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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0f6ae40 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #50259 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50259) diff --git a/old/50259-h.zip b/old/50259-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 5d82373..0000000 --- a/old/50259-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/50259-h/50259-h.htm b/old/50259-h/50259-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index e6c1d7e..0000000 --- a/old/50259-h/50259-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5854 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=us-ascii" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Dave Dawson With the Flying Tigers, by R. Sidney Bowen. - </title> - - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; -} - -.blockquot { - margin-left: 5%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -.caption {font-weight: bold;} - -/* Images */ -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -/* Footnotes */ -.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} - -.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} - -.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} - -.fnanchor { - vertical-align: super; - font-size: .8em; - text-decoration: - none; -} - -div.titlepage { - text-align: center; - page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; -} - -div.titlepage p { - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0em; - font-weight: bold; - line-height: 1.5; - margin-top: 3em; -} - -.ph1, .ph2, .ph4 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; } -.ph3 { text-align: left; text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; } -.ph1 { font-size: xx-large; margin: .67em auto; } -.ph2 { font-size: x-large; margin: .75em auto; } -.ph3 { font-size: large; margin: .83em auto; } -.ph4 { font-size: medium; margin: 1.12em auto; } - - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Dave Dawson with the Flying Tigers, by -Robert Sydney Bowen - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Dave Dawson with the Flying Tigers - -Author: Robert Sydney Bowen - -Release Date: October 20, 2015 [EBook #50259] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DAWSON WITH THE FLYING TIGERS *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="336" height="500" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>DAVE DAWSON<br /> -WITH THE<br /> -FLYING TIGERS</h1> - -<p><i>by</i> -R. SIDNEY BOWEN</p> - -<p><i>Author of</i>:<br /> -"DAVE DAWSON AT DUNKIRK"<br /> -"DAVE DAWSON WITH THE R. A. F."<br /> -"DAVE DAWSON IN LIBYA"<br /> -"DAVE DAWSON ON CONVOY PATROL"<br /> -"DAVE DAWSON, FLIGHT LIEUTENANT"<br /> -"DAVE DAWSON AT SINGAPORE"<br /> -"DAVE DAWSON WITH THE PACIFIC FLEET"<br /> -"DAVE DAWSON WITH THE AIR CORPS"<br /> -"DAVE DAWSON WITH THE COMMANDOS"<br /> -"DAVE DAWSON ON THE RUSSIAN FRONT"</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">The War Adventure Series</span></p> - -<p>THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY</p> - -<p>AKRON, OHIO<br /> -NEW YORK</p> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: Extensive research did not uncover any<br /> -evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]</p> - -<p>COPYRIGHT, 1943, BY CROWN PUBLISHERS<br /> -PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> - - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_ONE">CHAPTER ONE</a></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Eagles' Reward</span></td><td align="right"> 11</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_TWO">CHAPTER TWO</a></td><td align="left"> <span class="smcap">Clocks Won't Wait</span></td><td align="right"> 22</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_THREE">CHAPTER THREE</a></td><td align="left"> <span class="smcap">Simmering Doom</span></td><td align="right"> 33</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_FOUR">CHAPTER FOUR</a> </td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Atlantic Mirage</span></td><td align="right"> 43</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_FIVE">CHAPTER FIVE</a> </td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Ice Cold Courage</span></td><td align="right"> 55</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_SIX">CHAPTER SIX</a></td><td align="left"> <span class="smcap">Action C.O.D.</span></td><td align="right"> 66</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_SEVEN">CHAPTER SEVEN</a> </td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Yankee Bluff</span></td><td align="right"> 80</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_EIGHT">CHAPTER EIGHT</a></td><td align="left"> <span class="smcap">Home Again</span></td><td align="right"> 95</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_NINE">CHAPTER NINE</a></td><td align="left"> <span class="smcap">White TNT</span></td><td align="right"> 109</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_TEN">CHAPTER TEN</a> </td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Wings Westward</span></td><td align="right"> 125</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_ELEVEN">CHAPTER ELEVEN</a></td><td align="left"> <span class="smcap">Invisible, Chaos</span></td><td align="right"> 141</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_TWELVE">CHAPTER TWELVE</a></td><td align="left"> <span class="smcap">Eagles Can't Die</span></td><td align="right"> 154</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_THIRTEEN">CHAPTER THIRTEEN</a></td><td align="left"> <span class="smcap">Blood In the Sky</span></td><td align="right"> 168</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_FOURTEEN">CHAPTER FOURTEEN</a></td><td align="left"> <span class="smcap">Beware the Sharks!</span></td><td align="right"> 180</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_FIFTEEN">CHAPTER FIFTEEN</a></td><td align="left"> <span class="smcap">Aces Think Fast</span> </td><td align="right">191</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_SIXTEEN">CHAPTER SIXTEEN</a></td><td align="left"> <span class="smcap">Warriors' Duty</span></td><td align="right"> 204</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_SEVENTEEN">CHAPTER SEVENTEEN</a></td><td align="left"> <span class="smcap">Lightning Wings</span></td><td align="right"> 223</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_EIGHTEEN">CHAPTER EIGHTEEN</a></td><td align="left"> <span class="smcap">Satan's Last Gasp</span></td><td align="right"> 236</td></tr> -</table></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_ONE" id="CHAPTER_ONE">CHAPTER ONE</a><br /> -<small><i>Eagles' Reward</i></small></h2> - - -<p>With all the appearance of a man striving to solve one of the world's -weightier problems, Freddy Farmer studied the Hotel Savoy menu card -line by line from top to bottom. Across the table Dave Dawson sat -looking at his closest pal, and grinning from ear to ear. Eventually, -though, when the English-born air ace continued to take the menu apart -bit by bit with his eyes, Dawson decided that enough was enough. He -reached over and whisked the card out of Freddy's hand.</p> - -<p>"Okay, little man," he chuckled. "I'll tell you what the big words -mean, if you like. Now, this one, here—water. That's stuff that comes -in a glass. You drink it. It also comes down out of the sky in what we -call rain. It flows under bridges, and—"</p> - -<p>"And please stop, I beg you!" Freddy snapped. "My sides ache with -laughter. I couldn't possibly stand another of your hilarious remarks. -And hand back that menu before I take measures that will get us both -thrown out of this hotel!"</p> - -<p>"But why hand it back?" Dawson laughed. "Holy smoke! Don't you know -it by heart yet? For fifteen solid minutes you've been looking at the -thing."</p> - -<p>"Quite," the other replied gravely. "And thoroughly enjoying myself -making believe. Hand it back, please, young fellow!"</p> - -<p>"How's that?" Dave echoed, and passed the menu. "Making believe? I -don't get you."</p> - -<p>"Knowing the limits of your so-called flashes of brilliance, I can -well imagine!" Freddy shot at him. "However, the fact of the matter is -that here in London food is rationed. And there are many, many savory -dishes that don't even appear on menus any more. So, to make myself -feel good, every time I pick up a menu I simply imagine that all the -pre-war dishes are there. And I have a lot of fun deciding just what -I'll order. Do I make myself clear?"</p> - -<p>Dawson sighed heavily, and shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Too clear," he said sadly. "Lately I've been suspecting that you were -going just a little bit screwy. Now I know! And me waiting here, polite -like, while you fumbled around! What a guy!"</p> - -<p>Dave snorted, sighed again, and crooked his finger at the waiter. The -man came over to their table, and the two air aces gave their orders in -accordance with the short list of items on the menu.</p> - -<p>"It will be wonderful when this war is over!" Freddy Farmer murmured as -the waiter walked away. "Just think, Dave! Just think of being able to -step into a restaurant and ordering anything that strikes your fancy."</p> - -<p>"Which would be everything in the place, as far as you're concerned!" -Dawson laughed at him. "For a skinny guy, I never saw the beat of how -you can store food away. It scares me at times, too. I have dreams -that you've eaten so much that you can't even fit into one of the new -Lancaster bombers. But skip it, pal. For two long months you and I can -do any darn thing we want. And back in the little old U. S. A. there -are plenty of things for us to do. I'll really show you the States this -time! And how!"</p> - -<p>The English youth half smiled, and nodded.</p> - -<p>"Yes, quite," he grunted. "But <i>next</i> leave we get we're going to spend -here in England. And another thing, my boy! Not that I actually believe -you are crooked, you know. However—well, I'm jolly well going to get a -little practice tossing coins before I have another go at it with you. -And that's a fact, too!"</p> - -<p>"So help me, pal, it was strictly on the up and up," Dave said as he -made a little cross with his finger over his heart. "And it was the -best of two out of three, too. I was just lucky, kid. But look, Freddy. -If you really and truly want to—"</p> - -<p>"Not at all, Dave!" the English youth cut in quickly. "Don't mind me, -old thing. I always feel a little bad when I leave England, if only for -a day or two. No. You won the coin toss, and so we'll spend our leave -in the U. S. Besides, we're supposed to make some speeches to help sell -War Bonds, you know. And speaking of that, do you know something, Dave?"</p> - -<p>"What? But I think I can guess, Freddy. As a speech maker <i>I'm</i> a swell -coal truck driver."</p> - -<p>"Me, too!" Freddy echoed with a grimace. "Good grief! I'd rather face -a flight of Messerschmitts than a speaker's audience. I know I'll be a -terrible flip, as you call it."</p> - -<p>"It's flop, pal," Dawson chuckled. "And that'll be two of us. Between -you, me, and the gate post, I'll be tickled silly if something happens -to make this lecture tour in the States fall through. I don't feel -happy about it, at all. Just the same, though, if it will sell some War -Bonds, then we sure can't let them down. And it will give you a swell -look at Uncle Sam's home grounds."</p> - -<p>"Yes, there's that part of it," Freddy Farmer murmured with a nod. -"It's little enough for us to do, and—"</p> - -<p>The English youth suddenly stopped dead with his mouth hanging open. -Dave, looking at him, saw his eyes come out like marbles on the ends -of sticks. And for a split second he thought his pal had been stricken -ill. Then as he turned his head and looked in the direction of Farmer's -stare, his own jaw sagged, and his own eyes popped out in dumbfounded -amazement.</p> - -<p>The reason was the approach of the waiter with their orders. However, -what the man set before them wasn't even close to what they had -ordered. In fact, it was almost as though the Good Fairy had waved her -magic wand and changed the Hotel Savoy dining-room into a little bit -of another world. In short, each of them was served with a generous -helping of red, juicy roast beef! There were also mashed potatoes, and -creamed corn, and peas. And, yes, thick brown gravy, too!</p> - -<p>For a long moment both of them sat speechless for fear that a single -sound would break the spell, and that all that was set before them -would disappear in thin air. Eventually, though, Dawson summoned the -courage to look up into the waiter's grinning face, and speak.</p> - -<p>"My heart is bleeding, but I'm afraid you've made a mistake," he said -with a gigantic effort. "We didn't order this. Is there some rich -Indian Rajah staying at the hotel? And he brought along his own supply -of food, huh?"</p> - -<p>The waiter laughed, and shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Hardly, sir," he said. "The officials would have taken it from the -blighter before he left the ship, I fancy. Only them that has the -ration meat coupons can get it. And that goes for Royalty as well as -the likes of me."</p> - -<p>"But—but, I say!" Freddy Farmer stammered out, and made a helpless -gesture with his hands. "We used up our last meat ration coupons -yesterday, you know."</p> - -<p>"This is a gift, sir," the waiter said. "From the gentleman at the next -table. He gave me all of his meat coupons, he did, and told me to serve -you the best. And the best it is, I guarantee, too!"</p> - -<p>If Dave and Freddy had kept their eyes on the waiter's face, they -would have seen him unconsciously lick his lips, and an envious look -creep into his eyes. However, they had both turned as one man and -were staring at the next table. There, dressed in a quiet but Bond -Street-tailored business suit, sat a short and slightly rotund Chinese -gentleman. He met their collective stare, smiled broadly, and bobbed -his head up and down. And then, when neither of the air aces were able -to speak, he got up from his table, came over to theirs and bowed -gravely.</p> - -<p>"Would you do me the honor, Gentlemen?" he said in perfect English. "I -confess that my ears overheard a bit of your conversation, and as I -had several unused meat ration coupons, I thought that perhaps you two -would accept. But permit me to introduce myself. I am Mr. Soo Wong Kai."</p> - -<p>Still not quite sure that they had not been dumped down into a little -corner of fairyland, Dave and Freddy pushed back their chairs and stood -up.</p> - -<p>"There aren't the words to thank you, Mr. Kai." Dave smiled, and -extended his hand. "I am Captain Dawson, and my friend, here, is -Captain Farmer."</p> - -<p>"Your introductions were unnecessary, Captain," the Chinese said with a -smile, and shook hands with them both. "You two famous men of the air -are known to millions, you know. When I return to China, this thrusting -of myself into your acquaintance will be one of my happiest memories. -But if I might make a suggestion—the roast beef is not half so savory -when it is cold. I beg of you, please seat yourselves, Captains, and -give me the great happiness of eating my humble offering."</p> - -<p>"On condition that you have the waiter bring your meal over here, sir, -and join us," Freddy Farmer said politely. "And may I ask, sir? You are -the Mr. Kai of the Chinese Embassy here, are you not?"</p> - -<p>"You are absolutely correct," the other smiled, and signalled to the -waiter to transfer his meal to their table. "Quite correct and, indeed, -kind. We of China do not like to take our meals alone. And it is the -same when we are in foreign lands, too. So I must thank you from the -bottom of my heart for your generous hospitality."</p> - -<p>"Well, to be truthful, sir," Dawson chuckled, "the pleasure really is -all ours. You'd be surprised how sick Freddy and I get of hearing each -other sound off."</p> - -<p>"Eh?" the English youth grunted, and shot Dave a hostile look. "Sound -off, you say?"</p> - -<p>Soo Wong Kai laughed softly and leaned toward Freddy.</p> - -<p>"The American way of saying, throwing the bull, Captain Farmer," he -said. "Or, as you English would have it, swinging the gate. In China we -have an expression which, when translated, means, counting the locusts. -There are billions and billions of locusts in China, you see. So to say -that one is counting the locusts is to mean that one is simply talking -to hear oneself. Or sounding off. Or throwing the bull. Or swinging the -gate. You see?"</p> - -<p>"I've got a hunch you've kind of been around here and there, eh, Mr. -Kai?" Dave grinned at him. "And—oh, my gosh! Pardon me, sir!"</p> - -<p>The Chinese looked at Dave and raised his thin brows in innocent -puzzlement.</p> - -<p>"For what, may I ask, Captain Dawson?" he said. "For what reason should -you exclaim and ask my pardon? I fear I do not quite understand."</p> - -<p>Dawson swallowed, and licked his lower lip quickly.</p> - -<p>"I suddenly remembered seeing your picture in the London <i>Times</i>, and -reading about you, sir," Dave presently said. "You're Generalissimo -Chiang Kai-shek's new Minister of War, aren't you? And the head of the -Military Mission that recently arrived in England?"</p> - -<p>"That's true." The Chinese nodded and smiled. "But I still fail to see -why you must beg my pardon."</p> - -<p>"Well, for being sort of flip with my talk, sir," Dave said. "You're a -high government official, and—well, after all—"</p> - -<p>"After all, are we not both men, Captain?" the other interrupted -quietly. "And are we not fighting the same foe, each in his own way? -Believe me, Captain, it is I who look up to you, because of the great -and fine things you have accomplished in the name of liberty and world -happiness. You, and your true friend, here. And millions of other brave -soldiers, too. Yes, I am a high government official, as you say, but -the higher a man gets the more he respects and admires those who do the -fighting, and shed the blood. They are the ones who are winning this -war, not we aged ones who are serving our respective countries in some -official capacity. <i>Youth</i> will win this struggle, Captain. And youth -will win the peace, too. But—"</p> - -<p>Soo Wong Kai paused. His face remained grave, but as he leaned slightly -toward Dawson there was a merry twinkle in his eyes.</p> - -<p>"But what do you say we skip it, eh?" he chuckled. "Out the window with -who's who, and why. Until we must part, let's just be three guys named -Joe, huh?"</p> - -<p>Both Dave and Freddy gulped hard, and then burst out laughing.</p> - -<p>"Fair enough, it's a deal!" Dawson cried. "But I repeat what I said -just now. You've sure been around, Mr. Kai. But plenty!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_TWO" id="CHAPTER_TWO">CHAPTER TWO</a><br /> -<small><i>Clocks Won't Wait</i></small></h2> - - -<p>For the next hour the English air ace, the Yank air ace, and the new -Chinese Minister of War would hardly have noticed a German Luftwaffe -bomb coming down through the dining-room ceiling. None came down, of -course, because the good old R.A.F. patroled the night skies outside, -and German night fliers had long since realized that the R.A.F. boys -could beat them to the punch any day in the week, and twice on Sundays. -Under pressure from the Chinese official, Freddy and Dave recounted -some of the experiences they'd had during the war. And under polite -pressure from them, Soo Wong Kai told them many interesting stories of -China.</p> - -<p>"That's one country I sure want to visit before I die," Dave said after -a short silence. "It must be very wonderful in China. I've read quite a -bit about it, but I guess if you piled all the books about China one -on top of the other you wouldn't even begin to scratch the surface, eh? -If you get what I mean, sir?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I do, Captain," the other replied. "And I'm afraid you're quite -right. There has been a great deal written about China, but it would -take ten times as much to tell the story of the real China—the China -of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and his people."</p> - -<p>"There's a soldier!" Freddy Farmer spoke up with a vigorous nod. "What -a splendid leader, and what splendid troops he now commands. I quite -agree with Dave, sir. I, too, hope to visit China some day."</p> - -<p>"And may that day come soon," Soo Wong Kai said gravely. "Soon, because -of the things you will see in China. And soon, because of the honor -such a visit would be to my country. China has come a long way, and she -still has a long, long road to travel. But we shall travel that road, -and we shall attain the goal at the end of that road. But there I go -sounding off, when I can easily see that you two gentlemen are doing me -the great honor of being polite. So—"</p> - -<p>"No, you're wrong, sir!" Dawson spoke up quickly. "I'm enjoying every -second of this talk. And I know Freddy is, too. Believe me, sir, and -this is the truth: If I'm given the chance—which you can bet on that I -won't be—of picking the next front to fight on, I'll pick China right -off the bat."</p> - -<p>"Hear, hear!" Freddy Farmer added his bit quickly. "Quite, sir. We were -almost there, when we were in Burma just before the States came into -the war. However, as Dawson says, if we have our choice next time, it -will most certainly be China."<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> - -<p>"And a happy day that will be for my struggling countrymen," Soo Wong -Kai said softly. "We have there, now, the Flying Tigers. True and -brave airmen they are. And China will never be able to repay her debt -to those gallant boys. What they have done for China is something no -nation and no people could ever hope to repay in full. And to have you -two fight on the China front would be much the same thing. Do not look -at me so, for it is the truth when I say that I have heard your names, -and your deeds, mentioned deep in my country. So, should your orders -ever carry you to China, all that China has to offer is yours for the -asking. And—Ah! But the truth embarrasses you, eh?"</p> - -<p>Dawson grinned, and wished that some of the redness would go out of his -face. He liked praise just as much as the next fellow, but Soo Wong Kai -was sure hitting on all sixteen cylinders.</p> - -<p>"Well, there's a couple of other fellows or so fighting in this war, -too, sir," he said with a little laugh. "But thanks just the same, sir."</p> - -<p>"And thank you, Captains, for a most pleasant meeting," the Minister of -War said as he rose to his feet. "I shall always remember this happy -event. And it will be my perpetual wish that some day we will meet -again in my country. Again, thank you. And I bid you a heartfelt good -evening, Captains."</p> - -<p>Both Dawson and Freddy leaped to their feet, stammered out their -thanks, shook hands with the Chinese, and remained at attention as he -walked away and out of the dining-room.</p> - -<p>"Well, quite an event, what?" the English youth breathed after they had -reseated themselves. "Quite a splendid chap, eh? A very decent sort."</p> - -<p>"Tops, and how!" Dave grunted, and pointed at their empty plates. "Go -on and say it, pal. I can read it in your eyes."</p> - -<p>"Say what?" Freddy demanded. "And just what can you read in my eyes, -I'd like to know?"</p> - -<p>"What you're thinking, and wishing," Dave said with a straight face. -"That he'd brought along one of his official buddies."</p> - -<p>"You still aren't making sense!" Freddy snapped. "Speak up! Get it off -your blasted chest, whatever it is."</p> - -<p>"As if you didn't know!" Dawson snorted. "If he'd brought along one of -his official buddies, why then there would have been more meat ration -coupons, of course. And you could have worked them for a second helping -of roast beef. Don't try to kid a pal, pal! You were kind of thinking -that, weren't you?"</p> - -<p>"No, my little man," Freddy replied softly, and slowly reached for a -dish of pudding he hadn't touched yet. "But would you care to have me -<i>show</i> you what I'm thinking <i>now</i>?"</p> - -<p>"Do, sweetheart!" Dave growled, and reached for his own pudding. "And -you'll be combing pudding out of your hair, too. So—Sweet tripe, -Freddy! Let's dive in and finish this. We're due out at Croydon Airport -in a little over an hour. And we haven't packed, or paid the bill yet. -And you can bet your sweet life that that Newfoundland-bound bomber -isn't going to wait for us."</p> - -<p>"Right as rain!" Freddy echoed behind a heaping spoon of pudding. -"Darned decent of the Air Ministry to give us a ride by air, instead -of having us make the crossing by water. A magic world, isn't it, Dave! -By this time tomorrow night we'll be dining in New York City. Magic -isn't the word."</p> - -<p>"No, it's speed!" Dawson snapped. "Can the chatter, pal, and just -shovel it in. And I'll match you for the check."</p> - -<p>"No, Dave, I'll pay it."</p> - -<p>"What?" Dawson gasped. "Am I hearing things?"</p> - -<p>"I said that I would pay the check," Freddy replied. "No! Not because -I am big-hearted, either. Simply to save the trouble of tossing coins -with you—and losing <i>as usual</i>."</p> - -<p>"Oh, well, don't feel too bad, pal," Dave grinned at him. "You'll catch -on to how it's done, some day. Then you can make up for lost time. -However, just to prove that I'm a nice guy, I'll pay the check myself."</p> - -<p>That last caused Freddy Farmer to go speechless. And he remained -speechless while Dawson took the check from the waiter and paid it in -full, plus tip.</p> - -<p>"Wonderful!" the English youth breathed softly. "I have just witnessed -the miracle of miracles, and I don't believe I have the strength to -get out to Croydon Airport."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Big-Hearted Dawson, they call me," Dave grinned. "Besides, I feel -pretty swell right now. And who wouldn't when he was about to head back -to the good old U.S.A.! Well, let's go, youngster. That bomber won't -wait."</p> - -<p>A few minutes over an hour later the two youths climbed out of the -taxi in front of the Croydon Airport Administration Building, parked -their suitcases outside and went inside to report to Group Captain -Bainsworth, R.A.F. Commandant of the field. The senior officer smiled, -and nodded as they came to attention and saluted.</p> - -<p>"Knew you chaps would be along presently," he said. "Squadron Leader -Hixon, your pilot, was in here a moment ago fretting that you wouldn't -show up in time. I assured him that chaps going on leave are never -late. You've proved that truth again. Well, Dawson, I fancy you're a -bit bucked up to be going back to the States, what?"</p> - -<p>"Right on top of the world, sir," the Yank air ace informed him. "Not -that I don't like England, you understand, sir, but—"</p> - -<p>"Quite," the senior officer broke in with a smile. "Any chap wants to -see his native land. And you, Farmer? Glad to be going along?"</p> - -<p>Freddy half shrugged, and let a little sigh slide off his lips.</p> - -<p>"It's quite wonderful out in the States, sir," he said. "But—well, -I try to be a good soldier and go where I have to. And this time, -it happens to be the States. Of course, I could do with a bit more -interesting company, but—"</p> - -<p>The English youth shrugged again and made a little gesture with -his hands. The group captain chuckled, and Dave shot Freddy a -you-wait-until-we're-outside look. Then he grinned broadly.</p> - -<p>"Well," the group captain presently said, "I guess the aircraft is -about ready. I'll go along out to it with you. Good luck, both of -you. And—well, have a marvelous time. Yes, quite! Be sure and have a -marvelous time. And the very best of luck."</p> - -<p>The way the senior officer seemed to hesitate in saying the last couple -of sentences had a queer effect on Dawson. He gave the man's face a -keen look, but could read nothing there. Then, with Freddy, he thanked -him for his good wishes, and walked with him out of the Administration -Building, and over to where a revved up Lockheed "Hudson" bomber was -waiting at the far end of the field. They walked almost three quarters -of the way in silence, but when they got close to the waiting bomber -Group Captain Bainsworth slowed up to a halt and faced them.</p> - -<p>"I say, a moment, you two," he said quietly. "A favor I want you to do -for me. After you reach New York, you'll be going on down to Washington -to say hello to Colonel Welsh, of U. S. Intelligence, no doubt. Well, -I have a letter I'd like you to deliver for me. It was sent out here -about half an hour ago. Better stick it away out of sight. Best not to -let anyone know you're carrying it, you know. Here."</p> - -<p>Dawson happened to be standing closest, so he took the sealed envelope -that Group Captain Bainsworth slipped out of his pocket and handed -over. Dave didn't look at it, though. He looked at the group captain, -licked his lips, and frowned slightly.</p> - -<p>"Yes, glad to, sir," he said. "But—well, there's the matter of the -censors, sir. On the American side, I mean. I may have to turn it over -to them for inspection. That be all right, sir?"</p> - -<p>"Decidedly not, Dawson!" the senior officer replied gravely. "Let no -one see it. But don't worry. Take a look at the name and address, and -you'll understand why there's no need to show it to anybody but the -right party."</p> - -<p>Dave held up the envelope and glanced at what was written on the -outside. Freddy Farmer took a look, too. And they both stiffened and -caught their breath. The envelope was addressed to—</p> - -<blockquote> -<p>The Hon. Cordell Hull<br /> -Secretary of State<br /> -Washington, D. C.</p> -</blockquote> - -<p>"Jumping catfish!" Dawson choked out before he could check his tongue. -"But—but why doesn't this go by diplomatic pouch, sir?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know myself, Dawson," the group captain told him. "For a good -reason, no doubt. I simply know that it arrived here half an hour ago, -along with instructions to turn it over to you two chaps for delivery. -Perhaps you'll learn the reasons in Washington. Perhaps not, too. No -matter, though. Just take it along, and don't let anybody get so much -as a look at it. Well, let's get on over to the aircraft."</p> - -<p>"Yes, sure," Dave mumbled, and slid the sealed envelope into an inside -pocket. "It will be delivered, sir, without anybody else getting a look -at it—not even the censors."</p> - -<p>"Splendid, splendid!" murmured the senior officer almost absently. -"That's the thing to do. Quite!"</p> - -<p>A few moments later Dave and Freddy were in the bomber and Squadron -Leader Hixon was slowly opening up the engines to move the aircraft -forward toward the take-off runway.</p> - -<p>"All aboard, pal!" Dave called out cheerfully to Freddy Farmer. "A -late breakfast in Newfoundland, lunch in the air on the way down the -Canadian coast, and dinner in little old Manhattan! Boy, oh boy! And -then sixty days of having fun!"</p> - -<p>"Except when we have to make those blasted speeches for War Bonds!" -Freddy Farmer growled out as a tag line.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_THREE" id="CHAPTER_THREE">CHAPTER THREE</a><br /> -<small><i>Simmering Doom</i></small></h2> - - -<p>At almost the exact moment the Lockheed Hudson bomber cleared the -runway at Croydon Airport, and went nosing up into the night-shrouded -sky, a man entered the lobby door of a certain hotel in the West End -section of London, and took the elevator to the fourteenth floor. There -he got off, turned to the right, and walked along the corridor until -he reached the sixth door on the left. He faced it, and hesitated a -moment while he shot a sharp piercing glance back along the corridor. -Satisfied that he was alone, he reached out a bony forefinger and -stabbed the hotel suite button four times in rapid succession.</p> - -<p>Thirty seconds ticked by, and then the door was opened a scant inch. -There was no light to be seen through the door opening, only pitch -darkness. And then a voice inside grunted, and the door was swung open -wider.</p> - -<p>"Come in quickly, please!" a soft, hissing voice commanded out of the -darkness.</p> - -<p>The man passed through into the darkness, and moved a little to the -side so that the door could be closed. He heard the latch click. And -then at a second click light flooded the suite sitting-room in which he -stood. He turned his head and met the eyes of the man who had opened -the door. He smiled coldly, and the corners of his mouth were a little -drawn and tight.</p> - -<p>"You are nervous tonight, <i>Herr</i> Kyoto?" he muttered thickly.</p> - -<p>The one addressed as <i>Herr</i> Kyoto smiled broadly, but only with his -lips.</p> - -<p>"It is better to be nervous than to be a fool, my friend," he said in -his soft hissing voice. "A fool dies soon. And a dead fool is of no use -to his country, be he Japanese or German. You agree, yes?"</p> - -<p>The man who had entered the hotel suite shrugged his massive shoulders, -slipped out of his heavy coat and threw it over a chair as he let his -big frame drop into another one.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps yes, and perhaps no," he grunted, and watched the other glide -across the rug and settle like a butterfly in a chair that would -comfortably have held three of his half-pint size. "I cannot speak -for you Japanese, only for Nazis. And a man who can be a fool cannot -be a Nazi. At least, he can merely be one in name only. But I speak -just words. You may have a reason for your seeming nervousness? It -is possible that you are not so safe in London as you would like to -believe, eh?"</p> - -<p>The Japanese smiled again, and once again it was only with his lips. -His eyes were still like those of a cobra on ice. He reached out his -thin right hand and rubbed the ball of his thumb back and forth across -the ends of his other four fingers.</p> - -<p>"During my stay of twelve years here in England, my true German -friend," he said, "I have spent much money so that all would be well -when the day arrived. My money, my lips, and my hands have done all -that was necessary to prove that I am Japanese only by birth. It is -known, and believed, by all those of importance in England that instant -death awaits me should I ever return to Japan. That is as I wished, -and planned it to be. True, yes, I am often stopped on the street. I -am often politely conducted to the nearest police station by some fool -English official. But my papers are all in order. They have been so for -years. And so it is always an apology and my continued freedom in less -than five minutes. However, perhaps being nervous yourself causes you -to think that I am? Perhaps that is what you mean?"</p> - -<p>The German's face became hard and brutal. He thrust out his right arm -to its full length, with his fingers extended.</p> - -<p>"So!" he said harshly. "You don't see any trembling or quivering -of the fingers, do you? No, and naturally so. I have no time to be -nervous—about anything. I have time only to serve <i>Der Fuehrer</i>, and -the Fatherland."</p> - -<p>"As in like manner I serve my Heaven-born Emperor, and Japan!" the -half-pint breathed out. "However, you and I need have no worry about -the other. Nor was this meeting arranged so that we might discuss such -impossible things. It was arranged for you to make a report to me, yes? -And you have a report to make, please?"</p> - -<p>The Nazi lowered his head for a moment, and a look of angry contempt -glowed in his eyes. However, when he raised his head again his -twinkling eyes matched the smile on his lips.</p> - -<p>"Yes, and a most interesting report, <i>Herr</i> Kyoto," he said. Then, -after a quick glance at his wrist watch, he went on, "At this moment -the airplane is in the air and flying westward. They are both aboard. -And one of them must carry the document that was delivered to the -commandant of the Croydon Airport. My agent also told me over the -telephone that this commandant walked out to the airplane with them. -He saw the commandant hand something to one of them, to the one named -Dawson, so he believes. But because of the distance, and the bad light, -my agent could not tell which of them received what the commandant -gave. However, that is unimportant. We know, now, that one of them -carries a certain document."</p> - -<p>"It would seem so, yes, <i>Herr</i> Miller," the Jap murmured, and gave a -short nod of his head. "Forgive me, please, but we do not <i>know</i> if -this be <i>truth</i>. Your agent saw something change hands, but he did not -see <i>what</i> changed hands."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I should have instructed him to run out to them and ask?" the -Nazi sneered.</p> - -<p>"It would have been foolish to do so," Kyoto replied, as though the -remark had sailed right over his head. "But I was only pointing out a -possibility, my friend. Like you, I am sure that the one called Dawson, -or the one called Farmer, carries the document. Had they not dined with -Soo Wong Kai I would wonder. But they did, and so I do not wonder."</p> - -<p>The Japanese emphasized his words with a faint nod of his billiard -ball-shaped head. And for a moment or two the suite sitting-room was -filled with silence. Presently, though, the little brown rat of the -Rising Sun made chuckling sounds in his throat, and gave a little twist -of his head.</p> - -<p>"These enemies we must fight and crush are strange people, indeed!" he -grunted. "They let two mere children, two young boys, perform a task -that belongs to grown men. It is difficult not to laugh in their faces -when I hear of them doing such things. No wonder they prove so weak, -and so stupid!"</p> - -<p>"And lucky!" the German echoed savagely. "Those two, I mean. I had two -brothers, two of our greatest aces. This Dawson, and this Farmer, shot -them down. One over France. The other in Libya. It was over a year -ago. My brothers were killed. That American and that English swine -have probably forgotten all about those two air battles. They probably -do not know to this day the names of those they killed. But I know of -<i>them</i>. And I will never forget. It will be the greatest joy of my -life to let them know the truth—just before I destroy them as they -destroyed my two brothers."</p> - -<p>"When <i>all</i> is accomplished, may that joy be yours threefold, -my friend," the Japanese said softly. "But <i>not</i> until <i>all</i> is -accomplished. Personal desires must wait. There is something else a -thousand times more important. You agree with me, of course?"</p> - -<p>The Nazi's face tightened, and he locked eyes with the Japanese. Being -of the "Master Race," he was filled with the sudden animal urge to curl -his thick fingers about the little brown man's neck and snap it as one -might snap a toothpick. His sense of treacherous cunning refused to -permit him the joy of doing that, however. These monkey men of the Far -East were of some use to <i>Der Fuehrer</i> in carrying out his great and -wonderful plan for the world. So it was better to soothe and salve them -along until they, too, should be made slaves to serve the Fatherland.</p> - -<p>And so <i>Herr</i> Miller presently relaxed, smiled and nodded his -bullet-shaped head.</p> - -<p>"But of course, <i>Herr</i> Kyoto!" he exclaimed. "You need not have any -fears. We Germans win the battle first, and enjoy ourselves afterward. -No, have no fear. A certain document will never reach Washington D. -C. That is my promise. With my own hands I will turn it over to you. -<i>Der Fuehrer</i> himself has so ordered. Nothing, then, shall stop me from -obeying that order."</p> - -<p>The Japanese nodded politely, but a glint of worry came into his -slanted brown eyes.</p> - -<p>"Yes, the true soldier always obeys," he purred. "But, speaking of the -little arrangement just between us two, the money is even now waiting -for the moment when you place that document in my hands. No one else -will know. However, I do not think that it can be earned with words, -words that we speak to each other here and now. There is an airplane -carrying that document westward at this moment—while you are here, -honoring me with your company. Time is short, and the distance from you -to that airplane grows longer and longer. But then, it may be that you -are a master of magic, yes?"</p> - -<p><i>Herr</i> Miller laughed, and there was both amusement and scorn in the -tone.