n did not wait to learn what Yancey reckoned. He dashed toward the
hangar, shouting orders as he ran.

Major Cowan stepped from the hangar, barring the way. "Just a minute,
Lieutenant! What is it you want?"

"What do I want? I want a plane on the line--quick!"

"No! Lieutenant McGee took off before we knew what it was all about. It
is madness. You can't have--"

He stopped speaking to listen. From high above, and a little to the
east, came the throbbing sound of German motors that in a few more
seconds would be over the airdrome. Indeed, they might be circling now,
getting their bearing and making sure of location. At that moment one of
the large motor mounted searchlights near the hangar began combing the
sky.

"Go tell those saps to cut that light!" Larkin shouted, hoping that the
Major would be stampeded into action that would provide the slenderest
chance for him to get the mechanics to roll a Spad to the line before
Cowan could know what was happening. "Better cut it! If the others can't
find 'em, this one can't. It will only serve as a path of light for one
of those babies up there to slide down and leave you some presents you
don't want."

Major Cowan was not one to go legging it about on errands. Besides,
searchlights were provided for just such uses. Then too, he rather
suspected Larkin's motives, and Larkin realized this.

"Please let me have one of those Spads, Major," he pleaded. "Can't you
understand--McGee and I are buddies. With two of us up there we might
turn 'em back."

"No! It is too hazardous. This squadron is still in training. We are not
trained as night flyers, and certainly are not prepared to give combat
to a flight of bombers."

Larkin's anger smashed through his long training. All rank faded from
his mind.

"Not trained, eh? Major Cowan, that freckle-faced kid up there is a
night flying fool--and I'm his twin brother. Get out of my way. Oh,
greaseballs! Hey, you Ack Emmas! Roll out one of those Spads and--"

"Lieutenant!" Cowan barked. "You forget yourself. If you want to do
night fighting go over to your own group and use your own plane! You
forget yourself. I am still in command here!"

From aloft came the momentary stutter of two machine guns. Ah! McGee
testing and warming his guns as he climbed. Oh, the fool! The precious,
daring fool!

Larkin sat down on the tarmac, _ker plunk!_ Let 'em raid. What
mattered it? He rather hoped one of them would be accurate enough to
plant