"That's why he shot," said McKay. "He's got a pilot, now."
Eagle and plane swept by almost level with the forest where they stood staining with their shadows the white shoulder of Thusis.
Down into the gorge the great geier twisted; after him sped the airplane, banking steeply in full chase. Both disappeared where the flawless elbow of Thusis turns. Then, all alone, up out of the gulf soared the plane.
"The Hun has discovered a landing-place in Les Errues," said McKay.
"Watch him."
"There's another Hun somewhere along the shoulder of Thusis," said McKay. "They're exchanging signals. See how the plane circles like a patient hawk. He's waiting for something. What's he waiting for, I wonder?"
For ten minutes the airplane circled leisurely over Thusis. Then whatever the aviator was waiting for evidently happened, for he shut off his engine; came down in graceful spirals; straightened out; glided through the canyon and reappeared no more to the watchers in the forest of Thusis.
"Now," remarked McKay coolly, "we know where we ought to go. Are you ready, Yellow-hair?"
They had been walking for ten minutes when Miss Erith spoke in an ordinary tone of voice: "Kay? Do you think we're likely to come out of this?"
"No," he said, not looking at her.
"But we'll get our information, you think?"