</p> - -<p>"So you <i>are</i> the nervous one, eh?" he echoed. "You worry that I let -those two little swine and their precious document slip through my -fingers? Ah! I am afraid that you do not truly understand us Nazis, -<i>Herr</i> Kyoto. We plan for everything. We make sure that there will be -no failure, even before we start. <i>Mein Gott!</i> You have only to look -at all that we have accomplished in two short years to believe for -the truth what I say. Yes, time grows short, and the distance grows -longer. But that matters little to me."</p> - -<p>The German paused to puff out his chest, and set his jaw at an arrogant -angle. These stupid little brown men of the Far East! What swine to -think they could suggest things to Germans! But aloud, he said:</p> - -<p>"In a few moments I will leave you, <i>Herr</i> Kyoto. I will go to a -certain spot not many miles from here. Yes! Close to the shadow of -London itself. A German plane and a German pilot will be waiting for -me. He will take me far out to sea. The plane is very fast; so much -faster than this airplane that has the document aboard. Also, certain -of our U-boats well posted about the North Atlantic are keeping track -of that British airplane's journey. I will contact them by radio, and -will meet the one nearest to that airplane's course. By parachute I -will go down to the water's surface. The U-boat I select will pick me -up. A short time later it will be light. Then we will go to the surface -and watch for this aircraft. And when we sight this airplane?"</p> - -<p>The German paused again, rubbed his hands together, and shook with -silent laughter.</p> - -<p>"Then, <i>Herr</i> Kyoto," he continued, "will be the beginning of a most -enjoyable little experience. And by the following day, at the latest, -you can expect me here in this room—with your precious document! It -will all be so very simple."</p> - -<p>As the Nazi finished the Japanese rose from his chair, clasped his two -hands in front of him and bowed low from the waist.</p> - -<p>"I salute you and bid you good fortune, <i>Herr</i> Miller," he said in -his soft hissing tone. "I will await with joy and confidence for your -return. When the document of which we speak is in my hands, it will be -the same as the winning of a score of major battles. May good fortune -go with you, and the deep joy of your personal revenge be yours <i>after</i> -you have accomplished the main part of your mission."</p> - -<p>The Nazi smiled and turned toward the door, but there was a look of icy -contempt in his eyes that the Japanese did not see. However, perhaps it -was not necessary for the Japanese to see that look of cold contempt, -for when the door had closed behind the Nazi the little brown rat from -the Far East curled his lips back in a snarl, lifted one hand and -sliced it edgewise through the air.</p> - -<p>"When you return with the document," he hissed out in his native -tongue, "<i>then</i> we shall see who is of the master race!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FOUR" id="CHAPTER_FOUR">CHAPTER FOUR</a><br /> -<small><i>Atlantic Mirage</i></small></h2> - - -<p>With its twin engines thundering out a mighty song of power, the R.A.F. -Lockheed Hudson bomber cut a straight and true path westward at some -eight thousand feet above the long rolling grey-green swells of the -North Atlantic. Higher up, a billion twinkling stars looked down on -a crazy world at war out of a cloudless night sky, and served as a -billion guiding beacons to that lone aircraft pointed dead on for the -Newfoundland coast.</p> - -<p>Stretched out comfortably in the empty bomb compartment of the -Lockheed, Dave Dawson absently lifted a hand and pressed it against the -upper left part of his tunic. Underneath the cloth he could feel the -sealed envelope tucked safely away in the inside pocket. A moment later -he let his hand drop down into his lap and sat scowling faintly at -the rack of signal flares on the port side of the compartment. Then, -suddenly, as though he could actually feel it, he turned his head to -meet Freddy Farmer's curious stare. The English-born air ace nodded and -grinned.</p> - -<p>"I've been combing my brains, too, old thing," Freddy said, "wondering -what in the world that envelope contains. Blasted odd that it should -be turned over to us for delivery. And to your Secretary of State, no -less."</p> - -<p>"Yeah, screwy, all right," Dawson grunted. "Funny thing, though. The -way it was handed to us, it makes me feel as though I were smuggling -something into the States. You haven't got enough fingers on your two -hands to count the number of aircraft that are flying back and forth -across the Atlantic these days. And not a few of them are strictly -courier planes, too. So why wasn't this sent by one of the usual -courier planes, I ask you?"</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer sighed and shook his head.</p> - -<p>"You can ask me," he grunted, "but I haven't the faintest idea what's -the correct answer."</p> - -<p>"And you can say that again for me!" Dawson muttered. "Unless it's -because—Oh nuts! I'm just letting the old brain go for a stroll."</p> - -<p>"Unless what, Dave?" the English youth prompted. "I know, I know! It's -probably another one of those crazy hunches of yours. But some of them -have come pretty close to the real thing in the past. So what's this -one about?"</p> - -<p>"Come <i>close</i>, huh?" Dawson snorted, and gave Freddy a hard look. -"Plenty of them have smacked the nail right on the head. And you know -it, pal. But anyway, the only reason I can see why they handed this to -us is because they didn't want it to go by the usual method."</p> - -<p>"Obvious!" Freddy Farmer snapped. "A ten year old child could reason -that out, silly! I thought you had a hunch on <i>why</i> they didn't want it -to go the usual way. And while you're on the subject, just who do you -mean by <i>they</i>?"</p> - -<p>"For a little guy you can sure ask plenty of big questions!" Dawson -growled. "Sweet tripe! How do I know? They could be most anybody. Maybe -the Yank Embassy in London. Maybe Yank G.H.Q. in London. And maybe the -Queen of Sheba, too! How do I know? I had lots of questions I wanted to -ask the group captain back there at Croydon, but after taking a look at -his face, I could tell it wouldn't get me to first base. Maybe he knew, -but it was my hunch he wasn't going to tell us."</p> - -<p>Dawson paused a moment to lick his lips and shrugged.</p> - -<p>"So who sent it is anybody's guess, and I'm not even bothering to -guess," he continued. "But about it not going through the usual -channels, here's what I think. The powers that be were afraid it would -be spotted, maybe even swiped, or lost. Maybe they knew that somebody -was wise to the fact that this was headed for Secretary Hull. So to -throw whoever it was off the beam, they sneaked it out to Croydon to -be taken across and delivered by us. Who would guess that a couple of -guys going to the States on leave would be carrying a letter to the -Secretary of State? See what I mean?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, that's a possibility," Freddy Farmer grunted with a frown. "But -here's a funny thing, Dave. I didn't exactly <i>plan</i> to pop on down to -Washington to say hello to Colonel Welsh. Did you?"</p> - -<p>"To tell the truth, I hadn't even thought of it yet," Dawson replied. -"Of course, if we should be passing through D. C. I sure would drop in -to see the colonel. But it was just one of those things I'd probably do -while on leave."</p> - -<p>"But Group Captain Bainsworth seemed to think that was just what we -were <i>going</i> to do," Freddy argued. "And right after we reached New -York."</p> - -<p>"Yeah," Dawson grunted, and looked at his English pal. "Or else it was -a left-handed order, and we're just catching on now."</p> - -<p>"And that's a possibility, too," Freddy Farmer said with a grave nod. -"But—blast it!—we're supposed to be going on leave, and to forget the -confounded war for a spell—if we can. Which we won't, of course. But -there should be a law against filling up a chap going on leave with -mystery. There really should!"</p> - -<p>Dave opened his mouth to speak. Instead, though, he bent his head and -faked a cough while he wiped the grin from his face. When next he -looked at Freddy, his eyes were bright and eager.</p> - -<p>"Know what, Freddy?" he said. "I just thought up a way to find out all -the answers. Yes sir! And it's foolproof. We can't miss!"</p> - -<p>"Really, Dave?" the English youth echoed excitedly, and leaned forward -a little. "How?"</p> - -<p>Dawson winked very confidentially, and started to slip a hand inside -his tunic.</p> - -<p>"A cinch way!" he said in a stage whisper. "And are we dumb not to -have thought of it until now! Tell you what, pal! We'll rip open the -envelope and see for ourselves. I bet you all the stored up coffee in -Brazil that it will be mighty interesting, too!"</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer sat up straight. The blood drained from his face, his jaw -sagged, and a look of utter horrified amazement came into his eyes.</p> - -<p>"Good grief, Dave!" he gasped out. "Are you mad? Are you absolutely -balmy? Open that envelope? When it's addressed to Secretary of State -Cordell Hull? Good grief, Dave! Why—why—why, they could shoot you for -a thing like that. And besides, it was entrusted to us. For Heaven's -sake, Dave, don't you dare open—"</p> - -<p>The English youth broke off short and choked and sputtered over his own -words as he saw the broad grin spread over Dawson's face.</p> - -<p>"Boy! Do I get a kick out of the way you can change expressions on that -mug of yours!" Dave laughed. "Okay, sweetheart. Just for you I'll let -the envelope stay right where it is. But, pal, did you rise in a hurry -to the bait that time! Boy, oh boy!"</p> - -<p>Deep red flooded Freddy's face, and he could only go on sputtering for -a moment or two longer.</p> - -<p>"You no-good blighter!" he finally got out. "You almost had me -believing you for a moment. Blast you! For sixpence I'd take that -envelope away from you, and make sure that nothing happened to it!"</p> - -<p>"Well, of course you could <i>try</i>, pal!" Dave grinned at him. -"But maybe they wouldn't like us to make a wreck out of this bomb -compartment. So let's skip it, huh? Besides, I think I'll go forward -and ride with Squadron Leader Hixon for a while."</p> - -<p>"Do that, by all means!" Freddy Farmer snapped at him. "And observe him -closely. Perhaps he can teach you something about flying. Nobody else -has been able to, though, Lord knows, they tried hard enough and long -enough!"</p> - -<p>"Smacko!" Dave chuckled, and pushed up onto his feet. "I walked right -into that one. So that evens us up. See you later, pal."</p> - -<p>"Much later, if I get my wish!" Freddy snorted, and squirmed around to -a more comfortable position. "Now, run along, my little man. I've got -important things to think about."</p> - -<p>Dawson let the conversation hang on a nail right there, and went -forward and into the pilots' compartment. The co-pilot's seat was -empty, and he caught Squadron Leader Hixon's eye in the rear view -mirror, and cocked a brow.</p> - -<p>"Mind if I ride with you for a bit, sir?" he asked.</p> - -<p>The pilot grinned, nodded, and jerked his head at the empty seat.</p> - -<p>"Do that, Dawson, please," he said. "Been on the point of calling -somebody up here to help me keep awake. Blasted uninteresting flights, -these. Too much water, and too little anything else. But I fancy you're -just as keen to get it done with as I am, what?"</p> - -<p>"It will be swell to get back home, and how!" Dave grunted, and slid -into the empty co-pilot's seat. "I've got a million things I want to -do, but I probably won't have the time to do even half of them. Time -flies too darn fast when you're on leave."</p> - -<p>"How right you are!" the Squadron Leader echoed. "A chap no sooner -settles down to have a bit of sport and fun than it's time to pack up -and catch a train or bus back to the drome. But war's like that, of -course. Good times go by in a hurry. And—well, flights like this one -seem to take years and years."</p> - -<p>"Well, dawn's busting over the horizon, anyway," Dawson consoled him. -"And it looks like we'll have sunshine and blue sky for the rest of the -trip. That—"</p> - -<p>The Yank air ace cut himself off short, leaned forward and peered out -through the window glass on his side.</p> - -<p>"See something?" Squadron Leader Hixon inquired casually.</p> - -<p>Dawson didn't reply for a moment. He thought he saw something on the -surface of the water a few miles ahead and a couple toward the north. -It seemed to disappear from view, however, when he strained his eyes. -Then, suddenly, he saw it again, and his heart leaped up in his throat -to hit hard against his back teeth. Without taking his eyes off the -distant object, he reached and rapped Squadron Leader Hixon on the arm.</p> - -<p>"Take a look up ahead there, and a couple of degrees to the north, -sir!" he cried out. "That looks to me like a submarine on the surface. -Yes, it is. But I can't tell from here whether it's one of theirs or -one of ours."</p> - -<p>"By Jove, you're right, Dawson!" the Squadron Leader's voice boomed -close to Dave's ear. "A sub, right enough. And not making headway, -either. It's—Oh, blast our luck!"</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?" Dawson shot at him.</p> - -<p>"Not a U-boat," the pilot said with heavy disappointment in his voice. -"Can tell from the shape of the conning tower. It's one of our undersea -boats. Should know I'd never have the luck to come across one of -Hitler's U-boats on the surface like that. I'm—I say! Seems to be a -bit of trouble, what? They've sighted us and sent up a signal."</p> - -<p>Dawson didn't make any comment for the moment. His gaze was fixed on -the submarine awash on the surface, and he saw the red distress flare -arc up into the air from the conning tower bridge. Squadron Leader -Hixon had changed course and was drilling the Lockheed Hudson down -across the sky straight toward the motionless submarine. In a matter -of seconds Dave was able to see the groups of men on the bow and stern -decks. And as a second and a third red distress flare arced upward, he -saw the men on deck start waving their hands wildly. And a split second -later he saw a thin column of smoke come up out of the conning tower -hatch.</p> - -<p>"Trouble is right!" he grunted. "Must be a fire inside, which forced -them all up top-side. Nothing we can do for them, though, is there, -sir? This Hudson can't land in the water to pick them up."</p> - -<p>"Certainly can't!" the pilot grunted with a frown. "Too many of them, -anyway, even if we could. The chaps are just out of luck, too. My -orders are for radio silence, regardless. I can't even send out a flash -to any of our navy boats that may be close by."</p> - -<p>"That is tough!" Dave groaned, and watched the trickle of smoke come up -out of the conning tower hatch. "But we could change course, sir. I -mean circle around a bit and perhaps spot one of our patrol destroyers, -or something. Then we could drop a note giving them the location of -these poor devils."</p> - -<p>"Yes, of course we can do that, and will," the pilot said. "A good -suggestion, Dawson. First, though, we'll slide down over them for a -closer look. There's just the chance that it isn't as bad as we think. -Maybe they just want to give us some kind of a message, and that fire -aboard is really under control."</p> - -<p>"Well, here's hoping, and how!" Dawson breathed as the Lockheed went -sliding down lower and lower. "There's only one thing worse in my book -than fire in the air, and that's fire on the water."</p> - -<p>"And aren't you right!" the Squadron Leader echoed, tight-lipped. -"Well, here goes for a better look at the chaps."</p> - -<p>"What a sweet spot to be in, I don't think!" Dawson grunted. "A fire -right under their feet, and about four miles of ocean under the fire. I -hope—Hey! What gives?"</p> - -<p>Dawson hardly realized that he had choked out the last. As a matter of -fact, the words he spoke were simply automatic, for in the next split -second his brain was in a mad whirl. The forward gun of the submarine -had suddenly spat red and orange flame upward. And in practically -the same instant the starboard engine of the Lockheed exploded in a -thunderous roar of sound, and a sheet of vivid red flame went sweeping -back over the wing!</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FIVE" id="CHAPTER_FIVE">CHAPTER FIVE</a><br /> -<small><i>Ice Cold Courage</i></small></h2> - - -<p>For a seemingly year long split second it was absolutely impossible for -Dawson to get control of his whirling brain. And it was obviously the -same with Squadron Leader Hixon, for the pilot just sat motionless in -the seat, gaping wide-eyed out at the flame and smoke pouring out of -all that was left of the starboard engine.</p> - -<p>"They nailed us!" Dawson suddenly found his tongue. "Their bow gun. -A bull's-eye on the starboard engine. Better level off, sir! We're -heading down too fast!"</p> - -<p>As a matter of fact, Dawson's wild yell of alarm wasn't necessary. -The squadron leader had snapped out of his trance, and was battling -furiously with the controls. But like a wild horse with the bit in its -teeth, the Lockheed Hudson went screaming downward toward the rolling -grey-green swells of the North Atlantic. What was left of the blasted -starboard engine started flying off in small pieces. One chunk of metal -smashed straight into the window close to Dawson's head. He ducked just -in time as a shower of slivered glass came spilling in on him.</p> - -<p>Then terror seemed to explode in his chest as he saw the squadron -leader slump over against the control wheel. The flying chunk of metal -had carried on past Dawson to glance off the pilot's helmet. Its force -was not enough to rip through the helmet and snuff out the man's life. -But it had been enough to knock him cold and send him slumping forward -over the control wheel. Even as Dave glanced at the man, he was in -action himself. With one outflung hand he forced Hixon back in the -seat. And with the other he swung the control wheel over to a position -in front of him. Then he grasped it with both hands and took up the -struggle that Squadron Leader Hixon had left unfinished.</p> - -<p>However, it was almost as though the Lockheed had become something -human, and gone just a little mad. It was as though the aircraft -actually realized that it was master of its own fate, and were savagely -hurtling downward to smash itself to bits, as well as the bodies of the -men it had aboard. Face grim and strained, and lips pressed tight, -Dawson battled the crippled plane with every ounce of his strength. -Twice he succeeded in getting the nose up and the craft back onto even -keel. However, a good portion of the damaged starboard wing had been -ripped away by the furious slip-stream of the plunging bomber, and no -sooner would it get on even keel than it would flop over on the damaged -wing, and struggle to wham right down to the vertical.</p> - -<p>Whether more shots were fired from the guns of the mysterious submarine -below, Dawson didn't know. Nor did he dare take his attention off -the bomber for one split second to take a flash look. If noise meant -shooting, then the submarine was hurling up everything it had aboard, -for there was a continuous thunder in his ears. However, the sound -could well have been caused by the violent vibration of the diving -plane, plus sections of the starboard wing breaking free. But what -caused the continuous thunder was the least of his worries. In fact, -he didn't even give that item a second's thought. If the Lockheed hit -those grey-green swells nose on it would be curtains for fair. Not -even a Heaven-sent miracle could save a man's life from that kind of a -crash. That kind of thing just didn't happen.</p> - -<p>"Up, baby; up, pal! Come on! Up with it, and take it steady. Come on! -Up—up—<i>up</i>!"</p> - -<p>From a long way off Dawson heard his own pleading, commanding voice. -A day of doom thunder was in his brain, now, and there was a terrific -pounding in his chest as though his heart would burst out through his -ribs at 'most any second. And down there before his eyes the grey-green -water came surging, lunging upward. And then, suddenly, the nose of the -Lockheed came upward for the third time. How, or just why, he didn't -have the faintest idea. Maybe Lady Luck or the gods of good fortune had -reached down and given invisible help. The fact was that the bomber -seemed to realize that it did have a master, and was grudgingly obeying -that master's commands.</p> - -<p>At any rate, the nose came up until the aircraft was on an even keel. -On an even keel, with the belly of the fuselage not fifteen feet over -the grey-green swells. Dawson had long since killed the port engine, -and so there was but one thing to do in the few split seconds of time -allowed. Before the plane could flop over on its damaged wing again, he -hauled the nose even higher. That killed off flying speed and brought -the bomber to a stall. For a century long instant it seemed to hang -dead motionless in the air, with its nose slanted up several degrees -toward the clear dawn sky. Then it quivered violently and dropped belly -first toward the water like ten ton of loose brick. A split second -before it hit, Dawson spun half around in the seat and flung both arms -about Squadron Leader Hixon, and braced hard with both feet.</p> - -<p>The crash landing gave him the crazy thought of an express train -ripping through a stalled freight loaded with empty tin cans. The roar -of sound was deafening, and a wave of darkness surged up out of nowhere -and tried to engulf him. And to make it all quite complete, a hundred -or so little unseen demons stepped up and sledge-hammered every square -inch of his body. When his brain stopped spinning long enough for him -to take stock, he found that the force of the crash had flung him clear -across the pilots' compartment, so that he was completely shielding -Squadron Leader Hixon with his body. He also was able to realize that -the pilot had regained consciousness, and was gaping up at him out of -wide and still slightly dazed eyes. Dave grinned, tight-lipped, and -heaved himself off the man.</p> - -<p>"You hurt bad, sir?" he choked out. "Can you move? We're down in the -water now. Got to get out of here before the nose goes under."</p> - -<p>For answer the squadron leader straightened up in the seat and shook -his head. Then he spoke.</p> - -<p>"Quite fit," he said. "Thanks to you, of course. Something must have -cracked me one on the head. Right-o! Let's get aft and see if the -others are all right."</p> - -<p>Dawson didn't hear the last because he was already ducking through -the door and back toward amidships. After a couple of steps his eyes -focussed on the scene, and his heart leaped with relief. The crew, -and Freddy Farmer, were none the worse for wear and tear. They had -obviously realized that a crash landing was inevitable and had braced -themselves for the jolt. But even at that the force of the crash had -spilled them around like peas in a can. They were slowly picking -themselves up off the belly floor as Dawson came down the catwalk.</p> - -<p>"Anybody hurt?" he shouted.</p> - -<p>A general mumble in the negative assured him that the worst could be -no more than a few bruises here and there. And then Freddy Farmer was -standing beside him, eyes flashing.</p> - -<p>"You and Squadron Leader Hixon gone completely balmy?" the English -youth barked. "What in the world did you mean by sliding down so close -to a U-boat? Why in thunder didn't you stay high? There're no depth -bombs aboard. Or didn't Squadron Leader Hixon know?"</p> - -<p>"<i>U-boat?</i>" Dawson choked out. "You're nuts, pal! It was one of ours! -And is the fur going to fly because those blind men took a pot shot at -us! They fired distress flares, and Hixon—Ye gods! Look, will you! -Look!"</p> - -<p>Dawson practically gagged out the last as in that moment he had -unconsciously turned his head and looked out through one of the bomb -compartment ports. There, not seventy yards away, was a German U-boat -nosing slowly through the water toward the crashed Lockheed. Its -superstructure wasn't even close to that of British design. And what -was even more convincing was the black cross edged in white that was -painted on the sides of the conning tower.</p> - -<p>"The blighters! The low-down tricky blighters. They had her rigged up -to look British. But now they've tossed the camouflage overboard and -are showing their own dirty colors. And what about me? Good grief! I -should be thrown right out of the R.A.F. for this stupid bit!"</p> - -<p>It was Squadron Leader Hixon who had gasped and groaned out the -words. He had come aft to join Dawson, and seen for himself through -the compartment port. His face was drawn and haggard, and he wore -the utterly bitter expression of a man who wants nothing but the -opportunity to crawl away and cut his own throat.</p> - -<p>"My mistake as well as yours, sir," Dawson spoke to him quickly. "She -certainly looked English when we started down. The dirty rats! Waited -until we were so close they couldn't miss with that bow gun. What a -sweet mess this has turned out!"</p> - -<p>"Well, it won't get any better if we just stand here," Freddy Farmer -said quietly, and pointed at the two inches of sea water that already -covered the compartment floor. "I suggest that we go top-side, and at -least not give them the satisfaction of seeing us drown like so many -rats!"</p> - -<p>"That's showing the old brains, pal," Dawson grunted. "You're dead -right! Up we go, everybody. That she's heading over here must mean that -she plans to take survivors prisoners. So—well, it could be worse. And -more than one fellow has escaped from a German prison camp."</p> - -<p>Dawson grinned cheerfully as he spoke the words, but in truth his heart -was heavy as lead. And then, suddenly, as he caught Freddy Farmer's -eyes on him, his heart seemed to stop beating altogether and freeze up -in a solid ball of ice. The English youth's eyes were not fixed on his -face. On the contrary they were fixed on that part of his tunic that -covered his inside pocket. And although Freddy didn't move his lips -to say anything, he didn't have to. In a flash Dawson remembered the -envelope addressed to Secretary of State Cordell Hull.</p> - -<p>Could—could that envelope be the reason for all this? Was there any -connection between that envelope addressed to Cordell Hull and the -mangy trick the U-boat had played in shooting down the Lockheed?</p> - -<p>The two questions stumbled a burning path through his brain. And -although he tried to thrust them aside as utterly fantastic, they -remained fixed and fast to taunt and torment him as he climbed top-side -with Squadron Leader Hixon, Freddy Farmer, and the four members of the -bomber's crew. And as if that weren't bad enough, the envelope tucked -away in his inside pocket began to feel like a plate of white hot steel -burning away the skin of his chest.</p> - -<p>By the time all had reached top-side, and were staring at the U-boat -creeping closer and closer, the Lockheed was well down by the nose, and -the damaged starboard wing was completely under water. For one crazy -instant Dawson wondered why those Hitler-mesmerized killers aboard -the U-boat didn't head off in the opposite direction and leave them to -a watery fate, which would come in a very short time. But even as he -wondered about that, the burning sensation of the sealed envelope in -his inside tunic pocket seemed to give him the answer.</p> - -<p>"Well, if it's true," he whispered to himself, and started to slide his -fingers inside his tunic, "then they're going to have fun trying to get -it!"</p> - -<p>He gave a faint nod of his head for emphasis, and then reached up with -the others to grab hold of the rope that came curling through the -air from the bow of the U-boat. They all caught it, and one of the -Lockheed's crew quickly made it fast about the opened fuselage hatch.</p> - -<p>"Pull yourselves over!" a harsh voice came from the conning tower -bridge of the U-boat. "And if you swine try any tricks, you will all be -dead men. Hurry! Pull yourselves over. I do not wish to remain here all -day! Hurry!"</p> - -<p>A fitting remark rose to Dawson's lips, but he choked it back and took -his hold on the rope. Slowly the half submerged bomber was pulled -over until it was bumping against the hull of the U-boat. A couple of -square-headed Nazis caught hold of it with boat hooks, and held on hard -while the voice on the conning tower bridge snarled out the next order.</p> - -<p>"Jump aboard, you fools! Be quick about it. Fall overboard and you can -save yourselves. We won't! So be quick about it!"</p> - -<p>It was no time for those on the top of the Lockheed to put up any -argument. And so one by one they leaped across the three feet of open -water, caught hold of German hands outstretched and clambered up onto -the sea water-dripping deck of the U-boat. Dave was the last to leave -the doomed Lockheed Hudson. And when his feet touched the wet deck, he -ignored the hands reached out to help him, and turned around to stare -back at the bomber.</p> - -<p>"Happy landings, old girl!" he said softly. "And don't worry. You've -got thousands of sisters and brothers that will carry on for you. So -long!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SIX" id="CHAPTER_SIX">CHAPTER SIX</a><br /> -<small><i>Action C.O.D.</i></small></h2> - - -<p>Steel claws slammed down on Dawson's shoulder, and spun him around. -Close-set pig-like eyes blazed into his, and thick lips twisted back in -a snarl.</p> - -<p>"What are you trying to do?" the owner's voice roared in his ears. -"What kind of a trick is this? You think you can still escape, eh?"</p> - -<p>Dawson stared steadily at the huge man, who wore a seaman's jacket over -civilian clothes. He stared steadily, then grinned, tight-lipped, and -shrugged a little.</p> - -<p>"You'd never guess, Nazi," he said evenly. "And even if you did, you -wouldn't understand. Only white men would!"</p> - -<p>The German bunched one huge fist, and it looked as though he were going -to smash it straight to the Yank's face. As a matter of fact, Dawson -expected just that, but he did not regret his words. He was too filled -with boiling rage to care what he said to these Naziland-born butchers. -However, the German seemed to think better of his first intentions. His -face remained puffed and red with rage, but he relaxed slightly and was -content to stab Dawson with his pig-like eyes.</p> - -<p>"We will see about that tongue of yours later, Captain Dawson!" he -rasped out in a voice that shook and trembled. "Yes, later, we will see -about many things. Now, go aft with these other swine. And if you wish -a bullet in your swine skull, then just try another trick on me! So! -Move along, you dogs!"</p> - -<p>With their hearts and hopes down in their boots, but with their heads -high and their jaws squared, the little group from the doomed Lockheed -permitted themselves to be herded to the conning tower and down into -the bowels of the U-boat. And from the central control room they were -shoved and cuffed forward to an empty torpedo storing chamber. The air -was thick and foul, and it was difficult to breathe. However, not one -of them so much as made a face. They were ordered to sit down on a -steel bench, and they did so without a word of comment, and with a look -of calm defiance on every man's face.</p> - -<p>When they were seated, the man in civilian clothes and the commander -of the U-boat stood in front of them and swept them with leering, -triumphant eyes. Then the commander spoke to the other in German.</p> - -<p>"My congratulations, <i>Herr</i> Miller," he said. "It was as simple as you -promised it would be. Too bad we were forced to cast all that clever -superstructure camouflage adrift. We might have been able to use it -again before we return to the St. Nazaire base."</p> - -<p>"Yes, it was very simple," the one addressed as <i>Herr</i> Miller grunted -back, and toyed with a small but deadly Luger he held in his big hands. -"But it is perfect planning, and thoroughly knowing your swine enemies, -that makes things so simple. Do not forget that, <i>Herr Kommandant</i>. -But I think we had better submerge at once. There are many British -patrols in these waters. I can do what I came to do under water as -easily as on the surface. But send one of your men in here to assist -me in keeping an eye on these dogs. Two of them have the reputation of -being reckless, stupid fools. And I do not wish to deal with them until -another little matter is settled. So send one of your men in here, at -once."</p> - -<p>"<i>Ja, ja!</i>" the U-boat commander replied, parrot-like, and turned and -ducked out through the compartment door.</p> - -<p>Hardly had he disappeared when his place in the compartment was taken -by a hefty Nazi sailor wearing the familiar look of meek obedience and -Teutonic dumbness from the neck up. At a word from <i>Herr</i> Miller, he -took up a position where the Luger in his hands could be trained dead -on any man in the bat of an eyelash. <i>Herr</i> Miller glanced over at him, -nodded his approval, then let his leering gaze slide back over the row -of prisoners. He gave a jerk of his head, and a jerk of his Luger.</p> - -<p>"Empty your pockets, at once!" he rasped out, and let his leering gaze -rest for a full second on Dawson's face. "Empty your pockets and toss -everything on the deck here at my feet. The swine who does not empty -out everything will be shot instantly!"</p> - -<p>For a couple of seconds not one of the prisoners moved. Then Dawson -chuckled softly and began tossing his personal belongings down onto the -compartment's steel deck.</p> - -<p>"Might as well give him his selection, fellows," he grinned at the -others. "He's holding the gun, he and his brother rat."</p> - -<p>"Silence, swine!" the German thundered, and practically waved the -barrel of his Luger in the Yank's face. "And let me remind you, you -American dog, if you do not empty out <i>everything</i>, I will shoot you on -the spot!"</p> - -<p>Dawson looked up at the man, and although he kept a thin grin on his -lips, there was nothing but a chip of ice in his chest.</p> - -<p>"Okay, <i>Herr</i> Miller," he replied in the man's own tongue. "I'm tossing -out everything I've got. And you can strip me, and search my clothes -if you want to. But I just want to ask one question. It's important to -<i>both</i> of us, <i>Herr</i> Miller!"</p> - -<p>The Nazi narrowed his eyes, and gave Dawson a hard, searching stare. -Then he grunted and nodded.</p> - -<p>"And what is the question?" he demanded in German.</p> - -<p>"Has the Lockheed gone under yet?" Dawson asked with forced calmness.</p> - -<p>The Nazi blinked, and looked just a trifle startled.</p> - -<p>"But of course!" he finally rasped out. "It was sinking when you fools -came aboard. By now it is halfway to the bottom."</p> - -<p>"Yeah?" Dawson echoed softly. Then with a head shake of mock pity, -"That's tough—for <i>you</i>, <i>Herr</i> Miller. You should have made the -Lockheed empty <i>its</i> pockets—if you get what I mean?"</p> - -<p>The Nazi started to speak, but checked himself and slid his narrow-eyed -stare along to Freddy Farmer's face. The English youth was taking -a bunch of keys from his tunic pocket. He stopped the motion for a -moment, stared innocently back at the Nazi, then flipped out his hand.</p> - -<p>"Here, catch, old bean!" he grunted. "The key to the situation, you -know, what?"</p> - -<p>The German's brain was much too slow for his reflexes. He automatically -caught the bunch of keys as they came sailing through the air, and -stared down stupidly at them. Then he bellowed out an oath and flung -them down onto the steel deck.</p> - -<p>"So!" he bellowed. "You swine dogs dare me to shoot, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Why not?" Dawson cut right back at him in a flash. "It might as well -be now as later. But you're still out of luck, <i>Herr</i> Miller. <i>We -haven't got it!</i> I left it aboard, and you'll have to do some diving, -what I mean."</p> - -<p>As Dawson clipped out the words, he held his breath, and kept his gaze -riveted on the German's face. But it wasn't more than a split second or -two before he knew beyond all doubt that the fantastic, and the utterly -incredible was indeed the truth. A Nazi U-boat, cleverly camouflaged -as a British submarine in distress, had shot down an R.A.F. Lockheed -Hudson for just one purpose: to capture its crew alive and secure a -sealed envelope that this <i>Herr</i> Miller <i>knew</i> was carried by someone -aboard. Moreover, he knew that that someone was either Freddy Farmer or -himself.</p> - -<p>The conglomeration of inner emotions that swept across the Nazi's face -told Dawson the truth. And if he needed any further confirmation, he -received it right after he spoke again.</p> - -<p>"That's right, <i>Herr</i> Miller," he said evenly. "There's our stuff on -the floor. Strip us and search our clothes, if it will make you feel -any better. But you won't find a certain sealed envelope. No, not -unless you do some fancy diving and reach that bomber. You see, stupid, -we had <i>our</i> orders, too. And you can guess what <i>they</i> were!"</p> - -<p>Wild, angry dismay flooded the Nazi's face. Not yet accustomed to -dumbfounding defeat, he was unable to maintain rigid control over his -emotions. His eyes popped out, and then popped back in again. His jaw -sagged, and his lips moved, though he didn't utter a sound. His hands -shook, and the beet red came surging up into his flat, moon-shaped -face. Dawson knew that the danger point was close, very close. The -German had been flung far off balance, and in the next second or so the -animal training in him would get the upper hand. Cold, common sense -would go flying out the window, and all that would be left would be the -savage lust to butcher and slaughter.</p> - -<p>And so Dawson half stood up, and tore off his tunic.</p> - -<p>"It's the truth, <i>Herr</i> Miller!" he shouted, and started to rip open -the seams. "Take a look, stupid! You see anything hidden in the lining? -Take a look and weep, you fathead. See any sealed envelope? See -anything that interests you? I told you that I left it aboard. Okay! -See for yourself. Here! Take a darned good look!"</p> - -<p>As Dawson spoke the last he held out his ripped tunic with his hands. -He practically shoved it right under the Nazi's nose. And then, as the -German automatically looked down at it, the Yank air ace practically -exploded in a whirlwind of action. He flung the tunic straight into the -Nazi's face. He slapped down his right hand, caught the Luger by the -barrel and twisted it free. His other fist he smashed to the German's -jaw, and one knee he brought up hard into the Nazi's belly. And then, -in what was practically a continuation of the original movement, he -reversed the Luger in his hand, half turned, and drilled a single shot -at the pop-eyed Nazi sailor. The bullet hit the steel plate right -behind the sailor's left ear. And that was close enough. His own gun -dropped from his fingers, as he flung both hands high in terrified -surrender. And the Luger had hardly struck the deck before Freddy -Farmer had dived from a sitting position on the metal bench and scooped -it up. But Dawson didn't see that fast bit of action. He didn't because -he was busy clipping <i>Herr</i> Miller one for good measure on the back of -the skull as the man fell down. That done with, he shot a look over at -Freddy Farmer and grinned broadly.</p> - -<p>"Nice going, pal!" he chuckled. "But I'll give you a kiss later. We've -got things to do, right now. Okay, you fellows. Get behind Farmer and -me. Maybe that shot of mine was heard, and we haven't got time to lose."</p> - -<p>"But, good grief, Dawson!" Squadron Leader Hixon gasped out. "What in -the world can you do? There must be thirty Nazis, at least, aboard this -thing, man!"</p> - -<p>"That's right!" Dawson shot back at him. "And I'll bet not one of them -has any hankering to drown! Catch on? Okay. Stick close while Freddy -and I rush the central control room. Okay, sailor! Step along ahead of -me!"