"All this is very interesting to me, my young friend," ventured the officer; "so please go on with your explanations."
"We have a contract whereby the French Government can acquire this great seaplane for cash, and pay a royalty for every one up to fifty that they construct themselves from the sample. That is as far as our neutrality will allow us to go. And M. Le Grande was selected to accompany us on a trial flight to learn in what way our _Sea Eagle_ was superior to the ordinary planes in common use."
"Oh! then you have just been making that flight," remarked the officer, "and by mistake managed to cross the lines, so that you came near falling into the hands of the enemy?"
Frank smiled, and even Pudge gave a disdainful snort.
"Well, although you have not heard the news yet, Captain Marsden, this has been a glorious day for your countrymen," Frank told him. "This morning some thirty-four seaplanes started up the coast, nearly every one of them manned by British aviators, and made a most desperate raid on the submarine bases around Zeebrugge, as well as bombarded railway stations, destroyed oil tanks, and even exploded a magazine, giving the enemy a grand scare, and doing much damage."
How the officer's rosy face broadened in a smile when he heard that! The way in which the Kaiser had spoken of them in the beginning of the war as "that contemptible little British army," would never be forgotten or forgiven; and everyone who wore the king's khaki was resolved in his mind to do all in his power to make the Emperor change his opinion before quitting time.
"But how do you know about this grand event?" he demanded.
"We accompanied the raiders, and witnessed pretty much all that was done," Frank told him. "After the fleet of aircraft had turned homeward again we started across country to take a look at Lille, and see what you people were up to over in this region. We also meant that M'sieu should have the worth of his money and learn all the big airship could do."
"Wonderful, and you so young at that!" exclaimed the soldier; "but then I understand American boys are equal to such things. But what happened to send you down as though you were a bird with a crippled wing?"
"A stray shot must have punctured our petrol tank and allowed the fuel to drain out, for we suddenly discovered we had none. Only through great luck were we able to push ahead, and escape falling back of the German lines."