Part 13 (2/2)

The next day in the afternoon Sam received an order to report at once at the headquarters of General Laughter. He hastened to obey, and was ushered into the presence of that distinguished officer in the palace.

It was an impressive sight that met his eyes. The general was believed to weigh some three hundred pounds, but he looked as if he weighed nearer five hundred. He was dressed in a white duck suit with bra.s.s b.u.t.tons, the jacket unb.u.t.toned in front and showing his underclothes.

He was suffering a good deal from the heat, and fanning himself incessantly. Several members of his staff were busied talking with visitors or writing at desks, but the chief was doing nothing. He was seated in a superb arm-chair with his back to a pier-gla.s.s.

”Ah! captain,” he said. ”I'm glad to see you. Have a whisky and soda?

I've a.s.signed you to duty on my staff. Report here again to-morrow at ten and have your things moved over to the palace. Major Stroud will show you your quarters, captain!”

Major Stroud advanced and shook hands with Sam. He was every inch a soldier in appearance, but old enough to be a retired field-marshal.

The three indulged in whiskies and soda, and Sam took his leave after a brief formal conversation. He found Cleary waiting for him in the street.

”How on earth did you do it?” cried Sam.

”It's the B. A. C. L.,” said Cleary.

”The what!”

”The Benevolent a.s.similation Company, Limited. What do you suppose?

With _The Daily Lyre_ thrown in too.”

”Oh! thank you, thank you, my dear, dear friend,” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Sam, with tears in his eyes. ”I was beginning to think that my whole life was a failure, and here I am just in the very best place in the world. I won't disappoint you, I won't disappoint you!”

In the few days at the barracks of the 200th Infantry, Sam had learned something of regimental work, and now he applied himself a.s.siduously to the study of the business of the headquarters of a general in command in the field, for the army was practically in the field. At first it all seemed to him to be a maze quite without a plan, and he hoped that in time he would begin to see the outline of a system. But the more he observed the less system he saw. Everything that could be postponed was postponed. Responsibility was s.h.i.+fted from one staff officer to another. No one was held accountable for anything, 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 sc.r.a.pe. 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 pa.s.s 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?”

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