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of men to verify this report and, if necessary, to slower speed machines which were used mostly
go himself. As the best of the pilots had already for bombing and for that reason had been corngone
out to meet the Germans who had chased paratively easy to get away from. They soon
Roberts in, and he was unwilling to trust any found out, however, that they had other and
of the inferior men on so important a mission, more powerful enemies to deal with. A half-
he had reluctantly decided to go himself with dozen speedy single seaters were tearing through
Roberts accompanying him with another the air about five miles to their right trying to
machine head them off. Every minute brought them a
To those who knew the story of Harry's good three miles nearer safety, but it also
wrongs this arrangement seemed almost like brought their pursuers nearer,
tempting fate, for it would take but a single The race was along two sides of a triangle
well-directed shot for him to bring down his with the apex as their common goal. As they
enemy while flying over the German lines and came nearer and nearer one of the Germans was
so pay him back for the theft of his patent. No seen to shoot out ahead of his companions and
one could possibly be the wiser for it because by a burst of speed aided by a favorable puff
his death could easily be ascribed to the enemy, of wind, he obtained a position where it was
The Colonel had evidently some such thoughts impossible to avoid him. To attempt to pass
running through his mind, for as he shook hands would be suicide for he had all the advantage
with his friends before mounting his machine, of position and could shoot them both down
his hand was seen to tremble and more than wi,thout any trouble. By clever dodging they
once he glanced apprehensively at Harry who might manage to give him the slip but this
was also getting his machine ready a few yards would take time and allow the rest of the puraway.
suers to come up and with the odds of three to
"Into the hands of his enemy," said one of one and not a shot in their guns they would
the crowd as the two machines faded away in not have the ghost of a chance
the distance, and he but voiced the thoughts of When almost within gun range of the German,
most of those present. In fact many of them Harry started to mount to a higher level leavwere
already wondering who would be their ing the Colonel to rush forward to almost cer-
next Colonel. tain destruction. Leaving Harry to be disposed
To the occupants of the two machines which of by the rest of the pursuing party, the German
were now well within the German lines the airman swooped down like a hawk upon the
report of the scout appeared only too true. Colonel but before he could fire the fatal shot
The only strange thing about it was that there a roar sounded above him. Unnoticed, Harry
were no enemy planes sent out to drive them had attained a position directly over him and
back, but they soon found out the reason of this, with all the power of his engine accelerating the
The Germans had been lying concealed at the speed of his fall he plunged headlong into him.
edge of a forest and could now be seen rising The two machines, reduced to a twisted mass of
from the ground one after another and taking a wreckage, fell like a stone to the battlefield
position to block their return. Quick to see the below and the Colonel freed from pursuit sailed
trap that had been laid for them they turned back to the safety of his landing grounds,
immediately and steered into the midst of their Under cover of darkness they brought in
enemies, firing as they went. Harry's mangled remains. In his watchcase
By rare good fortune both fought their way they found a picture of the Colonel, a relic of
through without being hit, but only at the cost their former friendship, and across the bottom
of all their ammunition, and then came the in a firm clear hand was written these words,
race back. The squadron that had attempted "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those
to block their way was composed entirely of the who trespass against us."