ave you been in a train wreck, Mr. Ferrers?" inquired the colonel.

"Oh, dear me, no. Do I look as bad as that?" inquired the new
lieutenant, with a downward glance at his faultless attire.

"But you were due to arrive here at four o'clock yesterday afternoon,
Mr. Ferrers," continued the colonel. "I was here at my desk, waiting to
receive you."

"I hope I didn't inconvenience you any," murmured Ferrers. "You see,
Colonel, when I got in at Pueblo I ran across some old friends at the
station. They insisted on my staying over with them for half a day. I
couldn't very well get out of it, you see."

"Couldn't very well get out of it?" repeated Colonel North distinctly
and coldly. "Wouldn't it have been enough, Mr. Ferrers, to have told
your friends that you were under orders to be here at four o'clock
yesterday?"

"Oh, I say, now," murmured Mr. Ferrers, "I hope you're not going to
raise any beastly row about it."

"That is not language to use to your superior officer, Mr. Ferrers!"

"Then you have my instant apology, Colonel," protested the young man.
"But, you see, these were very important people that I met--the
Porter-Stanleys, of New York. Very likely you have met them."

Colonel North now found it hard to repress a tendency to laugh. But he
choked it back.

"I am afraid, Mr. Ferrers, you do not realize the seriousness of failing
to obey a military order punctually. More than that, I fear it would
take more time than I have between now and luncheon to make it plain to
you. But I assure you that you have a great deal, a very great deal, to
learn about the strict requirements of Army life and conduct."

"And you'll find me very keen to learn, sir, very keen, I assure you.
But, since you're good enough to postpone telling me more about such
little matters, may I ask you, Colonel, who will show me to my rooms? I
shall need quite a few, for, outside of two chauffeurs--I have five auto
cars you know--I have also four household servants and a valet."

"You have--what!" gasped Colonel North.

Mr. Ferrers patiently repeated the details concerning the number of his
automobiles and servants.

"And where are they?" demanded the regimental commander.

"I left them over in Clowdry until I send for them, sir."

"Mr. Ferrers, have you any idea how many rooms an unmarried second
lieutenant has?"

"A dozen or fifteen, I hope," suggested Mr. Ferrers hopefully. "A
gentleman, of course, can't live in fewer rooms."

"Mr.