snapped. "You like joy-riding, eh? Like to tour
France, eh? Very well, I'm going to give you a bit of it to do."

He turned and walked over to a large wall map. "Take a look at this--all
three of you," he said. "This is a detailed map of our sector. G 2
believes that the Germans are planning to strike north of here, perhaps
just south of Soissons. One of their reasons for this suspicion is that
information has reached G 2 to the effect that Count von Herzmann's
Circus has pulled out from Roncheres. Where is he now? That's the
question! The Intelligence sharks at Great Headquarters believe that if
we can locate his new base we will know something more about the plans
of the enemy. As a result, every squadron along this front has been
ordered to make an effort to locate his new position. Personally, I am
of the opinion that Larkin winged him the other morning, and as a result
his Circus has been withdrawn, pending his recovery."

Larkin shook his head regretfully. "I wish I could think so, Major. I'd
like to boast that I had given von Herzmann a little lead poisoning. But
I don't think so. The tracers showed that my burst was going into his
motor. I winged that, all right, but he didn't fly like a wounded man."

"Modest enough," Cowan approved. "It seems that G 2 thinks the same
thing. They have reason to believe that he is in the neighborhood of
this point here,"--he put a finger on the map--"where the railroad
between Soissons and Chateau-Thierry crosses the Ourcq."

He turned now directly to Siddons, his eyes cold and piercing.
"Lieutenant Siddons, you seem to be a most excellent map flyer. You find
your way here alone, and you tour this part of France with admirable
ease. To-morrow morning, if the visibility is good, you will take off at
dawn, cross the line above Bouresches, push on toward Bonnes and as far
inland as the railroad crossing on the Ourcq--if possible. Is that
clear?"

"Perfectly, sir." Siddons was as unconcerned and unruffled as though he
had received an order to fly to Paris.

"You will get the greatest possible altitude before crossing the line,
and you are to avoid combat. Your mission is to bring us information, if
possible, concerning the location of enemy 'dromes--and especially von
Herzmann's base. Am I clear?"

"Perfectly, sir."

One could not but admire the cool confidence of the fellow. His
complacency was not what Cowan had expected.

"If you think the risk is too great, alone," Co