Larkin asked.

"A rather well known gentleman," Cowan replied, tantalizingly. "Both of
you are quite well acquainted with Lieutenant Siddons, I believe?"

Larkin looked at McGee in astonishment.

"No, sir," McGee replied to Cowan, "no one in this outfit knows that
fellow very well."

"Quite right," Cowan agreed. "Lieutenant Larkin, I recall that you lost
your old R.F.C. uniform a good while back."

"Yes, sir."

"And in the pocket was your old identification fold, and certain other
papers? An old pass to Paris, for one thing?"

"Why--yes, sir. The identification card was there, but I don't recall
what I did with that old pass."

"It was there," Cowan told him, "and it grieves me to inform you that
the uniform, and all that the pockets contained, was stolen by
Lieutenant Siddons."

"What! Are you sure?"

"There is no doubt about it. Furthermore, he delivered them into the
hands of the enemy." Larkin was too dumbfounded for words, but McGee
displayed little surprise.

"So you have at last found out what I knew all along, Major?" Red asked.

"Not _at last_," Cowan replied, with meaning emphasis. "Your
uniform, Lieutenant Larkin, will be returned to you soon--we hope."

"Oh!" McGee jerked his head toward the door. "So that's the reason for
the M.P.'s. You are going to nab him?"

"Not exactly that." Cowan was enjoying the curiosity provoked by the
suspense he was creating. "I believe both of you have heard of a certain
German ace, Count von Herzmann?"

"_Have_ we!" Larkin replied.

McGee ran his fingers along a white scar still showing through the hair
which had not yet grown out long enough to be the flaming red mop of
old.

"Seems I've heard of him," he said. "And I seem to recall that one of
his flyers left me this little souvenir on the top of my head. I'd like
to pay the Count back--in person."

"You'll never get the chance!" Cowan replied. "But if all our plans work
out, you will meet him in person soon--in this very room!"

"What!" It was a duet of surprise.

"Yes, here. Count von Herzmann in person--and in Lieutenant Larkin's
long lost uniform."

Both McGee and Larkin sank weakly into two convenient chairs, the
expression on their faces disclosing that they were trying to select the
proper order of the first of a thousand questions.

"Well--what's that to do with--with Siddons?" McGee at last found
stammering tongue. "Where does he come in?"

"He comes in a few minutes after the Count. H