Two of the packets fell among the prisoners, who, after trying in vain to send them to Harry, partook of the good things to eat, which they much needed themselves. They were given to the ill prisoners, and the notes were carefully hidden away. Some time after the war Harry received them, and treasured them greatly as souvenirs.
“But we didn't make any mistake this time,” said Tom. “We have you now.”
“Yes,” agreed Harry with a smile, “you have me now, and mighty glad I am of it.”
A few days later, when Harry was better able to travel, he went to see Nellie in Paris, a message having been sent soon after the big battle, to tell her that he was rescued and as well as could be expected.
“But if it hadn't been for Tom and Jack I don't believe I'd be there now,” said Harry to his sister, as he sat in the homelike apartment of the Gleasons.
“I know you wouldn't,” said Nellie. “They said they'd rescue you and they did. We shall never be able to thank them enough—but we can try!”
She looked at Tom, and he—well, I shall firmly but kindly have to insist that what followed is neither your affair nor mine.
And now, though you know it as well as I do, my story has come to an end. At least the present chronicle of the doings of the air service boys has nothing further to offer. Their further adventures will be related in another volume to be entitled: “Air Service Boys Flying for Victory.”
But it was not the end of the fighting, and Tom and Jack did not cease their efforts. Harry Leroy, too, was eager to get back into the contest again, and he did, as soon as he had sufficiently recovered.
He told some of his experiences while a prisoner among the Germans, and some things he did not tell. They were better left untold.