“Captains Dawson and Farmer, arriving from Brownsville Base, sir,” Dave said. “Here are our identification papers.”
“Glad to welcome you, Captains Dawson and Farmer,” the Brigadier said, though there was a distinct lack of warmth in his voice. “I was informed of your coming yesterday. I thought it was to be by ferry bomber, though. The bombers landed at France Field hours ago.”
“We stayed over in Brownsville, sir,” Dave explained truthfully. “Borrowed the Vultee.”
“I see,” the senior officer grunted, and took a moment out to examine the papers the two air aces handed him. When he glanced up there was a slightly brittle look in his eyes. “Down here on an inspection for Washington H.Q., eh?” he said pointedly. “Well, Gentlemen, I hope you’ll find everything in order.”
“I’m afraid you misunderstand, sir,” Dave said with a disarming smile. “But I’ll admit it’s not stated clearly in our papers. It’s not exactly an inspection trip, sir. A survey study, rather. There are plans of making some changes in the attack bomber school of instruction. Frankly, it’s our job to pick up all the pointers we can down here with active service squadrons, and make our report direct to Washington. We are simply seeking to learn a few things, sir.”
The Brigadier General’s suspicious stiffness floated away from his face. He seemed greatly relieved when he smiled.
“Well, I’ll admit that’s better,” he said. “I was afraid that you were just two more Staff officers to get in our hair, and then return to Washington with all kinds of darn fool ideas and suggestions.”
“Well, frankly, sir,” Dave said with a laugh, “if we were we wouldn’t be here. Both Farmer and myself would have chosen the guard house rather than an assignment like that. We—something the matter, sir?”
The last was caused by the Base Commandant staring hard at Dave’s tunic and then at Freddy’s. Presently he shook his head, and smiled.
“No, not a thing, Captain Dawson,” he said. “I just happened to notice that you both wear the decoration ribbon of the Distinguished Flying Cross. You saw service in the Royal Air Force?”[[3]]