"We got our orders this morning to report here for special duty," said the captain. "What is up now? Have the Germans been doing you up?"
"Oh, no! Just getting ready to perform that service on them, thanks to the boys," replied the officer, laughing and pointing to them.
"Well, that is interesting; if it hadn't been for these boys I would not have had the pleasure of reporting to you this morning," answered the captain.
"That is certainly surprising news, and the telling of it will please the colonel," said the officer.
The boys were now introduced to Lieutenant Martin, who occupied the seat of observer in the other machine. Together the five ascended the hill and reported to the colonel commanding the batteries on the crest.
The captain and lieutenant entered the commandant's office, while the boys remained outside with the officers.
In a few moments an orderly appeared and notified the boys that the commandant required their presence. As they entered the door the commandant met them with a pleasant smile.
"I am glad to hear about you from the captain. Why didn't you tell me you were friends of the captain here and of Colonel Winston at the camp?" asked the commandant.
"Well, I suppose we had too much else to think about, sir," replied Alfred.
"It is very interesting," continued the commandant. "But we must proceed to business. These boys made a remarkable discovery yesterday; I am about to make a test of the information we gained through them, and we need your eyes to help us out."