rld, in which nothing but
unrealities moved.

"My new friend is an American," said Lannes, "and he's to be trusted,
since his own life as well as ours is at stake. Monsieur John Scott,
Messieurs Gaston Castelneau and August Mery. John, these are two
skillful and valued members of the French flying corps. I want you to
shake hands with brave men."

John gladly shook their gloved hands.

"Castelneau, and you, Mery, listen," said Lannes, and again his voice
took on that dramatic ring, while his figure seemed to swell in both
size and stature. "It is here! It has come, and the whole world will
shake beneath its tread!"

"The war!" they exclaimed with one voice.

"Aye the war! The great war! the world war! The planet-shaking war!
Germany declared war today on Russia and tomorrow she declares war on
France! Never mind how I know! I know, and that's enough! The strength
and weight of a Germany that has devoted its best mind and energy for
nearly half a century to preparation for war will be hurled at once upon
our poor France! We are to be the first and chief victim!"

"It will not be so!" said Castelneau and Mery together.

"No, I think not. Republican France of 1914 is not Imperial France of
1870. There I think Imperial Germany has made her great mistake. And we
have friends, as Imperial France had not! But every son of France must
be prepared to shed his blood in her defense!"

Castelneau and Mery bowed gravely. John could tell little about them,
except they were short, thick men, apparently very strong. They wore
caps, resembling those of a naval officer, heavy, powerful glasses, and
baggy clothing, thick and warm. John saw that they paid Lannes great
deference, and he remembered the words of Castelneau that the young
Frenchman was the greatest airman in France. And he had a vague
impression, too, that France led in flying.

"Can France win against Germany, my lieutenant?" asked Mery, who had not
spoken hitherto. "The Germans outnumber us now in the proportion of
seven to four, and from a time long before we were born they've thought
war, dreamed war, and planned war."

"We'll not have to fight Germany, single handed, my good Mery," replied
Lannes. "We'll have friends, good friends, powerful friends. And, now, I
suppose that you have extra clothing with you?"

"Enough for two, sir. Your friend goes with you?"

"He does unless he wishes to remain here and be shot as a spy by the
Germans."

Lannes did not gl