He was feeling very well satisfied with the way things were coming out. It was true there might be some cause for uneasiness in connection with the determined efforts of the spies to either steal or ruin the machine; but Frank believed he and his chums, assisted by the Allies, could keep it from being destroyed through a bomb placed under the hangar by a secret agent of the Kaiser.
One could not go very far in the neighborhood of Dunkirk in those stirring days without being visibly reminded that it was a time of war. Soldiers in detachments were moving this way or that; tents could be seen in the fields; artillery was passing along the heavy roads bound for the front, where the British army in the low country along the Yser Canal must be getting ready for that long-heralded drive that was to usher in the new policy of aggression in the early Spring.
Everywhere he looked Frank could see signs of this feverish life. How different things were across the ocean in his own beloved land; and how thankful he was that peace lay upon the great country of which he was a son.
He knew where he was likely to find Major Nixon, for he had been to see him at his quarters before now. As he walked quickly along with a springy step, Frank was laying out his plan of campaign. It was like him to prepare for possibilities, because he was determined that, as far as he could prevent it, he and his chums would not take sides in this terrible struggle for supremacy, any more than could be prevented.
Coming to the building in which the British had their Headquarters he was stopped by a sentry who demanded his business.
“I must see Major Nixon on very important business,” Frank told him. “I hope he is in his quarters, for I wish to send my card with a line on it to him.”
Of course all that the sentry could do was to summon a noncommissioned officer, to whom Frank repeated his request. It happened that the sergeant had seen Frank walking arm in arm with the Major, and hence knew that they were friends.
“He is very busy just now, and gave word that he was not to be disturbed except on most important business,” the sergeant informed him.
“This is a matter,” the boy told him impressively, “that concerns grave issues connected with the plans of your leaders, and I hope you will see that the Major gets my card.”
“I will carry it to him myself,” announced the sergeant, which he accordingly did, and soon came back nodding his head.