“I didn’t mention the fact, but it lies hidden in a special hangar on the French coast, not a great distance from Dunkirk,” came the answer.  “I have a special guard watching it, and my mechanics keep everything ready for any sudden call.  Right now she’s tuned up to top-notch pitch, and a full supply of gas is kept on hand all the time, as well as everything needed in the way of supplies.  That’s where money talks.”

Jack looked his admiration, and then burst out with: 

“You’re sure a dandy, Lieutenant Beverly, and if ever you undertake that wonderful trip to Berlin and back I only hope I have the great good luck to be aboard.”

“Consider it settled then,” he was told.  “And now that I’ve found my comrades for the venture I can go about further details, and start getting the consent of Headquarters to the enterprise.  One of these nights Berlin is going to get a shock that may help bring the war to a speedy close.”

“Here’s our dugout,” said Tom.  “We’re going back to work again after I’ve bandaged Jack’s finger, for he gave it an ugly scratch when handling the gun, he doesn’t himself know just how.  Can we do anything further for you right now, Lieutenant?”

“Thank you, nothing, Raymond.  I shall get on nicely.  I’ll rest up a day or so while things are simmering connected with that big affair.  Of course it’s to be a great secret among the three of us; not another soul knows anything about my project or the giant bombing plane I had shipped over to France.”

“That’s understood, and we’re as mum as a couple of clams,” Jack told him; and so they separated, little dreaming at the moment what a remarkable series of circumstances were fated to arise that would bring them together for the carrying out of an enterprise greater than anything as yet recorded in the annals of aerial exploits.

Tom and Jack were back on the field before half an hour had elapsed, making a fresh start for the clouds, just as eager as ever to have some adventurous Hun airman accept their challenge and give them battle.

For a whole hour did they fly back and forth in the disputed territory between the two armies.  Far beneath they could see by the aid of the powerful binoculars marching columns of soldiers, all heading toward the northwest.  These they knew to be the German forces, making one of their regular daily retreats in fairly good order.

Behind them the Hun armies left innumerable nests of machine-gunners to dispute the advance of the Yankee battalions, and hold them in check, even at the price of utter annihilation.  Many times the men selected for this sacrifice to the Fatherland held grimly on until they were completely wiped out by the sweep of the Americans.

Occasionally one of the Yankee pilots, provoked because none of the enemy dared to accept the gauge of battle he flung before them, would swoop down and try to make a target of these marching columns.  Then for a brief period there would be exciting work, with the machine gun of the scurrying plane splashing its spray of bullets amidst the scurrying soldiers, and the daring pilot in return taking their volleys.