G. Harvey Ralphson

“ Under the skillful handling of Ned the Grey Eagle came gracefully to a landing on the broad, smooth asphalted street. The boys were not even jarred by the impact as the aeroplane slid to a resting place.
Although the muffler had been deadening the sound of the engine's exhaust to a mere hum, and no clamor of the motors had, therefore, disturbed the city's inhabitants, a large crowd of boys and old men quickly gathered. ”

“ Jimmie McGraw, the lad with the red hair and freckles, had been a Bowery newsboy in New York until he had fallen under the observation of Ned Nestor, a well-known member of the Boy Scouts of America. He was of slight build, and though of about the same age as the other lads, was somewhat shorter. His active manner, quick wit and rash boldness in times of danger, coupled with a keen perception and an ability to correctly weigh values, more than made up for any apparent lack in the matter of size. ”

“ Seating himself at Ned's invitation, the General began:
"What do you think of our little camp by this time?"
"It is great!" heartily responded Ned. "I like it!"
"And the principle, is it not a correct one?"
"I think so," replied the lad. "I believe it is a grand idea to teach the men everything possible about the matter before sending them out on the firing line. Do they seem to learn readily?"
"Yes," was the answer, "but we are in need of one thing. We must have more instructors! There are not enough men who can teach!" ”

“ What Ned dreaded he saw all too plainly was coming.
"Do you not perceive our need of men?" continued his questioner.
"Yes, sir, I can," returned Ned. Then, as if determined to meet the issue squarely, he went on, looking straight into the other's face:
"If it were not for the fact that we are citizens of the United States and, therefore, neutral, I would be delighted to offer my services [Pg 216] in any way they might be used. We are on a mission that requires our time and utmost energy, however, and it would be out of the question for us even to think of such a possibility." ”

“ Coarse threats and foul language were mingled freely with appellations of scorn and hatred.
"Get out of here, you're buttin' into a game!" shouted one.
"Soak the snobs!" cried another, brandishing the bat he held.
"Get 'em, fellers!" yelled a lad, hurling a piece of cinder with poor aim. "Everybody soak 'em good and hard!"
One lad more venturesome than the others hurled a bat at the machines, now almost clear of the crowd. Jimmie had opened the muffler and turned on the power. Mingled with the roar of the exhaust came a sharp musical twanging that told of broken spokes. ”

“ Let principle be of far greater moment than any pecuniary gain, and you cannot go far wrong!"
So saying he arose and extended his hand to Ned. In that firm clasp Ned detected the emotion that swept over this master of men, who carried the responsibility of a nation at that moment on his shoulders.
Long afterward he declared that one of the proudest moments of his life was the one in which he and Joffre clasped hands across the table in the aviation camp. From that time his efforts to instil into the minds of his comrades ideas of patriotism and loyalty increased. ”

“ Fire now began dropping from several places in the thatch, while the barn filled with smoke. The crackling of the flames grew louder as the fire spread. All the boys were coughing and choking from the smoke they were compelled to inhale. They grouped near the door.
"Here comes the fireman!" yelled Jimmie in delight, as the others were preparing again to attempt an onslaught on the post that had resisted their previous efforts. "Go, slow, lads! One at a time!" ”

“ The General hasn't had a chance to ask us to lunch," he added, with a wink at Ned who was standing near.
"Same old cold, I suppose," protested Jack. "You had a lunch only a few hours ago, and now you're hungry again! What's the matter?"
"Hunger seems to be an affliction from which Jimmie always suffers," laughed Ned. "I'm sure I don't know what to do!"
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"That's not an affliction," maintained Jimmie, joining in the spirit of the chaffing, "that's what they call a disease!"
"It's chronic, whatever you call it!" asserted Harry. ”

“ Due to the fact that the boys had not felt speed essential to their purpose, no attempt as yet had been made to put the Grey Eagle to its best pace. The monoplane, however, seemed to be traveling at a high rate of speed, and was not long in securing a favorable position for the evident purpose of its occupants.
"If he gets above us, he'll drop a bomb!" cried Jimmie, in an angry tone. "I'll bet it's The Rat! He's been watching for us to start!"
"Put on a little more speed, Ned," urged Jack anxiously. "Let's try to prevent his getting above us, if we can. ”

