Stan looked along the runway. It ended abruptly at a steel fence, but a
roadway went on in a twisting course, making detection of the runway
difficult.

"Very clever," Stan said.

"I was sure you'd appreciate it," Domber said. "Now we'll have a look at
the P-51."

They entered the underground hangar by going down a shaft in an
elevator. Stepping out of the elevator Stan saw a well-lighted and
spacious hangar. Various planes stood along one high wall. There was a
Fort, a Wellington, two Spitfires, a Lockheed Lightning, and at the far
end in a wide shop space stood a new P-51. Her nose was pointed out
toward the runway and she looked ready to glide out from underground and
take off. Domber laughed.

"I'm sorry, but it can't be done," he said as though Stan had spoken
his thoughts out loud.

"Can't blame me for thinking about it, can you?" Stan asked.

They walked over to the fighter. She had been patched up and looked
airworthy enough.

"Mind if I go up?" Stan asked.

A dozen men working in the shop stood watching. "No, go ahead," Domber
said.

Stan climbed up and into the cockpit. A glance showed him that there had
been considerable instrument damage which the German mechanics had not
been able to repair. He noticed at once that the engine was hooked up to
a small portable gasoline tank. That meant she had no fuel in her except
just enough to make test runs of the engine. It probably was a fire
hazard measure, but it also was one reason why Domber was so willing to
let Stan get into the cockpit.

The other reason Stan soon discovered. Looking out, he saw on each side
of the opening to the runway, batteries of aircraft cannon. Those guns
could lay a concentrated cross fire over the runway so deadly that any
plane would be blown to bits in a minute.

Stan climbed down out of the cockpit. He faced Herr Domber. "Just what
was it you wanted me to do?" He had to stall for time, more time.

"You will assemble and repair the supercharger on that plane. Every tool
you need will be at hand, and if you need an assistant I will furnish
you one who speaks English." Herr Domber was smiling as he spoke.

"That's a big order," Stan said.

"My experts could do this, but it might take several weeks and we do not
have that much time. We have such a ship as this one. All we need is a
supercharger to make it the best ship in the world. Naturally I am
anxious and do not wish to lose any time."

"I'll need an English-speak