His papers identified him; the operator gave him his connection; they switched him to the headquarters of his air squadron, where he made his report.
"Shot down?" came the sharp exclamation over the wire.
"Yes, sir, about eleven-thirty this morning on the north edge of Nivelle forest."
"The machine?"
"Done for, sir. They have it."
"You?"
"A scratch—nothing. I had to run."
"What else have you to report?"
The airman made his brief report in an unemotional voice. Ending it, he asked permission to volunteer for a special service. And for ten minutes the officer at the other[pg 219] end of the wire listened to a proposition which interested him intensely.
When the airman finished, the officer said: