Hampden, who was standing nearest, answered:
“No, the poor devil jumped. Landed over there by the road. They carried him over to the hospital tent. Not a–a whole bone in his body.” His voice seemed choked. “It’s a–a fearful way to go.”
“A sporting way, I would say,” Siddons spoke up. “Even in the last moment he rather cheated you, McGee. He escaped the flames, anyhow.”
McGee looked at Siddons searchingly. In those cold grey eyes and in the half-taunting smile there was none of the sympathy or natural, normal emotion that had so choked Hampden’s voice.
“He did not cheat me, Lieutenant Siddons,” McGee said, his voice edged by his dislike of the man. “I am only one of the small factors in this unfortunate game. Duty may be pursued without wanting to see others suffer. He was a brave man. I salute him.” He turned to Cowan. “Major Cowan, if your crew had attempted to extinguish these flames we might have added a great deal to our knowledge of the progress the enemy is making. I could not recognize this plane in the air. I think it is a new type.”
“By Jove! I never thought of it.”
McGee turned away to conceal an expression which 96he could not control, and as he did so he heard Yancey growl to Hampden:
“What a first-rate kitchen police in a Home Guard outfit that bimbo would make!”
As McGee walked back toward the hangar, Hampden and Siddons joined him. He felt Hampden give his elbow a congratulatory squeeze. Then Siddons said:
“Are you going over to have a look at your fallen adversary, Lieutenant?”