“ Possibly we may shake off The Rat."
Never had the boys felt the sense of pride in their aeroplane that they did that day. The engine, designed by Harry and his chums, proved to be all that they had expected. Running with muffler closed, Ned sent the plane along at a terrific pace. Above the whistling of the wind the hum of the motor was not distinguishable, and conversation could be carried on with comparative ease. Without a tremor the great machine covered mile after mile with a grace and speed that excited the frank admiration of their two guests. ”

“ Quickly divesting himself of his soiled and blood-stained garments, the lad slipped into his new uniform and dashed down the stairs, fastening buttons as he went. Behind him clattered Jack and Ned, followed by the attorney.
"I'm going, too, if you have room for me," stated Mr. Nobles.
"Hop in," invited Jimmie, "but you'll have to hang onto your teeth, for Harry gets absent-minded sometimes, and drives as if there were no speed ordinances. He likes to burn up tires!"
Not a second was lost by the party in stowing themselves into the big car, which Harry at once headed for the east side. ”

“ It is just above the trees."
"I see it!" declared Ned. "I can't make out what it is like, though. It looks something like a biplane, but I'm not sure."
"That's what it is!" asserted Harry. "You've got good eyes!"
"Maybe it's some fellow from the aviation camp out for a trial run or else breaking in a new pilot," suggested Jimmie.
"If that's the case," Jack put in, "we are near the place. I'm glad of that! I'm interested in the idea of seeing the French craft."
"Keep your eyes open, then," advised Harry. "It looks as if we were going to cross the hill in a minute, and then we'll know!" ”

“ After a long examination of the other machine, Jimmie handed the glasses to Harry. He shook his head and glanced quickly at Ned. "I wonder what that fellow thinks of himself," he said presently. "Do you suppose he realizes that other people consider him the worst kind of a sneak? He surely must be case hardened if he doesn't hate himself!" ”

“ I have some disagreeable work before me, and cannot spare more time. I will, however, give you a pass that will afford you protection into neutral territory."
"Can we take the Grey Eagle with us?" queried Jimmie anxiously.
"You may dismantle it and take it as freight only," replied the officer. "We cannot allow you to operate it in this territory under the present conditions. It is too dangerous an undertaking!"
"We want to thank you for the kindness you have shown us!" declared Ned, as the officer prepared to depart. "You have been most kind!" ”

“ In a few words he told the details.
"There's an aeroplane rising from the eastward!" cried Harry.
"I'll bet it's a Taube!" declared Jimmie. "It's bird-shaped!"
Upon seeing the flier the soldiers became panic stricken. They declared that all were in danger from bombs and darts, and begged the boys to take refuge in the trenches, where only lay safety.
"Let's wheel the Grey Eagle under those trees," suggested Ned, "and get into the trenches with them. It is safer than out here!" ”

“ He seems to be quite busy about it, whatever it is!"
"Maybe he's preparing a bomb or something to drop on us!"
"He's dropping his wrench or something!" cried Harry excitedly. "I can see something flashing in the sunlight as it drops from the bottom of his chassis. There, he's dropped another," he continued.
"What can it be?" wondered Jack. "He can't be dropping tools."
"I see the flash of some more!" announced Jimmie excitedly.
"Why, there are lots of them!" was Harry's astonished statement. "If we don't look out some of them will hit us! Any more speed, Ned?" ”

“ As he was reloading, Francois, who had been peering across the river, cried:
"They've heard you! They are coming! I see the police boat!"
Losing little time in explanations, the police loaded the five boys into their boat, bringing the gunwales nearly to the water's edge. A rattle of revolver shots greeted the tiny craft as it pulled out of the shadow of the ruined warehouse. A man dimly outlined stood above them sending shot after shot in their direction, but with poor aim.
Highly incensed, Jimmie swung his automatic around and fired. ”

