“It must be good news, Tom, this time!” he ejaculated.
“Well, it is, for a fact!” shouted the other in excitement. “We’re booked to sail on the twelfth! Here are our instructions to be on hand the preceding evening, ready to start!”
Impulsive Jack threw his arms around his chum, and actually gave him a bearish hug. It was plain to be seen that the greatest ambition of his life was on the point of being gratified, and he was correspondingly happy.
“Then perhaps within two weeks or so we may be standing on French soil, and dropping in at that wonderful aviation school at Pau, about which, since coming here, we’ve heard so much from Lieutenant Carson. Won’t the other fellows be envious though, when they learn about our great good luck? Hurrah!”
CHAPTER III
GOOD-BYE TO THE AVIATION SCHOOL
After the receipt of the letter from the steamship company, things began to happen with increasing swiftness in the lives of Tom Raymond and Jack Parmly.
On the following day they meant to say good-bye to Lieutenant Carson and the assemblage of young fellows who were, like themselves, learning the lessons of aviation under the direction of the capable Signal Corps officer.
First of all they sought out the officer, who had just sent up into the air an assistant with a promising student who showed signs of making his mark in flying, and who was just as eager as the two chums to go across the sea to where they would find stirring action.
“What great news are you bringing with you to-day, boys?” demanded the lieutenant, as soon as he turned and saw them approaching, their faces beaming, and their eyes sparkling with happiness. “But why ask that when I can see you’ve got your wish at last, and that we’re going to lose two of our most advanced pupils from the school here?”
“We sail in six days, Lieutenant,” said Tom, joyously. “I had a favorable letter from the steamship company yesterday afternoon.”