fought in the trenches. Tom was older now, not only in years
but in experience, and was it any wonder that his interest in "the kids"
should be less keen?

And Roy was not going to let that break up the friendship. Loyal and
generous as he was, he would not ask himself why Tom had done that
thing; he would not let himself think about it. He and the other scouts
would get ready and go to camp, live in tents there, and have just as
much fun.

So no longer blaming Tom, he now blamed himself, and the thing he blamed
himself for most of all was his angry declaration that Tom was probably
acquainted with the scoutmaster of that fortunate troop in Ohio. He knew
that must have cut Tom, for in his heart he knew Tom's blunt sense of
fairness. Whatever was the cause or reason of Tom's singular act it was
not favoritism, Roy felt sure of that. He would have given anything not
to have said those words. Lukewarm, thoughtless, Tom might be, but he
was not disloyal. It was no new friendship, displacing these old
friendships, which had caused Tom to do what he had done, Roy knew that
well enough.

In the morning, unknown to any of the troop he went early to the bank
building to wait for Tom there, and to tell him that he was sorry for
the way he had spoken.

But everything went wrong that morning, the trails did not cross at the
right places. Probably it was because Lucky Luke was concerned in the
matter. The fact is that it being Saturday, a short and busy day, Tom
had gone very early to the Temple Camp office and was already upstairs
when Roy was waiting patiently down at the main door.

CHAPTER X

TOM RECEIVES A SURPRISE

When Tom reached the office, he found among the Temple Camp letters, one
addressed to him personally. It was postmarked Dansburg, Ohio, and he
opened it with some curiosity, for the former letters in this
correspondence had been addressed to Mr. Burton, as manager. His
curiosity turned to surprise as he read,

DEAR MR. SLADE:

In one of the little circulars of Temple Camp which you sent us,
your name appears as assistant to Mr. Burton in the Temple Camp
office.

I am wondering whether you can be the same Tom Slade who was in the
Motorcycle Corps in France? If so, perhaps you will remember the
soldier who spent the night with you in a shell-hole near Epernay.
Do you remember showing me the Gold Cross and saying that you had
won it while a scout in America? I t