"I don't know. Could you make me a copy of the map so far as this neighbourhood is concerned, putting in the position of the cave?"
"Certainly: I'll scratch it in on a leaf from my order-book."
The rough drawing completed, Burton folded the paper and put it in his pocket, remarking, half in jest, half in earnest--
"If the Huns collar me, I'm afraid I'll have to eat it. Now this is my idea."
There ensued a long discussion, in the course of which Hedley passed from doubt to confidence and enthusiasm.
"Well, if you bring it off," he said in conclusion, "it'll be a tremendous score. You're a V.C. already: I don't see what more they can do for you--except make you a lord."
"My dear fellow! ... There's just one point. I ought to have a better landing-place than that wood. After to-night's affair I shall be nervous if there are trees about. Is there anything more suitable and safe?"
Hedley considered.
"There is," he said presently, "a little farther away. Beyond the wood the ground rises: it's the nearest thing to a hill these parts can show. Then it dips into a wide grassy hollow. That's your place. I'll get old Lumineau to show three small lights there to-morrow night at eleven. In the hollow they won't be seen by the Huns: besides, I'll get him to mask them except from the sky."
"That's capital. Well, if I don't turn up by eleven or soon after you'll know that either I have been winged on the way or that the Brigadier has turned down our little entertainment. In that case, you must do the best you can on your own."