closed my eyes when a rough hand shook me again into consciousness. The
flaming glare of an uplifted pine-knot flung its radiance over half-a-
dozen figures grouped in the open doorway. A corporal, with a white
chin beard, was bending over me.

"Come, Johnny," he said tersely, "get up--you're wanted."

The instinct of soldierly obedience in which I had been so long trained
caused me to grope my way to my feet.

"What time is it, Corporal?" I asked sleepily.

"After midnight."

"Who wishes me?"

"Headquarters," he returned brusquely. "Come, move on. Fall in, men."

A moment later we were off, passing between long lines of dying fires,
tramping rapidly along a rough road which seemed to incline sharply
upward, our single torch throwing grotesque shadows on either side. The
swift movement and the crisp night air swept the vestiges of slumber
from my brain, and I began instinctively to gather together my
scattered wits for whatever new experience confronted me.

Our march was a short one, and we soon turned abruptly in at a wide-
open gateway. High pillars of brick stood upon either hand, and the
passage was well lighted by a brightly blazing fire of logs. Two
sentries stood there, and our party passed between them without
uttering a word. As we moved beyond the radiance I noted a little knot