eartily. "Their loss demonstrates the
value of experience. There was no reason at all for the collision
between Carpenter and McWilliams. They simply forgot there was anyone
else in the air. A tough break."

"Any break is a tough one when you don't come back," Larkin said.

The Major seemed to see him now for the first time. "Where in creation
did you get that gunny sack you're wearing?" he demanded.

Larkin grinned, foolishly. "From Lieutenant Robinson, sir."

"What's it supposed to be?"

"A uniform, sir."

"Thanks. I didn't know." He turned to McGee, who still wore his British
uniform. "Didn't Robinson have any more masquerade costumes?"

"Not my size, sir."

"Oh, you go in for size? I see Larkin doesn't. Why don't you get
uniforms?"

"We haven't had a chance, sir," Larkin answered. "There is no tailor
around here, so I chinned Robinson out of this enlisted man's issue.
Perhaps," he offered, smiling, "the Major will give us a pass to Paris
to have uniforms made."

"The Major will not! We've some real work ahead. But--"

The door opened and Siddons entered.

"But don't put that thing back on in the morning," Cowan completed.
"Your British uniform is at least presentable."

"You sent for me, sir?" Siddons spoke from the doorway, his voice having
the quality of one who is extremely bored--especially bored with being
sent for.

"I did." Cowan's voice was crisp. The ends of his moustache began
twitching jerkily. "I suppose you wonder why I have said nothing to you
about your failure to rejoin the squadron the other day after you cut
out at Vitry?"

"Why, no sir," Siddons responded, perfectly at ease. "You said that if
any of us developed trouble that delayed us, to come on here at the
earliest possible moment. I was here when you arrived."

"So you were." Cowan was making a stern effort to control his temper.
"And it is true that I gave you orders to come on here should delaying
trouble develop. But," he shot a quick, silencing look at McGee, "I
conducted a little investigation into your landing at Vitry, Lieutenant,
and I discovered that you took off again within an hour."

Siddons started, almost imperceptibly. His face colored, for a moment,
but he quickly assumed his habitual nonchalance. It goaded Cowan to an
inward fury, but he controlled himself well.

"I suppose you can think of some reason why I shouldn't ground you,"
Cowan said.

"Why, no sir. No reason at all."

"Then I can!" the Major