CHAPTER VIII A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE "You ought to be grateful to me for the rest of your life, Iggy," was Bob's bantering peroration when the four had taken possession of the deserted and therefore desirable corner. "Y-e-a. So am I." Ignace looked more dazed than grateful. He had not the remotest idea of what Bob was driving at. "Now listen hard, Iggy, and try to get this. Ahem!" Clearing his throat the rhymster shot a mirthful glance at Ignace and began to read, emphasizing each word for the Pole's benefit. "'Attention,' means, 'Eyes to the Front.' Stand on both feet to do this stunt. Your hands at sides; keep straight your knees; Feet out at forty-five degrees. Thumbs on your trouser seams must rest; Hold up your head; throw out your chest." By the time he had reached the middle of the jingle, Jimmy and Roger were smiling broadly. They, at least, had come into complete understanding of the "great stunt." The Pole's stolid face was a study. Light was just beginning faintly to dawn upon him. "Did you get it?" Bob asked him, his black eyes dancing. "Y-e-a. Som I get. You read him 'gain." "No. I'm going on to the next. When I'm through, I'm going to give you these rules for your own. You must study 'em and learn 'em. See?" "Y-e-a. Thank." Ignace beamed seraphic joy at his poetic benefactor. "So will I," he vowed fervently. "Go ahead and tear off some more," begged Jimmy impatiently. "Myra's sure some poet." "I'll give you a few of 'em just to be obliging and to show I don't mind being called Myra. You can read the rest yourselves. When you get enough, snap the lever and the talking machine will go dead. All right, Mr. Dalton. So kind of you." Bob smirked, grimaced, then continued: "'Parade!' This second of commands Means Iggy quick must join his hands At center-front, below the waist, Right thumb and index fingers placed To gently clasp his own left thumb And show the sergeant he knows some. "To 'Rest,' your left knee slightly bend; Your right foot quick behind you send, Pick it up smartly; swing it clear, A straight six inches to the rear. "All officers you must 'Salute.' Your right hand to your head now shoot, Straight hand and wrist o'er your right eye, Fingers and thumb must touching lie. "'Right': Turn your head to 'right oblique,' And don't you dare toward 'left' to peek. 'Left' means don't rubber toward the 'right,' 'Front,' look ahead with all your might. "'Right Face!' On your right heel swing round, Ball of your left foot pressed to ground, Your left foot place beside your right And do it quick: Don't wait all night. 'Left Face': Your left heel does the work, Turn easily without a jerk. "At 'Forward March!' your left knee's straight; Upon your right leg rest your weight. Left foot advancing to the front To do your little marching stunt. "Anybody want to snap the lever?" Bob looked up with an inquiring grin.