Dreedle was out, and General Peckem was in, and General Peckem had hardly moved inside General Dreedle’soffice to replace him when his splendid military victory began falling to pieces around him.

　　“General Scheisskopf?” he inquired unsuspectingly of the sergeant in his new office who brought him word ofthe order that had come in that morning. “You mean Colonel Scheisskopf, don’t you?”

　　“No, sir, General Scheisskopf He was promoted to general this morning, sir.”

　　“Well, that’s certainly curious! Scheisskopf? A general? What grade?”

　　“Lieutenant general, sir, and—““Lieutenant general!”

　　“Yes, sir, and he wants you to issue no orders to anyone in your command without first clearing them throughhim.”

　　“Well, I’ll be damned,” mused General Peckem with astonishment, swearing aloud for perhaps the first time inhis life. “Cargill, did you hear that? Scheisskopf was promoted way up to lieutenant general. I’ll bet thatpromotion was intended for me and they gave it to him by mistake.”

　　Colonel Cargill had been rubbing his sturdy chin reflectively. “Why is he giving orders to us?”

　　General Peckem’s sleek, scrubbed, distinguished face tightened. “Yes, Sergeant,” he said slowly with anuncomprehending frown. “Why is he issuing orders to us if he’s still in Special Services and we’re in combatoperations?”

　　“That’s another change that was made this morning, sir. All combat operations are now under the jurisdiction ofSpecial Services. General Scheisskopf is our new commanding officer.”

　　General Peckem let out a sharp cry. “Oh, my God!” he wailed, and all his practical composure went up inhysteria. “Scheisskopf in charge? Scheisskopf?” He pressed his fists down on his eyes with horror. “Cargill, getme Wintergreen! Scheisskopf? Not Scheisskopf!”

　　All phones began ringing at once. A corporal ran in and saluted.

　　“Sir, there’s a chaplain outside to see you with news of an injustice in Colonel Cathcart’s squadron.”<............