The sentinel listened very patiently to the explanation of Owen Raynes; but, as he proceeded, the face of the soldier relaxed till his muscles had contracted into a broad grin. The sergeant of the guard was then sent for, and the explanation repeated. At its conclusion, both the sentinel and the sergeant seemed to be disposed to laugh in the faces of the twin friends, so keenly were the former alive to the ludicrous. "That's a very pretty story, my men! You, without the pass, are going to see that everything is right about the man that has the pass; in other words, the devils are going to see that the angels don't do anything wicked," said the sergeant, laughing at the awkward position of Owen and Allan, and perhaps quite as much at the sharpness of his own illustration. "We are entirely satisfied in regard to this young man," said Owen; "but we have come in order to satisfy another person, who believes that he is an impostor. We promised to take him to Major Platner." "You can't enter these lines without a pass," replied the sergeant firmly. "This man can go through; for he has a pass," he added to Somers. "As I am all right, and in a hurry, I will proceed to the brigade headquarters," said Somers. "Now, good-by, my friends; I am very glad to have met you, and much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken to come so far with me." "You take it coolly," laughed Owen. "Perhaps, if you desire to go to the brigade headquarters, the sergeant will let you pass, if I will vouch for you," continued Somers with great good humor. "We are not very particular." "What do you say, sergeant?" "My orders are to permit no stragglers from other camps to pass these lines, and I shall obey my orders to the letter," replied the official, who, for some reason or other, seemed to be prejudiced against Somers's friends. "Stragglers!" exclaimed the sensitive Allan. "I think we have gone far enough." "I think you have," added the sergeant; "and, if you don't leave at once, it will be my duty to arrest you." "Whew!" exclaimed Owen. "That would be carrying the joke altogether too far. I think my _pater_ ought to be satisfied with what we have done." "Move on," said the sergeant. They did move on; and Somers, attended by the officer of the guard, walked towards headquarters. "Those are the coolest fellows that ever came near my lines," said the sergeant. "Men without a pass looking out for one who has a pass!" "Well, they are good fellows; but I played a joke upon them, which makes them a little sour towards me," replied the scout. "I am even with them now." "What was the joke?" demanded the sergeant, who was filled with interest at the mention of the word.