Harry explained in a few words.
"Very good," said the colonel. "You are under arrest—you broke arrest this morning. I suppose you know that is a serious offense, whether your original arrest was justified or not?"
"I felt I had to do it, sir," said Harry. He had caught the glint of a smile in the colonel's eyes.
"Explain yourself, sir," said the colonel. "Report fully as to your movements today. Perhaps I shall recommend you for a metal instead of court marshalling you, after all."
And so the story came out, and Harry learned that the colonel had never believed Graves, but had chosen to let him think he did.
"The boy Graves is a German, and older than he seems," said the colonel. "He was here as a spy. He is in custody now, and you have broken up a dangerous raid and a still more dangerous system of espionage. If you hadn't come along with your aeroplane, we would never have stopped the raid. I had ordered aviators to be here, but it is plain that something has gone wrong. You have done more than well. I shall see to it that your services are properly recognized. And now be off with you, and get some sleep. You may report to me the day after tomorrow!"
THE END
End of Project Gutenberg's The Boy Scout Aviators, by George Durston