we will drive
out the Black Shirt Fascisti and the Germans." The younger brothers
embraced each other and danced up and down. Lorenzo smilingly watched
them. Slowly he turned to the three surprised Yanks. "My family--we
have fought against the big-talking Mussolini. We belong to the society
Free Italy."

"Great!" Allison exclaimed.

O'Malley was already headed for the door.

"Wait!" Lorenzo shouted after him. "I must tell you some things."

O'Malley halted and turned toward the door. "Sure, an' all I want is to
get back into this fight."

"I am sure you do," Lorenzo said. "And I am going to help you."

"Good," Stan said.

Lorenzo took a fat package from his pocket. It was the package his
father had given him. He held it out to Stan.

"Here are the locations of all German bases in Italy, the positions of
batteries, the supply routes used, and all the military maps you will
need. This is very important information."

O'Malley was staring at the package. "Sure, an' it's of no use now with
Italy out o' the war. We'll be headed for Germany."

Lorenzo shook his head. "I'm afraid it is not so easy as that. Germany
has as complete control of Italy as she has of any conquered country.
The Germans will be helped by our Black Shirts, who know they will be
treated badly if they do not stay in power." He spread his hands wide.
"Every officer like my father will be hunted down. We will be hunted.
Today we dress as civilians and go north to destroy Nazi rail lines and
supply dumps."

Stan took the packet. "Have you any suggestions for our getting out of
Italy?"

Lorenzo smiled. "My brothers and I will have no use for our Nardi
fighter planes. Perhaps after the war we might be repaid with an
Airacobra."

"'Tis a foine set o' brothers ye are," O'Malley cried. "Lead me to those
Nardi ships."

"They are in a woods north of the villa. On the hunting acres of the
Bolero estate there is a runway the Germans have not found. I will lead
you to your planes. But we had best hurry as the Germans are taking over
everything." He spread his hands wide and shrugged his shoulders. "You
know how efficient the Germans are."

"You will go nowhere," a harsh voice said.

The boys whirled toward the wide doorway leading to the balcony. Four
German soldiers with tommy-guns stood glaring at them. A youngster with
an officer's insignia on his shirt spoke.

"We have heard what you said. You are spies and will be dealt with
quickly."

L