"Very much so, sir," Freddy replied, and beamed all over his face. "One of the happiest moments of my life."
For a brief instant shadows crossed the Group Captain's face, and he looked grave and filled with concern.
"I hope there will be many more, equally happy, Farmer," he said presently. "No. Never mind the questions. I have no idea what's in store for you two. But I certainly know you were not brought back over here just to have a spot of leave. You'll doubtless learn soon enough, though. Meantime, I'd better get on with my part of the business—that is, give you the instructions Major Barber left with me."
"Left!" Dave gulped. "You mean, sir, the Major has gone?"
"Quite," the other replied with a nod. "While you two were stealing Jerry planes from us. I believe he had intended to remain awhile, but a call for him came through from your American Headquarters in London. I detailed him a plane, and a pilot to fly him up there."
"And he left orders for us, you say, sir?" Freddy Farmer prompted respectfully.
"Quite correct," the senior officer told him. "You are to remain here until you've had a bit of breakfast and some rest. Then I'm to detail you a two-seater plane. It's as if I were running a blasted aerial taxi company, or something. Anyway, sometime today, when it suits your collective fancy, you are to fly to the Lewes Base, on the South Downs, and report to the commanding officer. Squadron Leader Parkinson is his name. He has a Spitfire squadron. A fine bunch of lads, too. You'll like them all, I'm sure. Well, there're your orders as Major Barber left them with me. Now, how about a spot of food, eh?"
Dave didn't move. He acted as though he had not heard the question. He simply sat staring puzzle-eyed at the Group Captain.
"Report to a fighter squadron, sir?" he murmured presently. "You mean we're back in the R.A.F. again?"
"I don't mean anything of the sort," the senior officer replied with a little gesture, "for the reason that I have no idea whatsoever. That's truth, really. I simply know that you are to report to Squadron Leader Parkinson's base. What happens after that, I haven't the faintest idea."