McGee ran his fingers along a white scar still showing through the hair which had not yet grown out long enough to be the flaming red mop of old.
“Seems I’ve heard of him,” he said. “And I seem to recall that one of his flyers left me this little souvenir on the top of my head. I’d like to pay the Count back–in person.”
“You’ll never get the chance!” Cowan replied. “But if all our plans work out, you will meet him in person soon–in this very room!”
“What!” It was a duet of surprise.
“Yes, here. Count von Herzmann in person–and in Lieutenant Larkin’s long lost uniform.”
240Both McGee and Larkin sank weakly into two convenient chairs, the expression on their faces disclosing that they were trying to select the proper order of the first of a thousand questions.
“Well–what’s that to do with–with Siddons?” McGee at last found stammering tongue. “Where does he come in?”
“He comes in a few minutes after the Count. He will land the Count in a field near here, let him alight, and then take off again and proceed to this ’drome. The Count, left alone, will doubtless make his way into the woods bordering the field, where he will promptly be nabbed. That little drama should be taking place now. For your information, the credit for this coup goes to Lieutenant Siddons.”
McGee and Larkin stared at each other, scarce believing their ears.
“Well what do you know about that!” McGee’s half audible remark was the trite expression so commonly used by those who are staggered by a sudden revelation.