By the time that Sergeant Gray's squad room emptied at the call of the bugle it was instantly plain outside that something unusual was going on. A and D Companies, as they fell in, proved each to be twenty men short. "There are extra guards out, and a picket down the road to town," muttered Private Hyman, who stood next to Hal in the ranks. "What does it mean?" asked Hal Overton, but instantly his thoughts went back to the shots and the excitement of the night. "Silence in the ranks," growled Corporal Cotter. But at breakfast tongues were unloosed. Hal quickly told what little he had seen and heard in the night. Others passed the gossip that twenty men had been silently summoned from a squad room in A Company, and twenty more from a squad room in D Company. "There's some mischief floating in the air--that's certain," muttered Private Hyman. "How did you happen to be up to see and hear it all, Overton?" demanded Sergeant Gray. Hal explained, frankly and briefly, but the sergeant's eyes were keenly questioning. Before the meal was over the company commander, Captain Cortland, entered the room. "Keep your seats, men. Go on with your breakfast. Sergeant Gray, I will speak with you for a moment." The first sergeant hastily rose, going over to his captain and saluting. After the company commander had gone, at the end of a brief, almost whispered conversation, Gray came back to his seat, looking wholly mysterious. "B Company, rise," ordered the first sergeant, at the end of the meal. "Attention! The men of this company will have ten minutes for recreation, then be prepared to fall in at an extra inspection on the parade ground. After filing out of here no man will go indoors again before inspection." "Is it to be inspection without arms, Sergeant Gray?" called Sergeant Hupner. "Inspection just as you stand," replied Sergeant Gray, then gave the marching order. "What on earth is up, Hal?" demanded Noll, when the two young rookies met outside of mess a few minutes later. "I wish I knew," was Hal's puzzled reply. CHAPTER XVII HAL UNDER A FIRE OF QUESTIONS IMMEDIATELY after the bugle call for assembly the four companies of the first battalion of the Thirty-fourth fell in by companies on the parade ground. After roll-call had been read each company commander stepped before his own command. "Was any man of B Company absent from his squad room at any time around two o'clock this morning?" called Captain Cortland, looking keenly over his command. Other company commanders were asking the same question. "If so, that man will fall out." Not a man fell out of any of the four companies. "Was any man in B Company up and moving about the squad room at or about two o'clock this morning?" was Captain Cortland's next question. "If so, fall out." Private Hal Overton quickly left his place in the ranks. "Advance, Private Overton," ordered Captain Cortland. Hal stepped forward, halting six paces from his company commander and saluting.