Part 33 (1/2)
”Don't you worry,” said the major with a smile. ”All that has been taken care of. Ten minutes' walk from here is a large army airplane.
It brought me here and it will take us all back again.”
”All of us?” exclaimed Hal.
”Yes,” the major replied. ”I have made trips in it before. The machine will carry ten pa.s.sengers beside a pilot.”
”And you do the driving, eh?” said Hal.
”No,” said the major. ”I have never learned the art. The pilot is with the craft.”
”You mean he is in hiding in the woods?”
”Exactly.”
”Great Scott!” cried Hal. ”I wouldn't care about his job. Your job now isn't so bad, because you've a chance of action. But just think of sitting in a woods and waiting--waiting--never knowing what minute you are likely to be discovered.”
”It is hard,” agreed the major. ”And here I am refreshed by a night's sleep, while he must remain there in the cold with his eyes open every minute.”
”If he is discovered, then what?” asked Chester.
”His instructions, if discovered,” said the major, ”are to attempt to escape, leaving me behind.”
”In which event,” said Chester, ”you'd have a hard time getting away.”
”That's true. But nothing risked nothing gained, you know.”
”True enough,” said Hal. ”Well, we must take what comes, but I hope Mademoiselle Vaubaun does not get mixed up in any trouble.”
”You seem to take rather a great deal of interest in the fair Antoinette,” said Chester slyly.
Hal's face turned red.
”Well, why shouldn't I?” he demanded. ”No one likes to see a girl or a woman mixed up in this kind of business.”
”Are you sure that is it?” demanded Chester. ”Or is it just because it chanced to be Mademoiselle Vaubaun?”
”What do you mean?” exclaimed Hal angrily.
”Oh, no offense, no offense,” declared Chester. ”I was just talking to hear myself talk--maybe.”
Major Derevaux smiled.
”Antoinette is a very nice girl,” he said. ”I'm sure she would appreciate Hal's interest in her. I'll tell her about it.”
”I say! Don't do that!” exclaimed Hal in some confusion.
”Ha, ha!” laughed Chester.
Hal sat down again, his face still burning.