Jacques led the way inside. The young soldiers were evidently expected for they were led without delay into the presence of an officer seated under a lamp, intently studying a map. He looked up as the three boys entered the room.
"Which one of you is Private Dineau?" he inquired.
"I am," announced Jacques stepping forward.
"Good," exclaimed the major. "Here are dispatches which you are to deliver to Colonel Erhard. He is in command at the village of Flambeau in the Vosges Mountains. The dispatches are important and should reach him at the earliest possible moment." As he spoke he handed a small packet to Jacques.
"Your aeroplane is waiting for you," he continued. "It will contain everything you will have need of and I wish you a good trip and a safe return, I would suggest that your two aides who look so very much alike go and see that everything is in readiness. Meanwhile I will point out Flambeau to you on the map and the best route for you to follow."
The major smiled at the two brothers who immediately departed, and guided by a soldier hastened across the aviation field to the spot where a big armored monoplane was just being trundled out of its hangar. A machine-gun was mounted on board and several bombs were also to be carried.
"Here are coats for you," said one of the men as the two brothers approached the machine. "You will find it cold up among the clouds today."
"How about food?" inquired Earl. He was always particular about that.
"Two days' rations for three men," said the soldier. "That is more than you'll need if all goes well but it's a good plan to be prepared."
"I think so too," agreed Earl. "What horsepower is this machine?"
"Whew!" whistled Earl. "She ought to be able to make time."
"She can," said the soldier confidently. "Just wait until young Dineau gets hold of her. He'll make her sail; he's a wonder, that boy. It's a shame he ever got out of the aviation corps."
"He was good all right, wasn't he?" demanded Leon.
"Good?" exclaimed the man. "I should say he was good. Why I'll bet that if he had stuck to the flying corps he'd have bagged a dozen Boche machines by this time."
"Not reckless, but daring," insisted the soldier. "He doesn't know fear."
A few moments later Jacques was in the driver's seat and Leon and Earl had taken their places on board. Every boy was dressed in a heavy coat and an aviator's hood, with protection for the ears and face; warm gloves were on their hands, for it promised to be biting cold in the high air that day.