"Yes, sir, at once," he said. "The one who does not go can deliver the despatches they brought from Amiens—a handful of marbles!"
"Eh? What's that? Those are the despatches from Colonel Menier. I'll take those!"
Plainly, since he knew of them, he was the officer to whom they should be delivered. So Frank and Henri, not without some misgivings, since the major's annoyance at the sight of the marbles had rather depressed them, handed over their marbles. General Smith-Derrien picked them up, weighed them in his hand, and finally selected two, to the undisguised amazement of his staff. But when he pressed a hidden spring, and each marble flew back, showing that it was hollow, cries of admiration came from those who were close by.
"Very well. They are in good order," he said, after a glance at the thin but tough paper. "I will send an answer by the scout who remains here."
The major was already moving toward the door, and Frank, with a quick grasp of Henri's hand and a salute for the general, followed him. He was sorry for Henri's disappointment, but he had made up his mind when they left Amiens that whenever possible, he himself would take any risks that were to be run. No one would care greatly if anything happened to him, since his parents were dead, and his only other close relative was his uncle, of whom he had seen very little. But Henri's mother was alive, and, moreover, she had troubles enough. Her husband was at the front, and there was no telling whether or not he would ever return.
"Come along, young 'un," said the major. His name, Frank learned, when a passing officer spoke to him, was Cooper. "Know what you're going to do?"
"I'm to help a scout to determine the position of the Germans we saw," said Frank.
"Yes, but how? In an aeroplane, my lad! I envy you. They've never let me go up in one of the blooming things yet—and just because I happen to be assigned to a special job here with the staff. A lot of fun this war is going to be for me! We've been at it pretty nearly a month, and I haven't been under fire yet!"
Frank found it hard to conceal his delight. He had always wanted to have the experience of riding in an aeroplane, but never before had he seen even a remote chance that it would be gratified. Now he was to have fulfilled one of his most cherished ambitions—and in what a way! To fly with one of the wonderful aviators of whom he had been hearing ever since the war began, and over hostile territory. Risk! What if there was?
In his own room Major Cooper sent an orderly flying, and in a few moments he returned, followed by a spare, tall man in a uniform differing slightly from that of the regular troops. He wore a heavy sweater, and on his head was a headgear resembling, Frank thought, that worn by football players in America.