"You're in the recruiting service?" Hal continued. "Yes, sir." Always the invariable "sir" with which the careful soldier answers citizens. In the Army men are taught the use of that "sir," and to look upon all citizens as their employers. "Then no doubt you will direct us to the recruiting office in this neighborhood?" Hal went on. "Certainly, sir," answered the sergeant, and wheeling still further around he pointed north across the square to where the office was situated. "You can hardly miss it, sir, with the orderly standing outside," said the sergeant, smiling. "No, indeed," Hal agreed. "Thank you very much, Sergeant." "You're welcome, sir. May I inquire if you are considering enlisting?" "Both of us are," Hal nodded. "Glad to hear it, sir," the sergeant continued, looking both boys over with evident approval. "You look like the clean, solid, sensible, right sort that we're looking for in the Army. I wish you both the best of good luck." "Thank you," Hal acknowledged. "Good morning, Sergeant." "Good morning, sir." Still that "sir" to the citizen. The sergeant would drop it, as far as these two boys were concerned, if they entered the service and became his subordinates. It seemed to Hal and Noll as if they could not get over the ground fast enough until they reached that doorway where the orderly stood. The orderly directed them how to reach the office upstairs, and both boys, after thanking him, proceeded rapidly to higher regions. They soon found themselves before the door. It stood ajar. Inside sat a sergeant at a flat-top desk. He, too, was of the cavalry. There were also two privates in the room. Doffing their hats Hal and Noll entered the room. Overton led the way straight to the sergeant's desk. "Good morning, Sergeant. We have come to see whether we can enlist." "How old were you on your last birthday?" inquired the sergeant, eyeing Hal keenly. "Eighteen, Sergeant." "And you?" turning to Noll. "Seventeen," Noll replied. "You are too young, I'm sorry to say," replied the sergeant to Noll. Then, turning to Hal, he added: "You may be accepted." "But I've got another birthday coming very soon," interjected Noll. "How soon?" "To-morrow." "You'll be eighteen to-morrow?" questioned the sergeant. "Yes, sir." "That will be all right, then," nodded the sergeant. "You won't need to be sworn in before to-morrow. You have both of you parents living?" "Yes, sir," Hal answered, this time. "It is not necessary, or usual, to say 'sir,' when answering a non-commissioned officer," the sergeant informed them. "Say 'sir,' always, when addressing a commissioned officer or a citizen." "Thank you," Hal acknowledged. "Now, you have the consent of your parents to enlist?" "Yes, Sergeant." "Both of you?" "Yes." "Aldridge!" One of the pair of very spruce-looking privates in the room wheeled about. "Furnish these young men with application blanks, and take them over to the high desk."