Instantly he flashed a command to his other vessels to give pursuit, and the entire squadron turned and gave chase.
Although Hal had not warned the others of their danger, they were now fully conversant with what was going on. Plainly the German envoys were worried, for they had come on a mission of peace and naturally supposed Hal would pilot them safely to Hirson without their being molested.
But Chester had some glimmering of the truth.
"Hal's lost his map," he told himself. "Oh, well, I guess it won't make any difference. We'll get there safely enough. Hal is as full of tricks as a magician. Besides, we seem to be leaving those fellows in the lurch."
It was true. The pursuing flotilla was falling behind.
And directly Hal was so far in advance of his pursuers that he knew he was safe.
"Now for Hirson!" he muttered.
The remainder of the journey was made without incident, and several hours later the airplane landed only a few yards from where it had started the day before.
CHAPTER XXVI
THE CONFERENCE RESUMED