</p> - -<p>As Dawson spoke the last he whipped out his free hand and caught the -scared stiff sailor by the arm, and yanked him over and shoved him -through the compartment door leading to amidships. He and Freddy Farmer -kept right at the German's heels. Like blockers running interference -for a ball carrier, they went charging into the central control room. -Dawson saw the U-boat commander turn from his post at the periscope -sight. He saw the anger that flooded the Nazi's face as he recognized -the sailor, and right after that the look of dumbfounded fear that -glazed the man's eyes as he caught sight of Dawson and Freddy Farmer -right behind.</p> - -<p>Perhaps it was just a nervous twitch of the U-boat commander's hand. Or -perhaps he actually did start to reach up for his holstered Luger. At -any rate, Dawson didn't wait to find out which. He squeezed the trigger -of the Luger he held in his own hand, and the bullet snipped a button -off the German's jacket before it smacked into the radio panel on the -far side of the control room.</p> - -<p>"Don't move, anybody!" Dawson thundered in German. "Get stupid, any one -of you square-heads, and we'll all go to the bottom, to stay for good. -I—"</p> - -<p>The Yank choked off the rest, half turned, and fired the Luger. A -thin-faced, hawk-nosed junior officer had tried to snatch up a gun and -shoot across his chest at Dawson. His gun didn't even have a chance to -go off. Dawson's bullet caught him in the chest, spun him like a top, -and dumped him flat on his face, to stay there motionless.</p> - -<p>"Anybody else want to play?" the Yank grated, and swept his eyes over -the four or five other Germans in the control room. "Suits me swell, if -you want to. So just start something. Go ahead, you Nazi slobs!"</p> - -<p>There was a moment of silence, save for the whine of the electric -motors driving the U-boat down below the surface. Then its commander -made sounds in his throat and licked his lips.</p> - -<p>"What do you want?" he choked out. "You are prisoners. Not one of you -will live to tell of this madness."</p> - -<p>At that moment, and for reasons that Dawson couldn't even understand, -a flood of war memories swept across the screen of his brain. He -remembered scenes of Nazi-slaughtered men, women, and children. He -remembered scenes in which houses, villages, and mighty cities had -been laid flat in smoking, stinking ruins by the Nazi hordes. He -recalled the floating dead bodies of Yank, British, and other United -Nations seamen from ship upon ship sent diving to the bottom by -Hitler's ruthless U-boat commanders. A hundred scenes of horror and -death that made the rage seem to freeze like lumps of ice within him. -Lips tight and eyes hard, he stepped over to the U-boat commander and -gun-whipped him with the Luger across each cheek.</p> - -<p>"Dry up, rat!" he grated as the Nazi reeled back, moaning with pain. -"Just get this steel fish up on the surface, or I'll put one right -between your fishy eyes. Come on! Snap out your orders! And don't get -the idea I don't understand German. You get us top-side, and pronto, -or we'll wreck this tub, and all go down together. Step on it, you. -Top-side we go, and in a hurry!"</p> - -<p>The German shook and shivered, and tried desperately to summon what -little courage he had left. But true to the German type, when he no -longer held the whip hand there was nothing but cowardly yellowness to -him. And he almost fainted with fright as Dawson suddenly drew a bead -on a point square between his eyes.</p> - -<p>"Don't! Don't shoot!" he sobbed out. "I will do as you ask. I will -give the order to surface the U-boat."</p> - -<p>"And tell everybody to stay right where they are at their posts, too!" -Dawson barked at him. "The first Jerry to stick his face inside this -control room will get you a slug right in your fat face. Get it? Okay! -Do your stuff!"</p> - -<p>The U-boat commander trembled some more, then picked up the inter-com -phone and gave the necessary orders. Dawson watched him like a hawk, -and with ears tuned to every German word the man spoke into the -inter-com. Then, when the U-boat trembled and started up by the bow, -a great sense of joyous relief flooded through him. But he didn't let -any of it show for an instant on his face, or in the agate hard eyes -he kept fixed on the U-boat commander. He didn't worry about the other -Germans in the central control room, because he knew that Freddy Farmer -was keeping an eye on them. As a matter of fact, at just about that -same moment he felt rather than saw his English pal at his elbow. And -then he heard Freddy's quiet voice.</p> - -<p>"What a shame you've already received all the medals they give out in -this war, Dave," the English youth chuckled. "Certainly deserve one for -this little bit. Though, of course, it didn't actually happen, you -know. Just a mad dream!"</p> - -<p>"You telling me, sweetheart?" Dave shot out of the corner of his mouth. -"I won't even ever believe this, myself. But keep your eye on those -other birds. They might dive for their—"</p> - -<p>"Hardly!" Freddy Farmer interrupted. "I've collected all their guns. -I'll show them to you sometime when you're not so busy."</p> - -<p>"Do that, pal," Dave chuckled. "And get set to crank open that conning -tower hatch just as soon as we hit surface. There might be a plane or -two up there cruising around. Or maybe a British destroyer."</p> - -<p>"What a cheerful chap!" Freddy groaned. "And do I hope you're all wrong -about <i>that</i>!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SEVEN" id="CHAPTER_SEVEN">CHAPTER SEVEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Yankee Bluff</i></small></h2> - - -<p>The next few moments seemed to Dawson to be year upon year stretching -slowly out to their fullest extent of time. During every ticking second -he kept his gaze fixed steadfastly on the U-boat commander, and held -the Luger in his hand steady and ready for instant action, if need -be. However, there was no need for that kind of action. Perhaps the -German read the truth in the Yank's agate eyes, and realized beyond -all possible doubt that Dawson would squeeze the trigger of the Luger, -if he was forced to, just as sure as the Lord made little apples. Or -perhaps the Nazi was still so paralyzed with fear that he couldn't have -moved a single muscle, if he'd wanted to, but could only stand there at -the periscope's base sight, and stare with glazed eyes back at the man -who had him covered.</p> - -<p>And then suddenly, the German seaman at the depth gauge board grunted -out the fact that the U-boat was awash on the surface. Dawson didn't -turn his head to glance over at him. He still kept his eyes fixed on -the commander, and spoke out of the corner of his mouth.</p> - -<p>"Okay, Freddy," he said. "You, and Squadron Leader Hixon, and a couple -of the others go top-side, pronto. Yell back down if you see anything. -Better take along a couple of those flares, even if it is daylight. The -two who don't go up with you can park down here and help me keep these -rats in line. Give them each one of the guns from your collection."</p> - -<p>"Right-o, Dave!" the English youth replied. "I'll go top-side and take -a look. But if I don't see anything, I think we'd better make use of -their radio, what?"</p> - -<p>"Bright lad," Dawson grunted. "Okay, get set."</p> - -<p>As the Yank spoke the last he leaned forward slightly so that the -muzzle of his Luger was just a few inches closer to the spot square -between the U-boat commander's eyes.</p> - -<p>"Up conning tower hatch, you!" he grated out. "And if we <i>aren't</i> on -the surface, it's going to be just as tough for you as for the rest of -us. So—"</p> - -<p>Dave chopped off the rest, swung his Luger in a short arc and squeezed -the trigger. A bull-necked Nazi sailor charging through a door behind -the commander took the bullet smack in the chest and fell down in a -heap. A gun he had half raised bounced when it hit the steel deck, and -went skidding away. Dawson swung his eyes back to the senior officer, -who was now having all kinds of difficulty keeping his knees from -buckling.</p> - -<p>"Catch on?" Dawson snapped. "I never kid, stupid, when I make a -promise. And I made one to you. Remember? Okay! Up with that conning -tower hatch!"</p> - -<p>The Nazi could only bob his head up and down violently. Then the words -poured off his lips like raging flood waters going over a broken dam.</p> - -<p>"I do not lie, <i>Herr</i> Captain!" he gasped out. "We are on the surface. -Yes, yes! It is so. I would be a fool to drown us all by ordering the -hatch to be opened while we are still below the surface. I would be mad -to do that. I do not wish to die—that way!"</p> - -<p>"Well, there are other ways, if you don't snap it up!" the Yank -reminded him with a significant gesture of the Luger. "So step on it, -my little Nazi tramp. Step on it!"</p> - -<p>The U-boat commander did just that, but during the few seconds it took -to issue orders and get the hatch open Dawson's heart stood still, and -he held his breath clamped in his lungs. After all, there was just -a wild chance that the commander did have a little stiffness in his -backbone! However, the man had had more than enough. And like all of -his type, when it came to the matter of his own life, he could change -from a blustering, arrogant hireling of Hitler to a cringing, sniveling -whimperer in practically nothing flat.</p> - -<p>And so he did just as he was ordered, and presently the conning tower -hatch was opened, and clean, fresh ocean air was pouring down inside to -cut the thick, heavy U-boat stench.</p> - -<p>"Stop daydreaming, pal!" Dawson snapped, as Freddy Farmer made no move -toward the companion ladder. "Get up there and do your stuff, in case -somebody has already sighted us. I sure don't want to be kissed now by -any made-in-England depth bomb. Scram!"</p> - -<p>"You go, Dave," the English youth argued. "You've earned a smell of -fresh air. I'll watch these blasted Jerries."</p> - -<p>"Nothing doing!" the Yank snapped. "Up with you. This is more fun, see? -Maybe some other dope will stick his head through a door. I can do -with a little side-arms practice. Get going!"</p> - -<p>Freddy didn't bother arguing after that. With Squadron Leader Hixon, -and a couple of the Lockheed's crew, he went scrambling up the -companion ladder, and out onto the conning tower bridge. Down below, -Dawson and the remaining two of the Lockheed's crew kept their eyes -and their captured Lugers fixed on the Germans in the central control -room. Seconds ticked by to add up to a minute. And the minutes added -up to total three, then four. Tension began to tell on Dawson, and a -whole flock of little worries and doubts began to play about in his -brain. True, he was standing guard over the "nerve center" of the -U-boat. And true, his prisoners were the commander and his junior -officers. Just the same, he couldn't hope to keep the situation just -as it was indefinitely. Maybe the commander and his officers were -cringing cowards, but that didn't guarantee that it was the same with -every member of the U-boat's crew. Maybe there was a hero or two among -them who would rather take death than capture and imprisonment. Or, at -least, perhaps there was one among them who might crack easily. One -who might go clean off his nut, and do anything, such as open the sea -valves, to break the terrific, tormenting strain. And whether a brave -hero or a man gone mad opened the sea valves and let the ocean come -pouring in, the <i>result</i> would be the same!</p> - -<p>And so, as each new second ticked by, another little bead of cold, -clammy sweat formed on Dawson's forehead. And with each passing instant -of time he had to battle harder to keep from showing his nervousness by -yelling up to Freddy Farmer to find out if anything had been sighted. -Finally, when his nerves were so tightly drawn that they threatened -to snap and fly off in small pieces at almost any second, he suddenly -heard the welcoming sound of the English youth's voice.</p> - -<p>"Cheerio, Dave, old thing!" Freddy shouted down the hatch. "Luck of the -Devil for us, for fair. The King's Navy, no less, Dave, my lad. What a -beautiful sight to see, and—"</p> - -<p>"Save it!" Dawson roared back at him. "What in thunder <i>do</i> you see?"</p> - -<p>"A British cruiser, of course!" the English youth told him. "Didn't I -say the King's Navy? Well, there she is, and coming right for us. Happy -days are here again, what?"</p> - -<p>Dawson gave a little shake of his head, and dropped the crazy -conversation. He realized that Farmer's joy at sighting a British -cruiser, which had come up out of nowhere, had sent him just a little -joyously haywire for the moment. As a matter of fact, Dawson's own head -felt a little light, and he almost smiled at the U-boat commander as he -jerked his head upward and gave the order.</p> - -<p>"Top-side for you!" he said in German. "A British cruiser is bearing -down toward us. Get up there and get an eyeful. Hey, Freddy! Stupid is -coming up! Keep your eye on him. I'll be up in a minute."</p> - -<p>Right after he had shouted the last in English to Freddy Farmer up -on the conning tower bridge, Dave turned to the two members of the -Lockheed's crew who had remained below decks with him, and gave them a -happy grin and a nod.</p> - -<p>"Okay, up you go, too," he said. "And thanks for giving me a hand down -here. Too bad we didn't get some—"</p> - -<p>"Watch it, sir!" screamed one of the R.A.F. men. "Down with you!"</p> - -<p>Dawson had already dropped low and twisted around. He saw the blurred -figure of <i>Herr</i> Miller charging toward him, and saw the Nazi's -outstretched hand spit flame and smoke. Something plucked at his tunic -sleeve, and almost spun him around. His feet were too well braced, -however. And in the next split second the sound of his own gun blended -with the crack of the guns held by the two R.A.F. men. All three -bullets hit <i>Herr</i> Miller, and the man was stone dead before his feet -left the deck as he went toppling over backwards, and down. Dawson -swallowed hard and glanced down at the bullet hole in his tunic sleeve.</p> - -<p>"Thanks for the yell," he said to the man who had given the alarm. "And -thank God he was a rotten shot. Tough that he's dead, though. I've had -the hunch that he was Gestapo. I'd hoped to take him alive and learn a -thing or two. But maybe it's just as well that he's that way. One less -rat to worry about. Well, let's go."</p> - -<p>Dawson motioned the other two up the companion ladder, and then, -after barking a cautioning word or two to the live Germans still in -the central control room, he backed slowly up the companion ladder -and then quickly scrambled out of the hatch and onto the bridge. In a -flash Freddy Farmer was by his side and pointing excitedly at a British -cruiser standing off about a quarter of a mile to starboard while it -launched one of its motorboats.</p> - -<p>And a little over fifteen minutes later another of Hitler's U-boats had -made its last trip, a trip that took it straight down to the bottom of -the North Atlantic. Its officers and crew were prisoners of war aboard -the cruiser. And in the cruiser captain's quarters, Squadron Leader -Hixon was giving a glowing account of all that had happened.</p> - -<p>"It was Captain Dawson all the way, I fancy, sir," he finished up with -a grin. "The rest of us were simply the audience. But an audience that -will never forget his performance, you can be sure. Fact is, when I -return to England I'm certainly going to recommend that he be mentioned -in Orders, and be cited for a decoration. Truth to tell, sir, it was -all so incredibly wonderful that I'm still wondering a little if it -actually did happen."</p> - -<p>"Well, if it's all right with you, sir," Dawson spoke up, his face -flaming red with embarrassment, "let's just say that it didn't, and -forget the whole thing. Frankly, it was just bluff, and a barrel of -luck. Those two things, plus Jerry brains that can't turn over very -fast in the clinches. So if it's all the same to you, sir, I'd—"</p> - -<p>Dawson let the rest hang in the air as there came an urgent knock on -the door, and the senior radio officer came in with a yellow slip of -paper in his hand.</p> - -<p>"An answer from your report to the Admiralty, sir," he said, and handed -the yellow slip of paper to the senior officer. "But it's from the Air -Ministry, sir."</p> - -<p>Dawson and Farmer unconsciously stiffened, and exchanged glances. Then -they looked at the cruiser's captain. The officer scowled at the yellow -slip for a moment, then looked up quickly to meet their gaze.</p> - -<p>"Seems that you two chaps were in a bit of a hurry, what?" he said with -a faint smile, and tapped the paper with the fingers of his other hand. -"This is a special radio request from the Air Ministry—a request to -launch you two chaps off in one of our planes, and let you finish your -journey by air. A bit of courier work, eh?"</p> - -<p>Dawson almost shook his head, but just in time he recalled his little -bluff scene with <i>Herr</i> Miller in that empty torpedo store chamber -aboard the U-boat. At that time Squadron Leader Hixon and the others -had of course tumbled to the fact that he and Freddy were supposed to -be carrying something of importance—something that <i>Herr</i> Miller had -been ready to kill to obtain. So it would be silly to deny it now.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," he said instead. "Yes, you might call it that, sir. But how -did the Air Ministry—"</p> - -<p>"Find out about your rescue?" the cruiser's captain interrupted with -a chuckle. "Routine, I fancy. Any reports on our aircraft, and flying -personnel, we radio to the Admiralty are immediately telephoned over to -the Air Ministry. Obviously the Air Ministry wants you to get on with -the job at once, and can't wait for us to get to the States. Hence, -this request."</p> - -<p>"And—and are you granting it, sir?" Dawson asked as casually as his -inner eagerness would permit.</p> - -<p>The cruiser's captain looked stern, and scowled darkly. And then, -perhaps because of the fading hope he saw in Dawson's eyes, he smiled -broadly, and nodded.</p> - -<p>"I fancy so," he said. "After all, you two chaps have got just so much -<i>leave</i> coming, you know. Haven't the heart to make you spend any more -of it than you have to aboard my ship. Probably never hear the end of -it from the R.A.F. chaps. Get enough ragging from them as it is. So -right you are, then. You can take one of my planes. But see that you -deliver it in New York in good shape, mind you! We'll pick it up in a -week or so. Not that a cruiser really needs aircraft, you understand. -However, the blasted things do have their uses now and then."</p> - -<p>"Yes, of course, sir," Dawson replied, refusing to rise to the bait. -"And thank you, sir, for granting the request."</p> - -<p>"Quite, sir," Freddy Farmer echoed politely. "At any other time both -Dawson and I should love to—"</p> - -<p>"Not likely, you would!" the senior officer growled. "You flying chaps -hate blue water. Much prefer blue sky. But you're all a little balmy, -of course. Give me a good solid deck under my feet, and—But never -mind. Birds of different feathers, and all that. Hop along below, and -clean up. I'll have flying gear routed out, and one of the seaplanes -made ready. Good luck, and all that sort of thing."</p> - -<p>A few minutes later Dawson and Freddy Farmer were washing off U-boat -dirt and filth in a cabin turned over to them by one of the cruiser's -officers. They had set to work on the cleaning job in silence, but -presently Freddy Farmer couldn't hold back the words any longer.</p> - -<p>"What rotten luck, eh, Dave?" he said with a heavy sigh.</p> - -<p>Dawson wiped soapsuds from his eyes and squinted over at him.</p> - -<p>"Huh?" he ejaculated. "Rotten luck? You mean to do it in a few hours -instead of days aboard this tub? You gone nuts?"</p> - -<p>"Of course I don't mean that!" the English youth snapped back at him. -"I don't fancy cruisers any more than you do. I'm speaking about -that confounded business aboard the U-boat. About that envelope for -Secretary Hull. Of course you did the right thing to get rid of it in -the bomber. But it would have been wonderful if we could have managed -to save it."</p> - -<p>"That's what I figured," Dawson grunted through the towel on his face. -"So I decided to take the chance, pal."</p> - -<p>In a flash Freddy Farmer was across the cabin and had him by both arms.</p> - -<p>"What?" he cried. "What did you say, Dave? You don't mean—?"</p> - -<p>Dawson shook himself free, and chuckled.</p> - -<p>"What else?" he demanded, and picked up his ripped and torn tunic off -the bunk. "Sure thing, kid. I took the chance of tossing <i>Herr</i> Miller -for a loss with a couple of loads of good old Yankee bluff. So I called -the turn right on him before he could get set. I told him I'd ditched -the thing, and held out my tunic and started ripping open the lining -to get him all mixed up. And—well, he was a nice guy and <i>did</i> get -all mixed up—and dropped his guard, you might say. Gosh, Freddy, just -think! That darn letter was right there in the pocket of the tunic I -shoved in his face. Maybe he even heard the paper crackle. See? Here -'tis, Freddy. A bit wrinkled, but maybe the Secretary of State will -forgive us for its appearance."</p> - -<p>Dawson had pulled the wrinkled envelope from the inner pocket of his -tunic and was holding it out to Freddy Farmer. However, the English -youth didn't touch it. In fact, he backed away slowly and sat down hard -on the edge of the bunk. And his face was one great picture of absolute -dumbfounded amazement.</p> - -<p>"Good grief, good grief!" he gasped over and over again. "Good grief, -you actually <i>did</i> do it, Dave! Will miracles never cease! Why, I never -would believe that—"</p> - -<p>"See?" Dawson cut in with a sad shake of his head. "You save the bum's -life, and you pull rabbits out of a hat, and the guy has the nerve to -tell you he doesn't believe you. He—"</p> - -<p>"I didn't say any such thing!" Freddy cried. "I simply said that I—"</p> - -<p>"Now, don't try to get out from under!" Dave shut him off and waggled a -finger. "I know perfectly well that you—<i>Blub</i>!"</p> - -<p>The last was as the wet towel came into his face. And for the next -couple of minutes the cruiser's captain would have had sixteen -epileptic fits if he had stuck his head inside that cabin and seen -those "flying chaps" roughhousing it out with wet towels and gobs of -soapsuds!</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_EIGHT" id="CHAPTER_EIGHT">CHAPTER EIGHT</a><br /> -<small><i>Home Again</i></small></h2> - - -<p>The dimout hour for the eastern seaboard of the United States was -not many minutes away as Dawson slid the cruiser's seaplane down to -a perfect landing in the La Guardia Airport basin. As soon as he had -settled, he taxied over to the mooring ramp where attendants took over -and tied up. Then Freddy and he stepped ashore and started for the -Customs Office.</p> - -<p>"Fine lot we've got to declare!" Freddy Farmer spoke for the first -time in quite a while. "What with our bags still aboard that Lockheed, -and down at the bottom of the Atlantic. I'll never forgive the Jerry -beggars for that dirty trick."</p> - -<p>"Nuts to baggage!" Dawson cried cheerily, and sucked air deep into -his lungs. "We're home, pal! That's what counts. Hot dog! Get a load -of this Yankee air, Freddy. It'll do wonders for that flat chest of -yours. It—Hey! What are you grabbing my arm for?"</p> - -<p>The English youth didn't answer. He simply grabbed Dawson's arm with -one hand, and pointed the other at the door of the airport's Customs -Office. The Yank air ace took a good look, and stopped dead in his -tracks.</p> - -<p>"Holy smoke!" he gasped. "Boy! Do they keep tabs on the comings and -goings of you and me, pal! That's Colonel Welsh, of U. S. Intelligence. -How in thunder did he know we were landing here?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps that cruiser's radio," Freddy grunted. "Or maybe direct from -the Air Ministry. But he's here, right enough. And here he comes. Funny -thing, though, Dave."</p> - -<p>"What's funny?" Dawson prompted when Freddy didn't continue.</p> - -<p>"The feeling I've got," the English youth replied in a low tone. "I -suppose it's a bit rotten of me to feel this way, but—well, to be -perfectly frank, Dave, I don't think I'm greatly overjoyed that Colonel -Welsh is here to meet us."</p> - -<p>"Huh? Not glad that—?" Dawson began, and stopped short with a gulp. -"Oh-oh! I get you, pal. And check and double check. I've got that same -feeling. Colonel Welsh isn't the one to take time out to greet a -couple of guys going on leave."</p> - -<p>"Of course, he could be just making sure that we carried right on down -to Washington," Freddy Farmer murmured.</p> - -<p>"Oh, sure, sure!" Dawson grunted. "And maybe, too, he just wants to -know how the weather was when we left England. Nope. No soap, Freddy. -Much as I like the colonel, and he <i>is</i> one swell person, whenever -he pops into the picture you can bet your bottom dollar that there's -something cooked up for you to do."</p> - -<p>"Yes, quite," Freddy sighed unhappily. "But it was a wonderful leave we -spent—at sea."</p> - -<p>"Couldn't have been better, unless we'd spent it on dry land," Dave -shot out of the corner of his mouth. Then, as the Chief of U. S. -Intelligence came within earshot, he said, "Well, well, hello, sir! We -certainly didn't expect to see you."</p> - -<p>"No, Dawson?" the senior officer chuckled as he returned their salute, -and then shook hands with them both. "Not disappointed, I hope? Got the -flash you'd been launched from that cruiser, and so I flew right up to -meet you. Well, you two have been mixing up in it again, as usual, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Wasn't any of our doing, sir," Freddy Farmer grinned. "Sort of forced -on us, you might say. Forced on Dawson, rather. He's quite a hero. -Better than a story book hero, and all that. Why, Colonel, if it had -not been for Captain Dave Dawson, we'd—"</p> - -<p>"Okay, okay!" Dave interrupted. "The colonel is an old friend, Freddy. -He knows us both. Skip it, pal. But, Colonel, is it all right to ask -what brings you here?"</p> - -<p>For a split second the Intelligence Chief stiffened. His thin face even -paled slightly, and he shot a quick glance back over his shoulder.</p> - -<p>"You didn't bring it?" he asked sharply. "You lost it, or were forced -to destroy it?"</p> - -<p>"We have it, sir," Dawson told him quietly, and started to reach for -his tunic pocket. "We're to turn it over to you?"</p> - -<p>"No, no, don't!" the colonel said quickly. "Not here. Just wanted to -know that you have it, so I won't have to make other plans. Well, it's -time to eat, I'd say. I've arranged with Customs, and the Military, so -come along with me. I've got my car. You're putting up for the night at -the Astor. Suite of rooms all reserved for you. So we might as well eat -there. And I want to hear of your latest venture, with all the details, -of course. But let's get going and—Well, what do you know! I haven't -yet said that I'm glad to see you. However, I certainly am—much more -than either of you may realize."</p> - -<p>Some three hours later, Dawson leaned back in his chair in the Astor -main dining-room, and vaguely wondered if his tunic buttons were going -to stay on, or pop and go sailing across the room. It was his first -made-in-America meal in many, many months, and without any prompting -from Colonel Welsh he had started at the top of the menu card and gone -right down the list. Freddy Farmer was still eating, but then, he was -starting down the list for the second time.</p> - -<p>"Well, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised at anything you two pull -off," Colonel Welsh suddenly broke the moment or two of silence. "But -this latest is certainly tops for sheer nerve."</p> - -<p>"And bluff," Dawson interrupted with a chuckle. "Just plain bluff, -and one hundred per cent good luck. And if you want the honest truth, -Colonel, if anybody had ever told me I'd try for a crazy long shot like -that, I'd have told them they were nuts from away back. And that's a -fact."</p> - -<p>"Bluff, or luck, you did get away with it, Dawson," the colonel said -with a smile. "And that's the important thing. But let's get off the -war for a little while. Tell me, how does it feel to be back in the -United States, you two? Of course, Dawson, I've got a pretty good idea -how you feel about it. What about you, Farmer?"</p> - -<p>The English youth smiled and gave a shrug.</p> - -<p>"I fancy it's all right, sir," he said. "I've always been very fond of -America, and there's no reason why I should change now. Of course, I'd -have much rather spent our leave in England, but Dave, here, pulled one -of your American tricks on me, and I had to come along."</p> - -<p>"He's just a hard-headed guy, sir," Dawson explained as Colonel Welsh -looked puzzled. "We tossed for it, two out of three, and I won. He -still can't get it out of his head that it wasn't crooked."</p> - -<p>"But you see, Dave," Freddy spoke up gravely, "I've known you so long, -and so well."</p> - -<p>"Ouch!" Dawson cried, and clapped a hand to his jaw. "And to think -he's the ungrateful cuss whose life I saved a few hours back. But you -can bet your life, Colonel, he wasn't making any of his smart cracks -<i>then</i>! You should have seen the way he gazed at me. Such dumb appeal, -and befuddlement, and helplessness in his eyes. Reminded me of a little -kitten I once found lost in a snow bank. Only difference was the kitten -didn't give me the high-hat afterward. Okay, my little man! Next time -we're stuck aboard a U-boat <i>you</i> can get us out of it!"</p> - -<p>"Not a chance!" Freddy said quickly. "Because if I've got anything to -say about it, and I hope I'll have, I'm never going to step inside one -of those things again."</p> - -<p>"Amen to that!" Colonel Welsh breathed.</p> - -<p>The trio lapsed into silence for a few minutes after that. Freddy -Farmer was content to go on eating, Colonel Welsh seemed to be mulling -over some serious thoughts, and Dave was wondering whether or not this -was the right place or time to bring up a most important subject. A -most important subject, and one that had been worrying him not a little -ever since they'd landed at the La Guardia Airport basin. In short, -the envelope addressed to Secretary of State Cordell Hull that he -still carried in his inside tunic pocket. Rather, the envelope he had -transferred from his ripped and torn tunic to the fresh and clean one -that had been sent up to the hotel suite.</p> - -<p>Apart from Colonel Welsh asking that single question as to whether or -not they had brought the envelope, not a word had been mentioned about -it. And that fact had Dawson worried, plenty. No, not exactly worried. -It had him more bewildered and befuddled. He was sure that the -Intelligence Chief had come up to New York to accompany them down to -Washington and present them to the Secretary of State. But the senior -officer hadn't even said he was going to do that. In fact, he hadn't -spoken about anything that he was going to do. He'd simply rushed -them over here to the Astor, seen that they were comfortable, that -clean uniforms and so forth were sent up, and then had gone away to -return in an hour and take them down to dinner. And all during dinner -the conversation hadn't once touched on the sealed envelope still in -Dawson's pocket.</p> - -<p>Was it possible that this <i>was</i> just a friendly meeting? Was it -possible that Colonel Welsh didn't know anything about the sealed -envelope? Was it possible that the Chief of U. S. Intelligence didn't -have a darned thing cooked up for Freddy Farmer and himself? Those and -hundreds of other questions whirled and spun around in Dave's brain, as -he relaxed comfortably in his chair and let his eyes roam absently over -the well filled dining-room. He wondered plenty about those thought -questions, but there was one thing he <i>wanted</i>, not wondered. That was -to get rid of the confounded envelope. It had come much, much too close -for comfort to spelling curtains for Freddy and himself. He would -be glad when he was rid of it, and the sooner that time arrived, the -happier he would be.</p> - -<p>"That envelope you're carrying for Secretary Hull, Dawson—" The -Colonel's words seemed suddenly to explode in his ears. "You've got it -with you? Or are you carrying it, Farmer?"</p> - -<p>Dave jerked his head around, gulped, and nodded.</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, sir, I've got it," he said.</p> - -<p>The colonel reached out his hand as though he were asking for the salt -and pepper.</p> - -<p>"I'll take it," he said. "Give it to me. You're probably pretty sick of -carrying it around by now."</p> - -<p>Dawson hesitated a moment, completely at sea as to just what to do. The -orders at Croydon Airport had been to deliver it in person to no one -but the Secretary of State. Of course, Colonel Welsh was different. If -he couldn't be trusted, then—</p> - -<p>"It's all right, Dawson," the other's quiet voice broke into his -scrambled thoughts. "I realize just what you're thinking. And I don't -blame you. However, the Secretary is out of Washington for a few days, -so you can give it to me."</p> - -<p>"Yes, sure, sir," Dawson gulped. "But—but right <i>here</i>?"</p> - -<p>"It's all right, don't worry," the colonel said quietly.</p> - -<p>Dawson didn't hesitate any more after that. He had been given an order -by a superior officer, and there wasn't anything he could do but obey. -So he reached inside his tunic, took out the wrinkled and slightly -dirtied envelope and handed it over.</p> - -<p>"The mailman fell in a mud puddle, sir," he said in a half-hearted -attempt at humor. "Sorry."</p> - -<p>Colonel Welsh looked at him and grinned. Then as both Freddy Farmer and -Dawson stared pop-eyed, he ripped open the flap of the envelope and -took a quick look inside. He smiled again, and nodded, and stuck the -envelope in his own inside tunic pocket.</p> - -<p>"Fine, boys, fine!" he grunted. "This may mean a lot of changes in -this war. But let's forget the war. I guess you haven't heard that -story that's going the rounds about the private and the sergeant of the -guard? It's very funny."</p> - -<p>The Chief of U. S. Intelligence made a little gesture with one hand and -hitched his chair closer to the table. Then he casually took a cigar -from his pocket, and took his own sweet time about lighting it up. And -then, just as Dawson was about to explode in confusion, he heard the -colonel's low voice carry to him through the cloud of cigar smoke.</p> - -<p>"Act as though this one were a howl," he said. "But keep your ears -open, and listen carefully. You, Dawson! When I pick up my dessert -spoon, let your napkin fall down under the table. Go down after it, and -when you get down you'll see another envelope held between my knees. -Snake it into your napkin and sit up again. And when you get the chance -slip that envelope into your pocket. All right. Here goes with the -story. Show lots of interest, and grin and chuckle!"</p> - -<p>With that the colonel paused a moment, and then started in on a long -drawn out story about a private and a sergeant of the guard. But Dave -only heard every other word, if that many. His brain was spinning -like a top, and a crazy, cockeyed jumble of thoughts were having a -wonderful time playing leap frog. And all the time he watched to see -when Colonel Welsh would pick up his dessert spoon. What in thunder -was all this about? What other envelope? And why was the Colonel being -so cagey about how he was to get it? Holy smoke! Hadn't he just handed -Secretary Hull's envelope across the table? Why should the colonel get -fancy and make him do tricks to get another envelope he held between -his knees? Or was it that something very heavy had dropped down on the -Intelligence Chief's head since their last meeting, and the man had -gone just a little screwy?</p> - -<p>Dawson had no idea, and it was utterly useless even to try to guess. -His war experience had taught him to try to take things in stride, and -expect 'most anything, and 'most everything. The minute you stopped -to figure out the whys and wherefores of things that happened in this -crazy war, you were sunk. And so Dawson half listened to the long drawn -out story, grinned or chuckled in what he hoped were the right places, -and kept half an eye on Colonel Welsh's dessert spoon.</p> - -<p>And then, suddenly, the senior officer picked it up and dipped it into -the untouched dish of ice cream that was before him. A split second -later Dawson gave his napkin a shove so that it dropped off his knees -and down under the table onto the floor.</p> - -<p>"Excuse me a second, sir," he said, and pushed back his chair a little.</p> - -<p>He ducked his head down, and reached for the napkin on the floor. It -was there, of course, and so was a letter sticking out from between -Colonel Welsh's knees. In one lightning-like motion Dawson scooped -up the napkin, flipped it over the extended letter, and sat up in his -chair again with the napkin back in his lap, and the envelope safely -hidden under it.</p> - -<p>"... And so that's why Private Jones swore he'd never be a sergeant of -the guard," Colonel Welsh said, and grinned broadly as Freddy Farmer -burst into laughter.</p> - -<p>"That's top-hole, sir!" the English youth cried. "Very, very funny, -really!"</p> - -<p>"Sure is a pip, sir," Dawson said as he forced his own lips to grin -broadly. "I must remember that one. I sure must."</p> - -<p>"I thought it was pretty good, myself," Colonel Welsh nodded. Then, -as he seemingly decided against the ice cream, he went on, "Well, -how about a walk around New York in the dimout? It's like high noon -compared to London and the other cities across the Pond. But maybe -you'll get a kick out of it."</p> - -<p>"Well, it's New York," Dawson grinned, and pushed back his chair. "So -that makes it okay with me. Okay with you, Freddy?"</p> - -<p>The English youth cast a fond parting glance at the menu, and shrugged.</p> - -<p>"Right you are, then," he said. "Perhaps on the way back we can pop in -some place for a midnight bite, what?"</p> - -<p>"Not a chance, pal," Dave said, and threw a quick wink at Colonel -Welsh. "Wartime rules and regulations. I read about them in England. No -male or female over fifteen years of age can have more than seven meals -per day."</p> - -<p>"<i>Seven</i> meals per day?" Freddy Farmer echoed, and looked puzzled.</p> - -<p>Dawson nodded at the collection of empty dishes in front of where the -English youth had been sitting.</p> - -<p>"And if that lay-out didn't total up to <i>eight</i> full meals, then I -don't know my groceries," he said. "So come along, before the head -waiter hails a cop to haul you in for busting the law so soon!"</p> - -<p>"Blast if I wouldn't stay here and wait for him," Freddy said with a -long sigh, "if I only knew that the food in your American jails was as -good as this!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_NINE" id="CHAPTER_NINE">CHAPTER NINE</a><br /> -<small><i>White TNT</i></small></h2> - - -<p>After the blaze of lights, the countless intricate neon signs, and the -thousand and one other things that made New York night life famous -the world around, the dimout condition was a strange thing indeed to -witness. Strange, and interesting, and so utterly unreal to a native -Yank who had seen the city so many times before Hitler drew his bloody -butcher's sword.</p> - -<p>Yes, strange, and interesting, and quite unreal. But not to Dave -Dawson. Nor to Freddy Farmer, for that matter. For the very simple -reason that they were two youths with a great big absorbing problem on -their minds. Rather, it was a great big question mark, that neither -of them could begin to figure out. And so they could very easily have -strolled through the streets of the New York World Fair and not paid -much attention to what they saw.</p> - -<p>And as they walked up Broadway, and over to Fifth Avenue, and on down -around the Grand Central section, it was all Dawson could do to refrain -from blurting out the one and obvious question in his mind. In short, -what in thunderation was this second sealed envelope all about? Just as -the first one had done, this second envelope was practically burning -holes in his tunic pocket. It was the same overall size as the other -one, but it was considerably fatter than the first. By fingering it he -could guess that there were several folded sheets of paper inside. And -stiff paper, too, he imagined. This second envelope didn't "give" so -much with the movements of his body. Fact was, whenever he bent over -quickly a corner of it would stick into his ribs.