Mr. Von Tassen shook with laughter.
“Say,” he exclaimed, “this is a great story! If you’re ready, Baron de Grost, lead the way to where we can get a whiskey and soda and a chat.”
Mademoiselle Celaire came gliding out to them.
“I am not going to be left here,” she whispered, taking Peter’s arm.
Peter looked back from the door.
“At any rate, Mr. Andrea Korust,” he said, “your first supper was a success. Colonel Mayson was genuine. Our real English military aeronaut was here, and he has disclosed to you, Maurice Korust, all that he ever knew. Henceforth, I presume your great country will dispute with us for the mastery of the air.
“Queer country, this!” Mr. Von Tassen remarked, pausing on the step to light a cigar. “Seems kind of humdrum after New York, but there’s no use talking. Things do happen over here, anyway!”
CHAPTER VII. MAJOR KOSUTH’S MISSION
His host, very fussy as he always was on the morning of his big shoot, came bustling towards Peter, Baron de Grost, with a piece of paper in his hand. The party of men had just descended from a large brake and were standing about on the edge of the common, examining cartridges, smoking a last cigarette before the business of the morning, and chatting together over the prospects of the day’s sport. In the distance, a cloud of dust indicated the approach of a fast traveling motor-car.