The boys had a small radio and always tuned in
the Algiers radio station for news of the Allied attack upon Sicily. The
news of the fighting made them squirm, and for hours after listening to
a military report of the advance of Patton and Montgomery they paced the
floor. O'Malley was especially restless. He marked each day off on the
calendar and planned his escape.

On the twenty-seventh day the boys were seated on a shady balcony from
which they could look down toward the city of Naples. Directly below the
grounds of their villa were the headquarters and general assembly fields
of the Germans. They seemed to be present in considerable strength. Stan
sat with his feet on a railing. Allison was near the railing. O'Malley
was sprawled out in an easy chair.

"Sure, an' it will be no trick at all to get away," he said.

"Before our parole is up the general will make other plans for us, you
can bet on that," Stan answered.

"I'll bet we're locked up," Allison added.

"We could sneak out a bit ahead o' time," O'Malley suggested.

"The general has treated us very fine, besides saving our lives. We stay
until one minute after midnight of the thirtieth day," Stan said firmly.

"I'm goin' crazy," O'Malley growled, "sittin' around here listenin' to
air fights. There won't be a German plane left to tangle with by the
time we get back into it." He sat up and scowled down at the German
camp. "Besides, these Italians can't make decent pie."

The boys laughed and O'Malley joined in. Behind them a curtain parted
and four officers stepped out on the balcony. The general was paying
them a visit and he had with him three flying officers of the Italian
air force.

The Yanks got to their feet. The general smiled in friendly fashion and
waved a hand toward the three fliers.

"I have brought three of my boys, Tony Bolero, Arno Bolero and Lorenzo
Bolero. They are all officers of our air corps." He faced the Yanks.
"Lieutenant Wilson, Lieutenant O'Malley, and Lieutenant Allison."

The Bolero trio bowed deeply. Stan stepped forward and held out a hand.

"Glad to meet you, Lorenzo," he said.

The fliers shook hands while the general beamed happily upon them.

"Sit down. I have much to say to you men," he said.

They found chairs and pulled them up beside a table. The general seated
himself and puffed out his cheeks as he fished a thick envelope from his
pocket.

"What I am about to say is most unusual. I have a request to make