“I want to impress this firmly on my mind,” he said to Hal, “for we may not have a chance to look at it again for some time.”

Hal also bent over and studied the map carefully.  A few moments later they left the store, each feeling more secure because of the ugly-looking Colt each carried in his pocket.

As the boys walked along one of the dark streets they became aware of the soft pat-pat of steps behind them, coming swiftly.  They turned to face whatever danger threatened, and then Hal suddenly broke into a laugh.

“Marquis!” he cried aloud.

Sure enough, it was their four-footed friend.  He came running up to the boys, wagging his tail happily at being with them once again, but with reproach in his eyes at having been left behind.

“Good old Marquis,” said Chester, patting his head.  “You didn’t want to be left behind among all these Germans, did you?”

Marquis wagged his tail fiercely.

“What are we going to do with him?” asked Hal.  “Won’t he be in the way?”

“No, I don’t think so,” replied Chester.  “Not if the plan I have in mind works.”

“What is your plan?”

“You’ll know soon enough,” said Chester calmly.  “Come on.”

For two hours the lads walked along, gradually drawing out of the city at the eastern extremity.  They passed many German officers as they walked along, but were not molested nor even challenged.

Finally, beyond the city, Chester increased his pace and the two boys and the dog hurried on.  At length they came to a large building.

“I thought I was right,” said Chester to himself.  “But I was beginning to doubt it.”

“What is it?” demanded Hal.  “What is that building?”

“That,” said Chester calmly, “is an aeroplane station.  We shall now go in and get one.”

“Oh, we will, eh?  And I suppose they give one to every strange officer who happens along?”

“No, they don’t,” said Chester.  “But, among other things in General Strauss’s desk, I found several orders upon this place, each one calling upon the commandant to furnish bearer with one plane.”

“Why didn’t you tell me before?” demanded Hal.

“I wanted to save it as a surprise,” said Chester.

As they approached nearer, it became apparent that the structure was a long, low shed.  A hundred yards away, they were challenged by a sentry.

“I have an order for the commandant,” called Chester.

“Approach,” said the sentry.

A moment later, the commandant, being summoned by the sentry, arrived.

“What can I do for you, gentlemen?” he asked.

Without a word, Chester pulled one of the orders he had appropriated from
General Strauss’s desk from his pocket and passed it to the commandant. 
The latter glanced at it quickly, and then bowed.

“You shall have the machine in five minutes,” he said, and left them.