“Why didn’t you tell me before?” demanded Hal.
“I wanted to save it as a surprise,” said Chester.
As they approached nearer, it became apparent that the structure was a long, low shed. A hundred yards away, they were challenged by a sentry.
“I have an order for the commandant,” called Chester.
“Approach,” said the sentry.
A moment later, the commandant, being summoned by the sentry, arrived.
“What can I do for you, gentlemen?” he asked.
Without a word, Chester pulled one of the orders he had appropriated from General Strauss’s desk from his pocket and passed it to the commandant. The latter glanced at it quickly, and then bowed.
“You shall have the machine in five minutes,” he said, and left them.
True to his word, five minutes later a large-winged biplane stood before them.