The next moment Dastral was engaged on the 'phone, trying in the dark to find his friend somewhere at the other end of the wires. After some ten minutes he managed it.
"Hullo! Hullo! Are you there?" he asked.
"Yes, who are you?" came the reply.
"I want the O.C. of your Squadron at once, please."
"He is busily engaged, and I cannot disturb him now, unless it is something of the highest importance. Hurry up, please, and tell me who you are, and give me your message. The wires are urgently wanted to-night."
"I am Dastral, Flight-Commander Dastral of the --th Squadron, --th Wing, and I have just come from France."
"What! Beg pardon, sir. Dastral. Not the pilot who fought with Himmelman?"
"Yes."
"Hold the line a minute, sir."
Twenty seconds later the O.C. of the Squadron himself was at the end of that line.