</p> - -<p>And, as had happened once before, his thoughts were all on a certain -sealed envelope in his inside tunic pocket when suddenly Colonel -Welsh's voice broke right through his train of thought.</p> - -<p>"Relax about that thing in your pocket, Dawson," the senior officer -said in a low voice. "You'll both get full explanations in a little -while. First, though, I want to make sure of something. Take it easy, -and let's walk back to the hotel along Forty-Second Street. Good old -New York. I'm not a native here, but I always loved this town."</p> - -<p>"Me, too," Dawson said with a grin and a nod. "They say that if you -hunt long enough and hard enough in New York you can find a touch of -every other country in the world in it."</p> - -<p>"True as the day you were born," Colonel Welsh agreed instantly. -"Including Hitler's Gestapo."</p> - -<p>"Eh?" Freddy Farmer gasped out. "What was that you said, sir?"</p> - -<p>"The Gestapo," the Colonel repeated in a low voice. "At least, I'm -willing to bet my shirt on it. Spotted him in the Astor dining-room, -and he's been tagging along after us ever since."</p> - -<p>A wild urge to turn around and look back swept through Dawson. However, -he killed the urge and kept his eyes front.</p> - -<p>"Then he must have seen you take that envelope, sir," he said quietly, -"In the dining-room."</p> - -<p>"That's what I hope," Colonel Welsh replied quietly. "And the way he's -tagging around after us now seems to indicate as much."</p> - -<p>"The dirty blighter!" Freddy Farmer muttered. "What's the chap look -like, sir? Let's duck around the next corner, and give the beggar -something to think about when he comes around. Matter of fact, sir, -why have you been letting him tag us around?"</p> - -<p>The Chief of U. S. Intelligence didn't answer that question at once. -Instead he came to a stop and nodded his head toward a small all-night -restaurant on the other side of the street.</p> - -<p>"Not that we're hungry," he said, "but let's go in there for a small -bite or two."</p> - -<p>"A splendid idea!" Freddy Farmer replied enthusiastically.</p> - -<p>"It always is, with you!" Dawson growled. "Me, I won't be able to look -food in the face again for hours."</p> - -<p>"Full up, myself," Colonel Welsh grunted. "But that's a good place -to talk. It's half empty now. We can get a corner table where we can -keep an eye on the door. Then, if our little Gestapo friend—and, of -course, I could be wrong—comes inside, you can get a good look at him. -But let's go in and rest the feet, anyway. And I'll try to give you a -little bit of the picture."</p> - -<p>A few minutes later the trio was seated at a corner table in the -all-night restaurant, and the waiter had taken their orders. Coffee and -sinkers for Dawson and the colonel, and a three-decker sandwich for -"starving" Freddy Farmer.</p> - -<p>"First, I'll answer your question, Farmer," Colonel Welsh began in a -low voice. "I'll answer it by saying that sometimes it's better to let -a spy go free than to throw him into jail, or put him in front of a -firing squad. The reason, I think, is fairly obvious. Throw a spy in -jail, or shoot him, and he is no longer useful to anybody. But, on the -other hand, let him go free, and keep your eye on him, and oftentimes -he'll lead you to bigger fish. But in the case of this chap we think is -following us around, I'm not dead sure that he is Gestapo. True, I'm -just about as sure as I can be, but we haven't as yet learned exactly -where he fits into the Axis picture of espionage in this country. -So we've been giving him plenty of rope, in the hope that he'll -unknowingly add to our knowledge of Axis activities in this country."</p> - -<p>The senior officer paused for a moment to grin, and give a little shrug -of his shoulders.</p> - -<p>"He's following us around," he said presently, "but one of my men is -also following him around. So, as you might say, we're keeping tabs on -him both coming and going."</p> - -<p>"I had a hunch that was so," Dawson grunted. "Didn't figure you'd carry -that envelope around and present your unprotected back to any trailing -Nazi. But I still don't get the idea why you had me hand it over in -plain view of anybody who was there to take a look."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I know," the colonel said with a chuckle. "I've been watching -both of you go quietly screwy wondering what it was all about. -And—well, what I'm about to say will give you both quite a jolt, -considering your little experience out there on the North Atlantic. -But before you both hit the roof, give me a chance to explain. The -sealed envelope you two escorted across the ocean contains nothing but -a few sheets of blank paper. And not blank paper with invisible writing -either. Just plain blank paper you could pick up in any ten-cent store."</p> - -<p>Both Dawson and Farmer stiffened as though they had been shot in the -back. For a long minute both held their breath clamped in their lungs -as they stared at Colonel Welsh out of wide, disbelieving eyes. Then, -finally, Dawson managed to regain control of his tongue.</p> - -<p>"Maybe you'd better repeat that, sir," he said with an effort. "That -envelope addressed to Secretary of State Cordell Hull was nothing but a -lot of blank paper? And Freddy, and I—?"</p> - -<p>"That's right," the other replied quietly. "Just blank paper. And you -and Farmer darned near lost your lives over a sealed envelope of blank -paper. But—well, it was something like the stunt you pulled on that -<i>Herr</i> Miller, Dawson. The very fact that you were so eager to have him -search you convinced him that you <i>didn't</i> have what he wanted. And -that conviction baffled him so, that you were able to catch him off -guard, and get away with your colossal bluff. In other words, by doing -the one thing he didn't expect you to do, you made him believe that you -had done the exact opposite."</p> - -<p>The Chief of U.S. Intelligence took time out for a moment to light up a -cigar.</p> - -<p>"Well, we did something the same way, you might say," he continued -presently. "But I'll have to give you a bit of history by way of -explanation. At a recent meeting between Prime Minister Churchill and -President Roosevelt, and their respective staffs, a detailed agreement -was reached regarding the vitally important matter of military and -economic aid to China. The entire program was mapped out in detail. -And after the meeting a pledge was drawn up—a secret pledge to -Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, and the Chinese peoples. It was perhaps -one of the most secret documents drawn up in this war thus far. It -contained everything. Amounts of guns, tanks, planes, ammunition, and -so forth to be delivered by England and the United States to China. -The supply routes to be followed. Dates of arrival. Troop strength, -flying strength, and ground crew strength, and so forth. Plus locations -of air bases selected by an Air Forces commission recently returned -from China. In short, everything that China wants, needs, and wishes to -know."</p> - -<p>The senior officer paused again to take care of his cigar that had gone -out.</p> - -<p>"Well," he continued as blue cigar smoke drifted ceilingward, "all that -was drawn up here in the States, and signed by the necessary parties. -Then it was sent to England for English signatures. Right there we -threw Axis rats, who had got wind of the document, off the track for -a short time. It seems that they expected it all to be drawn up in -England, and sent over here for signatures. So they kept watchful eyes -on all our courier planes, diplomatic pouches, and such, ready to leap -and strike the instant that document was on its way back to the States. -Naturally, for the Axis boys to get their hands on that agreement would -be worth a dozen victories in the field. Not only would they learn -what we could, and could not, do for China, but they could use it as a -powerful propaganda weapon against China. Particularly, the Japs could -use it. Imagine how the brave Chinese would feel to find out first -from their enemies what their allies were going to do for them! It -would put the war in the Far East back a full year, at least. So it was -absolutely essential to keep this agreement a perfect secret, get it -to Chiang Kai-shek's hands by a fast route the Axis spies would least -suspect, and then let Chiang Kai-shek decide what parts of it he would -let be made public, and what parts would continue to remain a secret."</p> - -<p>"Which, of course, ruled out the usual diplomatic channels," Dawson -grunted as the senior officer paused for breath. "Or even a special -courier. The Axis rats would probably smell out both angles."</p> - -<p>"Exactly as we figured it," Colonel Welsh grunted, with a nod for -emphasis. "<i>But</i>, to make doubly sure of everything, it was decided to -cross up the Axis agents in England. In other words, to actually slip -it into a diplomatic pouch bound for Washington by plane, <i>but</i> make -it appear that we were trying to sneak it out of the country by secret -courier. By the way, did you two enjoy meeting Mr. Soo Wong Kai?"</p> - -<p>Dawson and Farmer sat bolt upright again.</p> - -<p>"And how, particularly Freddy, here!" Dawson gasped. "But—? Oh, so -that wasn't just one of those things, eh? He was part of the picture, -too?"</p> - -<p>"Very much so," Colonel Welsh replied. "And it worked out just as we -hoped it would. Axis eyes saw him meet with you. They saw him hurry -back to the Air Ministry. They naturally figured that he was giving -his okay on you two taking the document out of the country. They were -unquestionably dead sure when they saw an Air Ministry courier later -tear out to Croydon Airport. And it's ten to one they actually saw the -Croydon commandant turn an envelope over to you. What they <i>didn't</i> -know was that the real envelope had actually left England by air twelve -hours before!"</p> - -<p>As the senior officer paused, Dawson gulped and wiped a hand across his -forehead.</p> - -<p>"Boy! Am I glad I was in the dark all the time!" he breathed. "For a -bunch of blank paper I don't think I'd have been so keen to stick my -neck out."</p> - -<p>"Quite!" Freddy Farmer echoed. "Though, of course, I wouldn't have -remained the blasted Nazi's prisoner any longer than I could have -helped."</p> - -<p>"I know just how both of you feel," Colonel Welsh said softly. "In -a way, it was a low-down dirty trick to play on you two. A trick -that might have cost two lives the United Nations can ill afford to -lose. But if and when you get to thinking about it being a raw deal, -try and remember this. You never would have been chosen for that red -herring mission if we hadn't had absolute faith that you two would put -it across. And that you did simply confirms the faith that the High -Command has in you two."</p> - -<p>"Well, thanks, sir," Dawson mumbled. "But don't worry about me thinking -it over. I want to forget it, and how. From now on every time I see a -batch of blank paper I know doggone well that I'll break out in a cold -sweat. But just the same, it does make me feel good to know that Freddy -and I have that degree of the High Command's confidence, whether we -deserve it or not."</p> - -<p>"Yes, quite!" was all that Freddy Farmer could add to his pal's -statement.</p> - -<p>"Well, it's certainly deserved!" Colonel Welsh told them gravely. -"No doubt about that. But to get on with the story. While you two -were still at sea—and I do mean at sea—the document was received in -Washington, and turned over to me. When you arrived on this side we -knew that attempts would be made to get to you, if they had not already -been made. Which, of course, they were. So I came up to meet you, -knowing full well that Axis agents would follow me sooner or later. -So I took you to that hotel, and to dinner, with the express idea of -taking Axis agents off you. In other words, with the express idea of -making it appear to watching Axis rats that you had completed your part -of the mission, and were now definitely out of the picture. To make -them forget you, and concentrate <i>on me</i>. So I had you turn over that -envelope right there in the dining-room. I took a chance, yes. But what -I hope I gained counts most. In short, they know now that I have it. -And they will soon learn, by keeping tabs on me, that I'm returning -to Washington tonight. They saw it handed to me. They haven't got to -wonder if, or if you didn't, slip it to me when we were alone in your -suite before dinner."</p> - -<p>As the senior officer paused, Dawson licked his lips, and found it -terribly difficult to ask aloud the question that was uppermost in his -mind.</p> - -<p>"And—and that second envelope, sir?" he finally managed to get out.</p> - -<p>Colonel Welsh nodded slowly.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Dawson," he said quietly. "It is. And while I am knocking the -pins out from under you two, I might as well give you the bad news -now. Your two months leave has been postponed—until after you've -arrived in Chungking, China, and have seen Generalissimo Chiang -Kai-shek."</p> - -<p>Dawson looked at him for a moment, then turned his head and met Freddy -Farmer's eyes. A moment later they both started to chuckle.</p> - -<p>"What goes on here?" Colonel Welsh demanded with a frown. "What strikes -you so funny?"</p> - -<p>"Well, to be headed for Chungking is sort of a surprise, sir," Dawson -explained. "But—well, to have our leave tossed overboard isn't. You -see, sir, when we first spotted you at La Guardia Airport, we had a -hunch that you weren't there just to say hello to us. We were pretty -sure that—Well—I mean, that is—"</p> - -<p>"That seeing me meant trouble, eh?" Colonel Welsh groaned. "Yes, I -understand. It happens all the time. I guess I'm the most unpopular man -in the armed forces. And that's one reason why I told you long ago, -when we first met, never to let yourself get promoted to a high rank in -Intelligence. You either get shot, or avoided by friend and foe alike."</p> - -<p>"Well, it's okay by us, sir," Dawson put in quickly. "The truth of the -matter is that both Freddy and I would go nuts by the time two months -were up. Also, we both do want to see China. We said so to Soo Wong -Kai. But gosh! Little did we know what <i>he</i> knew then."</p> - -<p>"Aren't you right!" Freddy Farmer grunted. "And I certainly hope we -have the good fortune to meet him again."</p> - -<p>"Yeah!" Dawson shot at him with a grin. "Provided, of course, he has -a good stock of meat ration coupons! But you say you're heading for -Washington tonight, sir?"</p> - -<p>"In a little over an hour," the senior officer replied after a glance -at his wrist-watch. "But about you two. It will appear as though you're -going to carry on with the regular program. The War Bond speeches, I -mean. Your first stop is scheduled to be made in San Francisco the -day after tomorrow. There's even a piece in tonight's New York papers -to that effect. So tomorrow at nine you will go to La Guardia Airport -and board a TAT transport plane for San Francisco. Reservations have -already been made for you. In Frisco you'll be met by the military -commandant out there, Major General Hawks. Ostensibly, you'll be -staying at his quarters. But actually you won't be there long. You'll -be loaned a plane for a courtesy flight about the city and Bay. But -you'll go on down the Coast to an emergency field that General Hawks -will tell you about. There a Fortress will be awaiting you. It will -take you to Honolulu, and from there to Darwin, Australia. And from -Darwin you'll fly to Calcutta, India. And from Calcutta to Chungking, -China. If all goes well you should be in Chungking by the end of the -week. So, strictly speaking, you'll be simply postponing your leave one -week."</p> - -<p>"And I bet we'll want to spend it all sitting in rocking chairs, after -that bit of cloud hopping!" Dawson said with a chuckle. "Just a little -fifteen thousand mile joy-ride."</p> - -<p>"And my prayers are that it'll be just that!" Colonel Welsh said -grimly. Then, "Well, we'd better get on back to your hotel. I guess you -two can do with some sleep. Any changes, or additional instructions, -will be flashed to you en route. And—well, what can I say but the same -old thing I've said to you countless times? Good luck, and Godspeed, to -both of you. The prayers of the civilized world will be for you."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, sir," Dawson said quietly, as they all stood up. "And we'll -get to Chungking. You can count on it. But one thing, sir?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Dawson?"</p> - -<p>Dave gave the slightest of nods toward the street outside.</p> - -<p>"Our little rat pal, if he's still around, sir," he said. "I mean, I -hope you'll watch your step going back to Washington tonight. I hope he -doesn't try to pull anything on you, sir."</p> - -<p>Colonel Welsh grinned, but only with his lips. His eyes held the glint -of polished cold steel.</p> - -<p>"On the contrary, I hope he does!" he said softly. "I sure do hope so. -It's been quite a spell since I've had the chance to chalk up a Nazi -rat. Yes, I hope he tries to shoot the works. I could do with a little -workout on him, or them!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_TEN" id="CHAPTER_TEN">CHAPTER TEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Wings Westward</i></small></h2> - - -<p>The sun was a solid red ball of flame balanced perfectly on the western -lip of the world, as the Army Air Forces Flying Fortress eased down -to a perfect landing at Hickam Field, on the island of Oahu, in the -Hawaiians. On the way down, both Dawson and Freddy Farmer took a good -look at Pearl Harbor, where on December Seventh of the year before -treacherous Jap wings had left their mark of death and destruction. By -now, however, practically every visual reminder of that terrible day -had disappeared. Sunken and half sunken ships were once again on the -surface, or in dry dock, receiving last-minute repairs before steaming -out to join the Pacific Fleet and pay back ten times over what they -had suffered. And the shambles that had been made of Hickam Field that -day was also just a blood-boiling memory. New shops, new hangars, new -barracks, and so forth, had sprung up like mushrooms almost overnight. -In fact, even to Dawson and Farmer, who had seen that airfield at its -worst, it seemed well nigh incredible that it was actually one and the -same place. And it was Freddy Farmer who made the first comment.</p> - -<p>"Our navigator didn't get us off course, did he, by any chance?" he -grunted at Dave, with a gesture of his hand earthward. "I mean, that -really is Hickam Field down there, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"It is," Dave grinned back at him. "And some miracle, too, hey, pal? -Boy! When they roll up their sleeves around here and get to work, -they sure get to work. Last time we saw it a fly couldn't have landed -without running into a bomb crater, or a section of blasted hangar, or -something. Yup! The Navy and Army boys have sure done a wonderful job -here at Oahu. And how!"</p> - -<p>"Quite!" the English-born air ace echoed the compliment, and -unconsciously braced himself as the Flying Fortress touched ground and -trundled forward to a full stop.</p> - -<p>A few moments later it had taxied up to in front of the Administration -Building, and one of the crew had opened the fuselage door. Dawson -winked at Freddy, and grinned.</p> - -<p>"Well, so far so good, kid," he said, and pushed up out of his seat. -"Just another eight or nine thousand miles, and we'll be there."</p> - -<p>"Hardly worth thinking about, what?" Freddy groaned. "Gosh, but the -Pacific is a big ocean."</p> - -<p>"Yeah, and we've been looking at only the <i>top</i> of it!" Dave chuckled. -"Anyway, there's one thing we can be thankful for. We didn't have to -make any War Bond speeches in Frisco. Major General Hawks was a good -guy, and got us out of there fast."</p> - -<p>"And if we can get away from here just as fast, it'll suit me fine!" -Freddy Farmer grunted. "Not that I don't like flying, you understand. -But being a blasted passenger really isn't much fun."</p> - -<p>"Check with me, too," Dawson said, and groaned softly as he thought of -the countless over-water miles they still had to travel before they'd -reach Australia, and the countless miles from Darwin to Calcutta, -India. "Oh, well, this trip can't last forever."</p> - -<p>"For me, it's jolly well lasted that long already!" Freddy sighed, and -climbed down out of the Fortress.</p> - -<p>Hardly had both of them reached the ground before a headquarters -captain came up to them and saluted courteously.</p> - -<p>"Captains Dawson and Farmer?" he asked with a smile. "I'm Captain -Drake. General Stickney wants to see you right away, please. I've a -jeep right over here."</p> - -<p>"Fair enough, Captain," Dawson said with a grin and a nod. "Lead the -way, sir."</p> - -<p>A few minutes later the captain ushered them into the office of the -Commandant of the Hawaiian Area. He was a big man, and looked every -inch his rank, did General Stickney. As a matter of fact, as the -general's coal black eyes bored into his, Dawson had the sudden, crazy -sensation that he had done some wrong, and was being dragged up "on the -carpet" for punishment. It was just a crazy thought, of course, and was -gone almost as it was in his mind.</p> - -<p>"Sit down, Captains," the general said, and waved them to chairs. "I've -been waiting for you. Received a message from the War Department at -Washington. Had it decoded for you, and—well, here it is. It probably -makes sense to you two."</p> - -<p>The senior officer held out a slip of paper. Dawson took it and leaned -over so that Freddy could read it, too. It was from Colonel Welsh, and -read:</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"Boy friend disappeared. Possible he is wise. Suggest utmost caution. -Suggest you alter plans of route. Suggest you keep on constant alert. -All Army, Navy, and Air Forces units instructed to give you any help -requested. Good luck to destination. Secrecy absolutely essential."</p></blockquote> - -<p>Dawson read the decoded message through twice, and experienced the very -familiar, and very unpleasant sensation of cold lumps of lead beginning -to bounce around in the pit of his stomach. It was easy enough to read -between the lines. The Nazi agent had not trailed the colonel back -to Washington. And he had obviously shaken off the man trailing him. -In short, he had disappeared in thin air. That could mean one of two -things. One, that he had given up. And two, that he had not been fooled -by the bluff trick, and was somewhere close to Freddy's and his heels.</p> - -<p>Yet somehow that last didn't quite seem to check. Nothing had happened -during their short stay in San Francisco. Nor had anything happened -during the flight down the coast to the emergency field, or during the -flight to Pearl Harbor. It seemed just a little crazy to think that -the enemy would let Freddy and him get this far without showing their -hands. It must be that the colonel had been mistaken about a Nazi agent -sticking close to them in New York.</p> - -<p>"Maybe, and maybe not!" Dawson grunted softly. "But the colonel's not -one to yell wolf unless he feels he has darn good cause."</p> - -<p>"Then it is bad news, eh?"</p> - -<p>It was General Stickney who asked the question. Dawson looked at him, -smiled, and shrugged.</p> - -<p>"Not too bad, sir," he said. "But we certainly weren't exactly -expecting it."</p> - -<p>"Well, I've received those orders mentioned," the senior officer said -with a faint frown. "So if you've any requests to make, go ahead and -make them. It's obvious that you're on some kind of an important -mission, so we'll do all we can to cooperate."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, sir," Dawson said. "Right now, though, I can't think of a -thing to request. Fact is, sir, I guess the first thing is for Farmer -and myself to go into a huddle. To talk things over, I mean."</p> - -<p>General Stickney nodded and stood up.</p> - -<p>"My office is yours, Captains," he said with a wave of his hand. "Go -ahead and talk. And when you've reached some kind of a decision, I'll -be waiting in the mess lounge. All right, Captains. I'll leave you to -your huddle. Good luck, on whatever it is."</p> - -<p>The two air aces saluted smartly and waited for the senior officer to -leave. Then they relaxed and looked at each other.</p> - -<p>"And what do you make of it?" Dave asked, and tapped the paper still in -his hand.</p> - -<p>"Don't just know for sure," Freddy Farmer replied with a frown. "But it -certainly doesn't make me happy. The colonel's not the one to scare a -chap, so I take it that the business is more than just serious. I mean, -that that bloke wasn't fooled, and that he's got his eye on us. Yet—"</p> - -<p>The English youth came to a halt and gestured helplessly.</p> - -<p>"Just what I think, too," Dawson grunted. "If that's true, why did he -let us get away out here?"</p> - -<p>"Maybe he was forced to," Freddy Farmer murmured, and stared absently -out the office window. "Maybe we were a bit too fast for the blighter. -<i>And</i> maybe his job was turned over to some other chap!"</p> - -<p>"Huh?" Dave blinked at him. "How's that?"</p> - -<p>Freddy pointed a finger at the message.</p> - -<p>"The colonel suggests we alter our route," he said. "There are still -such things as secret radios, you know, Dave. But—well, it does seem -a little fantastic and story-bookish, doesn't it? After all, the only -thing the colonel knows is that the beggar has disappeared."</p> - -<p>"Sure," Dawson grunted. "He could have been clipped by a New York -taxi, and be in some hospital right now. I wouldn't want to bet on it, -though. For my money, I think we'd better take the colonel's warning as -real, and act accordingly. Frankly, it would suit me to take off from -here and fly non-stop to Chungking, and get it over with."</p> - -<p>"In what?" Farmer asked bluntly. "It's only about sixty-five hundred -miles from here to the Jap-occupied coast, you know. And several more -inland to Chungking!"</p> - -<p>"I know, I know!" Dawson growled. "I was only saying what I'd like to -do, not what we can do. That's out, of course. Too far, and too many -Japs in the way, of course. But we've got to get there somehow, and not -by the route we've planned. I—Hold everything!"</p> - -<p>"What now?" Freddy Farmer wanted to know.</p> - -<p>"The Navy is our best bet, Freddy!" Dawson said as excitement mounted -in his voice. "There's a chance that maybe the Navy can make things -easy as pie for us. Let's go!"</p> - -<p>"Go where?" the English youth demanded. "And what's on your mind, -anyway?"</p> - -<p>"Later," Dawson snapped, and turned toward the door. "If you should put -up an argument, it might convince me that the idea really is dizzy. -Besides, I want to mull it over a bit. Come on. Let's get General -Stickney to take us to the Navy commandant's office here. He's the one -who can make it possible, or impossible. Let's go!"</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer scowled and hesitated, but finally decided that any -questions would only fall on deaf ears, and went tagging along after -Dawson as the Yank barged out through the office door. And a half-hour -later they had the ears and the attention of Admiral Wallace, Naval -Commandant for the Area.</p> - -<p>"I'm sorry that secret orders forbid us from revealing our destination, -or intentions, sir," Dawson spoke for both of them, "but it is -essential that we get to the Far East as quickly as possible. And not -by way of Australia. Naturally, the trip must be made by air. Can -you tell me, sir, if any of your carrier task forces are located at -present between here and the China coast?"</p> - -<p>The senior naval officer didn't answer directly. He pursed his lips, -and quietly eyed the two youths. Then, perhaps, he remembered that -he also had received cooperation orders from the Navy Department at -Washington. At any rate, he presently sighed, and nodded.</p> - -<p>"Yes, two task forces," he said, and pointed at the huge pinpointed map -of the Pacific that covered one whole side of the room. "There is one -now operating three hundred miles north of Wake Island. And there is -another, of lighter strength, west of Jap-held Marcus Island, and just -about on the One Hundred and Fiftieth Meridian."</p> - -<p>"Perfect!" Dawson cried, and snapped his fingers. "That would be apple -pie for one of the Army's North American B-Twenty-Fives. They can land -and take off from a carrier."</p> - -<p>"What's that?" General Stickney spoke up. "You plan to reach the China -coast by hopping from carrier to carrier in a B-Twenty-Five?"</p> - -<p>"Not the China coast, sir," Dave told him quickly. "Our hop from -the last carrier will be to some spot in the Philippines. There are -still spots there that the Japs haven't taken yet. I mean, a couple -of our secret emergency fields. We can sit down there for our final -refueling."</p> - -<p>"Well, I was about to say you'd not have the gas to reach the China -coast from that last carrier," Admiral Wallace spoke up. "And you're -right, there are still one or two of our emergency fields in the -Philippines that the Japs haven't found yet."</p> - -<p>"Correct," General Stickney said with a nod. "Received the latest on -that matter from MacArthur only this morning. The best one still held -by us is just south of Legaspi."</p> - -<p>"Fine, sir, fine!" Dawson beamed. "Now, if you'll be good enough to -loan us a B-Twenty-Five from Air Forces here? And if you, Admiral, -will be kind enough to advise your task force commanders to be on the -look-out for us, and to give us fuel, Farmer and I will be getting -under way."</p> - -<p>"Under way?" General Stickney gasped. "You mean tonight, now? But what -about your crew?"</p> - -<p>"No crew, sir," Dawson said quietly. "Farmer and I will handle it -alone. Don't worry, sir. We'll manage okay."</p> - -<p>"Well, you two certainly have the reputation for such things," Admiral -Stickney said, and gave them both a hard stare. "But, personally, I'd -feel better about this crazy flight, if I knew a little more about -what you hope to do."</p> - -<p>"Sorry, sir," Dawson said, and smiled.</p> - -<p>"Don't worry, didn't expect you to say anything," the other growled. -"Orders are orders, and we've both received them. Very well, then. I'll -do my part. And you, General, can take care of the rest of it. When do -you want to leave, Dawson?"</p> - -<p>Dave turned his head and stared out at the shadows of night that had -closed down on the Hawaiians.</p> - -<p>"Within the hour, if it's possible, sir," he replied, and gave each of -the senior officers a questioning look.</p> - -<p>They scowled, and seemed not to like it at all, but they finally nodded.</p> - -<p>"In an hour, then," General Stickney grunted, and put on his service -cap. "I'll go tell Air Forces command to make ready a plane. But you -two had better have something at our mess before you take off. You've -at least got time for that, haven't you?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, quite, sir, and thank you!" Freddy Farmer spoke up before Dawson -could open his mouth.</p> - -<p>"Then, come along in my car," the Army commandant ordered, and headed -for the door.</p> - -<p>And it was just five minutes later when it happened!</p> - -<p>Just five minutes later when General Stickney was driving them along a -dirt road that curved about a dense palm grove. As a matter of fact, -the dim shadow of a figure streaked up off the side of the road so fast -that Dawson saw the flash of the gun, heard its roar of sound, and felt -the white hot spear of pain cut across the top of his left shoulder -before his brain could grasp what had taken place. Then, as the gun -barked the second time, and the car swerved violently and went hurtling -off the road into the ditch, Freddy Farmer, sitting next to Dave, -seemed to rise right straight in the air and turn completely over, and -his outflung right hand stabbed the darkness with red flame and sharp -sound three times in rapid succession. And then the car was in the -ditch and flopping over onto its side, as the engine roared in protest, -and the rear wheels spun furiously.</p> - -<p>A sharp crack on the head had filled Dawson's brain with colored stars -and comets. And then the next thing he realized he was sitting on soft -ground, and Freddy Farmer was shaking him by the shoulders.</p> - -<p>"Are you all right, Dave?" Freddy was demanding. "Did you get hit by -that blighter?"</p> - -<p>Dawson didn't answer. Reaction brought him up onto his feet fast, and -had him reaching for the small automatic he always carried in his tunic -pocket. He almost had it out before Freddy Farmer grabbed his arm.</p> - -<p>"Years late, old thing," the English youth said quietly. "The dirty -beggar is stone dead. Almost got the general, though. You sure you're -all right, General?"</p> - -<p>"As good as could be expected!" a voice growled close by in the -darkness. "Felt the wind of his bullet, though. Confound it! What goes -on here, anyway? That would-be killer was one of the Jap farmers from -one of the other islands. How the devil did he get over here? And why -in thunder was he trying to kill us off?"</p> - -<p>Freddy didn't offer an answer, and neither did Dawson. Instead, Dawson -walked up out of the ditch, and across the road to where General -Stickney, flashlight and gun in hand, was bending over the crumpled and -motionless figure of a Hawaiianized Japanese farmer. And three tiny -blue holes in his forehead were silent and perfect tribute to Freddy -Farmer's deadly marksmanship. Dawson took a good look, was conscious -of the slight burning sensation at the top of his left shoulder, and -shivered unconsciously.</p> - -<p>"Pick out your prize, pal," he grunted at Freddy, as the English youth -joined him. "The best is none too good for that kind of shooting. Me, I -sure was asleep at the switch."</p> - -<p>"Well, it had to be done, so I did it, that's all," Freddy grunted. "A -nasty-looking beggar, isn't he, what? Very glad he's dead."</p> - -<p>"Well, I've got to look into this right away!" General Stickney -snapped. "The man must have gone mad, and escaped, and was running -amuck. Darn good shooting, Farmer. Thank God, you got him in time. But -why in thunder he came after us—?"</p> - -<p>The senior officer finished the rest with just unintelligible sounds in -his throat.</p> - -<p>"We can walk the rest of the way," he said. "It isn't far to Air Forces -H.Q. I'll leave you there, and get right on with this confounded -business."</p> - -<p>Dawson and Farmer simply nodded, and said nothing as they dropped into -step. Perhaps it was all a cockeyed mystery to General Stickney, but it -was the handwriting on the wall to them. The confirmation of Colonel -Welsh's message, and warning to be on the alert. How that Jap killer -had received his orders, and who had given them to him, were two -little items that even history would never reveal. But the hows, and -the whys didn't matter. The hand of death had reached halfway around -the world to get them both by the throat. And only Freddy Farmer's -lightning-like action, and perhaps too hasty a trigger finger on the -killer's part, had prevented it. But out of the darkness of night the -enemy had struck again. Struck to wipe them out, and gain possession of -that precious document Chungking-bound.</p> - -<p>"And the sooner Freddy and I are air-borne, the better I'll like it!" -Dawson echoed the thought softly to himself. "And how! Upstairs, a -fellow can at least see what's cooking."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_ELEVEN" id="CHAPTER_ELEVEN">CHAPTER ELEVEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Invisible Chaos</i></small></h2> - - -<p>Night was again closing down on the vast stretches of the Pacific -Ocean, but this time it found Dave Dawson and Freddy Farmer standing on -the flight deck of the Yank Aircraft Carrier Tempest cutting into the -wind through the long rolling swells some two hundred miles south-west -of the Jap-held Marcus Island. The two air aces were waiting for the -twin Wright Cyclones of their North American B-Twenty-Five to get well -warmed up, and were stretching their legs a bit before taking off on -the long flight through the night to a dawn landing on that secret -airfield at Legaspi in the central Philippines. Yes, waiting for the -B-Twenty-Five's engines to get clicking, stretching their legs, and -trying to remember if it had been a few days ago, or a few years -ago, when one Soo Wong Kai had given them a gourmet's treat in the -dining-room of the Savoy Hotel in London.</p> - -<p>"One more landing at Legaspi, Freddy," Dawson broke the five-minute -silence. "Then we gas and hop along non-stop to Chungking. Just two -more flying laps, kid, and we're in."</p> - -<p>"And may that be true!" the English youth breathed fervently. "I'm so -sick of water, and carrier decks, I could almost drown myself. Not that -your Navy chaps haven't been wonderful to us. But—well, I never was -one for long drawn out jobs."</p> - -<p>"Nor me, either!" Dawson echoed the words. "Dance in and smack them, -and dance right out again. That's the kind of thing I go for. Praise -be, there's no scrapping at the North or South Poles, or we'd probably -get sent there."</p> - -<p>"I fancy this is the longest courier job on record, no doubt," Freddy -Farmer muttered. "And—well, <i>it's</i> safe, isn't it, Dave? You know what -I mean?"</p> - -<p>"Could I miss catching on?" Dawson replied with a grim chuckle. "Yup! -We've still got it along. But maybe you'd like to nursemaid it for the -rest of the trip, kid?"</p> - -<p>"No, by all means!" the English youth said sharply. "I want no part of -it. Wouldn't sleep a wink. No, you're the hero, old thing. You carry -it, and you deliver it. As a matter of fact, it really is much better -that way."</p> - -<p>"Huh?" Dawson grunted absently.</p> - -<p>"For me, in case we should get captured," Freddy Farmer said, and edged -along the flight deck toward the B-Twenty-Five. "In that event I can -simply tell them that <i>you've</i> got it, and they'll cut you up in pieces -and no doubt leave me alone. At the most, keep me a prisoner for the -duration. You see?"</p> - -<p>"Just a dear sweet pal!" Dawson growled. "Do that, my little man, and I -promise to return to haunt you in your dreams. No fooling!"</p> - -<p>"Better think up something worse than that, old bean!" Freddy Farmer -shot right back at him. "Right now you haunt me when I'm awake! But -let's get on with it, what? The aircraft seems about ready."</p> - -<p>"What a tough break I need a navigator!" Dawson growled as they went -down deck to the B-Twenty-Five. "If I didn't, I could toss you over the -side for that crack, and finish this thing in peace."</p> - -<p>"And a jolly, rotten break we're in such a hurry, too!" the English -youth got in the parting shot. "It would be amusing to pretend we were -lost just to see you sweat—and beg me to locate us."</p> - -<p>"That'll be the day!" Dave added one bit more. "And you know what I -mean, pal! Beg <i>you</i>, even for the time of day? Nuts!"</p> - -<p>Some ten minutes later there was no longer any kidding around between -the two air aces. Their North American B-Twenty-Five was clear of -the flight deck of the Carrier Tempest, and up in the night-shrouded -heavens. As a matter of fact, they could no longer even see the -carrier. Just as soon as they had left, with the heartfelt good wishes -of every officer and man aboard, the carrier had heeled way over and -gone pounding around at full speed and onto a new course that would see -her well away from that spot, come dawn.</p> - -<p>Yes, the Tempest was far behind them, and Dawson and Farmer were just -two steel-hearted eagles winging southwestward through night-shadowed -skies, with its canopy of a billion or more twinkling stars high -overhead. However, those twinkling stars meant far more than just -night diamonds of beauty to Dawson and Farmer. To them they were the -sign posts to their objective at Legaspi. They pointed the way along -the skyway of the gods that they were to travel. To them they were -understandable and tangible things. All else about them and below was -darkness; the darkness of the unknown.