I'd rather that you should have
cold hands than we should all go spinning down to earth."

"Well I'll--" Jacques began when Leon suddenly interrupted him.

"There are the trenches," he exclaimed. "See them? They run right
across that valley."

"That's right," agreed Jacques. "Let's see; we must be fairly close to
our destination by now." He consulted his map.

"I hope so," exclaimed Earl. "I'm cold and hungry."

"Right over that next summit," said Jacques. "If our luck only holds
out a few minutes longer we're all right."

They crossed the firing line which appeared very far away in the
distant valley. They passed over the summit of the mountain Jacques
had indicated and far below them they saw a tiny hamlet; a white church
with its pointed steeple stood in the center of the little cluster of
houses.

"There's Flambeau," announced Jacques.

"Good," cried Earl. "Where do we land? In that big field behind the
church?"

"That seems to be the only place, doesn't it?"

"As far as I can see it is," remarked Leon.

"All right," said Jacques. "Here we go."

The monoplane dipped and began to descend in great circles. The young
pilot shut off the motor and in silence, except for the noise of the
air rushing through the wings, it swooped downward.

Earl did not enjoy this as much as he had the previous flying. As they
came nearer and nearer to earth he could see the trees and fields
rushing past beneath them and the sensation of speed was very great.
He felt slightly nauseated and clung tightly to the sides of his seat.

Jacques was most skillful, however. He maneuvered the monoplane until
they were directly over the field where they intended to make a
landing. Then he suddenly shot downward until they were but a few
yards above the ground; suddenly he straightened out the machine and
they came to earth gracefully and without a jar. The monoplane ran
along the ground for a short distance and came to a stop.

A squad of soldiers in the blue uniform of France came hurrying forward
to greet the aviators.

"Is this Flambeau?" demanded Jacques of the corporal.

"It is," replied the man addressed.

"And Colonel Erhard is here?"

"He is. Do you wish to see him?"

"I have some most important dispatches for him."

"Of course you wish to deliver them to him in person?"

"Yes," said Jacques.

"If you will come with me," said the corporal, "I will conduct you to
him at once."

Jacques climbed ou