"But this is a sure go; the lieutenant told me so a few minutes ago," responded Alfred.
"Is the lieutenant going, do you know?" asked Ralph.
"Yes, I suppose that is why he told me about it," answered Alfred.
"I wonder whether they will let us go with him?" asked Ralph.
"Well, I didn't ask him, but I looked at him pretty hard, and I guess he knows how we feel about it," answered Alfred.
The rumor turned out to be true, for the following day orders were formally received to prepare eighteen machines for a raid to the Rhine. The lieutenant announced the news to the boys, and added: "I suppose, of course, you wouldn't like to go on such a venturesome mission?"
"Go!" exclaimed both boys in unison.
The lieutenant laughed. "Well, if you insist on it I shall have to take you with me. The Seraph (which was the name of their airplane, although it was officially known as No. 47) will be fixed to carry a dozen bombs for the occasion."
"But how about the quick firer?" asked Ralph.
"We must dispense with that on this trip. Bombs are more valuable," answered the lieutenant.