</p> - -<p>Relaxing comfortably in the pilot's seat, but with mind and body ready -to spring to the alert at an instant's notice, Dawson fed the twin -engines a minimum of high test to maintain desired cruising speed, and -held the aircraft dead on the course Freddy Farmer had plotted out. -With luck they should sight their objective at the very first sign of -dawn light. And even then, it wouldn't be any too soon. This was the -longest hop of them all to be made in the B-Twenty-Five. And no matter -how careful and frugal Dave was with the fuel aboard, it was going to -be close. So close, in fact, that they hadn't even considered a direct -flight to China, though the coast line was not much farther away than -the Legaspi airfield. But that was exactly the point. A landing on the -China coast wouldn't do them any good at all. And it could well do -them all kinds of harm. At Legaspi there was a field where they could -sit down. There was fuel there, and Yanks to help them with the plane. -But on the China coast? No such thing! Even though they managed to -land still in one piece, it would be dollars to doughnuts that they'd -probably land right smack in the laps of the occupying Japs. So it had -to be Legaspi next. Legaspi, or bust.</p> - -<p>"You mean drown, kid!" Dawson corrected his own thought. "If you run -out of fuel, or overshoot your mark, or Freddy gets us lost, some -sharks are going to have a swell meal. And no kidding, either!"</p> - -<p>And with that not too pleasant thought he lapsed into silence again, -a silence broken only every so often when Freddy gave him a change -in course. In between times the seconds piled up to form minutes, -and the minutes added up to total one hour, two hours, three hours, -and four hours. And then, at the end of four hours, the gods of war -seemed suddenly to decide that those two daring young sky eagles had -been receiving too many good breaks. At any rate, one of those sudden -and unexpected Pacific storms swept down on them. And swept down -so fast that the B-Twenty-Five was almost stood up straight on her -twin-ruddered tail before Dawson realized what was happening.</p> - -<p>True, he did receive a slight warning in advance. An invisible hand -seemed to sweep away the stars, and leave a roof of pitch darkness. -But it was done in a flash, and as a warning of what was to come it -was just about as helpful as seeing the flash of a lightning bolt -headed your way. In short, one instant the B-Twenty-Five was rolling -along through calm air as nice as you please. And in the next instant -invisible forces were trying to tear it apart and throw the pieces all -over that section of the Pacific.</p> - -<p>Dawson thought he heard Freddy Farmer shout something from his -navigator's nook, but he had no time to turn around and yell for a -repeat of whatever it was. All the rain in the world seemed to be -flooding down on the B-Twenty-Five. And terrific blasts of air were -thundering in on it from every conceivable direction. Twice he would -have sworn that the aircraft whipped through a full roll. And twice he -was as sure as he was that he was over a foot high that the bomber was -completely upside down and whanging along on its back. Aches and pains -were shooting through every cubic inch of his body, and hanging onto -the control wheel, that was whip-sawing back and forth, was just about -as easy as trying to hang onto the broken stub of a spinning propeller. -In fact, it was all he could do to stop the control wheel from driving -back and caving in his chest. It took every ounce of his strength to -hold it forward so that the wind-rocketed plane wouldn't go whanging up -into a stall. And he was just about spent when Freddy Farmer scrambled -forward to lend his strength to the job.</p> - -<p>Neither of them spoke a word. In the combined roar of the engines and -the raging storm it was all they could do to hear themselves think. -Besides, there was no use for words now. Nothing that either of them -could say would help any. It was just a question as to whether their -strength would outlast the storm, <i>and</i> whether the strength of the -plane itself would last through the terrific beating it was taking -from the storm. A question of man, and man-made things, against the -raging fury of the storm gods. And while the great struggle went on, -time stood still. For Dawson and Farmer time ceased to exist. They were -conscious of nothing else save the use of their combined strength to -hold the aircraft as steady as they could. Conscious of that, and of -their prayers that this night might <i>not</i> be the end of everything for -them.</p> - -<p>And so it is quite possible that the gods of misfortune looked down -from their high places, and were forced to admire the do or die efforts -of those two air aces, and were willing to slacken off their fury. Then -again, perhaps it was just one of those things that happen to every -airman sooner or later. Just one of those freak storms out of nowhere -that can not be predicted, or explained after they hit. At any rate, -the raging storm was gone just as quickly as it had arrived. Dawson's -lungs were burning, his head was pounding, and spots were milling -around in a red haze over his eyes. And then suddenly the B-Twenty-Five -had shot out into calm air, and there overhead was the canopy of -twinkling stars again.</p> - -<p>"Take a look, Freddy!" Dawson managed to squeak out past his lips. -"Those are stars, aren't they? And we're still right side up, huh?"</p> - -<p>"Don't ask me!" the English youth gurgled, as he slumped back in the -co-pilot's seat. "If they aren't stars, and we're not right side -up, then it doesn't matter. Doesn't, because I haven't one ounce of -strength left to do anything about it. Good grief! That was all the -storms I ever saw rolled into one!"</p> - -<p>"You're telling me!" Dave gulped. "Boy! What rain! And what a breeze. -But haul it out of here, Freddy. Get back and check on our position, -will you? Heavens knows where that storm tossed us. And—Sweet tripe! -Look at that dash clock, will you! That thing lasted an hour and forty -minutes!"</p> - -<p>"Forty years!" Freddy shouted as he went aft to take their position -from the stars. "And I know blasted well that I've got a grey hair for -every one of them. Be right back, Dave."</p> - -<p>Dawson held the plane at low cruising throttle, and on a general -southwesterly compass course for the next ten minutes. Then Freddy -Farmer came back with his findings.</p> - -<p>"Not too bad, Dave," he announced. "It might have been a whole lot -worse, considering. The blasted thing blew us about sixty-five miles -east of our true course. Here's your new course."</p> - -<p>Dave took Freddy's new course instructions with a heavy heart. True, -he was glad that they had survived the terrible storm, and that that -howling wind hadn't driven them even farther off course. However, -it was bad enough as it was. They were still a good two hours' calm -weather flying from their objective, and as close as he could figure -it, they had just about an hour and three quarters supply of fuel left -in the tanks. Perhaps if they eased up gently for altitude they might -make that last fifteen minutes with gliding. But it certainly wasn't a -chance for even a fool to bet on.</p> - -<p>"Oke, and thanks, pal," he said aloud in a cheerful voice. "Be there -presently, I figure. We'd both better keep our eyes skinned, now that -it's starting to get light. We're in a Jap-infested part of the world -now. And if those rats that have taken the northern sections of the -Philippines have got any air patrols out, we may have to do a wee bit -of detouring."</p> - -<p>"That's quite all right, Dave, old thing," Freddy Farmer said quietly. -"Don't try to be a liar, old chap, just to make me feel good. I've done -a little figuring myself, Dave. Unless we have the good fortune to pick -up a tail wind, we're going to have a very touch and go fifteen minutes -at the end of this trip."</p> - -<p>"But we'll make it, kid," Dave said grimly. "And that's a promise from -me to you. Count on it. Sure wish we had a load of bombs along, though."</p> - -<p>"A load of bombs?" the English youth echoed. "Why in the world bombs? -You plan to blast out a spot to land? Say in the water, if our gas -doesn't last?"</p> - -<p>"I was thinking of MacArthur's boys on Bataan, and Corregidor!" Dawson -said grimly. "I'd certainly give plenty to lay some eggs on the little -brown rats pestering those fellows. What a scrap they've put up. -History that will never die. And even if the darn Japs do finally push -them out, it'll be a mighty hollow victory. I bet it's one big surprise -to those pint-sized butchers that the Philippines are no push-over."</p> - -<p>"No place would be a push-over with General MacArthur in command, I -fancy," Freddy murmured. "He's one of the finest generals of all time."</p> - -<p>"Check and double check!" Dawson echoed instantly. "And could we do -with a dozen like him. But—Hold it! Hold everything, Freddy! Dead -ahead, there. Is that landfall, or just a trick of my eyes?"</p> - -<p>"It's land, Dave!" Freddy replied in an excited voice. "Land, just as -sure as you're alive. And if these charts and maps they gave us at -Pearl Harbor are correct, we've hit it right on the nose. That land is -the Catanduanes Islands just north of Legaspi. We'll know for sure in -another ten minutes!"</p> - -<p>Another ten minutes? In ten minutes nations have fallen into the dust. -In ten minutes half the world has changed face. In ten minutes a -million and one things can happen which normally should take months or -years to come to pass. And so, at the end of ten minutes, Dawson and -Farmer were suddenly "treated" to a sight that chilled their blood, and -sent their hearts dropping down into their boots.</p> - -<p>In the pale light of early dawn they saw a flock of birds come -sweeping up from that bit of the Philippines known as Legaspi. Only it -wasn't a flock of birds. It was a flock of war birds. A flock of Jap -Zeros up on early dawn patrol. True, they had half expected to see at -least a Jap plane or two, but to see them come up from the ground on -Legaspi was like a mule's kick in the stomach. There was no need to -wonder, or to ask each other unanswerable questions. There was only to -observe, and realize the terrible truth. The truth that Legaspi had -fallen to the Japs during the last forty-eight hours, and that the Yank -emergency airfield was unquestionably in enemy hands.</p> - -<p>And, as though to add a final touch to horrible reality, the port -outboard engine of the B-Twenty-Five began to cough and sputter from -the lack of fuel in the tanks. And a couple of seconds later the -starboard engine took up that soul-chilling song that no pilot ever -wants to hear.</p> - -<p>"Would you care to get out and walk the rest of the way, sir?" Dawson -asked in a strained voice that belied the crooked grin on his lips.</p> - -<p>"No thanks," Freddy Farmer came right back at him, with an equal -attempt to crack wise. "Just turn about and take me back to Honolulu, -please!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_TWELVE" id="CHAPTER_TWELVE">CHAPTER TWELVE</a><br /> -<small><i>Eagles Can't Die</i></small></h2> - - -<p>As a sort of signal to confirm the fast approaching end of the -B-Twenty-Five's flight, the starboard engine coughed its rasping note -for the last time, and joined the port engine in silence. Dave had -already eased the nose down a hair or two to prevent a stall, and like -a statue of stone he sat there hunched over the control wheel with his -worried eyes fixed first on the Jap Zeros mounting higher into the sky, -and then on the stretches of ground below.</p> - -<p>The gods had at least been a little kind. The B-Twenty-Five had the -necessary height to reach land in a long flat glide. However, there -would be little picking and choosing of a suitable place to land. And -if the Zeros came tearing in, it would be decidedly a one-sided combat. -True, Freddy could work the top turret guns, and he could smack away -with the nose guns. But with so much of the bomber left unguarded, it -wouldn't be long before Jap bullets and air cannon shells would rip -home and pull down the curtain.</p> - -<p>"I don't think they've spotted us yet, Dave!" Freddy Farmer suddenly -spoke in a low voice, as though he feared the Jap pilots would overhear -him. "They seem to be going higher up, and swinging westward toward -Bataan."</p> - -<p>"I know," Dawson replied in a low voice, too. "Looks that way to me. -And here's hoping we're both right. If those tramps only keep out -of the way, maybe we'll have a chance. But if they spot us and come -a-running, Freddy, it isn't going to be funny."</p> - -<p>"Well, if I can get one or two of the beggars," the English youth -muttered, tight-lipped, "it won't be so bad. Think I'll go aft and man -the turret guns right now."</p> - -<p>"No, stick around until you have to," Dave stopped him. "If we're going -to crash land, we'd better be up here together. Then one of us can help -the other get out, if one of us is—well, you know what I mean."</p> - -<p>"Quite," Freddy murmured. "But we haven't crashed yet, so why talk -about it?"</p> - -<p>"Suits me swell," Dawson said with a dry chuckle. "My error, pal. And, -heck, this wouldn't be our first crash. But what we want is for those -little brown rats to keep right on going the way they are."</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer echoed the hope with a grunt, and let it go at that. -Both boys lapsed into silence, and sat very still as the B-Twenty-Five -slid down lower and lower, and the distant flock of Jap Zeros mounted -higher and higher into the Southwest Pacific dawn sky. And then when -it seemed almost certain that the Japs were completely unaware of the -B-Twenty-Five's existence, one of the formation suddenly cut around in -a dime turn and came hurtling back down like a red disc-marked bolt of -lightning. One look at that fighter plane cutting down across the dawn -sky was all that Dawson needed to realize the bitter truth. And all -that Freddy Farmer needed, too. The little game of hide-and-seek was -all over. The B-Twenty-Five had been sighted. And not only one Zero, -but two others, had cut out of formation and were wing screaming down -in a power dive.</p> - -<p>"The dirty beggars!" Freddy Farmer grated, and started to push up out -of his seat. "See you later, Dave."</p> - -<p>But Dawson flung out a hand, caught the English youth's arm, and -hauled him back down into the seat.</p> - -<p>"Waste of bullets, Freddy!" he barked. "We'll be touching ground any -second now. Our only hope is to beat them down to the ground. Stick -right here. The crash might buckle the fuselage and cut that turret in -two. Stick here—and get set, kid!"</p> - -<p>As Dave spoke he kept his eyes fixed on the stretch of lush green -ground almost directly below. At the very instant he had sighted -the first Zero breaking away from formation he had dropped the -B-Twenty-Five's nose to increase her glide speed to the limit. And now -it was but the matter of a few seconds as to what would happen first. -Whether Dawson could get the bomber down onto the ground, or whether -the Japs could reach the aircraft with their murderous blasts and send -it to earth a raging ball of flame.</p> - -<p>From a point that seemed but a couple of feet from his head, Dawson -heard the snarl of Jap machine gun fire, and the deeper and louder note -of enemy aircraft cannon. But he didn't waste time to jerk up his head -for a look. It wouldn't do any good to <i>see</i> the Japs shooting. His -ears told him that they were; that at almost any instant death might -chop right through to nail him. Just the matter of a few seconds, that -was all. A few seconds in which to fight for his life, and Freddy's, -and win—or lose.</p> - -<p>"This is it, Freddy!" he suddenly yelled, and hauled back on the -control wheel column. "Hang on, hard!"</p> - -<p>Maybe he yelled the warning aloud, or maybe he simply spoke it in his -brain. But either way, there was no time to repeat. The B-Twenty-Five -was dangerously low now, and taking up the last bit of its gliding -speed to reach a narrow clearing thickly bordered by tropical growth. -Maybe the surface of that corridor-shaped clearing was hard and firm. -Or maybe it was a narrow strip of swamp ground. There was no way to -tell from the air, and no time to do anything about it, anyway. The few -seconds had run their course. Time had run out. The B-Twenty-Five had -won its race with those diving Jap Zeros, but a crash landing on an -unknown strip of Philippine ground was a certainty.</p> - -<p>Dawson hung hard to the control wheel to the very last split second. He -saw the nose come up, felt the bomber mush forward and start to falter -in the air, and he saw that strip of clearing come zooming up toward -the belly of the fuselage. And then the B-Twenty-Five touched ground.</p> - -<p><i>Touched</i> ground? The last ounce of its flying and gliding speed spent, -the bomber dropped the rest of the way like ten ton of loose brick. -Braced as he was for the jolting contact with the ground, Dawson had -the crazy sensation that invisible hands grabbed hold of him and -started bouncing him around inside the pilots' compartment like a -human rubber ball. Freddy, the instrument panel, the control wheel -column, and the compartment's windows seemed to parade past his eyes. -And then suddenly the roof fell down on top of him, and the next thing -his spinning brain realized his head was resting on one of the rudder -pedals, and his legs were up in the pilot's seat. And the figure of -Freddy Farmer was sitting astride his stomach like a horseback rider.</p> - -<p>For perhaps a full three seconds the two youths blinked stupidly into -each other's eyes. Then Freddy Farmer choked out a gasp, scrambled off -Dawson's middle, and reached down to twist his legs around and his head -up.</p> - -<p>"You hurt, Dave?" he managed to gasp.</p> - -<p>"Don't know, yet!" Dawson replied hoarsely, and kicked open the -compartment door with his foot. "Tell you later. We've got to get out -of here, kid. This is a swell target for those rats. Here they come -down, now!"</p> - -<p>There was no need to inform the English youth of that little truth. -The ungodly scream of Jap wings in the wind, and the blood-chilling -snarl and yammer of their aerial machine gun and aerial cannon fire -was enough to make the very ground shake and tremble. Instinctively -Dawson reached up, hooked an arm about Freddy and hauled him down onto -the floorboards of the compartment. And there they both crouched, -breath locked in their lungs, as the Zeros piled down and raked the -crashed bomber from twin rudder to nose. Bullets cut through into the -compartment, and made a shambles of what was left of the instrument -panel. But it was as though the hand of Lady Luck touched each bullet, -because neither Dawson nor Freddy Farmer was hit.</p> - -<p>And then when there came a lull in the shooting, and the only sound was -that of the Zero's engines pounding the planes upward for altitude, -Dawson gave the English youth a push and nodded toward the compartment -door.</p> - -<p>"Wiggle out of here fast!" he shouted. "Then snake across to that -jungle growth. Do it fast, kid, before they come down. I'll join you -right after their next attack. <i>Snap it up!</i>"</p> - -<p>Another and a harder shove closed Freddy's mouth, which was half -opened to ask questions. He quickly nodded and went out through the -compartment door like a shell from the mouth of a gun. Still hugging -the compartment floor, Dave watched his pal streak across the bit of -open ground and practically dive head first into the thick border of -jungle growth. At that instant Dawson was almost tempted to follow -Farmer. But at that instant, also, he heard the change in the sound of -the Jap aircraft engines aloft. A sound that told him the Zeros had -gained their altitude, and were wheeling over and down for a second -strafe on the helpless American bomber.</p> - -<p>"Stick around some more, please, Lady Luck!" he breathed, and -practically pushed his face through the floorboards.</p> - -<p>For the next few seconds the full wrath of war snapped, and barked, -and howled, and screamed all about him. But once again Lady Luck, or -somebody, guided every one of the Jap bullets and air cannon shells -clear of Dawson's body. And then once again he heard the pounding howl -of the Zeros power-zooming upward. And in that instant he became a -whirlwind of action. He shot his body toward the door opening, and at -the same time flung out one hand and grabbed up a Very-Light pistol and -fired the flare back over his shoulder. He heard the hiss and sputter -as he went out through the door and down into the tall grass. And it -seemed he had no more than regained his feet and was plunging for the -jungle growth when a part of the world in back of him exploded in a -roar of sound.</p> - -<p>Hardly realizing what he was doing, he jerked his head around and took -a flash glance back over his shoulder. The nose of the B-Twenty-Five -was spouting livid red flame and smoke high into the air. The back of -the aircraft had broken and buckled right at the gun turret, so that -the whole thing looked like some weird prehistoric bird of gigantic -size flopped down on the ground in mortal agony. One quick look at that -heap of aero-nautical destruction, and then Dawson turned his head -front, gasped out a sob of pity and sorrow, and plunged head first into -the shelter of the jungle growth just as the three Jap Zeros wheeled -off their zoom and started down again.</p> - -<p>"Good gosh, Dave!" Freddy Farmer was panting in his ear. "Did they hit -the gas fume-filled tanks that last time? I almost passed out in fear -that you were a goner."</p> - -<p>"Not those rotten Jap shots!" Dawson gasped, and rolled off his -stomach. "I smacked a Very-Light flare at one of the split fuel feed -lines. Just enough gas in the line to start a blaze. Hope it'll call -them off, the bums!"</p> - -<p>"<i>Fired</i> the plane?" Freddy Farmer echoed with a frown. "But why? The -thing's a total wreck. The Japs could never make any use of it, Dave!"</p> - -<p>"And how they can't!" Dawson grated, and stared sad-eyed at the blazing -heap of wreckage. "That wasn't the idea, though. There must be Jap -troops close to here. They'll be coming on the run. It won't hurt any -for them to think that we burned up inside. See what I mean?"</p> - -<p>"Of course!" the English youth replied. "And am I stupid. Smart work, -Dave. And by the way, thanks from the bottom of my heart, old thing."</p> - -<p>Dawson glanced at him and blinked.</p> - -<p>"For what?" he wanted to know.</p> - -<p>Before answering, Freddy pointed a finger at the crash landing broken -back of the aircraft.</p> - -<p>"For not letting me go aft to the guns and take a crack at those -Zeros," he said. "It was just as you warned. The thing broke right at -the gun turret. But for you, Dave, I'd be in two or more pieces right -now."</p> - -<p>"Skip it," Dawson grunted, and got up onto his feet. "The thing for us -to do is to make tracks away from here, before we both get carved up -into small pieces. Now, let's see, which way, I wonder?"</p> - -<p>"I suggest south, Dave," Freddy Farmer spoke up quietly. "I think that -Zero field is in that direction. Fact is, while I've been here I think -I've heard air engines toward the south. So?"</p> - -<p>Dawson grinned at him, and winked.</p> - -<p>"So we think alike, pal," he grunted. "We haven't got anything to fly -now. And it's a long swim, and a long walk, to Chungking from here. -Right, Freddy. The least we can do is take a look to see if the Japs -can help us out any—without knowing it."</p> - -<p>"Yes, it's a hope, though a blasted small one, I fancy," the English -youth murmured. "First, though, there's this jungle. Dash it all! I -never saw stuff grow so close together. Looks like it would take us -days to go a mile."</p> - -<p>"Then let's get started," Dawson said, and took one last look back at -the burning plane. "Remind me, Freddy, to send Air Forces Command at -Hickam Field a letter of apology for washing out their ship."</p> - -<p>"Right you are," the English youth promised. Then, with a half-chuckle, -he added, "And I'll be delighted to deliver it <i>in person</i>, if you know -what I mean?"</p> - -<p>"Way ahead of you, kid," Dawson replied. "<i>You</i> just remind me to write -it, <i>I'll</i> take care of the delivery angle—I hope!"</p> - -<p>With a grin, and a nod for emphasis, Dawson turned toward the south -and started to push and squirm and wiggle his way through the dense, -steaming jungle growth.</p> - -<p>Two year-long hours later Dawson stumbled over a hidden root for the -umpty-umteenth millionth time, and let his weary body sink down onto -the soft ground. Freddy Farmer, right behind him, sank down too, and -for a couple of minutes neither said a word. As a matter of fact, -neither had the breath to spare for spoken words. Their uniforms were -ripped and torn in half a hundred different places. And there were just -about as many tiny cuts on their faces and hands. And to top it all -off, they were drenched with jungle swamp water, and plastered with -sticky yellow mud from head to foot.</p> - -<p>"How about taking turns carrying each other piggy-back, pal?" Dawson -finally broke the silence. "And you carry me, first."</p> - -<p>"Suits me," the English youth came right back at him, "if I don't have -to go more than two or three yards. But, gosh, I am tired. And if you -want to know my opinion, Dave, I've had the tiny little fear this last -half-hour or so that we've been traveling in a circle."</p> - -<p>The half-grin on Dawson's dirty face faded, and a grave, somber light -stole into his eyes.</p> - -<p>"I know, Freddy," he said quietly. "The sun has touched all four sides -of us at least once in the last half-hour. I don't think we made so -much as a quarter of a mile in a straight line south. In short, Freddy, -you and I are very definitely lost."</p> - -<p>"Yes, definitely," the English youth echoed with a faint catch in his -voice. "However, there's no use crying over the fact, I fancy. The -only thing we can do is to rest up a bit, and then keep pushing on -southward. This is the Legaspi area, I'm positive. We're not on one of -the smaller islands. So if we keep at it long enough we're bound to—"</p> - -<p>A lightning-like warning gesture of Dawson's hand stopped Freddy Farmer -cold. Both youths froze stiff, and locked eyes as they listened to the -sounds that came to them through the jungle growth to the right—sounds -that neither of them understood. But they didn't have to, because -the sounds were the sing-song rising and falling intonations of Japs -talking with one another.</p> - -<p>"Close!" Dave breathed softly into Freddy's ear. "Too darn close for -my liking, pal. Got your gun ready?"</p> - -<p>The English youth didn't answer. He simply nodded slightly and fixed -his eyes on the wall of jungle growth that separated them from the -little brown butchers of Nippon somewhere beyond.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_THIRTEEN" id="CHAPTER_THIRTEEN">CHAPTER THIRTEEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Blood In The Sky</i></small></h2> - - -<p>As Dawson crouched there motionless at Freddy's side, and listened to -the Japanese speaking voices that seemed not to come closer, nor to -retreat, a crazy impulse caused him to glance down at his wrist-watch. -The crystal had been smashed in the crash, and the minute and hour -hands were gone. The second hand was still in place, however, and -ticking around its little graduated dial. Yet it seemed to stop and -wait after each tick as though that were the last, and there would be -no more. Then suddenly it would jump around to the next graduation -mark, and pause and wait again.</p> - -<p>Of course, it was actually moving all the time, but because of the -terrible suspense that held him rigid, his eyes and his brain played -him crazy tricks. And then suddenly the grip of Freddy's hand on his -arm dragged his half hypnotized attention from the watch. The English -youth put a finger to his lips for absolute silence, and then pointed -ahead and to the left. Dave bent forward to sight along the pointed -finger, and caught his breath sharply. He was staring through a small -opening in the heavy growth, and there not more than twenty yards away -were five squat, chunky, slant-eyed Japs. Each was armed with one of -the deadly Jap sub-machine guns, and the expression on each face was -that of the lustful desire to kill, and maim, and torture, for the -sheer diabolic pleasure of so doing.</p> - -<p>The little group had come to a halt and were all sharing something -that one of them portioned out from a bag he carried slung over one -shoulder. In a dull abstract sort of way, Dawson guessed it was the -daily handful of rice that keeps a Jap soldier going when on the march, -or on the hunt. However, it was no more than a half-hearted guess, -because his attention was not fixed on what they were doing, but on -what they looked like. The uniforms they wore, and the branch of -service insignia on their uniforms. And though the uniforms were dirty -and shabby, and much the worse for constant wear, he knew in a flash -that that little group of Japs were aircraft mechanics.</p> - -<p>And an instant later when he twisted his head around to meet Freddy -Farmer's eyes, he knew that the English youth had recognized that fact, -too. Freddy was grinning, and there was the light of wild hope in his -eyes. He leaned forward quickly so that his lips were against Dawson's -ear.</p> - -<p>"No doubt chaps sent out to inspect the crash, Dave!" he breathed -softly but with tingling excitement in every word. "And that they've -stopped to have a bit of their blasted rice must mean that they're <i>on -the way back</i> to their field. Right?"</p> - -<p>"Dead right!" Dawson breathed back with a grim nod. "Sure wish I knew -the Jap lingo. I'd give a lot to know if they think the B-Twenty-Five's -crew burned up in her. But we've just got to hope that's so, and trail -them back. Okay by you, Freddy?"</p> - -<p>"Where they go, we go!" the English youth replied. "Only I hope it -isn't far."</p> - -<p>"Something tells me that it isn't," Dawson said with a little gesture. -"Just a hunch. Okay, we tag along behind. But watch it! Those little -tramps have plenty sharp ears, and our guns can't outshoot what they're -carrying."</p> - -<p>"You watch your big feet, and I'll watch mine!" Freddy assured him. -"Don't worry. And—There! They're moving off, Dave. And, say! I can see -it, now. The blighters are following a path. Praise the Lord for that. -Make it easier to keep up with them. Come along!"</p> - -<p>As the English-born air ace spoke the last he got swiftly and silently -up onto his feet and began virtually to squeeze his way through the -heavy tropical growth. Dawson followed along right at his heels. And -just that, too, for it took all of his efforts to keep Freddy Farmer's -heels in sight. The English youth was like a shadow, and just about -twice as silent, as he melted forward. In fact, Dawson came within -a hair's breath of plowing right into his back when Freddy finally -reached the narrow beaten path and came to an abrupt halt. Crouching -down low with his pal, he strained his ears for sounds ahead. The -sing-song jabbering reached his ears in almost no time at all, and -after taking into consideration what heavy jungle growth does to the -travel of sound, he judged the enemy patrol to be a good hundred yards -ahead. Freddy Farmer figured the same distance and formed the words -silently with his lips as he looked inquiringly at Dave. The Yank air -ace nodded, and then started stealthily along the beaten path.</p> - -<p>For almost an hour they followed the winding course of the path through -the dense jungle, pausing every so often to hug the soft damp ground -and listen to the incessant jabbering of the Jap patrol ahead. The last -time they paused they also heard other sounds. Sounds, however, that -were not distinct and clear. In fact, it was a sort of rumbling murmur -that made Dave think of storm waves pounding against a rock-bound -coast. He glanced back at Freddy, but the English youth was equally -puzzled by the sounds.</p> - -<p>However, a few moments later when Dawson turned around and started -forward again, he suddenly felt Freddy's hand grip him by the arm and -jerk him down flat. He squirmed around with an angry questioning look -in his eyes. But Freddy's finger to his lips, and the brittle glint in -his own eyes, checked any words that might have spilled from Dawson's -lips. Then Freddy put his lips close and whispered softly.</p> - -<p>"Just a little ahead, there's one of them, Dave!" he said. "Left to -stand guard, is my guess. So that means we must be near their field. -And—Hear that, Dave! That's what the sound is! Aircraft engines being -revved up. This darn jungle blankets sound until you're right on top of -it."</p> - -<p>"Left one behind?" Dawson echoed, as little shivers began to ripple up -and down his backbone. "You spotted him, Freddy?"</p> - -<p>Young Farmer didn't answer at once. He motioned Dawson up to a half -crouching position, and then pointed a stiff finger ahead, and nodded -for Dave to sight along his arm. Dawson did that, but for several -seconds he could see nothing but the greens, the browns, and the faded -orange of jungle foliage. But all the time he could hear the rumbling -murmur somewhere ahead. And he realized at once that Freddy's statement -was true. The sound came from revving aircraft engines, but it was -muffled and dulled in note by the thick jungle.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, though, as he strained his eyes at the twisted mass of jungle -growth, he saw something move no more than thirty-five yards from where -he crouched. Had he not been peering intently he would automatically -have taken it for a tree branch or jungle plant leaf being stirred by a -puff of air. However, being on the alert both mentally and physically, -he told himself at once that there could be no puffs of air in the -thick of the jungle. Only heavy pungent smells that hung motionless -in space. And then an instant later his eyes picked out the head and -shoulders of a Jap. The little brown man was facing off to the left, -and his face was in only one quarter profile. But Dave could see the -man's jaws champing up and down on the dry rice he had stuffed into his -mouth. And by straightening up just a little, Dawson could make out the -butt of the deadly sub-machine gun that the Jap held in the crook of -his right arm, ready to whip it up and fire at an instant's notice.</p> - -<p>For a long minute Dawson studied the "picture", as a hundred and one -conflicting thoughts raced through his brain. Was that Jap simply -manning his guard post located close to the field? Or had that Oriental -discovered that nobody was aboard the crashed B-Twenty-Five, and was -that Jap up ahead but one of many posted here and there to be on the -look-out for the survivors of the crash? Those two main questions -tormented Dawson's brain, for the simple reason that he could only -guess at the answers. But one thing was very certain, though. There -stood an armed Jap between them and an enemy flying field ahead. If -they were to get closer to the airfield ahead, that armed Jap had to be -put out of the war for keeps.</p> - -<p>That fact uppermost in his mind, Dawson took his gaze off the munching -Jap and looked at Freddy. The English youth returned his look, -grinned, tight-lipped, and nodded.</p> - -<p>"Remember that Commando show in Occupied France, Dave?" he whispered. -"Well, Jap or Jerry, it shouldn't make any difference, eh?"<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> - -<p>"Same thing, pal!" Dawson chuckled softly, and slowly closed the -fingers of one hand into a rock hard fist. "Let's see if we've -forgotten any of that sweet technique. Okay, kid!"</p> - -<p>With a grin and a nod for emphasis, Dawson twisted around and started -along the path again. Compared with their "travel" now, they had been -making a noise akin to that of a herd of elephants on the rampage. Like -blending shadows, and twice as silent, they eeled and snaked their -way forward. Each leaf, or twig, or plant stem was moved cautiously -to the side, and held there until they had slid their bodies past. -Then, another few inches forward, and another few. Bit by bit creeping -closer to the armed Jap, and with no more sound than that caused by the -pounding of their hearts.</p> - -<p>However, though they advanced completely wrapped in a blanket of -silence, the Jap was perhaps possessed of that premonition of danger -that science has named the sixth sense. Or perhaps his Nipponese ears -were tuned to thumping human hearts. At any rate, when Dawson and -Freddy Farmer were but a scant two yards in back of him, the Jap spun -around and threw up his sub-machine gun. He was fast, lightning fast, -but those two air aces had been trained to throttle lightning on the -loose. They both moved even faster.</p> - -<p>Dawson's outflung arm was like an iron rod with a ball of steel on the -end of it. And that "ball of steel" flew straight to the Jap's Adam's -apple to cut off his wind, and paralyze the nerve center at the base of -his brain. However, that one blow alone would not have been sufficient, -and neither Dave nor Freddy Farmer were counting on it to do the trick. -At the same time Dawson slashed down with his gun hand and knocked -the sub-machine gun downward. And while that was taking place, Freddy -Farmer's flying body caught the Jap across the knees. On the football -field that little bit of blocking would have caused the penalty of -plenty of yardage. But this wasn't the football field. It was a -jungle battle field. And the player to be "taken out" was a ruthless, -butchering little brown rat of Hirohito's brood.</p> - -<p>And he was <i>taken out</i>, and very definitely so. When Dawson and Freddy -got quickly up onto their feet again, and Dave even had the sub-machine -gun in his own hands, there was no need to give the Jap more than a -passing glance. He was out! He was not only out of the war, but he -was out of his heathen world as well. A broken neck is a broken neck, -whether it belongs to a Jap or anybody else!</p> - -<p>Dawson looked at Freddy, but didn't say anything. Whatever might be -said was said with their eyes. They simply exchanged looks, nodded -grimly, and then stared once more along the winding path with ears -tuned to the rumbling murmur ahead that grew louder and more pronounced -with every foot forward they advanced. And so it was that at the end -of ten or twelve minutes of cautious advancing, they finally reached a -point where the jungle stopped, and flat, sun-baked ground began.</p> - -<p>The pair stopped just a few feet inside the jungle and peered silently -out at the sight ahead. It was one that caused wild hope to blossom -within them. But it was also a sight that weighed down their hearts -with bitterness and angry helplessness. Though Dawson had been -suspecting it all along, it was not until he stared out onto that -triangular-shaped patch of sun-baked ground that he knew definitely -that Freddy and he had finally reached what had no more than -forty-eight hours before been a Yank and Filipino-held emergency -airfield.</p> - -<p>But it was all Jap now. And the only traces that it had once been -Yank-Filipino were the fire and bomb-marked wrecks of American planes -caught on the ground by overwhelming Jap bombers, and the gutted -hangars and buildings that lined one side of the field. And that it -was all Jap, now, was obvious from the Nipponese planes of all types -that were lined up on the other two sides. Planes, and Jap pilots and -mechanics, and ground troops strutting about. A sight to make any -Christian's heart weep blood. And the bitterest touch of all to Dawson -and Freddy Farmer was the way the planes were lined up. They were not -even dispersed about the field. And that could mean but one thing. That -there were no more Yank bombers left in the Philippines to roar back -and give those little slant-eyed brown men a taste of their own kind -of war. No, the bombers that would some day do that little thing were -thousands and thousands of miles away. And a great number of them were -still just working blueprints in American aircraft factories!</p> - -<p>Yes, a sight to make Christians weep, but also a sight to fan the -flickering spark of hope and determination into a mounting flame!