Part 26 (2/2)

”Wonder what we have to report at General Young's headquarters at ten o'clock for?” he queried. ”I'm nearly dead for sleep myself.”

”So am I,” said Jerry.

Both of them caught Joe's averted smile.

”What's it for, do you know?” Jerry demanded.

”Well, fellows, I think I do,” Joe answered. ”But I only learned it over the wireless--and that's information gained in a professional way, you know, and therefore secret. So don't ask me to tell you. In another hour we'll go over. You know I've been summoned, too.”

”No!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Jerry. ”Well, that's fine. But you'll be going over to learn something that you already know, while we'll be getting some real news, whatever it is.”

”That's right,” said Joe. ”And maybe it will be real news.”

Jerry and Slim both spent the intervening hour on their cots, and when Joe came to awaken them he found them snoring most unmusically.

”What do you think?” he demanded, as soon as they were wide enough awake to realize what he was saying. ”That German lieutenant that you brought in had papers on him that showed the whole plan of the German campaign in this sector for a month ahead. You boys made a great capture.”

At exactly ten o'clock they presented themselves to General Young's orderly, and a moment later were ushered into the presence of the supreme commander of that section of the American front.

”Young men,” the general began bluntly, without other formalities, ”you have signally distinguished yourselves for judgment, foresight, and courage from the moment of your enlistment, it might be said. I have before me your records, beginning from the time of your discovery of the spy at work in the waters near the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

”Congress has just pa.s.sed a bill, and the President has signed it, providing for the higher military education of certain worthy young men in the army and navy, entirely at the expense of the government.

Fortunately for the military service, these selections have been entirely removed from the realm of politics and are left to the commanders in the army and navy.

”At this school, which in many respects is similar to the Military Academy at West Point and the Naval Academy at Annapolis, young men will be thoroughly instructed in the specialized branches of military science.

”I am offering you three young men such appointments. I am doing so solely upon your records and upon my own confidence that you will make good to the country that offers you this opportunity. Will you accept?”

If someone had suddenly set off a bomb under the three boys from Brighton they hardly could have been more surprised.

”I don't know how to thank you,” Joe stammered.

”I'll do my utmost to prove worth it,” promised Jerry.

”It shall be my highest ambition,” said Slim.

”Good!” said General Young, rising and shaking each lad by the hand. ”I was confident that you would accept, and here are the appointments already made out.”

He gave to each lad a large envelope, stamped with the army seal.

”Transportation has been arranged for you to leave here to-night,”

General Young concluded. ”You will sail from England for the United States day after to-morrow. I wish you every success. I would be very glad to hear from you occasionally, and to know of the progress you are making. Good-by!”

It would be difficult to describe the ecstacies of delight in which Joe, Jerry and Slim left the quarters of General Young to impart the knowledge of their great good fortune to Captain Mackinson.

That warm friend listened to them until he could not keep his countenance straight any longer.

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