"And," continued the one who had put this idea forward, "while we have
nothing to do with the army itself, we expect to be governed by certain
military rules. What say, fellows?"

"Fall in! fall in!"

Out of the door they marched, and down the steps, two by two; Bluff
Shipley, who was paired with Nuthin', being the lone straggler in the
rear, since his mate remained at home.

If he experienced the slightest sense of dejection at being compelled to
walk without a side partner, it was of very brief duration.

Outside it was very dark, and this condition seemed more or less
heightened by the fact that the eyes of the young scouts had become
accustomed to the glow of the rooms they had just left.

Consequently there was more or less chance of some one tripping on the
steps, and pulling others down with him.

"'Ware the fourth step; it's shaky and may throw you, boys!" sang out
Nuthin'.

Hardly had he spoken than the first pair executed a beautiful forward
bow, and went down in a heap from the lower step.

"Look out there! A rope!"

Paul had just barely time to give utterance to this warning when the next