"Please be seated," the Italian officer said as they entered a large room.
The three Yanks sat down and waited gloomily. Three high-ranking Italian officers entered. They spoke swiftly in their native tongue to the officer who had escorted the boys to the room. Their words were excited and they made many motions with their hands. O'Malley stared at them sourly. Finally the junior officer turned to the boys.
"General Bolero wishes to ask you some questions."
The general smiled as he put the questions. "We wish to know how many planes and how many ships you are using. Also we wish to know at what places your forces plan to land."
Stan spoke up. He shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands wide.
"No one can answer those questions but our high command. We are only ferry pilots as you will see if you examine the flight orders of our leader." He nodded toward O'Malley.
The general turned and spoke quickly to the other officers in Italian. They looked at O'Malley and talked some more, then the general turned to O'Malley. Before he could speak, O'Malley cut in:
"What I want to know is who's responsible for the trick that was pulled on us?"
The general smiled and his medal-covered chest expanded at O'Malley's question.
"I am honored that you appreciate my clever trick," he said affably.