The airplane seemed to leap forward as Hal touched the controls.
The machine bearing the lads and the German envoys was now many feet above the allied battle squadron. And, before the commander of the air flotilla realized what was happening, his prey sped by him unharmed.
Instantly he flashed a command to his other vessels to give pursuit, and the entire squadron turned and gave chase.
Although Hal had not warned the others of their danger, they were now fully conversant with what was going on. Plainly the German envoys were worried, for they had come on a mission of peace and naturally supposed Hal would pilot them safely to Hirson without their being molested.
But Chester had some glimmering of the truth.
"Hal’s lost his map," he told himself. "Oh, well, I guess it won’t make any difference. We’ll get there safely enough. Hal is as full of tricks as a magician. Besides, we seem to be leaving those fellows in the lurch."
It was true. The pursuing flotilla was falling behind.
And directly Hal was so far in advance of his pursuers that he knew he was safe.
The remainder of the journey was made without incident, and several hours later the airplane landed only a few yards from where it had started the day before.
The mayor of the village was there to greet the German envoys when they stepped from the airplane. He announced that they would be conducted at once into the presence of Marshal Foch. He signified that Hal and Chester were to accompany the party.
The lads saw, as the mayor led the way, that the conference was to be resumed in Marshal Foch’s private car, which still stood on a side track in the station yards.
Upon the platform of the car stood General Dupree. He greeted the German delegates stiffly.
"It is late," he said. "We had begun to fear perhaps you would not return. However, you are within the allotted time."
"We are later than we expected to be for unavoidable reasons, sir," said General Herwigs. "In fact, we came with difficulty."
He explained the trouble within his own lines, but for some reason he said nothing of the pursuit by the allied airplanes.
"I hope he forgets all about it," Hal murmured to himself. "It was gross carelessness on my part, and I should get a wigging. However, if he says nothing about the matter, it’s a sure thing I won’t."