Air Service Boys Over the Atlantic | Page 5

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.
The landing was made without incident, though curious glances were
cast in their direction. Many knew that Tom and his chum had made
their ascent without a third passenger, and the presence of Lieutenant
Beverly announced that some sort of tragedy of the air had occurred.
A number of other pilots swooped down upon them to learn the
particulars. As usual they were inclined to be jocular, and greeted the
limping Beverly with a volley of questions, as well as remarks
concerning that "luck" of which he had talked.
"They can't get you, no matter how they try, Beverly," one called out.
"Another machine to the scrap-heap!" laughingly observed the most
celebrated of Yankee aces, slapping Colin on the shoulder. "Makes an
even dozen for you I understand. Planes may come and planes may go
but you go on forever. Well, long may you wave, old chap! Here's

wishing you luck. So the boys picked you up, did they? Nice work, all
right."
"Just in time, too," confessed Beverly, "because there were some Huns
on the way to finish me that had to be chased off."
Tom had been noticing something which he thought a bit strange. It
was a way Lieutenant Beverly had of looking at him curiously, as if
deciding something in his mind which had suddenly gripped him.
"Is there anything else we can do for you, Lieutenant?" he finally asked,
when they had left the bevy of pilots and mechanics behind and were
heading toward their quarters; for Tom wished to see the other
comfortable before he and Jack ascended once more.
"I don't believe there is--at present," the other slowly replied. "But this
accidental meeting may develop into something worth while; that is, if
you chaps would care to join me in a sensational flight."
At hearing these words Jack began to show a sudden interest.
"If you know anything about us, Lieutenant!" he exclaimed eagerly,
"you ought to understand that we've always been willing to tackle any
job coming our way."
"This one," continued the other gravely, "promises to be an unusually
dangerous enterprise that if successful, will be sure to win the crew of
the big bombing plane tremendous honors and perhaps rapid
advancement."
"You're only exciting us more and more by saying that," said Tom.
"Suppose you explain what it is, and then we could decide whether
we'd want to join you or not."
"My sentiments exactly," added Jack.
Lieutenant Beverly looked from one face to the other. He seemed to be
mentally weighing the chances of his ever being able to run across two

more promising candidates for the honor of sharing his secret than the
pair of ambitious lads then in touch with him. As though his decision
was taken he suddenly exclaimed:
"It's a go, then! I'll let you into my little secret, which so far hasn't been
shared by a single living man. Then later on you can decide if you care
to accept the risk for the sake of the glory success would bring, as well
as striking a blow for the flag we all love!"
CHAPTER III
A BOLD PROJECT
"Pitch in, please!" urged the impatient Jack Parmly.
"Listen, then, boys," commenced the other earnestly. "You doubtless
know that I've got more money than is good for any single man to
handle? Well, I've squandered a small bunch of it in having a
wonderful plane made and sent abroad. Of course it's intended to be
handed over to the Government in due course of time,