But Hal had halted before a door at the end of the room, his hand on the knob. "Here," yelled a voice, "don't you go in there! That's my family's quarters. Private!" But Soldier Hal, without replying, pushed the door open and stepped over the sill. He found himself in a short, narrow passage, the only light coming from the room he had just left. Beyond was another doorway. Hal stepped to that and turned the knob. "Waiter!" hailed an impatient voice. "What kept you so long?" Two other men laughed coarsely, but in an instant the laughter had died out of their voices. Hal was in a room in the center of which stood a table. Gathered around that table, in a dense blue haze that ascended from burning tobacco, sat Corporal Minturn and Privates Dowley and Hooper. "Attention!" Private Overton rapped out sharply. "You are all under arrest for over-staying your leave!" "Forget it, and get outside as quick as you can," growled Private Dowley. "You are all under arrest," Hal repeated firmly. With an oath Dowley leaped up, retreated to the far end of the room and picked up a club. With this in his hand, he wheeled about, glaring angrily. Corporal Minturn and Private Hooper were also on their feet. "Get out of here, you little tin soldier!" roared the corporal, who appeared to have imbibed more than either of his companions. "Come, start, you kid gun-toter," insisted Bill Hooper. "Stop your nonsense, men," Hal replied, gazing at them steadily. "I have told you that you are under arrest." "Floor him with that club, Dowley!" ordered Hooper. "Won't I, though--just!" retorted Dowley, adding an oath as he leaped forward. Soldier Hal knew that he had reckless men to deal with, but that was no reason why he should not do his full duty. CHAPTER XVIII DOWLEY EGGS ON A CATSPAW Dowley, as he sprang forward, found the muzzle of Private Overton's revolver uncomfortably close to him. "No nonsense," warned Hal. "I don't want to hurt any one, but I'm here on duty." Dowley eyed the soldier boy viciously for an instant, then, with another oath, leaped forward. Bang! Private Overton fired without a second's delay, though he did not shoot to hit. Into the wood at the end of the room crashed the bullet. But Dowley, who had not believed that the "kid soldier" would dare fire, dropped to the floor. "Get up," commanded Hal, eyeing him closely. "I'll suit myself," snarled the man on the floor. The firing had been plainly heard in the outer room. Two or three of the weaker-nerved patrons out there promptly made a break for the street. None ventured into that inner room. Corporal Minturn and his companions must now take care of themselves. But this, in their present ugly mood, they seemed quite able to do. "Don't act like a fool, Dowley," rasped Hal impatiently. "The detachment is strong enough to take you back, man, and you'll have to go back in irons if you attempt to stir up trouble. Get up!"