Air Service Boys Over the Enemy's Lines; Or, The German Spy's Secret
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CHAPTER IV
PRAISE FROM THE GENERAL
General Petain received the pair with his accustomed kindness. He lovedyouth, and his eyes sparkled with pleasure as he gave each of them ahand.
"My time is limited, I regret to say, my gallant Americans, or I shouldgladly ask you all manner of questions concerning your own country. Weare all anxious to know when the great republic across the sea willdecide to cast her decisive influence into the scales to bring us thevictory we await with much patience. Tell me now what this strange thingis you have come across to-day."
Tom waited for no second bidding. He realized how tired the general mustbe after a strenuous day in keeping his finger on the pulse of the wholefront, where the fierce German attacks had been hurled without success.
Accordingly he started at once his tale of how they had been given a dayoff for rest, and, having a love for hunting in their veins, hadborrowed an old shotgun and started forth. Without wasting any time inuseless descriptions he quickly reached the point where the pigeon wasshot.
Jack, having nothing to say just then, contented himself with watchingthe various shades of expression that flitted across the face of thecommander. At mention of the pigeon his eyes sparkled, and he leanedforward with an air of expectancy, as though anticipating what wouldcome next.
Then, as Tom produced the message written on the thin but tough paperand handed it to the general the French officer eagerly scanned it. Jackalso noticed that he did not appear disappointed because he could notimmediately read the baffling communication. Of course it would bewritten in some secret code; that was to be expected.
"It is fortunate," remarked the French officer, "that I have on my staffone who is considered an expert at solving any and every species ofcipher code. He will speedily figure it all out for me, and then weshall see what news this spy was transmitting to his commander. Pleasecontinue your story, which is very interesting, and in which your partdoes you both credit."
Tom, thus encouraged, went on. He told of their further search for themysterious man who had set the homing pigeon free after attaching thesecret message to it.
When he presently told of coming on the ruined farmhouse, anddiscovering the ozier cage containing two additional pigeons, just wherethe spy had left them in his hurried flight, the general fairly beamed.
"It is splendid news you have brought me--you aviators from our sisterrepublic across the sea," he remarked exultantly, as though already inhis fertile mind he could see great possibilities looming up wherebythose pigeons might be made to serve a purpose.
The story was soon finished. Tom, of course, thought it necessary totell of having been fired on while on their way back to the aviationpost, though no harm had resulted. He did this not for the purpose ofimpressing the general with the idea that they had run any greatpersonal risk, but because it might have some influence on the plans theofficer probably had in mind.
After all had been told the commander again shook hands with both of theair service boys. This indicated, as Tom well knew, that he had giventhem all the time he could spare and that a dozen important things wereawaiting his attention, so he saluted and turned to depart.
"This may prove to be a most important thing you have discovered," thegeneral halted the aviators to say warmly. "The cipher will be solved,and then, if the facts warrant it, we may have another written that canbe sent forward by one of your birds. You will give them over into thecharge of an officer whom I shall dispatch back with you to yourquarters. That will be convenient, I suppose?"
Tom hastened to assure him that they had expected just such a thing, andhad hoped that the two captured pigeons might prove the means of leadingthe Crown Prince's forces into some sort of trap.
The general's black eyes snapped on hearing Tom say this.
"Ah! I see that you too have thought it out!" he exclaimedenthusiastically. "Some day perhaps you may have command of an army, andexercise that talent with glorious success. France thanks you."
Both boys were deeply moved by their brief interview with the busycommander-in-chief of the French forces. They did not feel anyhumiliation at being addressed as "my children," knowing that it was aterm of endearment used freely by officers high in command whenaddressing, those in the ranks. In fact, the French army is very muchlike a big family, the men loving those they serve under.
"Well, that job's over," remarked Jack, heaving a sigh of relief whenthey were on their way to their quarters, accompanied by a jauntycaptain who, Tom believed, must be a member of the general's staff.
"I'm glad to have had such a fine opportunity for meeting GeneralPetain," Tom returned, for the captain at the time was walking a littlein the rear, conversing with a courier who had come running after him,as if on important business.
"He was fine, wasn't he, Tom?"
"Next to Joffre I understand General Petain is the most belovedcommander the army has ever had," replied the other. "I'll always feelproud that he shook hands so heartily with both of us."
The air service boys were soon in the automobile that had carried themto the general's headquarters back of the French lines. Here the captainjoined them, having finished his hasty consultation with the courier. Onthe ride to the aviation camp he chatted pleasantly with the youngAmericans. He, it appeared, had spent several years attached to theFrench Embassy at Washington.
He asked particularly concerning the feeling of the common people inAmerica, and what influence the powerful cliques of naturalized butpro-German citizens were apt to have on the Government.
Tom was able to assure him that slowly but surely the people of freeAmerica were becoming aroused to the deadly menace of Germanimperialism, and that presently--it might come at any day, according tothe latest advices--Congress would assemble to hear a ringing appealfrom the President, urging them to declare war upon the Kaiser, war tothe finish.
Apparently what the boys said had much in it to comfort the Frenchcaptain. He knew only too well how eagerly his wearied nation waslistening to hear just such a message of hope. He knew, also, just whatit would mean for the brave defenders of France.
In due time the three arrived at the villa, Several of the Americanpilots saw the trio leave the car, wondered much what was in the windthat Tom and Jack should return with a member of General Petain'spersonal staff. Their curiosity was considerably heightened when laterthey saw the captain come out of the villa carrying a small ozier cagecontaining two blue-rock carrier pigeons, and effusively shake handswith both Tom and Jack, calling out to them as the car moved off:
"In the name of France and General Petain I thank you for what you havedone this day, my brave Americans!"
As the chums were about to pass into the building there was a hail.
"Wait a minute, Jack!" called one of their fellow pilots, hurrying upwith some object in his hand at which the two boys stared with risingcuriosity. "I've got something here for you!"
"For me?" cried the youth addressed. "I'm ever so much obliged, but itstrikes me I've got beyond the point of playing with a toy balloon;though honestly now, when I was a kid I used to be pretty fond ofsailing one of 'em at the end of a long string, until it would get away,and leave me staring up while it climbed toward the clouds."
"Oh, this one is about past doing any climbing, I should say," repliedthe pilot, laughing at Jack's description of his childish woes. "Infact, it's been out during the night, and the heavy air forced it tocome down. Listen, and I'll tell you a strange story that will make youbelieve in fairy tales."
"Go on then, please," urged Jack. "You've got me all worked up already.So there's a history attached to this little balloon, is there?"
"There was _something_ attached to it, something that may mean muchor little to you fellows," came the reply. "This thing was found by aFrench dispatch bearer on his way across country. Out of curiosity hestepped aside to look at the bobbing red object he had noticed amongsome bushes in an open field. When he found that it had a paper fastenedto it, which on the out
side had an address, he concluded to bring thewhole business along with him. He came here half an hour back inquiringfor Jack Parmly, and on finding you were away at the time left theballoon and the paper in my charge. Take it, and see what the messageis, Jack!"