“The Beverly luck again!” chuckled Jack, at which the intrepid flier nodded with kindling eyes.

“Getting to believe I can carry anything through I care to tackle, for a fact, fellows,” he remarked, with the same amazing confidence that had taken him along so many times in a whirlwind of success.

They ranged alongside, and he leaned on Tom’s arm as he limped off, giving no further heed to the mass of damaged engine, crumpled wood, bent steel guys, and torn canvas that had once been a powerful bombing plane.

Jack kept in readiness to meet any attack that might spring up, though they had reason to believe the Huns had temporarily withdrawn from the field of action.

“Your friend Harry Leroy dropped in to see me while I was laid up, Raymond,” remarked the lieutenant, with a broad grin, as he saw how his words caused the color to flash into the bronzed cheeks of the other.

“Haven’t seen Harry for some time,” Tom replied, his eyes twinkling with pleasure; “but I heard of you through his sister.  Nellie said you were the hardest patient she’d ever tackled, because you kept fretting to get out and be at work again.”

“Yes, Miss Leroy was my nurse for a week, and I think I improved more under her care than at any other time.  She’s a fine girl, Raymond.”

“Sure thing, Lieutenant.  I ought to know,” came the unabashed answer.  “I’ve known Nellie for some time, and that was always my opinion.  We’re good friends all right.”

“H’m!  I guess you must be,” chuckled the other.  “I wish you could have seen her look when I mentioned that I knew you well, and liked you in the bargain.  I kept talking Tom Raymond a full streak just to watch the blushes play over her face and the light shine in her eyes.  Raymond, you’re a lucky dog.”

“Here’s our plane, and we’ll soon be able to get going with such a smooth bit of ground ahead,” Tom hastened to remark, though it was easy to see that what the other said had thrilled him.

“All aboard!” sang out Jack, after a last quick look around.  “No Huns in sight, as far as I can see.”

The ascent was easily made, for, as Tom had said, they were favored with an unusually level stretch of ground beyond, over which the plane rolled decently until the pilot switched his lever and they started to soar.  From some place close by an unseen enemy commenced to fire again, but without success.

Once fully on their way, the danger faded out of sight.  Again they were spinning through space, with the earth fading below them.

“Back home, Tom?” called out Jack, and the pilot nodded an affirmative.

Swiftly they sped, and presently were dropping back to earth at the spot whence their outgoing flight had started.  Here there were evidences of bustle, with planes coming and going all the while.  Couriers could be seen on horses or motorcycles speeding away with important news to be sent from the nearest field telephone station in touch with division headquarters.