"Maybe you didn't know the dangers we were in at that time!"
"No, I didn't. After we had gotten some distance away, I looked back and saw smoke rising from the barn. Did it burn?"
"If it didn't burn, I don't know what to call it!" declared Jimmie indignantly. "Who set it afire, anyhow? Do you know anything about that?"
"No, but I suspect a person. I am very sorry that I did not remain to assist you, for I understand now that you were in peril. At that time I believed you were in danger only from the person to whom I refer."
"Why did you sign the note Jean Voisin?" asked Jimmie.
"I thought you, being aviators, would recall the word and would know what it meant. Jean, of course, was simply added to make a complete name. I did not think that you do not understand French."
"You're progressing!" declared Jimmie. "Now, if you'll tell us how you happened to be on the spot, we'll be much obliged to you!"
"I am interested in aviation and hope soon to be able to qualify as an army aviator," answered Francois. "Today I was making a trial flight with a man who is conducting a school for aviators. We had proceeded to Havre early in the day and intended to return to Paris in the afternoon. While at Havre my instructor was approached by a man who offered to pay well for being carried to Paris. We did not like his looks, but money is always acceptable and it was decided to accept him as a passenger."
"Did he say why he wanted to get to Paris?" inquired Jimmie.
"No. Later in the day he came to us and said that he would go part of the distance with another aviator who intended to race with a new aeroplane. We were to follow and be prepared to pick him up if a landing were made. He offered to pay extra for this service.