Now grown used to the sight of their comrades, the other occupants of the barrack had paid small attention to the trio who had just arrived. Bixton, however, the talkative rookie whom the four "Brothers" so disliked had been aware of the Pole's sudden change of carriage. A member of the same squad, he had heard the drill sergeant's reprimand of Ignace that afternoon and accordingly took his cue from it. "Hey, Poley, what's the matter?" he called in a purposely loud tone. Ignace had now risen from his cot and reassumed his strait-jacket appearance. "Are you practicing for the awkward squad? You'll get there if you live till to-morrow." "You too much speak." A slow red had crept into the Pole's cheeks. His mild blue eyes held an angry glint as he turned on his tormentor who had swaggered up to him. "I no like you. You no let me 'lone I give you the strong poonch." Ignace clenched his right hand menacingly. "Oh, you will, will you? Better not try it. You'll----" "Let him alone," ordered Jimmy hotly. "He's minding his own business. Now mind yours." "Who asked you to butt in?" sneered Bixton. "'Fraid I might give your Poley pet a trimming?" The appearance at the head of the stairs of the acting first sergeant of the squad-room put an end to the budding altercation. The men who had begun to gather about the wranglers prudently left the scene of discord, and promptly busied themselves with their own affairs. Almost immediately afterward the call for Retreat formation sounded and the recruits were marshalled out into the company street, where they stood at attention while the daily ceremony of lowering the Flag was conducted, a regimental band in the distance playing the "Star Spangled Banner." Everywhere in Camp Sterling at this hour all soldiers not on detail were expected to stand at attention during this impressive ceremony, saluting as the band played the final note. Our four Khaki Boys found themselves thrilling in response to the sonorous notes of their country's chosen anthem. All watched with reverent eyes the dignified descent of that red, white and blue banner, the sacred emblem of "Liberty and Union; Now and Forever; One and Inseparable." CHAPTER VII CAUGHT IN HIS OWN TRAP Call to mess followed at 5:30. It was not until the four Khaki Boys had performed their usual stunt of climbing over several tables with their portions of food, and were seated in a row along a wall bench, that Bob reopened the subject of Bixton. "The next time that Bixton smarty tries to jump you, Iggy, don't act as though he was alive," was his wrathful advice. "He's a talker and a trouble maker. Don't let him get your goat. That's what he's trying hard to do. He thinks you are easy." "I give him the good lick," threatened Ignace, still ruffled. "I don't doubt you could wipe up the squad-room floor with him. But what's the use of spoiling the floor?" Bob demanded whimsically. "Let him babble. He likes it." "I no like," came the sullen protest.