upper?" he asked.

"I could eat it," Prescott replied. "But what's the use?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why waste time with eating when there's the slimmest chance to
get away?" Dick continued.

"It may be hours before we can really put our plan into execution."

"Our plan?" repeated Dick. "What on earth did I have to do with
making the plan? But, if you feel that we're not wasting time
over a supper I'll admit that I am ready to eat."

So Reade summoned their host, as before.

"Is the night good and foggy?" Tom asked, when the aged peasant
appeared.

"There is not a trace of fog, monsieur," was the reply. "Still,
the sky is cloudy, and the night is dark."

"That's only second-best weather," grumbled Reade. "However,
I'm impatient to have a try to-night. I think we will try for
it. Can you help us?"

"Undoubtedly I can find out how clear the coast is," replied the
old man. "I would be glad to do far more than that for you."

"If you can supply us with supper," Tom proposed, "and then find
out the news, it will be a great service."

Later, while the chums ate, the old peasant went abroad. Tom
and Dick were waiting impatiently until he returned.

"All is as well as it will be any night," the Frenchman reported,
and added details.

"We'll try it, then," Reade decided, after glancing at Prescott,
who nodded.

"And may you succeed!" cried the old peasant fervently. "And
may you both come safely through the war, and have the good fortune
to slay Huns and Huns and Huns!"

"Promise me, my good old friend, to use your axe only for chopping
wood," Dick urged,

"And I will promise to think of you whenever I have the chance
to destroy a Hun."

"It is a bargain, then!" cried their host.

"It will be kept, on my side," Dick rejoined gravely.

"And on mine, too," agreed the old man.

It was quiet abroad when the three stealthily left the house.
The Americans had wished to leave a word of cheer with the peasant's
wife, but she had fallen asleep and they would not disturb her.

Through a wood and across fields their guide led the young Americans
until they neared the spot they sought.

"From here on one will have to be cautious," suggested the Frenchman.
"You are about to cross a road, and then, on the other side,
one comes to the aviation station."

"Then here is where you should leave us," Dick remarked considerately.
"Very likely we shall fail and be sent on to a prison camp, this
time in irons