They ran up the hill. The aeroplane was descending on the far side of the farm, near a clump of trees. They rushed across the fields, and were just in time to see a man leap from the aeroplane and dive into the copse. The farmer joined them as they ran past. They came to the aeroplane. The pilot was in extremis. After the shot had struck him he had managed to control the machine until it reached earth; he would never fly again.
"We must catch the other fellow," said Kenneth.
All three ran into the copse, the farmer following them. Separating, they scoured the plantation in all directions without finding the fugitive. After about half an hour Kenneth called the others together.
"He seems to have got away," he said. "We must give it up. It'll soon be dark, and we've got to get the lorry home. Ginger, will you mount guard over the aeroplane? Our fellows are sure to have seen it, and will no doubt be coming up shortly. We'll motor back if we can borrow a car."
"Right you are," said Ginger. "I'll wait for you, in any case."
The others left him, returned to the lorry, and lifting the driver on to it, drove off rapidly towards its destination. There they told their story, and the colonel at once sent off a motor omnibus with a number of men to secure the aeroplane. When they approached the spot where they had left it the machine was gone.
"Somebody must have fetched it already," said Kenneth. "It's a pity you fellows are too late."
They drew up at the rear of the farm. Kenneth and Harry sprang out, surprised that Ginger was not awaiting them.
"He's inside, perhaps," said Harry. "He makes friends of most people; perhaps he has got over the farmer's surliness."
They went through the yard to the house door. The farmer met them on the threshold.