“It came to me by accident,” said Torn, “and I wouldn't speak of it to any one but you. Soon, however, it will be more or less public on our side, as it will have to be when we start to get ready. But it's to be kept a secret from Fritz as long as possible. It's to be a surprise attack, and if it doesn't develop into a big battle it won't be the fault of Uncle Sam's boys.”
“Will the air service have any part in it?” asked Jack eagerly, as if fearing he might be left out.
“I don't see how they can get along without us,” said Tom. “Not that we're the whole works, but it is well established now that an army can't fight without the use of aeroplanes, to tell not only what the other side is doing, but also how our own guns are shooting. Oh, we'll be in it all right!”
“When?” asked Jack.
“That I can't say,” replied his chum. “But now to get down to the thing that concerns us, or rather, Harry. I have a scheme—and you can call it wild if you like—that when the battle is going on, you and I, Jack, and some other airmen if we can induce them to do it, and I think we can, may be able to drop bombs near the prison camp. We'll have to judge our distances pretty carefully, or we'll do more harm than good. Then, if all goes well, and we can blow down some of the camp walls or fences, and if the battle favors our side, we can make a descent on enemy territory and rescue Harry and any others that are with him. What do you think of that plan?”
“It's wonderful!” exclaimed Nellie, glaring at Tom with a strange, new light in her eyes.
“It's very daring,” said Bessie, more calmly.
“It's crazy!” burst out Jack
“I thought you'd say that,” commented Tom calmly, “and I'd have been disappointed if you hadn't. And just because it is crazy it may succeed. But it's the only thing I can think of. Daring will get you further in this war then anything else. You've got to take big chances anyhow, and the bigger the better, I say.”
“I'm with you there all right,” agreed Jack. “But to land in hostile territory—it hasn't been done ten times since the war began, and have the aviator live to get away with it!”