s he climbed
jauntily into his gaudy green and gold Fokker tri-plane. So the stupid
Americans had thought to lead the German High Command astray by such a
clumsy movement? Ha! They forgot that a good spy system is like wheels
within wheels. But they would learn--in time.

Smiling, he examined his twin Spandau machine guns. Then he glanced
along the line of ships making up the first flight. Yes, they were
ready, awaiting his signal, their idling motors purring like so many
contented cats. The smiling, blond von Herzmann lifted his hand in
signal. The purring sound changed to the deafening roar of a hundred
infuriated jungle cats. The leading plane raced along the green field,
and a moment later the first flight of von Herzmann's great Circus
leaped into the air, climbed rapidly, and laid a course for a cloud bank
hanging over the lines above Comblizy.

How often the youthful, clever von Herzmann had made use of shielding
cloud banks, or lacking clouds had placed himself above his adversary,
squarely in the blinding sun. One of the two, or both perhaps, would
serve him again this morning.

His smile grew broader as he neared the front. It was thrilling, this
hunting business, and it was made decidedly easier when Intelligence
cooperated fully, as they had done in this instance. He knew the
strength of his quarry, their lack of experience, and the report had
included the statement that two of the planes were piloted by
instructors fresh from the English front, flying English Camels. Two
hated Englanders, eh? _Gott strafe_ England! He would single them
out and take care of them, one at a time. The rest of his command would
scatter the others like quails, and the survivors, not well acquainted
with the terrain, would have a nice problem in finding their way to La
Ferte. _Himmel!_ but it was a pleasing prospect.

2

Major Cowan's squadron had been slightly delayed in starting by two
malfunctioning Nieuports. A precious half hour was spent in correcting
the difficulty and the sun had changed from a dull red ball to a
blinding white disk racing up the eastern sky wall by the time the
flights had gained proper altitude and laid a true course for La Ferte
sous Jouarre.

The top flight, with Cowan leading, had climbed to twelve thousand feet.
B Flight, under Yancey, was some three thousand feet under him and
somewhat in advance. This gave the top flight a greater protective power
and insured the bottom flight against any