The native population of the town was less than a thousand souls. Consumptives and other travelers added a usual average of about eighteen hundred more people. The streets were lively with people when the two wagons drove into the town. "You men may just as well enjoy yourselves for a couple of hours, for I shall be busy in looking through the markets," announced Lieutenant Prescott, as the soldier boys climbed down from their wagon. "Report to me at the Mason House at six sharp. Remember, won't you, that's it a soldier's business to be punctual to the fraction of a minute?" "Yes, sir," replied Hal Overton, as the soldier boys saluted. Lieutenant Prescott strode off down the street, a splendidly military figure in his officer's khaki uniform which, despite the hardships of the last days, he had kept almost immaculate. "A mighty fine young officer," murmured Noll, gazing admiringly after the lieutenant. "One of the best that they turn out of West Point, I reckon," replied Private Overton. Then the two young privates devoted themselves to sight-seeing. Punctually at the moment, however, both were in the lobby at the Mason House. Lieutenant Prescott stepped in at the same moment. "I'll register you here for a room to-night, men," he said, returning their salutes. "You will also have your evening meal in the dining room. I shall not need your services until morning. Report to me at this spot at 8.30 to-morrow morning." "Very good, sir," replied both soldier boys, once more saluting. "Say, a hotel meal will seem like a real luxury--what?" breathed Hal. "I wonder if it's ready?" murmured Noll. "We'll find out." The dining room was open. After going to the wash room, and making themselves as presentable as possible, the two young soldiers stepped into the dining room, the head waiter showing them to seats. "There's the lieutenant over there at another table," whispered Noll. "I guess he's as glad as we are to have a civilized meal again. But has it struck you, Noll, that the government does things in pretty good shape when it pays for putting up two private soldiers at a fine hotel like this?" What neither soldier boy suspected was that Lieutenant Prescott was paying the bill for them out of his own pocket--this as a silent remembrance of their work in bringing victory to B Company. By the time that the meal was nearly over the soldier boys observed that a man who looked as if he might be a native of Mason City had seated himself at the same table with Lieutenant Prescott, and was engaged in earnest, low-voiced conversation with that young officer. Soon after a waiter came to the table where Hal and Noll sat. "The lieutenant wants to speak with you as soon as you have finished," announced the waiter. "Don't go to him until you're through eating, though."