"You wait here, Hal," suggested Jack. "There's a little matter I want
to speak to Mr. Farnum about, anyway."

So Hastings was left at the corner. He saw Jack and the Rhinds man go
in through the hotel entrance.

Then, hearing steps, Hal turned to see two sailors approaching. They
wore the uniform of the United States Navy. Hastings regarded them with
the friendly interest that he, like most other Americans, always felt
for sailors. But the two sailors came along, talking earnestly, and did
not appear to see young Hastings, who stood in close to the wall.

"When I first seen him fall," one of the sailors was saying, "I mistook
him for a Navy officer. He was pretty young, but the uniform fooled me."

"He had the uniform, all right but no signs of rank on it," nodded the
other sailor, thoughtfully. "Was he much hurt?"

"Oh, it won't kill him," replied the first sailor. "But--"

"I beg your pardon," interposed Hal, springing in front of the pair.
"It has just struck me that you are speaking of a comrade of mine."

"Well, he had a uniform on, just like your'n, replied the first sailor,
looking Hal Hastings over quickly.

"Only the young feller we're talkin' about has red hair," added the
second.

"What has happened to him?" demanded Hal, a feeling of alarm sweeping