would
naturally suppose that this stop for signalling was part of a
pre-arranged plan. He now dropped to the ground, picked up his can and
took two or three quick steps. Then he stopped abruptly and was sure
that he heard a footstep behind him. He grinned to himself, and just
then the hoot of an owl sounded. Then he went on.

"I'll make it easier for them," he said. "Perhaps they wouldn't like to
follow me right across the field!"

So he skirted the fence and the hedge at the side, and went around three
sides of the field to reach the monoplane. And, as soon as it was in
sight, all his suspicions were verified, for from behind there came a
sharp exclamation in German, and he was told to stop, just as a heavy
hand gripped his shoulder.

"Ja, we were right!" exclaimed one man in German. "There is their
aeroplane! Now for the other--"

He never finished the sentence. Instead, he threw up his hands and
pitched forward, just as a revolver cracked sharply in the silent night.
With an oath the man who held Frank threw him aside, at the same moment
shooting in the direction of the flash of Greene's pistol. But the
Englishman's revolver spoke at the same moment, and he too fell. Frank's
ruse had saved the day!

CHAPTER XIV

MENTIONED IN DISPATCHES!

"Keep back!" called Greene sharply to Frank.

His revolver still in his hand, he flashed the powerful light Frank had
used in the monoplane into the faces of the two Germans. They lay
groaning within a foot or two of one another.

"No tricks!" said Greene, sharply. "I don't want to finish you, but I'll
shoot again if you make a move, except you can throw away your
revolvers."

He spoke in German, and both of the wounded men obeyed. Frank was
immensely relieved. He had been afraid that they had been killed, and
the thought had sickened him. He realized fully that it would have been
in accordance with the idea of war had Greene killed them both; that it
would have been no more than his duty. And yet he was more than glad
that they were alive and, so far as he could judge at that moment, not
badly hurt or not dangerously wounded, at least.

"Fill that tank with the petrol," said Greene to Frank, "but leave a
little in the can."

Frank obeyed, wondering why the order was given. Then Greene pushed the
monoplane along the ground for some distance until it was in a favorable
position to take the air.

"All right! Get in!" he said. "Strap yourself in. Know how the s