</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FOURTEEN" id="CHAPTER_FOURTEEN">CHAPTER FOURTEEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Beware The Sharks!</i></small></h2> - - -<p>"The dirty swine! Blast their rotten hearts! Gosh! What I'd give to -lead a patrol of bombers right now! Dash it all! I'd even be willing to -settle for Hawker Hurricanes!"</p> - -<p>The words spilled softly and tonelessly off Freddy Farmer's lips. His -eyes fixed on the captured field were bright and brittle, and he was -unconsciously thumping one clenched fist into the palm of the other -hand. Dawson glanced sidewise at him, grinned, and nudged his arm.</p> - -<p>"Check, and double check, pal!" he whispered. "But wishing for the -impossible won't help a bit. Besides, we haven't got time to jaw around -on such things. Take a look at that spread of Jap planes, Freddy. Which -one do you figure should be our baby, when we get it?"</p> - -<p>"<i>If</i> we get it!" the English youth muttered grimly. "Of course, I'd -much prefer one of those Zeros. But we couldn't both ride in the same -plane. Besides, they don't even carry enough gas to get us across the -China Sea, to say nothing of up to Chungking."</p> - -<p>"Not a chance in a Zero," Dawson grunted with a shake of his head. "And -those Mitsubishi bombers over there are out, too. Take too long to get -one of them off. So that brings up the important fact, pal."</p> - -<p>"Only <i>one</i> important fact?" Freddy Farmer groaned.</p> - -<p>"For the present, anyway," Dawson whispered with a grin. "In other -words, with what we manage to steal from these little rats, we wouldn't -be able to make Chungking non-stop. Our best bet, and the shortest hop -possible, is to skip across the northern part of Indo-China, and reach -Kunming."</p> - -<p>"Suits me perfectly!" breathed Freddy Farmer, his eyes lighting up. -"Kunming is H.Q. for those Flying Tiger chaps. We may spot a few of -them on patrol to escort us in. Also, to send the Jap johnnies on their -way. The ones chasing us, or ones we're bound to run into, I mean."</p> - -<p>"Sure, easy as pie!" Dawson snorted. "When we meet Flying Tigers on -patrol we simply yell at them that the Jap ship we're in doesn't -mean a thing, huh? And they'll catch on, quick? Listen, pal, those -Flying Tigers are hot stuff. They don't bother asking Jap pilots for -their names and addresses. They just sail in guns blazing. And, bingo! -Hirohito has a few less. See what I mean?"</p> - -<p>"Well, what do <i>you</i> plan, then, Master Mind?" Freddy growled.</p> - -<p>"Nothing," Dave came right back at him. "Once we're in the air, all we -can do is hope that we can outfly the Japs chasing us. <i>And</i> that we -don't bump into any of the Flying Tiger boys on the prowl. So I guess -that baby over there is the one for our money. It's the closest, and -those Jap mechanics wheeling that gas dollie away means that it's just -been fueled up. What do you think?"</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer peered in the direction of Dawson's pointing finger -and silently eyed the plane indicated on the near side of the -triangular-shaped field. It was a Mitsubishi "Karigane" MK-Eleven -two-place, low wing monoplane fighter. It was powered with an eight -hundred horsepower radial engine of copied American design. And it was -reputed to be one of the fastest, and longest ranged two-place planes -in the Far Eastern theatre of war. And so Freddy had only to take a -good look to be satisfied.</p> - -<p>"We should just about make Kunming in it, with luck," he said to Dave. -"However, there's the small detail of stealing her, you know. There's -plenty of Nips standing around over there. And they all look armed to -me."</p> - -<p>"They are," Dawson grunted. "But this isn't any walking stick I've got -in my hands, pal. Seriously, though, Freddy, I think we can <i>surprise</i> -those bums out of that plane without much trouble. Look at how cocky -they're acting, will you? Well, it's my guess a few well placed bursts -from this machine gun could throw the place into a panic. You fast on -your feet, kid?"</p> - -<p>"Fast as you are if I have to be, I guess," Freddy replied gravely. -"But just what do you plan to do? Rush them from here? It's sixty -yards, if it's an inch."</p> - -<p>"You think I'm that dumb?" Dawson growled, and shook his head -vigorously. "No, not rush them from here. Get <i>them</i> to come rushing -<i>over</i> here!"</p> - -<p>"Eh, what's that?" the English youth gasped as his eyes popped and his -jaw sagged.</p> - -<p>He started to say more, but Dawson stopped him by pointing at the -little path that turned sharp right and skirted that side of the -airfield, just inside the jungle growth. It had obviously been used -by soldiers on guard duty. In short, they had used it to reach their -posts, instead of crossing the field in the face of planes landing or -taking off. It could also be used during a bombing raid when it wasn't -good sense to show oneself out on the open field.</p> - -<p>"There's where we run, Freddy," Dawson said. "<i>After</i> I've blasted a -few bursts <i>back</i> in the general direction of that Jap sentry we hauled -down. My guess, or my hope, is that those over there on the edge of the -field will come a-running, figuring his post has been attacked. Well, -when they start cutting across the field we'll start down that path, -but fast. The jungle growth will hide us, and we can get to a point -right behind that two-seater before we'll have to break out into the -open. And then—"</p> - -<p>Dawson paused, and a tight, hard smile stretched his lips.</p> - -<p>"Maybe even then we'll have to knock a few of them off," he said -grimly. "But so what? That'll make just less Japs, that's all. Well, -okay by you?"</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer shrugged, and gestured with his hands, palms upward.</p> - -<p>"Why not?" he grunted. "It's just as insane and foolhardy as anything I -could think up. Right you are, then. But let's get on with it. I don't -fancy hanging around here any longer than I have to."</p> - -<p>"You think I'm in love with the place?" Dawson snorted, and slipped the -safety catch off the machine gun's trigger. "Okay, kid. On your mark! -Here goes!"</p> - -<p>Dawson's last whispered word hadn't even been swallowed up by the -jungle silence before he had pointed the sub-machine gun back along the -path in the direction of the dead Jap sentry, and pulled the trigger. -Three, four silence-shattering bursts leaped out from the gun's muzzle, -and a bit of the jungle growth in the line of fire promptly looked as -if it had been whizzed through a fine meat grinder. But Dave didn't -pause to admire the fire power effect on the jungle target. As the last -bullet sped clear, he spun around and snapped a quick gaze out across -the field. And for a crazy instant it was all he could do to stop from -laughing out loud. Every blessed Jap on the field had frozen stiff, and -some of them in the queerest, most unnatural positions.</p> - -<p>However, they did not remain that way for long. A high-pitched -sing-song voice hit the air, and it was as though many invisible -strings had been jerked. The Japs snapped up straight, grabbed -for their side arms, or caught up their rifles or machine guns, -and came tearing across the field, screaming at the top of their -hideous-sounding voices. But by the time the first of them had taken -one step, Freddy and Dave had taken two steps along the hidden path. -And they kept right on adding more and more driving power to their legs.</p> - -<p>In almost less time than it takes to relate it they had covered those -sixty odd yards of jungle path, and were directly behind the two-seater -Mitsubishi MK-Eleven that they figured on "borrowing." Yes, directly -behind it, but they still had some fifteen yards more of open ground -before they could reach the plane's cockpit. Just the same they didn't -hug the ground and waste time contemplating that final dash across open -ground. They simply waited long enough for Dave to sprint in front with -the sub-machine gun, and then off they went on the final lap.</p> - -<p>Final lap? It was only fifteen yards to that MK-Eleven. Four good -running broad jumps would cover the distance easily. But to Dave -those fifteen yards seemed more like fifteen hundred. As he had half -expected, and half feared, not all the Japs in that corner of the field -had gone tearing over to investigate the mystery of the firing machine -gun. A half dozen or so of them, all mechanics, had remained where they -were. And it so happened that their sharp eyes caught sight of Dawson -the very instant he broke out into the open. Blood-curdling screams -of rage smote the air, and were instantly punctuated by rifle fire. -But also in the same instant Dawson had dropped to one knee and was -sweeping his bullet-spitting machine gun to left and right.</p> - -<p>A couple of the Japs instantly went flat to the ground, and right out -of the war and the world forever. And the others spun around and leaped -for the protection of a nearby bomber's fuselage. That was okay by -Dawson. It was just what he wanted. He slammed a short burst under the -bomber's belly, and yelled to Freddy.</p> - -<p>"Jump for it, Freddy!" he cried. "Into the rear cockpit, and be ready -to catch this gun and cover me as I pile in. Get going!"</p> - -<p>The last two words were quite unnecessary. Freddy Farmer wasn't taking -precious split seconds out to do any arguing this time. As a matter -of fact, he had already leaped past Dave as the Yank ace shouted the -order. And in another couple of leaps he had reached the side of the -MK-Eleven and was virtually throwing himself into the rear cockpit. -Dawson saw Freddy make it out the corner of his eye, and slapped one -more burst to kick up dust under the bomber's belly. Then he sprang to -his feet, and dived for the MK-Eleven himself. As he reached its side -he threw the sub-machine gun straight at Freddy. The English youth -caught it in his hands, and was pumping bullets over at the bomber, -behind which the Japs were attempting to hide and fire, in the single -bat of an eyelid.</p> - -<p>In what was practically a continuation of a wild leap into the -pilot's cockpit of that Jap MK-Eleven, Dawson whipped out one hand to -knock up the ignition switches, and stabbed the other thumb on the -starter button, and kicked off the wheel brakes with his foot. As the -Jap-copied American aircraft engine caught on the first time over, -and roared up in a full throated song of power, he blessed the odd -simplicity of Jap instrument panels and engine gadgets. There were not -more than six or seven of them, and though they were printed in Jap -sign writing, it was easy enough to guess their uses and functions. And -so as the MK-Eleven quivered and trembled for a brief instant and then -went rocketing out across the field like a comet gone haywire, he did -not jab or pull one wrong thing and put an end to their little bit of -war thievery right then and there.</p> - -<p>On the contrary, he was able to nurse the last ounce of maximum power -from the roaring engine, and Jap-fired bullets had hardly begun to -twang and whine past his ears before he had the wheels clear and was -hauling the speedy little craft straight up toward the sun-flooded -Philippine sky. And he kept it going right on upward until he had more -than enough altitude under him. Then he whipped over and around onto -even keel with the nose pointed diagonally across the northern reaches -of the Philippines toward the South China Sea beyond.</p> - -<p>Then he turned around and grinned happily at Freddy Farmer.</p> - -<p>"Just like robbing the cradle, hey, pal?" he bellowed.</p> - -<p>The English youth made a wry face and flung a pointing hand toward the -south.</p> - -<p>"Not quite over yet, old thing!" he shouted back. "Here come some -of the blighters, for a starter. Too bad we didn't also steal their -blasted radio station!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FIFTEEN" id="CHAPTER_FIFTEEN">CHAPTER FIFTEEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Aces Think Fast</i></small></h2> - - -<p>As Dawson swung his head around the other way and stared to the south, -he saw the swarm of Jap wings prop-clawing along on a line intended -to cut him off from in front. A second glance, however, told him that -his stolen MK-Eleven held a slight edge. Told him, also, that his path -and the flight path of those other Jap planes would cross at a point -several miles out over the South China Sea.</p> - -<p>"But those bums are going to cross our path <i>behind</i> us, if I've got -anything to say about it!" he told himself grimly. "I've got enough -worries about whether this crate will make Kunming, without having -those bums give me grey hairs!"</p> - -<p>With a savage nod for emphasis, he shot another look toward the Jap -planes boiling up from the south, twisted around to give Freddy Farmer -a reassuring grin, and then turned front and concentrated every -effort on getting every ounce of speed out of the MK-Eleven. Some -fifteen minutes later, when he took another look at the Jap planes, a -tight grin stretched his lips, and he gave a little nod of approval. -He had managed to gain on them considerably, and it looked now as if -the little brown men of Nippon were just wasting gas and oil. And in -addition to that helpful fact, cloud banks were beginning to form in -the heavens ahead. Just let him reach them, and the whole darn Jap air -force could try to hunt him out, if it wanted to.</p> - -<p>"And so that is just what we'll do!" he murmured softly to himself. -"We'll beat those little tramps to the clouds, and—"</p> - -<p>A sharp rap of Freddy Farmer's fist on his shoulder cut the rest off -short. He jerked his head around and started to bark the obvious -question, but the English youth was already talking, and pointing.</p> - -<p>"I fancy the Japs back on Legaspi have been using their blasted radio -some <i>more</i>, Dave!" Freddy shouted. "Look up there to the north! More -of the blighters. Guess they must come from Jap air bases on Hainan -Island. Up to you, old thing. Can we still make those clouds?"</p> - -<p>Dawson didn't answer at once because at that moment he had impulsively -glanced to the south-west. And there in the distant sky he picked -out more Jap planes racing up to join the other two enemy forces. He -studied them for a moment longer, and then turned front, eyes hard and -lips pressed into a thin grim line.</p> - -<p>"We not only can," he grated presently, "but we're <i>going</i> to, if this -thing'll just hold together. They figure to pull the old three-way -squeeze on us, but the bums have got another think coming. Hang onto -your hat, Freddy! This air buggy is going to go places, but fast!"</p> - -<p>And then began a sky race against overwhelming odds. With the heel of -one palm jammed hard against the already wide open throttle, Dawson -hunched forward and kept his eyes glued on the clouds ahead. To reach -them he had to sacrifice precious speed by gaining altitude. But there -wasn't anything else he could do about it. To out-race the Japs cutting -down from the north was just plain out of the question. If they didn't -pile down into him eventually, the Japs coming up from the south-west -would. So his only hope lay in reaching the safety of the clouds ahead, -in gaining altitude, and slicing into those clouds before any of the -enemy planes could get within range.</p> - -<p>It was nip and tuck every foot of the way. And when the most optimistic -of the Jap pilots opened up with long range fire, every crack of -their guns was like a tiny little knife of frozen ice jabbing into -Dawson's heart. Not once, though, did he take time out to glance at -the diminishing distance between the planes. He kept every bit of his -attention riveted on his own aircraft. When the Japs got too close, the -yammer of Freddy Farmer's rear guns would tell him that it was time to -forget the race, and concentrate on fighting for their lives.</p> - -<p>However, Freddy Farmer's rear guns did not speak once as Dawson sent -the MK-Eleven ripping through the air high above the South China Sea. -And then, when it seemed that at least ten years of his life had -come and gone, the plane reached the first of the clouds and went -prop-clawing into them, and out of sight.</p> - -<p>"Cheers for you, old thing!" Freddy Farmer cried as the fleecy -whiteness closed in all about them. "We made it, for fair!"</p> - -<p>"But only just!" Dawson called back to him. "And don't thank me. Thank -this Nip sky wagon. Okay, start navigating, pal. We stick right to our -original course. Ten to one they'll think we'll try to fool them by -doubling back. Kunming! Here we come!"</p> - -<p>As Dave yelled the last there was a smile on his lips, and the warmth -of great happiness in his heart. The end of their journey halfway -around the world was almost in sight now. All that was left was the -small matter of sitting down at Kunming without getting shot down -for a surprise raiding Jap plane, gassing up there, and racing on to -Chungking. At Kunming he'd have word flashed ahead that they'd be -arriving in a Jap plane. Or perhaps it would be better to borrow a -Flying Tiger ship at Kunming and not run the risk of being taken for a -Jap. However, that was a minor point. Just one more landing, and then -Chungking next stop!</p> - -<p>"And it won't make me mad to get a little rest from barging about the -sky!" he grunted with a nod. "Yeah! It will be all to the merry to feel -how it is to walk on the ground for a spell, and not crawl on hands and -knees, or wiggle around like some darn snake. Nope, I won't mind it a -bit."</p> - -<p>And with those and other very pleasant thoughts rippling through his -brain, he sent the MK-Eleven charging dead ahead on course through -the clouds. Every so often they came to a hole in the stuff, and -they could look down through and see patches of Japanese-occupied -Indo-China. And on a couple of those occasions Freddy Farmer was able -to accurately determine their position from land marks below. And each -time it was proved that they were right smack on course.</p> - -<p>Two, three, four hours dragged by, and then suddenly the Mitsubishi -MK-Eleven ripped out into clear blue air just as suddenly as it had -gone ripping into the clouds. The instant they were out in the clear -both Dawson and Freddy Farmer made a swift study of the rugged and most -uninviting terrain below. However, its ugliness did not beat down the -great satisfaction that swelled up in them. They were dead on course -still. Some fifty miles ahead was the China border, and about as many -miles to the left was the point where the borders of China, Indo-China, -and Burma met. A little under an hour, now, and Kunming would be under -their wings.</p> - -<p>Yes, it was a very wonderful and soul-satisfying realization, but it -lasted just about long enough for them to stop looking at the terrain -below and make a searching sweep with their eyes of the surrounding -sky. It was then that the gods of war screamed with laughter and -the heart-stopping truth was revealed. In short, there was a swarm -of Jap planes to their right, another one to their left, and a third -one directly behind. True, all of the enemy aircraft were well out -of range, but it took only a flash study of their angle of approach -to realize that the enemy pilots would reach the China border long -before they did. Reach it and form a winged barrier of flame and -death-spitting aerial machine guns and cannon.</p> - -<p>"Blast them!" Freddy Farmer's voice thundered in Dawson's ears. "Go -right through the blighters, Dave! We've got to. It's the only thing -we can do. Blast through them, Dave, and I'll keep the beggars at a -distance!"</p> - -<p>Dawson heard the words, but he paid little attention to them. He was -studying the Jap planes closing in from three sides, and with heavy -heart he realized that these planes were new. That is, they were -not the ones that had taken up the chase originally. And that fact -confirmed what he already believed to be the truth. The Jap forces -in the Far Eastern theatre of war had practically gone nuts with the -radio, and summoned every Jap plane over an area of thousands of square -miles to hunt down the thieves of a single Jap MK-Eleven. But its -meaning held more than just that for Dawson. It seemed almost insane -to credit it as truth, but facts pointed to the obvious: that the -Japs here, halfway around the world from London, knew who Freddy and -he were, knew the object of their mission, and knew where they were -headed. Yes, it seemed incredible and utterly fantastic. But hadn't -that little adventure with one <i>Herr</i> Miller in the middle of the North -Atlantic seemed equally so? And that close brush with death when they -had been ambushed on the way to Hickam Field with General Stickney? -It just went to prove for the umpty-umph millionth time that anything -can happen in war. And that the smart soldier should expect it, and be -ready.</p> - -<p>Perhaps it took all of three seconds for those and other thoughts to -whip through Dawson's brain. And then in the fourth second he saw -something that made a decision for him. That "something" was a small -group of dots at a point in the air right smack over the Burma border. -They were several miles away, but Dawson's eyes were sharp enough to -pick them out for what they truly were, and an unconscious shout of joy -spilled from his lips.</p> - -<p>"Lifesavers, Freddy!" he howled back at the English youth. "Over there! -See? That's a patrol of Flying Tigers! Those are shark's head-painted -Curtiss P-Forties, or I'll eat my shirt. Take a deep breath, Freddy! -Everything is going to be okay!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I see them!" the English youth shouted back. "But <i>they</i> don't -know who <i>we</i> are, you know. Head for them and they'll blow us to bits -before we can even flash them a sign. Good grief! What are you doing -now?"</p> - -<p>The last was because Dawson had deliberately hurtled the MK-Eleven -around toward the south and was tearing full out straight for the -nearest of the Jap planes roaring up from that direction.</p> - -<p>"Our best bet!" he yelled at Freddy. "Get set with those rear guns. -We'll give those Flying Tiger boys a sign that'll leave no doubts that -we're not Japs. We smack one of them down, Freddy. Make it two. That'll -tell the Flying Tiger boys as plain as writing them a letter. Okay, -pal! Make it perfect as I tear in and out. Here we go!"</p> - -<p>To any unsuspecting observer, that lone MK-Eleven racing straight -toward a swarm of Jap Zeros must have looked like a sheer suicide -maneuver. At least, it must have looked that way to the Zero pilots -who knew who was in that MK-Eleven. At any rate, the suddenness of the -mad attack threw the slow thinking Japs off balance for a few split -seconds. And for two sky warriors such as Dave Dawson and Freddy Farmer -a few split seconds is sometimes as good as a whole lifetime. And that -was so in this particular case.</p> - -<p>While the brains of those slant-eyed sons of the Rising Sun groped for -the true meaning of this unexpected maneuver, Dawson cut the MK-Eleven -in at the leader at rocket speed. In the last second allowed he feinted -as though to bank around and retreat. And that little act was curtains -for the already befuddled brain in the leading Zero's cockpit. Its -pilot started to pull over, but Dawson cut right back in again and -jabbed the trigger button on his stick. The savage bursts from his guns -caught the Zero broadside, and the Jap probably never even knew that -he was dying for his so-called Heaven-born Emperor. At least he didn't -know it until he was dead, and was falling earthward in a ball of -raging flame.</p> - -<p>Nor did a second Jap Zero pilot who happened to "get in the way" of -Freddy Farmer's rear guns. The only difference was that he didn't go -earthward in a ball of flame. Freddy's first burst caught his fuel -tank. There was a sheet of mounting flame, and great belching gobs of -black-smudged white smoke. And then there was just a shower of pieces -going downward.</p> - -<p>The time it took for all that to happen was perhaps no longer than -the time it would take you to blink one eye. In fact, almost before -both planes started down out of the war, Dawson had sheered off at -lightning bolt speed, leaving the rest of the Japs still brain-groping -and automatically fanning their guns at thin air. As a matter of fact, -practically all of them had unconsciously swerved off in the opposite -direction, and so when Dawson finally straightened out they were no -longer to the south of him. They were behind, and well out of range. -And six Curtiss P-Forties with their shark-painted noses were less than -a mile dead ahead.</p> - -<p>"Start waving, just to make sure, Freddy!" Dawson roared, as he booted -the MK-Eleven toward those gallant American eagles who had come -thousands of miles to fight and to die for China's great and worthy -cause. "Stand up, and start waving. They might think it was just some -dizzy Jap trick."</p> - -<p>"Not a chance, I fancy!" the English-born air ace shouted back. "Those -Jap yellow beggars have seen <i>them</i>! Take a look for yourself!"</p> - -<p>Dawson gulped, "Huh?" as he jerked around in the seat. But that's all -he said, because in the next second he was bursting with laughter. -He was, for the very funny fact that every Jap-flown plane in the -surrounding skies had about-faced and was making tracks for any place -that would be far away from those dead-aim pilots who flew those -terror ships of the Chinese Air Force. At least a hundred Jap pilots -were streaking for safety from six hard-eyed, steel trigger-fingered -knights of the air. Just one more proof that though Jap pilots fly in -bunches, they know they will die the same way if they make the mistake -of getting too close to the guns of the Flying Tigers!</p> - -<p>"Boy, oh boy! Look at them scoot, will you!" Dawson chuckled. "Praise -be to Allah for the Flying Tigers. It's just about all over but the -shouting, Freddy. Better start brushing up on your Chinese, pal, if you -know any!"</p> - -<p>The English-born air ace laughed at that remark. But so did the gods of -war up in their unseen high places. Not, however, for the same reason. -They laughed because they knew that Death was only taking a breathing -spell; that Death would return again, and soon, to claim its victims!</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SIXTEEN" id="CHAPTER_SIXTEEN">CHAPTER SIXTEEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Warriors' Duty</i></small></h2> - - -<p>With a grin on his lips, and a happy song in his heart, Dawson rocketed -the Jap MK-Eleven across the sky toward the six P-Forties. And Freddy -Farmer half stood up in the rear cockpit and waved a wild greeting to -the Flying Tigers. The pilot of the lead plane waggled his wings in -reply, and then he and his five buddies swept by the MK-Eleven and -came about fast to take up escort positions. Dawson glanced over at -the leader and grinned broadly. The Flying Tiger returned the grin, -and then made signs with his hands to inquire how much gas Dawson had -left in his tanks. The Yank air ace took a quick look at the gauge and -gulped. True, he had some gas left, but not nearly enough to get him -to Kunming. In fact, he had only fifteen minutes or so of flying time -left. Unless there was a field within fifteen minutes range, he and -Freddy were still going to have trouble on their hands.</p> - -<p>Turning his head toward the Flying Tiger in the leading P-Forty, he -lifted up his free hand and opened it and closed it three times. The -Flying Tiger nodded acknowledgment, gave Dawson a reassuring wave with -his hand and then pointed ahead and to the north. And just twelve -minutes later the pilot waggled his wings once more, dropped the -shark's-head nose of his plane, and went sliding downward. Dawson took -a look downward and swallowed hard. As far as he could see there wasn't -the sign of a field below. There was nothing but lush green jungle and -cliff and crag-studded hills and mountains. He knew they were over the -Burmese border, but at just what point he could only guess.</p> - -<p>"I hope that guy isn't kidding!" he grunted absently. "You could break -your neck without any trouble landing in that stuff down there. Oh, -well. Here's hoping, anyway."</p> - -<p>There was no need for Dawson to be worried, however. A little under a -minute later, the leading P-Forty eased off the angle of its glide, and -slid around the corner of a hill range and settled down onto a small, -level field, that looked like anything else but from the air. The -other five Flying Tigers went down in rapid succession to show Dawson -where he should land. And then, just as the Jap M-Eleven's engine was -sputtering out the last of its song of power, Dawson whipped off the -ignition switch, and coasted down the rest of the way.</p> - -<p>No sooner had he touched ground than a couple of Flying Tiger mechanics -rushed out and waved him over to the side of the field where heavy -tropical growth grew like a solid green wall. They grabbed his wing -tips, and helped him wheel-brake the plane in under the edge of the -stuff. And when Freddy and he finally legged down onto the sun-baked -ground, there wasn't a single plane left out in the open for prowling -Jap eyes to spot from above.</p> - -<p>"Wonder what this place is?" Dawson grunted, as he and Freddy watched -a dozen or so youths in American Volunteer Group uniforms come running -over to them.</p> - -<p>"I think it's near Menglien, in Burma," the English youth replied. -"Between the Indo-China border and the Salween River. But what does it -matter? We're in very safe hands, and praise the good Lord for that!"</p> - -<p>"Check, and double check!" Dawson echoed the statement. "Now, just one -more hop, and this crazy messenger boy job will be all over."</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer started to comment on that but checked himself as the -group of Flying Tigers arrived. They were all American boys, and a -warm, satisfying feeling flooded through Dawson. One of them, a tall, -dark-haired man with a major's insignia on his shoulder straps, flipped -a hand up in friendly salute and acted as spokesman.</p> - -<p>"Welcome to Burma, Captains Dawson and Farmer!" he said. "How's one of -those Jap crates fly? And did you really swipe it in the Philippines? -Oh, yeah. I'm Major Brown, Fifth Group Commander. I'll introduce you to -the boys later. But welcome, anyway."</p> - -<p>"Thanks, Major," Dawson said with a faint frown. "How come you know who -we are, and that we swiped this MK-Eleven in the Philippines? We didn't -think anybody knew it, except maybe some Japs."</p> - -<p>"That's just the point," the major replied with a chuckle. "Some Japs -<i>did</i> know it, and now the whole world knows it, maybe. At least, if -they've been tuned in on the Jap radio in this neck of the world. -Darned near the whole Jap Air Force has been looking for you for hours. -I guess some of them must have got close, eh, to force you this far -south. According to the Jap radio, you two were supposed to be headed -for Chungking."</p> - -<p>For a couple of seconds neither Dawson nor Freddy Farmer could say a -word. Their feet, figuratively speaking, had been knocked right out -from under them. The fact that their supposedly secret journey to -Chungking had been publicized just about as much as Santa Claus' yearly -trip on Christmas Eve left them speechless, and gaping at the Flying -Tiger C.O.</p> - -<p>"Jap radio, sir?" Freddy Farmer finally found his voice. "You mean, the -Japs have been broadcasting this thing?"</p> - -<p>"Well, mainly for Jap Air Force consumption, I guess," the major -replied. "But anybody who tuned in, and understood Jap, could have got -the story. Part of it, anyway. We've got a radio here, of course, and -one of the boys understands Jap. So we learned that Captains Dawson and -Farmer are wanted plenty bad by the Japs. It seems they are believed -to have stolen a plane near Legaspi, in the Philippines, and are -undoubtedly headed for Chungking. All available Jap pilots were ordered -into the air from Hong-kong to the Burma border to find these two -wanted lads, and force them down and take them prisoner. <i>Force</i> them -down, not shoot them down. Maybe you know why. I don't. Anyway, we were -out on patrol when our ground station relayed to us that the Japs had -sighted you, and where. Seemed as if you might get into trouble, so we -busted out a ways to help if we could."</p> - -<p>"And how you did, Major, how you did!" Dawson exclaimed. "And thanks -from the bottom of our hearts. Yes, we do know why the Japs want us -alive. We—well, we've got an important date in Chungking. I can tell -you that much, anyway. But it sure is a shock to learn that the Japs -over here knew all about us. We'd been thinking we were pretty slick to -have given them the run-around."</p> - -<p>The Flying Tiger C.O. grinned and shrugged.</p> - -<p>"Things like that happen, and often," he grunted. "It sure does beat -all how secrets get around in this darn war. But they sure do. And from -my experiences with the Japs I've learned that Hitler's trick Gestapo -hasn't got a thing on the little brown slant eyes when it comes to -espionage and stuff. But here, here! You two must be about dead on your -feet. We can compare notes later. You'll be wanting food, and rest. -Or—or are you really in a hurry to get to Chungking?"</p> - -<p>"Frankly, we are, sir," Dawson told him. "We began this trip from -London four nights ago, and—-well, there's just one more hop to make, -and we'd sure like to get it over with, if you get what I mean? So we -were wondering if you could spare us gas for this MK-Eleven to get us -to Chungking?"</p> - -<p>Major Brown scowled and shot a worried look up toward the clear blue -sky.</p> - -<p>"We've plenty of gas," he said presently. "It isn't a case of that. -But this MK is a marked ship, Dawson, and there are flocks of Japs on -patrol between here and Chungking. You'd never make it unless some of -us went along as escort. And—"</p> - -<p>"Well, could we borrow a couple of your P-Forties, sir?" Freddy Farmer -interrupted politely. "Then the Jap beggars probably wouldn't suspect. -And we'd bring them right back. Not necessary for us to remain in -Chungking for any great length of time, you know."</p> - -<p>The Flying Tiger C.O. sighed heavily, and looked very sad. He gestured -toward twelve Curtiss P-Forties well dispersed about the edges of the -small field.</p> - -<p>"Those are all the ships we have," he said. "And just enough pilots to -fly them. At any other time, I'd say take a couple and luck to you. At -any other time, too, I'd radio Kunming for permission to have us all -escort you up there, and you could fly the MK. But both of those things -are out now. Maybe this mission of yours is plenty important, but—"</p> - -<p>The senior officer paused and shrugged again.</p> - -<p>"But we've got an important mission coming up 'most any minute, too," -he continued presently. "A matter of some twenty thousand Chinese -soldiers caught in a trap, and about to be slaughtered by the Japs. -Sometime today every A.V.G. unit within reach is going to try and fix -it so's those Chinese soldiers can get out of the trap. If they don't -make it today, they're sunk—every one of them!"</p> - -<p>"Good gosh!" Freddy Farmer breathed. "Twenty <i>thousand</i>, you say, sir?"</p> - -<p>"And maybe more!" the other said grimly. "Northwest of here, about -sixty miles. At a bend in the Salween River. The Chinese are on one -side, and a much larger Jap force on the other. A surprise move that -caught the poor devil Chinese cold. The river is shallow there, but -right behind the Chinese is a five hundred foot cliff. They came down -it by small road and foot path. Just infantry units, with no artillery -support at all. Meantime, the Japs had closed in on the other side of -the river, <i>with</i> plenty of artillery. So the Chinese are caught both -ways. If they try to retreat up the cliff roads the Japs can pick them -off like flies. And if they try to cross the river and get at the Japs -with their machine guns and rifles, the Jap artillery can drown them -like rats—by the thousands. We <i>hope</i> to ground-strafe and light bomb -the Japs so much they won't have time to let the Chinese have anything -before the Chinese have been able to force the river crossing and -can come to close grips with them. If we don't do that today, Chiang -Kai-shek's boys are lost. The Jap artillery will have all been moved -into position by nightfall. So you see—"</p> - -<p>Major Brown gestured, and left the rest hanging in mid-air. Both Dawson -and Freddy Farmer nodded, and showed their understanding and sympathy -with their eyes.</p> - -<p>"Well, in that case, sir—" he began, and stopped.</p> - -<p>He stopped because at that moment three things happened all at the same -time. First, an A.V.G. orderly came pounding up on the dead run.</p> - -<p>"Word's just been flashed, Major!" he panted. "Group take off and -proceed as ordered!"</p> - -<p>The second thing that happened was the ungodly wail of the air raid -siren mounted atop a small shack on the far side of the field. And the -third thing that happened was the sudden, lightning-like appearance of -a lone Jap Zero wing screaming around the corner of the hill range, and -straight down toward the field.</p> - -<p>Dawson had hardly spotted it before he saw the jetting streams of -orange-yellow coming out from the leading edges of its wing. It swept -down low until its belly was almost touching the field, and it came -straight for the group near the MK-Eleven. Dawson heard Major Brown -roar out for everybody to duck for cover, but the order was quite -unnecessary. Everybody had done just that, and as Dawson tried to bury -his own body deep in the sun-baked ground, his ears were filled with -the savage snarl of the Zero's gunfire. It was as though the plane were -sitting right on top of his head, and its guns pumping bullets straight -into his brain. And mingled in with the chattering roar was the sound -of fire from ground guns posted about the field. Then suddenly there -was silence, to be shattered almost immediately by a terrific explosion -just overhead.</p> - -<p>Impulsively Dawson twisted over and stared up to see what was left of -the Jap Zero about six or seven hundred feet up in the air. Ground -gunners had obviously caught it cold, and its gas tank had blown it -into all those flaming splinters that were now arcing out far and wide. -Its dead pilot, however, had seemingly fulfilled his suicide mission. -As Dawson twisted over he saw that the MK-Eleven was on fire and -blazing fiercely. That fact snapped him out of his trance and brought -him leaping up onto his feet with a cry of alarm struggling up his -throat.</p> - -<p>It was then, though, that he realized there was no gas in the MK-Eleven -for those raging flames to explode. And it was then, also, that he -saw the terrible look on Major Brown's face. Wild, seething rage, and -bitter, heart-crushing agony flamed on the senior officer's face. -Dawson leaped over to him and grabbed his arm.</p> - -<p>"You hit, sir?" he shouted. "Where? Take it easy, and—"</p> - -<p>"I'm okay!" the other snapped. "But Stevens, and Gregg. They caught -one. They can't go. That leaves only ten of us to do a big job. I -wonder if—"</p> - -<p>"Ten nothing!" Dawson roared as he saw the two wounded Flying Tigers -stretched out on the ground. "You've <i>still</i> got twelve. What do you -think Farmer and I do for a living? Drive tanks?"</p> - -<p>"But, but Chungking!" Major Brown sputtered. "I can't ask you two to—"</p> - -<p>"And you can't stop us, either!" Dawson cut him off. "Chungking? -Listen! Twenty thousand trapped Chinese soldiers are worth making -Chungking wait! Heck! You think Freddy and I would sit here and cool -our heels while all those Chinese lads are trapped? And by dirt rotten -Japs? Nuts! What two planes, Major? Point them out, and let's go!"</p> - -<p>"Over there, numbers six and ten!" the Flying Tiger leader cried. "And -good—!"</p> - -<p>"Same to you!" Dawson snapped and started running. "Come on, Freddy. -Shift it! We've got some <i>real</i> flying to do for a change!"