iate neighborhood,
immediately swung around and started in again.

The second search failed to bring success. Jack began to experience a
sensation akin to dismay. Was their work doomed to meet with no result
and would they find themselves compelled to start back to Verdun without
having accomplished the important errand on which they had been
dispatched?

It was not Tom Raymond's way to feel discouraged because things did not
always go as he wished from the start. He believed in the old motto, "If
at first you don't succeed, try, try again." And he would circle around
that vicinity for a full hour if only in the end he might find that for
which he searched.

Three times however, was the limit. Then Tom felt certain he had "struck
pay dirt"; and that the opening lying below was the identical field to
which he had been directed.

After that it resolved itself into a simple landing by moonlight. There
were no ready mechanicians waiting to lend a hand; and everything must
be done by the pilot and his assistant. But then, all war aviators must
be able to make ordinary repairs if necessary, and do other duties that
usually they allow the mechanics to perform.

Tom brought the heavy machine to the earth softly. It was fine work he
did, considering the fact that it was unfamiliar ground he was striking
and the moonlight was far from strong.

They jolted along a short distance, and then came to a full stop. Jack
was the first to spring out. His first thought was of the strangeness of
being on German soil, far back of the fighting lines, and within a few
miles of Metz, a city of prime importance.

Hardly had they landed when the air service boys found themselves
listening to sounds that seemed significant. Plainly came reports of
firearms and of loud shouting, as of excited men.

"What do you think that row means, Tom?" asked Jack, as they stood
listening with quickened hearts.

"It's hard to say," the other replied. "They may be having a riot of
some kind over in the city. But I'm afraid it is more apt to have
something to do with our presence here."

"Do you mean they've seen our dropping down and that there may be
soldiers on the way here to see what we're up to?" asked Jack.

"That may turn out to be the truth of it. But we mustn't lose any more
time. What we want now is that paper. Jack, remember that we arranged it
so you'd stay with the plane, while I hurried off to get it."

"All right, Tom; only I wish you