CHAPTER VII. Greeted With Bullets.
"Thank you, Captain," Ned replied after a short pause. "You have certainly treated us royally and we appreciate it. We believe you mean well, but it is a matter of importance and we'd like a little time in which to consider the subject. May we think it over?"
"Certainly!" replied the captain heartily. "You are right! Consider it well and remember that I shall help you if I can!"
"We are now citizens of the United States!" spoke up Harry. "We wouldn't want to complicate international matters at all."
"True!" rejoined the captain, "but remember that you have a bold and desperate man to deal with. Judging him by what I now know I believe he will not stop at trifles. Remember that if you are enlisted in the French army you have the protection of that nation."
"While I don't want to underrate the ability of your army," put in Jack, "I feel that this fellow is a man of ability and cunning and that he would attempt harm to us just the same, enlisted or not."
"But think also of the glory that would be yours if you assist my country in her time of need. You would also be rewarded!"
"We'll think of that, too," agreed Ned. "But we must remember that we are citizens of the United States and that we do not wish to do anything that will draw our country into the war!"
"I shall say no more!" declared the captain. "You have several hours before we arrive at Havre. After you have reached a decision, please inform me and be assured of my desire to assist you."
With protestations of their gratitude the boys left the captain's quarters and sought the seclusion of their own room. There a conference was at once held to consider the weighty subject which had just been presented. All felt that the anticipated step was one of great moment and that more than their own personal safety or inclination was involved. 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 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.
"Why, certainly!" stated Jimmie with some impatience. "We'll have to go up and find out where the Germans are located. Then we'll come back and tell our friends where they are and they'll drop a nice little bomb over there and scatter Dutchmen all over the landscape!"
"Well, the Germans never did anything to us, did they?"
"They have never harmed us at any rate!" put in Jack. "For one, I believe we'd better go ahead as we are and leave the scrap to the other fellows! Our business is to try to intercept this thief and to keep him, if possible, from getting the United States into trouble. We're here on a mission of peace only!"
"And I say we'd better secure peace even if we have to start a scrap to get it!" declared Jimmie seriously.
A general laugh greeted this announcement. Jimmie's desire for peace even at the expense of a fight was well known. All the boys knew well his sense of fair play as well as his readiness to settle arguments by forcible means. Not for nothing was his hair red.
"Let's take a ballot," suggested Ned. "Of course, there are but four of us, so there may be a deadlock."
"Not much chance of a deadlock with four votes cast one way!" quickly put in Harry. "I know how you and Jack and The Wolf stand!"
Laughingly Ned handed a slip of paper to each boy.
"Each of you put his sentiments on the paper and drop the slip into this hat," he directed. "Jimmie will count the vote."
Only a few moments were required for the boys to prepare their ballots. A hat was then passed and into it the slips were dropped.
Jimmie at once thrust in a hand and drew forth a folded ballot.
"Number one!" he announced. "Hear ye! Hear ye! The solemn work of Ned Nestor, Chief of the Wolf Pack!"
"Never mind the comedy, Jimmie! What does he say?"
"He says to remain neutral, whatever that is!" replied Jimmie. "Then this next fellow," he continued, reaching for another ballot, "has made a picture of a potato vine as his sentiments. That's surely some fine artist! That picture makes me hungry!"
"That's mine!" declared Jack. "That's an olive branch!"
"Thanks!" dryly responded Jimmie, reaching for another ballot. "This one," he went on, "has made a picture of the Stars and Stripes!"
"I'll take that!" cried Harry. "Old Glory Forever!"
"Noble sentiments for a Black Bear!" was Jimmie's comment. "Now this last fellow has made a picture of a Hawk or a Falcon or an Owl. I can't tell exactly which it is intended to represent!"
"That's your ballot, let's see it!" cried Jack, reaching for the paper. "I don't believe you're much of an artist!"
A friendly argument resulted in which it was left as a matter of doubt whether Jimmie had intended to draw a picture of the Dove of Peace or the American Eagle. Much good-natured chaffing resulted, but it was decided that either bird would serve as a vote for neutrality.
"Now, Ned, it's up to you to inform the captain that we are much obliged for his kindness, but that we'll stick to the U. S. A.!"
"All right, here goes! Come along with me, boys."
Although somewhat disappointed, the captain received the announcement of the boys' decision pleasantly and took occasion to compliment them on their loyalty to country and principles, declaring at the same time that he would be glad to aid them in any way possible.
With lighter hearts now that their decision had been made, the boys repaired to the deck to watch the approach of the coast of France. Not long afterward they were gazing at the scenes in the harbor of Havre and were greatly interested in noting the differences between the customs of that place and those of New York.
Due to the friendly assistance of the captain, their belongings were speedily passed through the Customs office and the boys were free to proceed at once with their task of assembling the Grey Eagle.