</p> - -<p>Not over two minutes later twelve shark head-painted Curtiss P-Forties -went roaring up off the surface of that field, slid in close in -formation, and went cutting around and up toward the northwest. Flying -at number three on the right, Dawson turned his head and grinned over -at Freddy Farmer flying the same formation position on the left. The -English youth seemed to feel his look, for he turned his head and -returned the grin. They both nodded silently and immediately returned -their attention to the business of flying.</p> - -<p>"Tough on those two lads hit!" Dawson breathed to himself as the -formation went ripping along over the uninviting terrain of North -Burma. "But what a break for Freddy and me. Once again going into -action with the Flying Tigers. Hot dog! And here's hoping that this -time things will turn out even better than that other time, which was -plenty, what I mean!"<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></p> - -<p>With a grim nod for emphasis, Dawson twisted the little button on the -stick to "Fire" position, and made sure that everything was set to -release the cluster of twenty small strafing bombs fitted to the under -side of the wings. Everything was in order now, and all that was left -was the passing of time, and the arrival at the objective.</p> - -<p>And that arrival seemed to become a fact almost before Dawson could -blink his eyes and take a deep breath. As though by magic, three more -Flying Tiger Groups materialized in the Burma sky. And just ahead at -a hair pin bend in the muddy Salween River, the ground on both sides -was beginning to belch up flame and smoke. But most of the flame and -smoke came from the north side of the bend, from the heavily fortified -Japanese positions. And it seemed to be no more than a couple of split -seconds later that Dawson was wing-screaming his Curtiss P-Forty -practically down at the vertical.</p> - -<p>In his earphones he heard Major Brown bark orders for two of the Flying -Tigers to stay top-side to ride herd and watch out for Jap planes. But -he didn't turn his head to take a look at the two who were to remain -aloft. He kept his eyes fixed on the picture below, and his blood -boiled with anger. Trapped was right! And how! It was like a small -edition of the beach at Dunkirk, during the British evacuation of -France back in 1940. Thousands and thousands of brave Chinese troops -were huddled in the shore growth with the suicide cliff at their backs. -And across the river's bend in the low hill, thousands and thousands -of little slant-eyed rats of Nippon were hurling death and destruction -into the midst of those Chinese. The foothills seemed to explode shell -fire every three or four feet in any direction. And trailing backward -along the narrow roads were columns of supply trains moving upward -with more horror and more death for those helpless Chinese.</p> - -<p>All that and more Dawson saw and absorbed with his eyes as he went -roaring downward. And then he was within range of the Jap forces, and -all thoughts of everything fled from his brain. That is, all thoughts -of everything save the constant thought of hammering those hordes of -slant-eyed rats into the ground as long as he and his plane and his -guns could hold out. Here was a chance to pay back for some of the -things he had seen and had suffered himself. Here was a chance to fight -for a gallant nation; a nation that had held its own against the Tokyo -vermin for so many years. Chungking? Sure! Freddy and he would get to -Chungking presently. Right now, though, the lives of twenty thousand -Chinese soldiers hung in the balance. The lives of twenty thousand -Chinese soldiers, and some thirty odd shark-painted Curtiss P-Forties -overhead to do something about it!</p> - -<p>"Don't worry, pals, we'll blast them out for you! We'll blast the -rotten bums out even if we have to come down and do it with our bare -fists! And how, pals! And how!"</p> - -<p>Silly, crazy words? Certainly! But Dave Dawson's brain was afire with -the excitement of battle. And besides, words shouted and screamed -aloud are simply a warrior's escape valve in the heat of conflict. -Sure! Crazy, silly, inane words! But there was nothing crazy or silly -about Dawson's guns, or the light strafing bombs fitted under his -wings. Nor was there anything silly about the way he and the others -tore right down until their props were practically flipping off the -helmets of the Jap troops. And nothing silly about the way they blasted -ammunition truck after ammunition truck on the roads, and knocked -scores and scores of the little brown devils out of the world at -practically every tick of their wrist-watches.</p> - -<p>Before those Flying Tiger P-Forties had arrived, the Japs had been -turning the opposite bank of the river bend into a smoking, blazing -graveyard. But now it was all very different. The graveyard had been -moved to the other side of the Salween's bend, and the Japs were -getting the savage, relentless back-fire of something they had started.</p> - -<p>"So? Think so? Well, think again, but good!"</p> - -<p>The words automatically burst from Dawson's lips as he caught sight of -two heavily loaded ammunition trucks rocking down one of the roads -straight for the river's bend. Chinese troops relieved from the -terrific pounding of Jap fire were starting to swarm across the shallow -river and get at close quarters with the enemy. Some Jap officer had -spotted them, though. Or perhaps it was just a suicidal idea of the -drivers of those two ammunition trucks. At any rate, the two trucks -were hurtling down to the river's bank to plow into the water among -those swarms of Chinese troops, and blow them all to bloody pieces.</p> - -<p>That was the mad Jap suicide idea. But two steel-eyed eagles spotted -what was taking place. Two steel-eyed eagles who had been feasting -on juicy roast beef in London just four nights before. And down they -streaked like two man-made birds of vengeance straight for those two -trucks hurtling toward the river's edge. And when he was little more -than a few feet over the leading truck, Dawson dumped the last of his -light strafing bombs, and instantly nosed upward for altitude. On that -load of exploding death he could practically have dropped a lighted -match!</p> - -<p>Hardly had his P-Forty started to prop-scream for the sky before the -whole of Burma below him exploded in a world-shattering thunder of -sound. He had purposely dropped down low so that he would be sure not -to miss his target. And so his zooming plane was caught by a thousand -invisible hands, spun around like a top and flung high and far across -the sky. Instinctively he tried to battle the helpless plane, but he -might just as well have tried to jump out into thin air and hold it -back with his two hands.</p> - -<p>Earth, sky, fire, smoke, and sections of airplane spun around in a -mad race before his eyes. He saw the Jap hordes retreating from their -positions in mad, frenzied flight. He saw wave after wave of Chinese -soldiers swarming across the river and lighting out after the heels -of the fleeing Japs. He saw a section of his left wing let go, and -go sailing off into space. He even saw Freddy Farmer's P-Forty come -tumbling down past him. And a split second later his own plane broke -in two right at the cockpit, and popped him out into thin air as a pea -pops out of a pod.</p> - -<p>In a dazed, abstract sort of way he knew that he was falling through -space. He knew also that his right hand clutched the rip-cord ring -of his parachute. He thought, but he wasn't sure, that he had yanked -the ring, and that the lifesaving white parachute silk was billowing -upward. He had just a vague idea that the parachute had mushroomed out, -and that his fall had been checked. However, there was no time to get -control of his neck muscles and twist his head around and up to look. -There wasn't time because at that instant jet black night sky seemed to -drop straight down on him—and he knew no more!</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SEVENTEEN" id="CHAPTER_SEVENTEEN">CHAPTER SEVENTEEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Lightning Wings</i></small></h2> - - -<p>The music was soft and soothing; like no other music ever heard on -earth before. And all about was beauty far beyond the reach of words, -or the brush of an artist. Everything was so wonderful, so perfect, and -so—</p> - -<p>But into Dawson's throbbing, pounding head slipped a tiny inkling of -the stark naked truth. There was no soft, soothing music. And there -was no breathtaking beauty. In fact, nothing was wonderful, or even -approaching perfection. All was Death! Horrible, lingering, painful -death that comes to a man lost and unarmed in the steaming lush jungle -of northern Burma.</p> - -<p>Yes, it was just his brain, and all of his senses playing him tricks -originated by the Devil. Tricks to make him let go, and just relax -peacefully—and die! But he wouldn't let go. And he wouldn't die. He -couldn't! There was too much to—</p> - -<p>The roaring whine of aircraft engines pulled his head up out of the -jungle mud and slime. He rolled half over on his back, gritted his -teeth against the pain that movement caused, and peered up through -the canopy of jungle growth at four Jap Zeros cutting across the -blue-white sky toward the north. For a moment or so he blinked up at -them stupidly. And then, like flood waters storming over a broken dam, -memory came rushing back.</p> - -<p>"Freddy!" he gasped, and pushed himself painfully up onto his feet. -"Freddy! I saw him bail out! Or did he?"</p> - -<p>The thought seemed to catch hold of his brain and twist it savagely. -White hot fire shot across the backs of his eyeballs, and the mass of -lush green jungle all about began to swim around and become as so much -churned up pea soup. He grabbed hold of a hanging vine for support, -closed his eyes tight and fought grimly to drive back the wave of -black oblivion that tried to engulf him. After a few moments his brain -cleared a little, and his thumping heart eased off considerably.</p> - -<p>"Easy does it, pal!" he told himself, tight-lipped. "Don't go off -half-cocked. It'll just get you that much more trouble."</p> - -<p>The sound of his own voice seemed to soothe his jangled nerves. He -nodded, and slowly looked about him.</p> - -<p>"One thing at a time is the way," he went on talking to himself. -"First, get out of this spot. Pick some high ground, and head for it. -You can't be so very far away from the Salween. Pick a hill and maybe -you'll spot the river. But take it easy, and don't break a leg getting -there. You—"</p> - -<p>A thought suddenly cut into his head and froze his brain solid. And for -a long minute he just stood there hanging onto the vine as he mentally -died a thousand times over. Then, with an almost superhuman effort, -he reached his right hand inside his tunic. When his fingers touched -the stiff paper of the sealed envelope, tears of utter, inexpressible -relief sprang to his eyes, and a great big lump clogged up his throat. -Praise be to God! The sealed envelope for Chiang Kai-shek was still -safe! But for a moment—</p> - -<p>He shook his head, refusing to finish the horrible thought. It did -little good, however, to brush that unfinished thought from his brain. -Another one popped right in that was equally heart-stopping. The -thought, the realization that he was completely lost in the North Burma -jungle with no telling what was lurking in wait for him. If he didn't -get out and complete his trip to Chungking, it would be just the same -as though Freddy and he had been killed in that German U-boat, or by -that Jap near Pearl Harbor, or by the little brown rats at Legaspi. -Yes, to fail now would be just as bad as failing right at the very -start. And he might—</p> - -<p>"Cut it, cut it!" he rasped savagely at himself. "Words won't help a -darn bit. Action is what's needed! Snap out of it, you sniveling punk. -Get going! Stop crying for your Mama! Get going!"</p> - -<p>The commands from his tongue put his muscles into action. He took a -quick glance at the position of the sun, and then headed north, and -slightly to the east. He had a hunch that the Salween River lay in that -direction, and until he was proved wrong the only thing he could do was -to play hunches.</p> - -<p>An hour later, though, the soul-crushing torment that comes to men lost -in the jungle was closing in on him from all sides like an invisible -army of demons. With every step he had practically walked hand and hand -with Death. Every step? His travel through the thick jungle growth -could hardly be called steps. It was more falling forward, scrambling -forward, lurching, twisting, and virtually clawing and tearing his way -through the hanging vines. Hard ground would be beneath his feet at one -moment, and in the next he would be up to his knees in muck and mire. -Clouds of insects attacked him every inch of the way, and there was the -constant danger of the needle fangs of deadly snakes. He spotted at -least a dozen of them in the nick of time. But as the year long minutes -dragged on and on, he ceased to care about what might be in his path. -And there was so much pain in all parts of his body that he would have -been unable to feel any new pain from the fangs of a striking snake, or -any other jungle animal.</p> - -<p>And then, when his brain as well as his body was hovering on the verge -of a complete breakdown, he stumbled out onto open ground. But for a -moment or two his befuddled brain was unable to grasp that truth, and -he continued lurching and reeling forward until his foot tripped over -a stone, and he fell flat on his face. It was the sharp, jarring pain -of meeting hard ground that shook the red cobwebs from his brain, and -pulled away the grey-green curtains from in front of his eyes. Yet even -then the brain was not quite ready to function as it should, and he -stared blankly up the bare slope of a hill without realizing what it -was.</p> - -<p>Eventually, though, it registered on his brain. And he also took note -of the fact that a thin column of oily black smoke was mounting high -into the still air from around the left side of the hill. A little door -in his brain seemed to open up and tell him that that smoke must be -from a burning plane. His plane, or Freddy Farmer's? He didn't know. -The thin column of smoke was simply a welcoming beacon. Something -tangible between a lost man and a world he had once known. He only knew -that tears were streaming down his cheeks, that gagging sobs filled his -throat, and that a pair of legs that had been on the point of quitting -completely a moment or two before were carrying him at full speed -around the base of the hill.</p> - -<p>The gleefully jeering gods of war refused to let him alone, however. As -he skirted the base of the hill, jungle growth leaped up in front of -him to block off what was at the ground end of that mounting column of -smoke. It forced him high and higher up the hill, and made him travel -a good two miles toward a spot that was actually a short six hundred -yards from his starting point. But eventually he reached a spot where -the heavy growth ceased abruptly, and he found himself staring down -the hill at the burning wreckage of a plane on the edge of a fair-sized -plot of barren level ground. It was as though Nature had taken a pair -of shears, started some three hundred yards back in the jungle, and cut -a perfect swath through the jungle and right up the side of the hill.</p> - -<p>Yes, that's what it looked like, but Dawson didn't tarry one fleeting -instant to observe and marvel. He didn't for the simple reason that he -saw the figure of Freddy Farmer standing a little off from the burning -wreckage. Freddy Farmer spotted him at almost the same instant, and -started jumping up and down, waving his arms wildly, and shouting like -a maniac. But Dawson didn't wave or shout back in reply. He didn't wave -because he was using his arms to pump his body down the hill. And he -didn't shout because the air he sucked into his lungs was needed to -keep his piston rod legs going at full speed.</p> - -<p>As a matter of fact, when he finally reached Freddy Farmer and -practically fell into the English youth's arms, there wasn't the air -in his lungs to permit him to say anything. Nor could Freddy speak, -either. The emotions of both of them had hit an all-time high, and they -could only cling to each other and struggle for control and sanity.</p> - -<p>"Freddy, Freddy, boy!" Dawson finally managed to force out past his -lips. "Am I happy to see your ugly mug! Say, am I happy?"</p> - -<p>"Not half so glad as I am to see you, Dave!" Freddy panted, and -pounded him on the back. "I thought it was all up for fair. And it -was a horrible thought I never want to have again, old thing. Another -five minutes and I'd have given you up for good, and tried to find my -way out of here. But—but you did see this smoke, and my prayers were -answered. Why, you old good-for-nothing blighter, I never dreamed I'd -taken such a fancy to you!"</p> - -<p>"Me, too!" Dawson grinned at him. "It had to take something like this -to make me realize you're not such a bad guy at times. But hey! That -burned crate was the bus I was flying, wasn't it?"</p> - -<p>"That's right," Freddy told him. "My aircraft didn't burn. And I bailed -out near this spot. I saw this smoke and headed for it, hoping that -you'd sight it, too, and we'd meet. And we did. But, good grief, Dave, -what took you so long? I've been here almost an hour!"</p> - -<p>"What took me so long?" Dawson echoed. "Look, pal! I've been crawling -through stuff that you just can't crawl through, if you get what I -mean. Sweet tripe! After this little adventure a desert is sure going -to look wonderful to me! I'll be tearing vines aside in my dreams for -years to come. Holy smokes! Just look at me!"</p> - -<p>"I am," Freddy Farmer said with a grin. "And not to be impolite, I'd -suggest a good bath for you, old thing!"</p> - -<p>"It'll take a day of just soaking to get off the first layer!" Dawson -said as he stared down at his mud and slime-caked hands, and at his -uniform that just wasn't a uniform any more. "But let's cut the horsing -around. We're still in a spot, Freddy. I haven't any idea which way is -out, have you?"</p> - -<p>"Just a half-belief that the Salween must be east of here," the English -youth said. "But goodness knows how many of the Japs may be in between. -And—"</p> - -<p>"Plane engines!" Dawson barked, and grabbed Freddy's arm. "Probably the -Jap patrol I spotted when I woke up. This burning ship. They see the -smoke. Let's duck, Freddy! We'd be sweet targets for those rats out -here in the open!"</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer didn't reply. He simply nodded and started running with -Dawson for the bordering jungle. But when they were a few yards from -it some impulse caused Dawson to turn his head and glance back up over -his shoulder. A wild cry burst from his lips, and he skidded to such -an abrupt halt that he almost tripped over himself to go flat and haul -Freddy down with him.</p> - -<p>"<i>P-Forties!</i>" he gagged out. "Hold everything. P-Forties! Not Zeros, -Freddy!"</p> - -<p>The English youth had skidded to a halt, too, and both boys stood -gazing unbelieving up at three Flying Tiger P-Forties ripping into view -over the brow of the hill. And the next thing Dawson realized he was -racing back out onto the field again, jumping up and down and waving -both hands over his head. And right beside him Freddy Farmer was doing -the same thing, if not a little more violently.</p> - -<p>But for one heart-shriveling instant the three Curtiss P-Forties, with -their shark-painted noses, went banging right on across the field, as -though their pilots hadn't sighted a thing of interest beneath their -wings. However, when they reached the far end, two of them came curving -around and down, while the third went up for a bit of altitude, and -started circling about.</p> - -<p>"They're landing, Freddy, they're landing!" Dawson screamed crazily.</p> - -<p>"I know, I see!" the English youth screamed back, and pulled on his -arm. "So get out of the way, you blasted idiot, before their props chop -your head off!"</p> - -<p>That bit of sanity registered on Dawson's happy merry-go-round brain, -and he let Freddy Farmer pull him clear of the path of the two -landing P-Forties. But as soon as they had touched earth, and were -wheel-braking to a halt, he broke away from Freddy's grasp and went -pounding over. The pilot who leaped out of the first P-Forty was Major -Brown, and he let out a warwhoop of greeting.</p> - -<p>"Chalk one up for Lady Luck!" he boomed, as the two youths came racing -up. "I would have bet my shirt that—But never mind. By luck we spotted -this smoke, and came for a look. Thank the Lord for small things, but -this isn't small. Heavens above, Dawson! What mud hole and bramble -patch did you fall into? But skip the answer. You two got the strength -to hang on for a piggy-ride back?"</p> - -<p>"If we haven't, we'll find it somewhere!" Dawson grinned. Then, -sobering quickly, "But do you think you can get off here with the extra -load?"</p> - -<p>"If we don't," the other Flying Tiger, a freckle-faced red head, spoke -up, "then there'll be four of us stuck here. And after what I saw you -two guys do today, you're swell company any place, in my book."</p> - -<p>"And that feeling is mutual," Dawson grinned at him. "But tell me, how -did the scrap come out? Did the Japs—?"</p> - -<p>"Still running, those that aren't dead!" Major Brown said grimly. -"Yeah! Another headache for Tokyo, and more coming up. But let's can -this chatter session. The Japs occupy this neck of the woods, and -they'd be very happy to catch us here with our pants down. So let's get -going. Sweeney! You take Farmer, and don't let him fall off, see? Come -along, Dawson. Nothing like an airplane ride in the open air!"</p> - -<p>Just four minutes later Lieutenant Sweeney, of the American Volunteer -Group in China, sent his P-Forty rocketing down the length of the level -patch of Burmese ground. And standing on the left wing butt, with his -head and shoulders and arms inside the cockpit, Freddy Farmer went -along as passenger. The savage prop-wash caught at Freddy's legs and -tried to pull them out from under him, but he was well braced, and his -hands had an iron grip on the inside of the cockpit. So he stayed put, -and the veteran Flying Tiger lifted the fighter plane off the ground at -the right moment, and nursed it up over the rim of the jungle and on up -toward the blue-white sky.</p> - -<p>And thirty seconds later Major Brown took off with Dave Dawson as -his "strap-hanging" passenger. When that plane was well clear of the -ground, the P-Forty that had been left top-side to ride cover slid -downward, and the three planes slid into formation with their noses -pointed for the home field at Menglien some eighty odd miles away.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_EIGHTEEN" id="CHAPTER_EIGHTEEN">CHAPTER EIGHTEEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Satan's Last Gasp</i></small></h2> - - -<p>A new day's sun was climbing up over the eastern rim of a whole world -embroiled in total war. A new day that would see small triumphs, and -big ones, at one front or another. And a new day that would see more -war miracles performed, and more fading life for some, and sudden -violent death for countless others.</p> - -<p>A new day of war, but for Dave Dawson, and Freddy Farmer, it was not -the beginning of something new. Rather, it was the beginning of the end -of something old. Before that sun set in the west again they would be -in Chungking, the secret document would be delivered to Generalissimo -Chiang Kai-shek, and a mission that had carried them almost two-thirds -of the way around the world would be all over but the shouting—and the -great and deep sighs of utter relief.</p> - -<p>"Don't say it, Dave!" Freddy Farmer spoke up as the pair stood on the -edge of the Flying Tiger field at Menglien while mechanics warmed up -the engines of six Curtiss P-Forties. "Don't say it, for Heaven's sake. -It's brought us too much bad luck already!"</p> - -<p>"Okay, I won't say it," Dawson grunted, and gave him a side-long look. -"But off the record, just what in blue blazes are you yapping about?"</p> - -<p>"Your favorite speech ever since we left Colonel Welsh!" the English -youth shot back at him. "Remember? Three more laps, Freddy, old kid. -Two more laps, Freddy, my boy. Just one more hop and we'll be there. -And so forth, and so on? And each time you've made that little speech -we've barged straight into bad business. So, for goodness sake, spare -us this time. In fact, my good man, shut up, will you, until <i>after</i> -we've landed at Chungking?"</p> - -<p>"Okay, okay!" Dawson growled. "But just the same, it's practically in -the bag now, and so—"</p> - -<p>"So shut up!" Freddy ordered him. "Will you please stop defying the -gods?"</p> - -<p>"Sweet tripe!" Dawson snorted. "What a superstitious mug you turned out -to be. But okay. Maybe we won't ever reach Chungking! There! Does that -make you happy?"</p> - -<p>"Makes me feel worse!" the English youth snapped. "Because there's no -telling but what you might be right, at that!"</p> - -<p>"Oh my gosh!" Dawson groaned, and shook his head sadly. "I wonder what -kind of a bug did bite you there in the jungle anyway? My guess is that -the natives around these parts call it the Coo-Coo Bug. A variety of -the Screwy Family, probably!"</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer didn't make any retort to that, because he didn't have -time to. At that moment Major Brown, Lieutenant Sweeney, and two other -Flying Tigers came over to join them. The A.V.G. commander looked at -Dawson's hastily washed and mended uniform, and grinned.</p> - -<p>"Sorry our home-made steam laundry couldn't do better, Dawson," he -chuckled. "But this is Burma, not China. Still, even at that, you'll be -one of the best dressed people in Chungking, I guess. Their wardrobes -have been Jap-bombed and blasted around plenty, too."</p> - -<p>"I'm not fussy about my looks, Major," the young Yank air ace grinned -back at him. "Even if I get to Chungking in a barrel, it'll be okay by -me. Yeah! Just so long as I get there."</p> - -<p>"Well, don't worry about that!" Major Brown said with a vigorous -shake of his head. "We're practically there now. Just one more hop, -and—Say! What's the matter, Farmer? You swallow something the wrong -way?"</p> - -<p>"No, no, sir!" Freddy hastily assured him, as the blood started up his -neck. "Just had a bad memory for a moment. No, I'm quite all right. -Quite!"</p> - -<p>"Okay, then," the Flying Tiger group leader grunted, and glanced over -at the warming up P-Forties. "Let's get this joy hop underway. We've -got about eight hundred miles to go, but it'll be a cinch with those -extra tanks fitted aboard. However, some Japs will be on the prowl, no -doubt. So we'd better get on with it, so that we can get it over with, -or something like that. Anyway, into your sky hacks, Gentlemen. See you -all on the Chungking field, eventually."</p> - -<p>"Fair enough!" Dawson sang out happily. "Just one more—Oops! Sorry, -Freddy, old pal!"</p> - -<p>"That's more like it!" the English youth muttered, and ran over toward -his plane.</p> - -<p>If one could study the Japanese Air Force records for that particular -day, one would undoubtedly find that numerous Nippon planes were in -the air between Menglien, Burma, and Chungking, China. However, if one -could talk with the little slant-eyed pilots of those planes, and get -them to tell the truth—which, of course, would be an out and out -impossibility—one would unquestionably learn that although they were -in the air, the terrible fear of shark head-painted Curtiss P-Forties -was in their black hearts, as well as in their heathen-brained heads!</p> - -<p>At any rate, no Jap plane came within radio distance of that tight -six-plane formation that roared up out of Burma and across the South -China border. And if they did, they spotted those Flying Tigers first, -and made tracks for more distant places. Twice Dawson thought he saw -a few dots or so hugging some scattered clouds high up in the brassy -sun-filled sky. But he couldn't tell for sure. And they might well just -have been tricks of his imagination.</p> - -<p>So finally the six-plane formation reached the broad and much bombed -expanse of the Chungking Airport, circled it twice in salute, and then -slid down to a perfect landing. A few moments later the pilots had -taxied up to the tarmac line, and had legged out to stretch cramped and -aching muscles. As for Dawson, it was all he could do to refrain from -leaping out and kissing the ground, he was that joyously thankful that -all was at an end, definitely. Or so he <i>thought</i>!</p> - -<p>However, he curbed his impulse. He climbed down with the others, -grinned happily at Freddy Farmer, and then turned to stare at the -small group of Chinese military officials walking out to meet them. -One, however, was in civilian clothes, and as Dawson spotted him the -Yank's heart executed a perfect outside loop in dumbfounded amazement. -The broadly smiling Chinese in civilian dress hurrying toward them was -none other than Minister of War Soo Wong Kai!</p> - -<p>"Good gosh, it can't be!" Dave heard Freddy Farmer gasp at his elbow. -"Why—why, we left him in London!"</p> - -<p>"Yeah, I know," Dave grunted. "But I just happened to think, pal. -R.A.F. planes make this hop by way of Gibraltar, Cairo, India, and -so on, you know. And <i>he</i> didn't have any tough luck to hold him up -places, probably. But heck! <i>You</i> should feel happy to see Soo Wong -Kai, kid!"</p> - -<p>Dawson would have said more, but at that moment the little group -reached them, and the beaming Soo Wong Kai was wringing them both by -the hand.</p> - -<p>"My blessings and those of all my countrymen upon you, my dear -Captains!" he said. "There are not the words in all the world to -express the overflowing happiness in my heart. Even death at this -moment would be but death for a man whose cup of joy is filled to the -brim. Again, Captains, the greetings and blessings of all China. You -two shall live among her heroes forever."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, sir," Dawson said with an effort. "And I can assure you -that there are not the words either to express how glad Farmer and I -are to be here. Tell me, though, sir—just how much did you beat us by?"</p> - -<p>"By only a few hours, Captain," the Chinese said with a laugh. "I was -delayed a short time in Calcutta. However, we meet again, and all is as -it should be."</p> - -<p>"And how, sir!" Dawson replied fervently. "I—Say, I beg your pardon, -sir. Permit me to introduce—"</p> - -<p>"Major Brown, and these other Flying Tiger heroes?" Soo Wong Kai -interrupted pleasantly. "But I already possess the high honor of -knowing them, Captain Dawson. In fact, all of the gallant Flying Tigers -are my friends. How are you, Major Brown? And you, Gentlemen?"</p> - -<p>"Very well, thank you, sir," Major Brown replied for himself, and his -pilots. "And delighted to meet you again. But may I ask if your journey -to London was successful?"</p> - -<p>For a moment Soo Wong Kai looked at Dawson and Farmer. Then he turned -to Major Brown and smiled.</p> - -<p>"Successful countless million times over, my dear Major Brown," he -said. "But I, too, must beg pardons. Permit me to present these -military officials of my country. Then we will proceed to the -Generalissimo's headquarters. He and Madame Chiang Kai-shek are eagerly -and anxiously awaiting us at this moment."</p> - -<p>It took a few minutes for the introductions to be made, and then all -walked over to where several Chinese Army cars stood waiting. Soo Wong -Kai, Dawson, Farmer, and Major Brown rode in the first car, while the -other Flying Tigers and the Chinese military officials rode in the -other cars. And then for the next half-hour Dawson and Freddy Farmer -forgot all about the hardships and nerve-racking trials through which -they had passed in the last five days, and lost themselves completely -in the many and varied sights of the Far East that greeted them as -the motor cavalcade made its way through the throng-packed streets of -Chungking.</p> - -<p>And then finally they approached the building that housed Generalissimo -Chiang Kai-shek's headquarters. Suspended from poles above the broad -steps leading up to the main doors were all the flags of the United -Nations. And as Dawson caught sight of Old Glory among them something -swelled up in his heart, and his eyes grew bright with deep and -reverent pride.</p> - -<p>"All for one, and one for all!" he said softly.</p> - -<p>"Eh, what's that, Dave?" Freddy Farmer grunted in his ear.</p> - -<p>He turned and grinned at his English pal.</p> - -<p>"I said, this is it, kid!" he chuckled. "The last stop. The end of the -line, and—"</p> - -<p>But Dawson never finished the rest of that sentence. At that exact -instant a fiendish scream of rage rose high above the general murmur -of the throngs gathered in front of the Generalissimo's headquarters. -A horrible unearthly scream of satanic madness that chilled Dawson's -blood, and made his flesh crawl. And in almost the same instant a human -body came hurtling through the air. The violent movement was so sudden -and so utterly unexpected that Dawson couldn't so much as move a muscle -as a berserk jungle beast in human form crashed down on top of him, and -drove him hard against the back of the car seat.</p> - -<p>For one fleeting tick of a second his brain was a completely stunned -blank. And then his eye caught the flash of a thin, gleaming steel -blade held poised above him. But instinct was taking charge of him -even as his eyes were registering the terrible truth upon his brain. -Instinct that made him twist violently and crack up with one arm -with every ounce of his strength. And as his upflung arm caught that -screaming object under the chin, he brought up his clenched right fist -with terrific battering-ram force. Pain from the blow shot clear up his -arm to the elbow, but his was the fierce satisfaction of seeing that -poised steel blade go flying off into space. And of seeing, also, a -hideous face horribly distorted by excruciating pain.</p> - -<p>Then in the next second he was not quite sure of just what he did see. -Rather, so many things happened, and so fast, that it was practically -impossible for one pair of human eyes to follow them in detail. But he -did see Freddy Farmer lunge upward and grab for the choking, squealing -figure still sprawled on him. And he did see the short, rotund Soo Wong -Kai transform himself into a veritable pin-wheel of stabbing lightning. -As though by magic, a similar steel-bladed knife appeared in Soo -Wong Kai's hand. And as though by magic, also, the blade disappeared -straight into the chest of the squealing, gasping figure on top of -Dawson. But in the next instant the squealing figure was lifted clear -by Soo Wong Kai, and hurled down onto the street beside the car. And -the third bit of magic was when Chinese headquarters guards virtually -materialized out of thin air and completely circled the car to protect -the occupants from the chattering crowds striving to press in close.</p> - -<p>"Holy smoke!" Dawson was conscious of his own voice choking out. "What -was that? And where in thunder did it drop from? What gives, anyway?"</p> - -<p>"A last gasping effort by Satan himself!" he heard Soo Wong Kai tell -him. "And praise to all the gods that he failed even in this his dying -effort. But his blade did not touch you, Captain?"</p> - -<p>"Not—not quite!" Dawson gulped. "But I wouldn't want it any closer. -But—My gosh! A <i>Jap</i>!"</p> - -<p>Dawson popped out the last as he saw the face of the limp figure -stretched out on the street beside the car.</p> - -<p>"He is a Jap, isn't he?" he said to Soo Wong Kai. "I mean, he has the -face."</p> - -<p>"He is," Soo Wong Kai told him gravely. "The face, the black heart, and -the mad brain of the hated enemy of my country. But cunning and great -cleverness was his, too. Knoye Kyoto served his Emperor long, and well. -But as to all such as he, failure and death can be his only rewards in -this life."</p> - -<p>"I say, sir!" exclaimed Freddy Farmer. "You know him?"</p> - -<p>Soo Wong Kai smiled as he nodded, but his smile was one of sadness, and -a little pity.</p> - -<p>"For as many years as you have fingers on your two hands," he replied. -"But no, not personally. I have known only of him, and of the real -truth of his life in Europe, where he has resided for many years. -There are many devils like Knoye Kyoto. To you they seem outcasts, -men without a country. However, for every minute of their lives they -remain obedient slaves to their masters. Yes, many of us here in China -have known of Knoye Kyoto, but there was nothing we could do, and less -that we could say—because it would not have been believed. However, -the gods turned their smiles upon me. Quite by accident I saw Kyoto in -London. It was the day after you had left. It was the day I started my -journey home, with my heart bursting with prayers for your safekeeping, -and arrival."</p> - -<p>The new Chinese Minister of War paused for a moment and turned reverent -eyes heavenward.</p> - -<p>"I saw him, and then flew away in my plane," he went on presently. -"Then in Calcutta only yesterday I saw him again. No, that is an -untruth to say that. Rather, I thought I saw him. And a great worry -was mine. Could it be that he, too, was bound for Chungking? Had he -slipped out of England to the Germans in France, and had they provided -air passage to Calcutta? Was he bound for Chungking to strike his final -blow when you two did arrive? To kill you in your moment of great -glory? I asked myself that many times. And the answer was the same. It -could well be true, for to the Japanese brain defeat and revenge are -the same. I am as sure as I am that he is there dead in the street that -Knoye Kyoto gave the orders meant to doom your mission in failure. And -that he came here to get his own personal revenge in the form of your -lives in the face of his own defeat.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I thought I saw him in Calcutta yesterday. So I remained there -overnight, and I sought the aid of many friends of China who could -accomplish in a few hours what I personally could not have accomplished -in weeks and months—a search of the city for this Knoye Kyoto. But he -was not found. I realized now that he had perhaps already left before -my friends started the search. But—Forgive me, I beg of you, my true -and dear friends; I did not dream that he would not strike his blow -until this late moment. At the airport? Yes. A possibility. But here, -at the very steps of the Generalissimo's headquarters? I am overwhelmed -with shame for what has happened. And I can but offer you the humble -apologies of my entire life for the thoughtlessness, the stupidity, and -the humiliation that I have—"</p> - -<p>"Hold on a minute, sir!" Dawson stopped him, and grinned. "It wasn't -your fault at all. Not a bit. The truth of the matter is that I've got -you to thank for <i>my</i> life for the <i>rest</i> of my life. No fooling, sir. -If it hadn't been for you, why—well, believe me, I—"</p> - -<p>"Quite, sir!" Freddy Farmer spoke up as Dawson stumbled over the words -to say. "But for your brilliant thinking and action, there would have -been terrible tragedy at the very last moment. Yes, quite!"</p> - -<p>And then, staring hard at Dawson, the English youth added:</p> - -<p>"Yes, tragedy for a blasted, balmy idiot who can't seem to get a bad -luck speech out of that lame brain of his. This was it, was it? Last -stop, eh? End of the line, was it? Why, you blithering—"</p> - -<p>But Dave Dawson wasn't listening to Freddy Farmer. Instead he sat stiff -and straight with one hand impulsively pressed against that part of -his half washed and hastily mended tunic that covered the thick sealed -envelope in his inside pocket, and watched with shining eyes as two of -the world's most honored people, living or dead, came slowly down the -steps of Chinese Army headquarters at Chungking. The Generalissimo and -Madame Chiang Kai-shek!</p> - - -<p class="ph4">THE END</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> <i>Dave Dawson at Singapore.</i></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> <i>Dave Dawson With The Commandos.</i></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> <i>Dave Dawson at Singapore.