We were discussing the padre's break, Major, which for my part,"
drawled Hopeton, "I consider rotten discipline."

"Discipline!" snorted the major. "By Gad, it was a piece of the most
damnable cheek I have ever heard at a mess table. He ought to be sent to
Coventry. I only hope the O. C. will get him exchanged."

The major made no effort to subdue his voice, which was plainly audible
throughout the room.

"Hush, for God's sake," warned Captain Train, as Barry entered the door.
"Here he is."

But Barry had caught the major