Crouching behind the lorry he saw a number of full petrol tins being handed out and stored away within, after which came small, square wooden cases, which were handled very gingerly, and placed quietly upon the concrete floor of the well-filled building. Each case bore a red disc, and by the manner in which the driver warned Cator and his friend who handled them, Collins learnt that they were high explosives.
The lorry had been practically laden with these cases, save for twenty tins of petrol, and all were safely transferred into the store. After this the driver went into the house for some refreshment, and in the meantime Collins, by the aid of his flash-lamp, was enabled to slip inside the building and make a quick examination of its contents.
What he saw showed plainly that within that place was stored a great quantity of petrol and explosives—an enemy base for the use of the Huns who so vainly hoped one day to reach Britain.
Two minutes later, ere the trio again emerged from the house, the air-mechanic was on his way back to the inn at Bricklehurst, well satisfied.
On the following Friday, at nine o’clock in the evening, Beryl climbed into “The Hornet,” which stood in its meadow behind Harbury Court ready for a night flight. It had been a strenuous day getting ready, but the machine was now in perfect running order.
Ronnie, in his air-kit with leather cap and big goggles, climbed in and buckled the strap round his waist.
“Well, let’s hope for good luck!” cried Beryl standing at the propeller.
“Right, darling!” replied Ronnie. “Let her rip!”
Next moment the girl swung round the propeller. Then she climbed in, and a few moments later the ’plane sped over the grass and soon crossed the roof of the house, and was away.
An hour later, with the lever of the silencer thrown back, they were hovering noiselessly, having passed over Guildford and away south, above a fire they saw below them—a hay-rick which belonged to the Cators. Collins had ignited it at a given time that night, in order to serve as their guide. The rick was in a field fully half-a-mile from the farm, and from above Ronnie and his companion could see that the local fire brigade were around it.