shall see to it that you and your companion Boy Scout are mentioned
in dispatches," he said. "I shall also see to it that your scoutmaster
is informed of your excellent work, and shall request him to give you
the highest possible promotion for distinguished services!"

CHAPTER XV

THE RETREAT

Frank felt that he was dismissed, and a gentle pressure on his arm from
Captain Greene made him sure of it. The aviator went out with him, and
when they were outside he slapped him on the back.

"Well, you've got a right to feel proud of yourself!" he said. "And the
general doesn't begin to know all you did. He will, though, as soon as
he gets my report. I'll write that directly because there's no telling
what will happen any time I go up. You've seen something of how it goes
in a monoplane."

"I wonder what I'm to do now," said Frank.

"Go away from here as quickly as you can," said Greene, with a laugh. "I
can tell you that much. That's what we've been doing ever since they
smashed us at Mons, in Belgium. You see those beggars creep out, trying
to get around us. The Frenchmen made a bad guess at the beginning, and
sent too many men to Alsace, and so this chap Von Kluck had enough men
to threaten to surround us. But his turn's coming!"

"When?" asked Frank.

"Ask me something easy! Before very long, though, I think. We'll be
south of Amiens by to-morrow. We've got to wait until we get enough
men. But there's a surprise coming to the Germans. If I told you any
more I'd be shot at daybreak for betraying military secrets. Good luck,
young 'un! Sorry you're not going to be with us in the flying corps!"

"Good-bye," said Frank.

Then he went to look for Henri, and found him in the same room in which
they had first been received by Major Cooper. Henri started up with a
cry of delight at seeing him and embraced him, in the French fashion, to
the huge amusement of the Englishmen present and Frank's own disgust and
embarrassment. But he tried to hide how he felt, for he knew that Henri
was only doing what he had been brought up to regard as the proper
thing, and he would not have hurt his chum's feelings for the world.

"You two youngsters have got to get back to Amiens," said the major.
"For one thing because the Germans will be here as soon as we get out,
and for another because I want you to take some dispatches to the French
staff there. Can either of you drive a motor?"

"I can," said Henri, proudly.

"Really