[3] "Mr. President, and you, my Lord: Do not be astonished to hear me reply in the language you have employed. I recognize as an accomplished fact that which was prognosticated a great many years ago: that the time would come when all civilized nations would employ a universal language. Believing that that day was not far off, I studied this language, and to-day see the advantage of it." An expression of astonishment overspread the faces of the other two gentlemen, and the President exclaimed, gleefully: "Good enough, Cobb! There's one thing of the past equal to the present." The others claiming attention, no more was said, and the throng of visitors met, were introduced to and passed the President and Junius Cobb. A little later a party of officers were talking to Cobb near the grand stairway. Speculation was rife as to what his position in the army would be, knowing that he had been dropped for desertion years ago. The discussion was animated, though Cobb himself took no active part in it. "Ah! Cobb, my boy," and a tall young man, in the full regimentals of a captain in the Second Cavalry--Cobb's old regiment--came forward and familiarly slapped him on the shoulder: "I have been looking for you. Hugh informs me that you will undoubtedly be restored to your rank in the army; in fact, he says that they can't help giving you your commission again." "Ah!" from Cobb, as he looked the other in the face. "Yes," smiling. "And you will be my lieutenant, for I command your old troop of the Second. You will be a böd seledik (rare bird) to us in the Second, and, as I am ordered to join my regiment on the 10th of next month, I intend applying to have you ordered back with me." Several smiled at the young captain's cool impudence, but Cobb simply bowed in recognition of the other's desire for his company to his regiment. Captain Hathaway, of the Second Cavalry, was twenty-eight years of age, tall in stature, slight in build, and wearing a little, light mustache. With a glass in his eye, and a voice which sounded low and sweet, he was, with all his known cool impudence, a right clever fellow. But he had taken a dislike to Junius Cobb--and why? "Yes, Mr. Cobb," taking up the army style of address to lieutenants, "I fear you will have to give up your good times here and join me. Of course they cannot refuse my request," with a new adjustment of his eyeglass. "Mr. Hathaway--" "_Captain_, sir; Captain Hathaway. You forget you are addressing your troop commander;" with dignity. A flush overspread Cobb's face, and he bit his lip to keep from replying in hot terms to this uncalled-for insolence. "Captain Hathaway, you will join your regiment before the 10th, and I will not be with you. Good morning." He turned on his heel and moved toward a group near the President. With a laugh at the blank and crushed expression of the young Captain, the others sauntered away.