The Argosy, Vol. 90 No. 1 — page 104: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

98 service, he was comfortably sure of food and lodging. Officers and men with business for the regiment came and went, and Trent took care to follow his instructions for facing and saluting. Captain Soames, of his company, alighted from a motor-car and started for the main entrance, but caught sight of the sentry at the east gate and walked back to look him over. ‘What are you doing here?’’ demanded the captain curtly, as Trent carefully exe- cuted port arms, according to the instruc- tions for sentinels when talking with any one on their posts. “ The first sergeant detailed me to guard duty, sir,” Trent answered gravely. ‘“T’ll see what his idea was in putting a green man on post!” snapped the captain. ‘What do you know of the guard man- ual?” “T’ve had one drill in it, sir,’ was the answer, ‘“‘ and I have studied the book at home.” Captain Soames laughed unpleasantly. “Studied at home!” he sneered. “I suppose you are fitting yourself for promo- tion already! Well now, don’t think that I have forgotten how impertinent you were to me the first time I talked with you, my man. You'll have to get a lot more popu- lar with me before you can think of any- thing like promotion.” He stepped back and inspected the sen- try’s uniform and equipment critically, but Trent’s shoes were polished and his but- tons and buckles were clean and bright. “Out of a job, I suppose—or you wouldn’t be here!’’ Soames sneered. “ T have nothing else to take my time at present, sir.” “Well, I suppose it’s a good thmg to give you loafers something to do. Some of the boys here have sacrificed business and important interests to volunteer for service, but a lot of you are just killing time, wearing a uniform, and lounging around here two hours at a stretch. [ll tell the officer of the guard to see that you get enough to do.” Trent listened in silence, knowing that the captain was striving to anger him. THE ARGOSY. “Well, all right,” said Soames. ‘“ As long as this duty doesn’t require any un- usual intelligence, I suppose we'll let you try it. I'll tell the first sergeant, though, that he must be responsible for putting you on, and he’d better look to it that you don’t do anything to make the regiment ridicu- lous.” The captain stalked away, frowning darkly, and as Trent brought his rifle back to the right shoulder and resumed his pdc- ing he smiled quietly and reflected that the advantage of: the encounter had inclined slightly toward him. Presently a slender young man came hurrying along the street on the opposite side, and though he did not glance at the sentry in passing, the latter quickly recog- nized him as Mr. Hallock. He crossed the street and made for the main entrance of the armory, but there the sentry at the door turned him back and seemed unwill- ing to engage in conversation with him. With characteristic persistence Hallock started for the eastern entrance and came face to face with Trent. “‘ Oh, ere you are!”’ he cried, with obvi- ous satisfaction. ‘“ You got fired out of your boarding-house, didn’t your I was there this morning and the old woman told me what a raw deal you gave her.” “You'll have to move along,” Trent said sharply; “no one is allowed to stand here unless he has business at the armory.” ‘““But I have business here, with you,” Hallock explained. ‘‘ Come now—”’ ‘““Move on!” Trent ordered sharply, “or I shall have to call the corporal of the guard and report you for loitering. You'll be arrested and turned over to the police.” Hallock backed away grinning. ‘Say, yowre a regular soldier, aren’t you?” he said mockingly. ‘ But I want to see you about something important. How can we fix it?” Trent considered for a moment. He felt a bit curious to know what new plans the spy was bent on. ‘“‘T shall be off duty in about an hour,” he said. ‘“ If you won’t take too much of my time, I’ll meet you at the next corner as soon as I am relieved.” comicbool< CO