Ned ran rapidly back toward the group of men. He could see the monoplane descending and noted the preparations for delivery of the receipt.
"Halt!" a voice commanded, coming from the ground at Ned's feet.
CHAPTER XIX. Captured and Under Fire.
Startled by the unusual circumstance of a human voice coming, apparently, from the very earth at his feet, the boy paused in wonderment. He glanced inquiringly about, searching for the owner of the voice.
No one appeared, and thinking it either a trick of his imagination or the work of some ventriloquist who desired to play a joke upon him, Ned again started up the slight rise, intending to hasten toward the group of officers, where he would get the receipt for his message.
Already the droning of the monoplane's motors told him that there was need of haste if he would make the return trip to the Grey Eagle and hope to even overtake his rival before reaching the aviation camp. Impatient at the trick he thought had been played Ned fumed.
"Halt!" again came the command, and apparently from the same direction. No one was in sight, and Ned was plainly puzzled.