“ In a short time the boys had mounted the Grey Eagle and were away from the scene. Below and all about them lay the fog. Sounds came faintly up to their ears. Suddenly a piercing scream indicated the passage of another of the giant shells. A roar told that it had landed and exploded. Ned steered away in another direction. Below them a great flash of light accompanied a terrific roar. A cannon had been fired.
"Where are we, Ned?" quavered Jimmie. "Can you tell?"
"We're right over a battery!" replied Ned, shifting the levers. "They seem to be firing and fired at! We're between two fires!" ”

“ Jack Bosworth, who had just suffered the disablement of his motorcycle, was the son of a well-known New York capitalist and corporation lawyer. Like Jimmie, he was exceedingly active. A strict observance of the "setting-up" exercises, diet and health regulations such as had been insisted upon by Ned Nestor had developed in Jack, as well as the [Pg 14] other lads, a wonderful endurance. He possessed a skill in athletics that stood him well in hand when occasion required feats of endurance or agility that might well have taxed the ability of many men older or of greater physical proportions. ”

“ Where did you get it?"
"Where Jack got his real hot box!" declared Jimmie.
In answer to Ned's puzzled looks the boys quickly detailed the events of the morning. Their previous experiences had taught them to overlook nothing no matter how trifling it might at first appear.
A big pitcher of lemonade was prepared and passed about, to which the attorney helped the boys do full justice.
"Now," began Jimmie, as the pitcher was emptied and he sat with a huge slice of lemon in each hand, "can't you do something to stop that gang of rowdies out there? They bother us a lot! ”

“ Omitting details, Ned described the incidents leading up to the time the boys saw the exchange of plans from The Rat to Hungry in the underground room. As he finished the recital he smiled a bit and said:
"I must admit, sir, that we were really trying to get away from this place and return to the Grey Eagle. I did it, however, because I was very anxious to get to Berlin ahead of that fellow out there!"
"You are not to be blamed for your zeal!" consoled the officer kindly. "Do not blame yourself for the attempt. It shall not be remembered against you." ”

“ Ned answered, "but we scarcely deserve it. It was partly our fault that the bridge was wrecked. If we hadn't been over the railroad, the bomb would not have done that damage. We couldn't do any less than try to stop you."
"Nevertheless, we are all grateful for your act," continued the officer, "and I must also compliment you on your skill as a pilot. You handled the aeroplane with exceeding ease and adroitness."
"You'll have to give Jimmie, here, credit for that," Ned replied with a smile, as he proceeded to introduce his chums. ”

“ After reviewing the facts now known, Ned said:
"Boys, you are the ones to decide this matter. What do you think? Shall we do as the captain suggests or remain neutral?"
"There isn't any such thing as remaining [Pg 80] neutral!" declared Jimmie. "If there is a fight started a fellow just naturally sides with one or the other and that's all there is to it!"
"Sure," spoke up Jack, "but he can keep out of trouble, can't he? He don't have to mix in where he's not wanted!"
"If we take sides with France we'll have to do scouting and other work for that country against Germany, won't we?" asked Harry. ”

“ Ned replied heartily. "I feel easier now, and hope our mission is nearly accomplished. If we can once obtain extradition papers and return the fellow to the United States we shall be pleased."
"When can we visit the War Office, and lay our case before the proper officials?" asked Harry eagerly. "We don't want to lose any time!"
"Perhaps not before morning," was the answer. "It is late now."
"Isn't it possible to get someone on the telephone?" suggested Jack, indicating the instrument at the sergeant's elbow as he spoke. ”

“ Wisely concluding that nothing would be gained by further efforts to convince the fellow of his identity, Ned put away all thought of immediate escape, and with it also laid aside the cherished hope of beating the French pilot and his monoplane. That must wait.
A man in uniform appeared from behind a clump of bushes a short distance to the right with such startling suddenness that Ned nearly lost his composure. He carried a rope and approached Ned with a smile. Ned held [Pg 227] up a protesting hand and waved away the bond. ”