g, and general
confusion seemed to reign. The place was besieged with contractors and
agents, and the staff was nearly worried to death. The general was
always very busy--fanning himself--and the days went on.

One morning a fellow member of the staff, a young lieutenant whom he
scarcely knew, called Sam aside and asked him for a half-hour's
conference. They went off together into a deserted room, and the
lieutenant began the conversation in a whisper.

"See here, Captain," said he, "we're looking for a patriotic fellow who
cares more for his country than his own reputation. We understand that
you're just the man."

"I hope so," said Sam, delighted at the prospect of an opportunity to
distinguish himself.

"It's a rather delicate matter," continued the lieutenant, "and I must
say it's rather a compliment to you to be selected for the job. The
fact is, that Captain Jones is in trouble. He's about $3,000 short in
his accounts."

"How did that happen?" asked Sam.

"Oh, that's not the point. I don't see that it makes any difference.
But we've got to get him out of the scrape. The honor of the army is
at stake. Civilians don't understand us. They don't appreciate our
standards of honor. And if this thing gets out they'll charge us with
all kinds of things. We've got to raise $3,000. That's all there is
of it."

"Good heavens! how can we?" cried Sam. "I've hardly got anything left
of my pay, but I can give, say $25, on the next pay-day."

"We're not going to pass the hat around. That would be beneath the
dignity of the army. What we want you to do is this--and, indeed, we
have settled it that you should do it. You are to go to-morrow
afternoon to Banks & Company, the army contractors, and have a
confidential talk with Banks. Tell him you must have $3,000 at once.
Here's a letter of introduction to him. He will see that you represent
the people that run things here. Tell him that his contracts will
probably be preferred to Short & Co.'s, and tell him that for the
future we shan't inspect his things as closely as we have in the past.
You needn't go into particulars. He will understand. It's an ordinary
business matter."

"I don't quite like the idea," said Sam, ruminating. "Why don't you go
yourself?"

"My dear Captain, I'm only a lieutenant. It requires a man of higher
rank to do such an important piece of work. You're a new man on the
staff, and we wanted to pay you an ho