Evening star., 1927-11-27

hangar outside Avesnes.le'
Comte and hauled to the far
side of the landing field.
An r. L. bus, new in design as she
was in service, the night moisture
rolled off her wings like mist from the
back of a gull. After tuning her up,
her mechanics were marched back 10
the airdrome.
1t was then that four men, waiting
nearby, came slowly toward her. Two
of them were officers attached to the
American general staff. Another was
a fight lieutenant. The fourth men,
Der of the party was not a soldlef. lie
was a French peasant, dressed IN
blouse and ragged trousers. Earher
in the day he had been brought from
Bourmont, and great had been the
secrecy. Only Col. Talbat, Maj. Bor.
den and Flight Lieut.. Colbridge knew
this mans name and the nature of
his business.
. Mai. Borden was talking to him.
''It's not too late-even now. his
voice. fraught with anxiety, rose en-
treatingly. This is an unnecessary
risk. Why not return the way you
came? Through the lines"
The Freedman appeared not to hear.
Col. Talbat interposed: He knows
hest what he wants to do, Borden.
Surejy oie way 4s "S 14S"'
other" g
The major did not share that opin-
ion. He might land on top of one
of their batteries" he said. They'd
shoot him on slight. He wouldn't have
the ghost of a chance to produce his
passport"
"Colbridge knows the country" ad-
vanced the colonel.
The airman nodded. There's big
gun to the left of Guise," he said,
land if they're firing, 1 can tell by the
fash l ought to be able to see the
church, too, though it's misty.
"Favieres." said Maj. Borden. laying
his hand on the peasants shoulder.
IL guess you're all set TO so this way.
Well, good luck to you. l think you
know how much we appreciate what
you've done for us"
Favieres looked up and smiled.
"Oui," he said doubtfully. 1t was
roguisn smile, but in it, as in his eyes.
Law unquestionable fearlessness. He
bowed to the colonel, then vaulted into
the plane.
The propeller kicked over twice be-
fore Maj. Borden sprang clear. Ihe
stiffness of night was instantly Whlp-
ped into a fiendish roar that blotted out
the boom of distant artillery. Gild'
ing swiftly over the ground, the plane
vanished.
The r. E. bus was on her way. One
of her passengers was to leave her in
mid.air. The other--if the gods OF
war smiled on him-was TO bring her
back.
Walking back to the car, Maj. Bor-
den shuddered. THAT takes courage,
he said.
Col. Talbat agreed. "Just the same"
he added, I'm suspicious. Been so,
all along"
Il could tell you all about him."
said the major. Il am under oath not |
to give him away"
See here, Borden. The Heinies |
aren't fools. They've got a pretty |
accurate check on every man, woman |
and child in those occupied territories. |
You know the precision of the Ger |
man method 1t was one thing for |
Favieres to get through to us. and the |
information he gave us proved cor |
rect"
1T was invaluable"
Granted. But. when he suggested |
going back, l began to smell rat. |
Shall ! tell you exactly what 1 think, |
Borden? We won't see that bird |
again. l guess you know what that
means"
WHAT"
"Favieres-is a German spy!' |
X X
THE r. E. bus was roaring like a |
virago. Colbridge took her up |
ten thousand feet before he showed |
her nose east. They crossed two lines |
of Chinese lanterns, insecurely tied, |
waving a moment before dropping into |
nothingness-they rode over the Ger
man batteries, wicked with bursts of |
yellow light that seemed to~spit up at |
them, then ran into clouds that hid |
the world and all its madness. When |
they pulled out of it. the fanfare of /
war craZed men was behind.
1t commenced to rain. Turning |
north, Colbridge came down to 5000 |
feet. then lower found his bearings |
and climbed again. Shortly afterward, |
he banked and headed west. Once |
again, far in the distance, the fact Of |