t is
your sacred trust to destroy these envelopes before you die--or are
captured. Now, to make sure, repeat to me the instructions I've just
given you."

Dawson spoke for the pair and repeated almost word for word everything
the colonel had told them.

"Well, that's all I've got to say," the Intelligence Chief said with a
nod. "Here, Dawson. Three of these and a vial are for you. And the other
three and a vial are for you, Farmer. Naturally, my prayers go with you
for a safe and very uneventful flight. If it helps any, I personally
chose you two for this flight, because--well, you've come through for me
several times in the past, and I know you will again. One thing, though.
If any of the envelopes fall into Axis hands, I might just as well put a
bullet through my brain, because I wouldn't want to go on living. Have
either of you any questions?"

"Yes, sir, I have one," Freddy Farmer spoke up.

"Then let's have it," Colonel Welsh said with a nod.

The English-born air ace hesitated a moment, and a slight flush crept up
into his sun-and-wind-bronzed face.

"These chaps to whom we deliver the envelopes, sir," he said with a
frown. "What if they--Well, what I'm trying to say, sir, is supposing
_they_ don't follow the orders we give them? What if they should lose
their envelopes or--well, you know."

"They won't, Farmer," Colonel Welsh said with a grim shake of his head.
"Each of the six officers that you will contact is not only an officer
in our Armed Forces, but a carefully selected member of Intelligence as
well. In short, each is one of my own men. And after you show them this
letter of authority, you need not worry that they won't follow orders
right to the letter."

As he spoke, the colonel drew a seventh, but unsealed, envelope from his
pocket and handed it to Freddy Farmer. Then he turned his head and
looked at Dawson's frown.

"Yes, Dawson?" he asked. "You've a question, too?"

"A couple, Colonel," Dave replied. Then with a shrug, "The first may
strike you as stupid."

"How can I say, until you ask it?" the Intelligence officer demanded as
the Yank air ace didn't go on.

"These officers we're to contact--" Dawson said presently--"is there any
way we can make sure that each _is_ the one we believe him to be? In
other words, we've just got six names, Colonel. I haven't read them yet,
but it's possible that neither Freddy nor I know the men from Adam as
far as looks are concerned."

"A mighty good