Ned secured the services of a carter to haul the boxes to a spot favorable for their purpose and after lunch at a restaurant near the wharf the boys superintended the work of loading.
By mid-afternoon the boys viewed with satisfaction the completed aircraft which had been taken to a field a short distance outside the city limits. An interested crowd of boys hovered near to watch.
Just as Ned announced everything ready a motor drew up near their position, discharging the captain as its only passenger. He was greeted with enthusiasm by all four boys and asked to inspect their work.
"I have some news for you," announced the captain after proclaiming his astonishment at the results so speedily obtained.
"Hurray!" shouted Jimmie. "News is always welcome."
"It is this," went on the captain. "The Nymph came into harbor about noon today. She evidently made good time across the Atlantic."
"And what about the passenger?" asked Ned eagerly. "Did he land in good shape or has he been lost overboard?"
"I am informed by the captain of the Nymph," replied their friend, "that his passenger left the vessel as they were entering the harbor. A launch drew up alongside and the passenger entered that after squaring his accounts properly. He is no doubt ashore now."
"Then look out, Boy Scouts!" declared Jimmie, drawing a deep breath. "The rascal is probably going to head for Paris at once!"
"According to the Chief of Police," continued the captain, "he has not yet presented his passports for inspection. If he is found he will be apprehended and required to explain his presence."
"That won't help us much, I'm afraid," Ned ventured. "He is crafty enough to keep out of the way of the police for a while. I only hope he doesn't get to Paris or to Berlin before we find where he is!"
"Now I must return," declared the captain. "I have done all I could for you and I wish you every success."
Good-byes were said rather reluctantly, for the boys had become quite attached to their friend. Turning their attention to the final adjustments of the Grey Eagle the boys soon had everything completed. They were provisioned and prepared for a long flight.
"What is the first move, Ned?" asked Jack, stowing the last article in place. "Do you suppose this thief will head for Paris?"
"Possibly we would be wise to try out the Grey Eagle a bit to make sure everything is all right," replied Ned thoughtfully. "Then if it proves in good shape, we can return and try to learn what the fellow did upon landing. Maybe he's here in town yet."
"In case he has not left town we will, of course, try to get hold of him here, won't we?" inquired Harry.
"I think it would be best to nab him as soon as possible."
"Maybe he has already gotten to a place where he can hide the plans until he finds a market for them," suggested Jimmie.
"He's a shrewd chap, all right," assented Ned, "and we can't tell what he may do. I think we can find the launch that put him ashore and possibly induce the owner to tell us where our friend has gone."
"Unless the French are different from any other nation on earth," Jack laughed, "they are afflicted with an itching palm and if we can give the launch owner a chance to increase his revenue he will be as willing to tell us where he put the thief ashore as he was to do the job in the first place. Let's try out the Grey Eagle and hurry back."
Accordingly the boys took their places and Ned in the pilot's position started the engine. After the first few explosions to warm the cylinders he closed the muffler, eliminating the sound of the exhaust.
A touch of the throttle, a tilt of the planes and the machine began to move forward. Accelerating the speed of the motor and with a greater inclination of the planes the Grey Eagle swept majestically off the earth, soaring into the air above the heads of the crowd gathered about. Cheers reached the boys as they arose.
"Let's circle the city and go over the harbor," suggested Harry. "We can get a pretty good view of the city that way."
"I can get a good view of a monoplane over to the north," Jimmie stated. "It is coming this way, too!" he added.
It was as Jimmie had said. A giant monoplane, resembling in its conformation a great bird, was rapidly approaching the Grey Eagle.
"Let's give him a run, Ned!" cried Jack excitedly.
"Sure!" acquiesced Ned. "We'll show him a little speed!"
Accordingly he turned on power and in a moment the Grey Eagle was skimming along at a great rate. In order to better manipulate the machine Ned inclined the planes and ascended several hundred feet.
"The other fellow is climbing, too!" reported Jimmie.
"Is he gaining any?" inquired Ned, busy with the levers.
"You're right, he is!" answered Jimmie. "He's overhauling us!"
"Well, let him come," Harry suggested. "This is a trial trip!"
"How near is he now?" asked Ned over his shoulder.
"About a quarter of a mile behind us, I should judge!"
"After a bit we'll make it a whole mile," smiled Ned.
At that instant the boys heard a peculiar whizzing noise. It was followed by a sharp report from the rear. A puff of white smoke showed from the pursuing machine, but quickly disappeared.
"He's shooting at something!" declared Jack.
Ned glanced at his companions. Again the peculiar noise was heard, followed by another report and another cloud of smoke.
"Great Frozen Hot Boxes!" cried Jimmie. "He's shooting at us!"