Nevertheless that decision was arrived at, and right speedily, too. The question then remained, who was to be trusted with the double responsibility of getting a plane across the Atlantic, and of carrying the documents of world import?
The head of the Government's aero service was called into the secret conference, and to him the decision was revealed. The men selected must be of the finest caliber in ability, trustworthiness and capacity to hold their own counsel, and if necessary depend upon their own resources in any emergency which might arise. Whom could he recommend?
The sharp-visaged, snappy-eyed, gray-haired head of the air service listened in silence until the whole plan was outlined and the great question put to him. Could he supply such men? Such an aero crew? Men who could be trusted not only to get to Europe, but to get there with the documents?
Very calmly, as though answering an inquiry of everyday routine, the official who suddenly and for the moment had become the most important man in the United States, replied that he had such men.
"And who are they?" demanded the Assistant Secretary of State, who, after all, would be called upon to bear the greatest part of the burden if any mishap occurred.
"Americans," snapped the aero service head, who, for his own reasons held no very friendly feelings toward this temporary chief of another and even more important governmental department.
"Yes, yes," replied the Secretary of War, showing some impatience. "But who are they? Where are they?"
"They are now in Halifax, waiting for opportune conditions to make the Transatlantic flight. Of course you all know their names."
"Halifax? Halifax?" snorted the Assistant Secretary of State. "But, Great Scott, man, we want men who are here—at least in the United States—to start upon this trip at the earliest possible moment."
"Well, you can't start an unprecedented trip of this sort without preparation, and you can't start it at any old hour, or from any old point along the coast," retorted the air service man with equal spirit.