now where we are going, he
will know of our arrival twenty-four hours after we get there. If he
fails to foresee our concentration at this point, he is thick-headed and
slow-witted indeed. I, for one, do not consider him slow-witted. About
the only secret we keep from him is the order that is never issued."

Cowan frowned. "I suppose you are right. But how does all this
information leak through?"

"If I knew that, Major, I'd be too valuable to be a pursuit pilot. If we
knew where the leaks were we could plug them by making use of several
good firing squads."

"You are right," Cowan agreed, and again bent over the map, studying it
with minutest care. "See here," he said at last. "If we flew a true
course from here to La Ferte we would parallel the front for several
miles. Here, just south of la Chapelle, we'd be within three miles of
the line. That's pretty close for a green squadron, don't you think?"

"We'll be closer than that in the next few days--by exactly three
miles!" Mullins answered. "Personally, I'd like to have a look-see at
the jolly old Hun."

"I don't think you need worry, Major," McGee offered. "It isn't likely
that we will run into any of them, and if we should we would so
outnumber them that they would establish some new records in
high-tailing it home."

"You think so?" Cowan seemed so unduly disturbed over so remote a
prospect that McGee found himself again doubting the Major's courage.

"I do. Why, look at our strength! The Boche prefers to have the
numerical superiority on his side."

"But you'd take up combat formation, of course?"

"Yes, and in echelon, one flight above another by a margin of three
thousand feet. Then, if the beggar wants to jump on that sort of buzz
saw, let him come--and welcome."

"There will be time enough to welcome him when we reach our new
base--all present or accounted for," Cowan replied. "You have no
objection to flying in the top flight with me to-morrow?"

"Why, no sir. Of course not. I'll be honored."

"Bosh! No flattery, Lieutenant. I don't expect it--especially from you."

Seemingly quite exasperated, Cowan turned away, walked quickly to the
window and again stood looking out into the night. Mullins winked at
McGee and made a quivering motion with his hand, indicating that he
thought Cowan was suffering from a case of nerves.

The Major turned from the window and stared at Mullins with a cold, but
studious eye. It made the Operations officer exceedi