Jack tried to assist in the operation, but his hands were trembling so with the excitement that Tom pushed him away.
"Leave the job to me, Jack," he told the other. "Too many cooks spoil the broth, you know. I'll make everything secure, depend on it."
"Of course I know you will, Tom," the other hastened to assure him. "Perhaps it is better only one handled the business. And Bessie–"
"Yes, Jack," said the girl, slipping a hand out toward him, which Jack took in his, and pressed reassuringly.
"Don't bother your head for a single minute about me, mind. I'll be all right, and perhaps able to join you again this very night. It's a great lark for me, and I wouldn't miss it for a heap. But oh, if only we could kidnap that big commander, and carry him over to have an interview with General Petain, how proud I'd be!"
Tom smiled on realizing that the same idea had occurred to Jack that had flashed through his own mind.
"Here, take my automatic, Jack," Tom said. "You may find occasion to use it before I come back."
The other complied, and apparently he felt more confidence, once he knew he had in his possession the means for defending himself should any ordinary danger threaten. Tom was loath to depart, once he had everything arranged. The truth of the matter was he hated to leave his chum in the enemy country; it seemed as though he were deserting him.
So he "fiddled" around, testing this wire guy, and using his electric hand torch to give him light, so he could once more run his eye over the motor on which he had been working.
"Come, Tom, it's no use hanging around here a minute longer," Jack had finally to tell him. "Get aboard and I'll spin your wheel for you and give you a boost for a start. Then I'll drop out of sight, because some of them may run this way when they hear the clatter and guess the cause."