"That's one thing I like about the Army," he said. "It's the Service that counts; not just you or I. A private's just a private here, even if he is a millionaire's son back in civil life. By the time this war is over, a lot of fellows will have found that out, the same as you have. It's different with me. Iggy seems sort of my brother, after all, because I've been a worker, too. He's a good, honest fellow and I like him. That's enough for me." "He's square," emphasized Jimmy. "When a fellow's square, he's pretty nearly O. K. Iggy's clean and neat, too. That's more than I can say of some of those rookies in our barrack. Say, did you know that the guy who bunks next to that fresh Bixton is a German-American? Schnitzel's his name. Wonder how he happened to enlist. He's a queer stick. Never says a word. Just watches the fellows as if they were a bunch of wild Indians. Do you know what that Bixton has been handing around the barrack?" Jimmy scowled as he mentioned the man whom he so strongly detested. "No." A faint pucker appeared between Roger's own brows. He had not forgotten Bixton's unnecessary jeering at Ignace. He also disapproved of the freckle-faced rookie as having too much to say. "Well," continued Jimmy, "I heard he said that this man Schnitzel acted more like a German spy, sent here by the Fritzies, than a Sammy. Can you beat that?" Jimmy's question fully conveyed his disgust. Roger's lips tightened. "Bixton ought to have more sense," was his curt reply. "That's a pretty serious story to start about an American soldier. Are you sure he said it? Did you get it straight?" "Yep. I told the fellow that told me to can it. Catch me getting into a mix-up over a yarn like that. I guess you know how much love I have for Bixton. Bob's down on him. Even Iggy says, 'Too much speak for nothin'.'" Both boys laughed at the Pole's blunt criticism. "I don't like him, either," returned Roger decidedly. "We'd better all steer clear of him. Too bad he's in your squad. He'll probably try to make fun of poor old Iggy." "Just let him start something. Great Scott!" Jimmy's hand went up like lightning. His quest of an officer to salute had been granted with a despatch that almost proved fatal to him. "Pretty near missed it again," he muttered, as soon as the passing officer, a second lieutenant, was out of earshot. "I saw him about a fourth of a second before you," laughed Roger. "I didn't have time to warn you. That's what we get for gossiping. We must keep our eyes open and our hands ready from now on."