"Oh, cut it, Dowley," grumbled Private Hyman. "Get out and keep out, or we'll find a blanket and give you a little excitement. Eh, boys?" "I'm going to polish off this kid for his insults to me," insisted Dowley sulkily. "Bring the blanket, boys," muttered Hyman wearily. From several of the men came a gleeful whoop as they started in various directions. It looked like business of a different sort now, and Dowley was not too blind to see it. "Oh, all right, if you're all going to butt in to save this kid doughbaby from his just deserts. But he'll get his later on," snarled Private Dowley. "I'm all ready now. There's no time like the present," smiled Hal. But two of the soldiers were coming back with blankets. There's not an atom of fun--for the victim--in being tossed in a blanket, so Dowley started for the door. It banged behind him. Two minutes later it banged again, this time closing on big Private Bill Hooper. "Birds of a feather--you all know the rest," chuckled Private Hyman, winking at some of his comrades in B Company. A general laugh answered. "Why didn't you let Dowley have his fun?" asked Private Hal Overton good-humoredly. "Because, Hal," replied Hyman, "Dowley is a big, ugly, dangerous man. You're spunky; you're all grit, and I don't know any kid who can handle himself as well as you do. But Dowley is in another class." * * * * * "You'll do well, after this, Hal," murmured Noll Terry, when the chums were by themselves at one end of the room, "to keep your eyes open. I shall do the same." "Why?" Overton wanted to know. "Well, you've made an enemy of Dowley." "Perhaps." "Don't treat it as lightly as that," warned Noll Terry with great earnestness. "Dowley isn't a man to forget even a fancied injury. You noticed that Bill Hooper went out soon after Dowley, didn't you?" "Yes; but what of it?" "Hooper hates you; he has hated you for a long time, and Dowley has just learned to hate you. Now, you may be sure those two birds of a feather will flock together." "Let 'em," laughed Hal indifferently. "For what purpose will they flock together?" persisted Noll. "They now have a common interest in making life miserable for you." "Just for my one remark to Dowley?" smiled Hal. "I tell you Dowley is the kind of man who takes offense easily, and then can't make himself forget. Look there, quick!" Noll, who had been half facing one of the end windows of the squad room, suddenly nudged Hal, then pointed. "Do you see that pair over yonder, just going through under the trees?" queried Noll Terry dryly. "Hooper and Dowley," nodded Hal. "What do you suppose has brought that pair together so quickly after the scene here? They're drawn together by a common interest--in you." "Let 'em talk about me, if they like," proposed Hal coolly.