Then came an inspiration! Penciling a brief note he gave it to a soldier of his company and bade him take it to the guard tents. It told Morton of the colonel's orders, issued that very day, and bade him be patient--he hoped and believed opportunity would be afforded for an interview that evening. Then he hunted up a subaltern of his own grade whom he knew would probably be the detail for officer-of-the-guard that evening. "Brooke," said he, "will you swap tours with me if Gordon's willing. I have--I'd like mightily to exchange if it's all the same to you." Brooke hesitated. He had social hopes and aspirations of his own. By "swapping" with Gray he might find himself doomed to a night in camp when he had accepted for some pleasant function in town. "Thought you were keen to go in to-night--right after retreat," he hazarded. "Well, I was," said Gray, pulling his drab campaign hat down over his eyes to shut out the glare of the westering sun. "But I've got--a new wrinkle." "Some bid for Friday? That's your tour, isn't it?" And Brooke began counting on his fingers. "Wait till I look at my notebook. Friday? Why, that's the night of the Burton's card party--thought you didn't know them." "I don't," said Gray, glad enough to escape the other question. "And you hate card parties, you know you do. It's a go, is it? I'll see Gordon at once." And off he went, leaving Brooke to wonder why he should be so bent on the arrangement. But Gordon proved an unexpected foe to the plan. "Can't be done, Billy," said he, sententiously. "Canker watches those details like a hawk. He hasn't forgotten you only came off two days ago, and if I were to mount you to-night he'd mount _me_--with both feet." "Think there's any use in asking him?" queried the boy, tossing a backward glance toward Canker's tent. "Not unless you're suffering for another snub. That man loves to say 'no' as much as any girl I ever asked, and he doesn't do it to be coaxed, either. Best leave it alone, Billy." And then the unexpected happened. Into the tent with quick, impetuous step, came the commanding officer himself, and something had occurred to stir that gentleman to the core. His eyes were snapping, and his head was high.