winks, though the red of his face was only
indicative of good-nature.

It smelled so good around the steamer of coffee and the piles of fresh
bread which Erastus and his helper had piled up that even the timid
child smiled back at the one who seemed to be the "boss" of all that
vast array of good things--much more than she had ever seen before in
all her life.

For Jeanne was very, very hungry, having eaten almost nothing since the
previous afternoon.

"Jack came across her, you see, Erastus, and--" bending forward so
Jeanne might not hear what he said--"she's lost her sister, and the
mother has died, a victim of the Huns. Erastus, she's nearly starved,
and I was wondering whether you wouldn't give me something for her."

"Against orders, you know, Sergeant," said the other. Then he looked
more pityingly than ever at the pretty child. "But just this once I
might," he added. "Say, I'd go without my own supper sooner'n see that
duck suffer, sure I would. Wait around, and see what happens, Sergeant."

Tom did linger, apparently explaining to little Jeanne all about the
wonderful invention in the way of a cook's outfit that could take care
of a multitude of hungry fighters, and which was modeled somewhat on the
pattern of the "chuck-wagon" long in use on the cattle ranges of the far
Southwest.

Then there was a mysterious passing of something that Tom hastened to
stow away, an exchange of muttered words with the rosy-cheeked cook,
after which Tom and Jeanne went back to the quarters of the boys, where
for some little time he watched the almost starving child devour
quantities of bread and butter--actually real butter--made into
sandwiches which Erastus had hastily done up for her.

Tom was about to go to headquarters with the request that he and Jack
might be allowed a short furlough in order to take the little girl to
put her in Nellie Leroy's care when an orderly came with a message from
the young airman's superior officer ordering him to go out on special
scout duty.

It was with a half sigh that Tom Raymond began his preparations, for his
interest in Nellie was deep, and he had looked forward with pleasure to
this chance of seeing her, and now he must leave this matter wholly to
his chum.

Still, little Jeanne Anstey was Jack's "find," and the young air pilot
was evidently deeply interested in the child and wanted to aid her with
as little help from others, even from his best chum, as was possible.
Perhaps,