</i></p></div> - - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dave Dawson with the Flying Tigers, by -Robert Sydney Bowen - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DAWSON WITH THE FLYING TIGERS *** - -***** This file should be named 50259-h.htm or 50259-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/2/5/50259/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/50259-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/50259-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index f023923..0000000 --- a/old/50259-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/50259.txt b/old/50259.txt deleted file mode 100644 index b920ba4..0000000 --- a/old/50259.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5727 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Dave Dawson with the Flying Tigers, by -Robert Sydney Bowen - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Dave Dawson with the Flying Tigers - -Author: Robert Sydney Bowen - -Release Date: October 20, 2015 [EBook #50259] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DAWSON WITH THE FLYING TIGERS *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - DAVE DAWSON - WITH THE - FLYING TIGERS - - _by_ R. SIDNEY BOWEN - - _Author of_: - - "DAVE DAWSON AT DUNKIRK" - "DAVE DAWSON WITH THE R. A. F." - "DAVE DAWSON IN LIBYA" - "DAVE DAWSON ON CONVOY PATROL" - "DAVE DAWSON, FLIGHT LIEUTENANT" - "DAVE DAWSON AT SINGAPORE" - "DAVE DAWSON WITH THE PACIFIC FLEET" - "DAVE DAWSON WITH THE AIR CORPS" - "DAVE DAWSON WITH THE COMMANDOS" - "DAVE DAWSON ON THE RUSSIAN FRONT" - - THE WAR ADVENTURE SERIES - - THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY - - AKRON, OHIO NEW YORK - - [Transcriber's Note: Extensive research did not uncover any - evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - COPYRIGHT, 1943, BY CROWN PUBLISHERS - PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - - - - - CONTENTS - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I EAGLES' REWARD 11 - II CLOCKS WON'T WAIT 22 - III SIMMERING DOOM 33 - IV ATLANTIC MIRAGE 43 - V ICE COLD COURAGE 55 - VI ACTION C.O.D. 66 - VII YANKEE BLUFF 80 - VIII HOME AGAIN 95 - IX WHITE TNT 109 - X WINGS WESTWARD 125 - XI INVISIBLE, CHAOS 141 - XII EAGLES CAN'T DIE 154 - XIII BLOOD IN THE SKY 168 - XIV BEWARE THE SHARKS! 180 - XV ACES THINK FAST 191 - XVI WARRIORS' DUTY 204 - XVII LIGHTNING WINGS 223 - XVIII SATAN'S LAST GASP 236 - - - - -CHAPTER ONE - -_Eagles' Reward_ - - -With all the appearance of a man striving to solve one of the world's -weightier problems, Freddy Farmer studied the Hotel Savoy menu card -line by line from top to bottom. Across the table Dave Dawson sat -looking at his closest pal, and grinning from ear to ear. Eventually, -though, when the English-born air ace continued to take the menu apart -bit by bit with his eyes, Dawson decided that enough was enough. He -reached over and whisked the card out of Freddy's hand. - -"Okay, little man," he chuckled. "I'll tell you what the big words -mean, if you like. Now, this one, here--water. That's stuff that comes -in a glass. You drink it. It also comes down out of the sky in what we -call rain. It flows under bridges, and--" - -"And please stop, I beg you!" Freddy snapped. "My sides ache with -laughter. I couldn't possibly stand another of your hilarious remarks. -And hand back that menu before I take measures that will get us both -thrown out of this hotel!" - -"But why hand it back?" Dawson laughed. "Holy smoke! Don't you know -it by heart yet? For fifteen solid minutes you've been looking at the -thing." - -"Quite," the other replied gravely. "And thoroughly enjoying myself -making believe. Hand it back, please, young fellow!" - -"How's that?" Dave echoed, and passed the menu. "Making believe? I -don't get you." - -"Knowing the limits of your so-called flashes of brilliance, I can -well imagine!" Freddy shot at him. "However, the fact of the matter is -that here in London food is rationed. And there are many, many savory -dishes that don't even appear on menus any more. So, to make myself -feel good, every time I pick up a menu I simply imagine that all the -pre-war dishes are there. And I have a lot of fun deciding just what -I'll order. Do I make myself clear?" - -Dawson sighed heavily, and shook his head. - -"Too clear," he said sadly. "Lately I've been suspecting that you were -going just a little bit screwy. Now I know! And me waiting here, polite -like, while you fumbled around! What a guy!" - -Dave snorted, sighed again, and crooked his finger at the waiter. The -man came over to their table, and the two air aces gave their orders in -accordance with the short list of items on the menu. - -"It will be wonderful when this war is over!" Freddy Farmer murmured as -the waiter walked away. "Just think, Dave! Just think of being able to -step into a restaurant and ordering anything that strikes your fancy." - -"Which would be everything in the place, as far as you're concerned!" -Dawson laughed at him. "For a skinny guy, I never saw the beat of how -you can store food away. It scares me at times, too. I have dreams -that you've eaten so much that you can't even fit into one of the new -Lancaster bombers. But skip it, pal. For two long months you and I can -do any darn thing we want. And back in the little old U. S. A. there -are plenty of things for us to do. I'll really show you the States this -time! And how!" - -The English youth half smiled, and nodded. - -"Yes, quite," he grunted. "But _next_ leave we get we're going to spend -here in England. And another thing, my boy! Not that I actually believe -you are crooked, you know. However--well, I'm jolly well going to get a -little practice tossing coins before I have another go at it with you. -And that's a fact, too!" - -"So help me, pal, it was strictly on the up and up," Dave said as he -made a little cross with his finger over his heart. "And it was the -best of two out of three, too. I was just lucky, kid. But look, Freddy. -If you really and truly want to--" - -"Not at all, Dave!" the English youth cut in quickly. "Don't mind me, -old thing. I always feel a little bad when I leave England, if only for -a day or two. No. You won the coin toss, and so we'll spend our leave -in the U. S. Besides, we're supposed to make some speeches to help sell -War Bonds, you know. And speaking of that, do you know something, Dave?" - -"What? But I think I can guess, Freddy. As a speech maker _I'm_ a swell -coal truck driver." - -"Me, too!" Freddy echoed with a grimace. "Good grief! I'd rather face -a flight of Messerschmitts than a speaker's audience. I know I'll be a -terrible flip, as you call it." - -"It's flop, pal," Dawson chuckled. "And that'll be two of us. Between -you, me, and the gate post, I'll be tickled silly if something happens -to make this lecture tour in the States fall through. I don't feel -happy about it, at all. Just the same, though, if it will sell some War -Bonds, then we sure can't let them down. And it will give you a swell -look at Uncle Sam's home grounds." - -"Yes, there's that part of it," Freddy Farmer murmured with a nod. -"It's little enough for us to do, and--" - -The English youth suddenly stopped dead with his mouth hanging open. -Dave, looking at him, saw his eyes come out like marbles on the ends -of sticks. And for a split second he thought his pal had been stricken -ill. Then as he turned his head and looked in the direction of Farmer's -stare, his own jaw sagged, and his own eyes popped out in dumbfounded -amazement. - -The reason was the approach of the waiter with their orders. However, -what the man set before them wasn't even close to what they had -ordered. In fact, it was almost as though the Good Fairy had waved her -magic wand and changed the Hotel Savoy dining-room into a little bit -of another world. In short, each of them was served with a generous -helping of red, juicy roast beef! There were also mashed potatoes, and -creamed corn, and peas. And, yes, thick brown gravy, too! - -For a long moment both of them sat speechless for fear that a single -sound would break the spell, and that all that was set before them -would disappear in thin air. Eventually, though, Dawson summoned the -courage to look up into the waiter's grinning face, and speak. - -"My heart is bleeding, but I'm afraid you've made a mistake," he said -with a gigantic effort. "We didn't order this. Is there some rich -Indian Rajah staying at the hotel? And he brought along his own supply -of food, huh?" - -The waiter laughed, and shook his head. - -"Hardly, sir," he said. "The officials would have taken it from the -blighter before he left the ship, I fancy. Only them that has the -ration meat coupons can get it. And that goes for Royalty as well as -the likes of me." - -"But--but, I say!" Freddy Farmer stammered out, and made a helpless -gesture with his hands. "We used up our last meat ration coupons -yesterday, you know." - -"This is a gift, sir," the waiter said. "From the gentleman at the next -table. He gave me all of his meat coupons, he did, and told me to serve -you the best. And the best it is, I guarantee, too!" - -If Dave and Freddy had kept their eyes on the waiter's face, they -would have seen him unconsciously lick his lips, and an envious look -creep into his eyes. However, they had both turned as one man and -were staring at the next table. There, dressed in a quiet but Bond -Street-tailored business suit, sat a short and slightly rotund Chinese -gentleman. He met their collective stare, smiled broadly, and bobbed -his head up and down. And then, when neither of the air aces were able -to speak, he got up from his table, came over to theirs and bowed -gravely. - -"Would you do me the honor, Gentlemen?" he said in perfect English. "I -confess that my ears overheard a bit of your conversation, and as I -had several unused meat ration coupons, I thought that perhaps you two -would accept. But permit me to introduce myself. I am Mr. Soo Wong Kai." - -Still not quite sure that they had not been dumped down into a little -corner of fairyland, Dave and Freddy pushed back their chairs and stood -up. - -"There aren't the words to thank you, Mr. Kai." Dave smiled, and -extended his hand. "I am Captain Dawson, and my friend, here, is -Captain Farmer." - -"Your introductions were unnecessary, Captain," the Chinese said with a -smile, and shook hands with them both. "You two famous men of the air -are known to millions, you know. When I return to China, this thrusting -of myself into your acquaintance will be one of my happiest memories. -But if I might make a suggestion--the roast beef is not half so savory -when it is cold. I beg of you, please seat yourselves, Captains, and -give me the great happiness of eating my humble offering." - -"On condition that you have the waiter bring your meal over here, sir, -and join us," Freddy Farmer said politely. "And may I ask, sir? You are -the Mr. Kai of the Chinese Embassy here, are you not?" - -"You are absolutely correct," the other smiled, and signalled to the -waiter to transfer his meal to their table. "Quite correct and, indeed, -kind. We of China do not like to take our meals alone. And it is the -same when we are in foreign lands, too. So I must thank you from the -bottom of my heart for your generous hospitality." - -"Well, to be truthful, sir," Dawson chuckled, "the pleasure really is -all ours. You'd be surprised how sick Freddy and I get of hearing each -other sound off." - -"Eh?" the English youth grunted, and shot Dave a hostile look. "Sound -off, you say?" - -Soo Wong Kai laughed softly and leaned toward Freddy. - -"The American way of saying, throwing the bull, Captain Farmer," he -said. "Or, as you English would have it, swinging the gate. In China we -have an expression which, when translated, means, counting the locusts. -There are billions and billions of locusts in China, you see. So to say -that one is counting the locusts is to mean that one is simply talking -to hear oneself. Or sounding off. Or throwing the bull. Or swinging the -gate. You see?" - -"I've got a hunch you've kind of been around here and there, eh, Mr. -Kai?" Dave grinned at him. "And--oh, my gosh! Pardon me, sir!" - -The Chinese looked at Dave and raised his thin brows in innocent -puzzlement. - -"For what, may I ask, Captain Dawson?" he said. "For what reason should -you exclaim and ask my pardon? I fear I do not quite understand." - -Dawson swallowed, and licked his lower lip quickly. - -"I suddenly remembered seeing your picture in the London _Times_, and -reading about you, sir," Dave presently said. "You're Generalissimo -Chiang Kai-shek's new Minister of War, aren't you? And the head of the -Military Mission that recently arrived in England?" - -"That's true." The Chinese nodded and smiled. "But I still fail to see -why you must beg my pardon." - -"Well, for being sort of flip with my talk, sir," Dave said. "You're a -high government official, and--well, after all--" - -"After all, are we not both men, Captain?" the other interrupted -quietly. "And are we not fighting the same foe, each in his own way? -Believe me, Captain, it is I who look up to you, because of the great -and fine things you have accomplished in the name of liberty and world -happiness. You, and your true friend, here. And millions of other brave -soldiers, too. Yes, I am a high government official, as you say, but -the higher a man gets the more he respects and admires those who do the -fighting, and shed the blood. They are the ones who are winning this -war, not we aged ones who are serving our respective countries in some -official capacity. _Youth_ will win this struggle, Captain. And youth -will win the peace, too. But--" - -Soo Wong Kai paused. His face remained grave, but as he leaned slightly -toward Dawson there was a merry twinkle in his eyes. - -"But what do you say we skip it, eh?" he chuckled. "Out the window with -who's who, and why. Until we must part, let's just be three guys named -Joe, huh?" - -Both Dave and Freddy gulped hard, and then burst out laughing. - -"Fair enough, it's a deal!" Dawson cried. "But I repeat what I said -just now. You've sure been around, Mr. Kai. But plenty!" - - - - -CHAPTER TWO - -_Clocks Won't Wait_ - - -For the next hour the English air ace, the Yank air ace, and the new -Chinese Minister of War would hardly have noticed a German Luftwaffe -bomb coming down through the dining-room ceiling. None came down, of -course, because the good old R.A.F. patroled the night skies outside, -and German night fliers had long since realized that the R.A.F. boys -could beat them to the punch any day in the week, and twice on Sundays. -Under pressure from the Chinese official, Freddy and Dave recounted -some of the experiences they'd had during the war. And under polite -pressure from them, Soo Wong Kai told them many interesting stories of -China. - -"That's one country I sure want to visit before I die," Dave said after -a short silence. "It must be very wonderful in China. I've read quite a -bit about it, but I guess if you piled all the books about China one -on top of the other you wouldn't even begin to scratch the surface, eh? -If you get what I mean, sir?" - -"Yes, I do, Captain," the other replied. "And I'm afraid you're quite -right. There has been a great deal written about China, but it would -take ten times as much to tell the story of the real China--the China -of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and his people." - -"There's a soldier!" Freddy Farmer spoke up with a vigorous nod. "What -a splendid leader, and what splendid troops he now commands. I quite -agree with Dave, sir. I, too, hope to visit China some day." - -"And may that day come soon," Soo Wong Kai said gravely. "Soon, because -of the things you will see in China. And soon, because of the honor -such a visit would be to my country. China has come a long way, and she -still has a long, long road to travel. But we shall travel that road, -and we shall attain the goal at the end of that road. But there I go -sounding off, when I can easily see that you two gentlemen are doing me -the great honor of being polite. So--" - -"No, you're wrong, sir!" Dawson spoke up quickly. "I'm enjoying every -second of this talk. And I know Freddy is, too. Believe me, sir, and -this is the truth: If I'm given the chance--which you can bet on that I -won't be--of picking the next front to fight on, I'll pick China right -off the bat." - -"Hear, hear!" Freddy Farmer added his bit quickly. "Quite, sir. We were -almost there, when we were in Burma just before the States came into -the war. However, as Dawson says, if we have our choice next time, it -will most certainly be China."[1] - -[Footnote 1: _Dave Dawson at Singapore._] - -"And a happy day that will be for my struggling countrymen," Soo Wong -Kai said softly. "We have there, now, the Flying Tigers. True and -brave airmen they are. And China will never be able to repay her debt -to those gallant boys. What they have done for China is something no -nation and no people could ever hope to repay in full. And to have you -two fight on the China front would be much the same thing. Do not look -at me so, for it is the truth when I say that I have heard your names, -and your deeds, mentioned deep in my country. So, should your orders -ever carry you to China, all that China has to offer is yours for the -asking. And--Ah! But the truth embarrasses you, eh?" - -Dawson grinned, and wished that some of the redness would go out of his -face. He liked praise just as much as the next fellow, but Soo Wong Kai -was sure hitting on all sixteen cylinders. - -"Well, there's a couple of other fellows or so fighting in this war, -too, sir," he said with a little laugh. "But thanks just the same, sir." - -"And thank you, Captains, for a most pleasant meeting," the Minister of -War said as he rose to his feet. "I shall always remember this happy -event. And it will be my perpetual wish that some day we will meet -again in my country. Again, thank you. And I bid you a heartfelt good -evening, Captains." - -Both Dawson and Freddy leaped to their feet, stammered out their -thanks, shook hands with the Chinese, and remained at attention as he -walked away and out of the dining-room. - -"Well, quite an event, what?" the English youth breathed after they had -reseated themselves. "Quite a splendid chap, eh? A very decent sort." - -"Tops, and how!" Dave grunted, and pointed at their empty plates. "Go -on and say it, pal. I can read it in your eyes." - -"Say what?" Freddy demanded. "And just what can you read in my eyes, -I'd like to know?" - -"What you're thinking, and wishing," Dave said with a straight face. -"That he'd brought along one of his official buddies." - -"You still aren't making sense!" Freddy snapped. "Speak up! Get it off -your blasted chest, whatever it is." - -"As if you didn't know!" Dawson snorted. "If he'd brought along one of -his official buddies, why then there would have been more meat ration -coupons, of course. And you could have worked them for a second helping -of roast beef. Don't try to kid a pal, pal! You were kind of thinking -that, weren't you?" - -"No, my little man," Freddy replied softly, and slowly reached for a -dish of pudding he hadn't touched yet. "But would you care to have me -_show_ you what I'm thinking _now_?" - -"Do, sweetheart!" Dave growled, and reached for his own pudding. "And -you'll be combing pudding out of your hair, too. So--Sweet tripe, -Freddy! Let's dive in and finish this. We're due out at Croydon Airport -in a little over an hour. And we haven't packed, or paid the bill yet. -And you can bet your sweet life that that Newfoundland-bound bomber -isn't going to wait for us." - -"Right as rain!" Freddy echoed behind a heaping spoon of pudding. -"Darned decent of the Air Ministry to give us a ride by air, instead -of having us make the crossing by water. A magic world, isn't it, Dave! -By this time tomorrow night we'll be dining in New York City. Magic -isn't the word." - -"No, it's speed!" Dawson snapped. "Can the chatter, pal, and just -shovel it in. And I'll match you for the check." - -"No, Dave, I'll pay it." - -"What?" Dawson gasped. "Am I hearing things?" - -"I said that I would pay the check," Freddy replied. "No! Not because -I am big-hearted, either. Simply to save the trouble of tossing coins -with you--and losing _as usual_." - -"Oh, well, don't feel too bad, pal," Dave grinned at him. "You'll catch -on to how it's done, some day. Then you can make up for lost time. -However, just to prove that I'm a nice guy, I'll pay the check myself." - -That last caused Freddy Farmer to go speechless. And he remained -speechless while Dawson took the check from the waiter and paid it in -full, plus tip. - -"Wonderful!" the English youth breathed softly. "I have just witnessed -the miracle of miracles, and I don't believe I have the strength to -get out to Croydon Airport." - -"Oh, Big-Hearted Dawson, they call me," Dave grinned. "Besides, I feel -pretty swell right now. And who wouldn't when he was about to head back -to the good old U.S.A.! Well, let's go, youngster. That bomber won't -wait." - -A few minutes over an hour later the two youths climbed out of the -taxi in front of the Croydon Airport Administration Building, parked -their suitcases outside and went inside to report to Group Captain -Bainsworth, R.A.F. Commandant of the field. The senior officer smiled, -and nodded as they came to attention and saluted. - -"Knew you chaps would be along presently," he said. "Squadron Leader -Hixon, your pilot, was in here a moment ago fretting that you wouldn't -show up in time. I assured him that chaps going on leave are never -late. You've proved that truth again. Well, Dawson, I fancy you're a -bit bucked up to be going back to the States, what?" - -"Right on top of the world, sir," the Yank air ace informed him. "Not -that I don't like England, you understand, sir, but--" - -"Quite," the senior officer broke in with a smile. "Any chap wants to -see his native land. And you, Farmer? Glad to be going along?" - -Freddy half shrugged, and let a little sigh slide off his lips. - -"It's quite wonderful out in the States, sir," he said. "But--well, -I try to be a good soldier and go where I have to. And this time, -it happens to be the States. Of course, I could do with a bit more -interesting company, but--" - -The English youth shrugged again and made a little gesture with -his hands. The group captain chuckled, and Dave shot Freddy a -you-wait-until-we're-outside look. Then he grinned broadly. - -"Well," the group captain presently said, "I guess the aircraft is -about ready. I'll go along out to it with you. Good luck, both of -you. And--well, have a marvelous time. Yes, quite! Be sure and have a -marvelous time. And the very best of luck." - -The way the senior officer seemed to hesitate in saying the last couple -of sentences had a queer effect on Dawson. He gave the man's face a -keen look, but could read nothing there. Then, with Freddy, he thanked -him for his good wishes, and walked with him out of the Administration -Building, and over to where a revved up Lockheed "Hudson" bomber was -waiting at the far end of the field. They walked almost three quarters -of the way in silence, but when they got close to the waiting bomber -Group Captain Bainsworth slowed up to a halt and faced them. - -"I say, a moment, you two," he said quietly. "A favor I want you to do -for me. After you reach New York, you'll be going on down to Washington -to say hello to Colonel Welsh, of U. S. Intelligence, no doubt. Well, -I have a letter I'd like you to deliver for me. It was sent out here -about half an hour ago. Better stick it away out of sight. Best not to -let anyone know you're carrying it, you know. Here." - -Dawson happened to be standing closest, so he took the sealed envelope -that Group Captain Bainsworth slipped out of his pocket and handed -over. Dave didn't look at it, though. He looked at the group captain, -licked his lips, and frowned slightly. - -"Yes, glad to, sir," he said. "But--well, there's the matter of the -censors, sir. On the American side, I mean. I may have to turn it over -to them for inspection. That be all right, sir?" - -"Decidedly not, Dawson!" the senior officer replied gravely. "Let no -one see it. But don't worry. Take a look at the name and address, and -you'll understand why there's no need to show it to anybody but the -right party." - -Dave held up the envelope and glanced at what was written on the -outside. Freddy Farmer took a look, too. And they both stiffened and -caught their breath. The envelope was addressed to-- - - The Hon. Cordell Hull - Secretary of State - Washington, D. C. - -"Jumping catfish!" Dawson choked out before he could check his tongue. -"But--but why doesn't this go by diplomatic pouch, sir?" - -"I don't know myself, Dawson," the group captain told him. "For a good -reason, no doubt. I simply know that it arrived here half an hour ago, -along with instructions to turn it over to you two chaps for delivery. -Perhaps you'll learn the reasons in Washington. Perhaps not, too. No -matter, though. Just take it along, and don't let anybody get so much -as a look at it. Well, let's get on over to the aircraft." - -"Yes, sure," Dave mumbled, and slid the sealed envelope into an inside -pocket. "It will be delivered, sir, without anybody else getting a look -at it--not even the censors." - -"Splendid, splendid!" murmured the senior officer almost absently. -"That's the thing to do. Quite!" - -A few moments later Dave and Freddy were in the bomber and Squadron -Leader Hixon was slowly opening up the engines to move the aircraft -forward toward the take-off runway. - -"All aboard, pal!" Dave called out cheerfully to Freddy Farmer. "A -late breakfast in Newfoundland, lunch in the air on the way down the -Canadian coast, and dinner in little old Manhattan! Boy, oh boy! And -then sixty days of having fun!" - -"Except when we have to make those blasted speeches for War Bonds!" -Freddy Farmer growled out as a tag line. - - - - -CHAPTER THREE - -_Simmering Doom_ - - -At almost the exact moment the Lockheed Hudson bomber cleared the -runway at Croydon Airport, and went nosing up into the night-shrouded -sky, a man entered the lobby door of a certain hotel in the West End -section of London, and took the elevator to the fourteenth floor. There -he got off, turned to the right, and walked along the corridor until -he reached the sixth door on the left. He faced it, and hesitated a -moment while he shot a sharp piercing glance back along the corridor. -Satisfied that he was alone, he reached out a bony forefinger and -stabbed the hotel suite button four times in rapid succession. - -Thirty seconds ticked by, and then the door was opened a scant inch. -There was no light to be seen through the door opening, only pitch -darkness. And then a voice inside grunted, and the door was swung open -wider. - -"Come in quickly, please!" a soft, hissing voice commanded out of the -darkness. - -The man passed through into the darkness, and moved a little to the -side so that the door could be closed. He heard the latch click. And -then at a second click light flooded the suite sitting-room in which he -stood. He turned his head and met the eyes of the man who had opened -the door. He smiled coldly, and the corners of his mouth were a little -drawn and tight. - -"You are nervous tonight, _Herr_ Kyoto?" he muttered thickly. - -The one addressed as _Herr_ Kyoto smiled broadly, but only with his -lips. - -"It is better to be nervous than to be a fool, my friend," he said in -his soft hissing voice. "A fool dies soon. And a dead fool is of no use -to his country, be he Japanese or German. You agree, yes?" - -The man who had entered the hotel suite shrugged his massive shoulders, -slipped out of his heavy coat and threw it over a chair as he let his -big frame drop into another one. - -"Perhaps yes, and perhaps no," he grunted, and watched the other glide -across the rug and settle like a butterfly in a chair that would -comfortably have held three of his half-pint size. "I cannot speak -for you Japanese, only for Nazis. And a man who can be a fool cannot -be a Nazi. At least, he can merely be one in name only. But I speak -just words. You may have a reason for your seeming nervousness? It -is possible that you are not so safe in London as you would like to -believe, eh?" - -The Japanese smiled again, and once again it was only with his lips. -His eyes were still like those of a cobra on ice. He reached out his -thin right hand and rubbed the ball of his thumb back and forth across -the ends of his other four fingers. - -"During my stay of twelve years here in England, my true German -friend," he said, "I have spent much money so that all would be well -when the day arrived. My money, my lips, and my hands have done all -that was necessary to prove that I am Japanese only by birth. It is -known, and believed, by all those of importance in England that instant -death awaits me should I ever return to Japan. That is as I wished, -and planned it to be. True, yes, I am often stopped on the street. I -am often politely conducted to the nearest police station by some fool -English official. But my papers are all in order. They have been so for -years. And so it is always an apology and my continued freedom in less -than five minutes. However, perhaps being nervous yourself causes you -to think that I am? Perhaps that is what you mean?" - -The German's face became hard and brutal. He thrust out his right arm -to its full length, with his fingers extended. - -"So!" he said harshly. "You don't see any trembling or quivering -of the fingers, do you? No, and naturally so. I have no time to be -nervous--about anything. I have time only to serve _Der Fuehrer_, and -the Fatherland." - -"As in like manner I serve my Heaven-born Emperor, and Japan!" the -half-pint breathed out. "However, you and I need have no worry about -the other. Nor was this meeting arranged so that we might discuss such -impossible things. It was arranged for you to make a report to me, yes? -And you have a report to make, please?" - -The Nazi lowered his head for a moment, and a look of angry contempt -glowed in his eyes. However, when he raised his head again his -twinkling eyes matched the smile on his lips. - -"Yes, and a most interesting report, _Herr_ Kyoto," he said. Then, -after a quick glance at his wrist watch, he went on, "At this moment -the airplane is in the air and flying westward. They are both aboard. -And one of them must carry the document that was delivered to the -commandant of the Croydon Airport. My agent also told me over the -telephone that this commandant walked out to the airplane with them. -He saw the commandant hand something to one of them, to the one named -Dawson, so he believes. But because of the distance, and the bad light, -my agent could not tell which of them received what the commandant -gave. However, that is unimportant. We know, now, that one of them -carries a certain document." - -"It would seem so, yes, _Herr_ Miller," the Jap murmured, and gave a -short nod of his head. "Forgive me, please, but we do not _know_ if -this be _truth_. Your agent saw something change hands, but he did not -see _what_ changed hands." - -"Perhaps I should have instructed him to run out to them and ask?" the -Nazi sneered. - -"It would have been foolish to do so," Kyoto replied, as though the -remark had sailed right over his head. "But I was only pointing out a -possibility, my friend. Like you, I am sure that the one called Dawson, -or the one called Farmer, carries the document. Had they not dined with -Soo Wong Kai I would wonder. But they did, and so I do not wonder." - -The Japanese emphasized his words with a faint nod of his billiard -ball-shaped head. And for a moment or two the suite sitting-room was -filled with silence. Presently, though, the little brown rat of the -Rising Sun made chuckling sounds in his throat, and gave a little twist -of his head. - -"These enemies we must fight and crush are strange people, indeed!" he -grunted. "They let two mere children, two young boys, perform a task -that belongs to grown men. It is difficult not to laugh in their faces -when I hear of them doing such things. No wonder they prove so weak, -and so stupid!" - -"And lucky!" the German echoed savagely. "Those two, I mean. I had two -brothers, two of our greatest aces. This Dawson, and this Farmer, shot -them down. One over France. The other in Libya. It was over a year -ago. My brothers were killed. That American and that English swine -have probably forgotten all about those two air battles. They probably -do not know to this day the names of those they killed. But I know of -_them_. And I will never forget. It will be the greatest joy of my -life to let them know the truth--just before I destroy them as they -destroyed my two brothers." - -"When _all_ is accomplished, may that joy be yours threefold, -my friend," the Japanese said softly. "But _not_ until _all_ is -accomplished. Personal desires must wait. There is something else a -thousand times more important. You agree with me, of course?" - -The Nazi's face tightened, and he locked eyes with the Japanese. Being -of the "Master Race," he was filled with the sudden animal urge to curl -his thick fingers about the little brown man's neck and snap it as one -might snap a toothpick. His sense of treacherous cunning refused to -permit him the joy of doing that, however. These monkey men of the Far -East were of some use to _Der Fuehrer_ in carrying out his great and -wonderful plan for the world. So it was better to soothe and salve them -along until they, too, should be made slaves to serve the Fatherland. - -And so _Herr_ Miller presently relaxed, smiled and nodded his -bullet-shaped head. - -"But of course, _Herr_ Kyoto!" he exclaimed. "You need not have any -fears. We Germans win the battle first, and enjoy ourselves afterward. -No, have no fear. A certain document will never reach Washington D. -C. That is my promise. With my own hands I will turn it over to you. -_Der Fuehrer_ himself has so ordered. Nothing, then, shall stop me from -obeying that order." - -The Japanese nodded politely, but a glint of worry came into his -slanted brown eyes. - -"Yes, the true soldier always obeys," he purred. "But, speaking of the -little arrangement just between us two, the money is even now waiting -for the moment when you place that document in my hands. No one else -will know. However, I do not think that it can be earned with words, -words that we speak to each other here and now. There is an airplane -carrying that document westward at this moment--while you are here, -honoring me with your company. Time is short, and the distance from you -to that airplane grows longer and longer. But then, it may be that you -are a master of magic, yes?" - -_Herr_ Miller laughed, and there was both amusement and scorn in the -tone. - -"So you _are_ the nervous one, eh?" he echoed. "You worry that I let -those two little swine and their precious document slip through my -fingers? Ah! I am afraid that you do not truly understand us Nazis, -_Herr_ Kyoto. We plan for everything. We make sure that there will be -no failure, even before we start. _Mein Gott!_ You have only to look -at all that we have accomplished in two short years to believe for -the truth what I say. Yes, time grows short, and the distance grows -longer. But that matters little to me." - -The German paused to puff out his chest, and set his jaw at an arrogant -angle. These stupid little brown men of the Far East! What swine to -think they could suggest things to Germans! But aloud, he said: - -"In a few moments I will leave you, _Herr_ Kyoto. I will go to a -certain spot not many miles from here. Yes! Close to the shadow of -London itself. A German plane and a German pilot will be waiting for -me. He will take me far out to sea. The plane is very fast; so much -faster than this airplane that has the document aboard. Also, certain -of our U-boats well posted about the North Atlantic are keeping track -of that British airplane's journey. I will contact them by radio, and -will meet the one nearest to that airplane's course. By parachute I -will go down to the water's surface. The U-boat I select will pick me -up. A short time later it will be light. Then we will go to the surface -and watch for this aircraft. And when we sight this airplane?" - -The German paused again, rubbed his hands together, and shook with -silent laughter. - -"Then, _Herr_ Kyoto," he continued, "will be the beginning of a most -enjoyable little experience. And by the following day, at the latest, -you can expect me here in this room--with your precious document! It -will all be so very simple." - -As the Nazi finished the Japanese rose from his chair, clasped his two -hands in front of him and bowed low from the waist. - -"I salute you and bid you good fortune, _Herr_ Miller," he said in -his soft hissing tone. "I will await with joy and confidence for your -return. When the document of which we speak is in my hands, it will be -the same as the winning of a score of major battles. May good fortune -go with you, and the deep joy of your personal revenge be yours _after_ -you have accomplished the main part of your mission." - -The Nazi smiled and turned toward the door, but there was a look of icy -contempt in his eyes that the Japanese did not see. However, perhaps it -was not necessary for the Japanese to see that look of cold contempt, -for when the door had closed behind the Nazi the little brown rat from -the Far East curled his lips back in a snarl, lifted one hand and -sliced it edgewise through the air. - -"When you return with the document," he hissed out in his native -tongue, "_then_ we shall see who is of the master race!" - - - - -CHAPTER FOUR - -_Atlantic Mirage_ - - -With its twin engines thundering out a mighty song of power, the R.A.F. -Lockheed Hudson bomber cut a straight and true path westward at some -eight thousand feet above the long rolling grey-green swells of the -North Atlantic. Higher up, a billion twinkling stars looked down on -a crazy world at war out of a cloudless night sky, and served as a -billion guiding beacons to that lone aircraft pointed dead on for the -Newfoundland coast. - -Stretched out comfortably in the empty bomb compartment of the -Lockheed, Dave Dawson absently lifted a hand and pressed it against the -upper left part of his tunic. Underneath the cloth he could feel the -sealed envelope tucked safely away in the inside pocket. A moment later -he let his hand drop down into his lap and sat scowling faintly at -the rack of signal flares on the port side of the compartment. Then, -suddenly, as though he could actually feel it, he turned his head to -meet Freddy Farmer's curious stare. The English-born air ace nodded and -grinned. - -"I've been combing my brains, too, old thing," Freddy said, "wondering -what in the world that envelope contains. Blasted odd that it should -be turned over to us for delivery. And to your Secretary of State, no -less." - -"Yeah, screwy, all right," Dawson grunted. "Funny thing, though. The -way it was handed to us, it makes me feel as though I were smuggling -something into the States. You haven't got enough fingers on your two -hands to count the number of aircraft that are flying back and forth -across the Atlantic these days. And not a few of them are strictly -courier planes, too. So why wasn't this sent by one of the usual -courier planes, I ask you?" - -Freddy Farmer sighed and shook his head. - -"You can ask me," he grunted, "but I haven't the faintest idea what's -the correct answer." - -"And you can say that again for me!" Dawson muttered. "Unless it's -because--Oh nuts! I'm just letting the old brain go for a stroll." - -"Unless what, Dave?" the English youth prompted. "I know, I know! It's -probably another one of those crazy hunches of yours. But some of them -have come pretty close to the real thing in the past. So what's this -one about?" - -"Come _close_, huh?" Dawson snorted, and gave Freddy a hard look. -"Plenty of them have smacked the nail right on the head. And you know -it, pal. But anyway, the only reason I can see why they handed this to -us is because they didn't want it to go by the usual method." - -"Obvious!" Freddy Farmer snapped. "A ten year old child could reason -that out, silly! I thought you had a hunch on _why_ they didn't want it -to go the usual way. And while you're on the subject, just who do you -mean by _they_?" - -"For a little guy you can sure ask plenty of big questions!" Dawson -growled. "Sweet tripe! How do I know? They could be most anybody. Maybe -the Yank Embassy in London. Maybe Yank G.H.Q. in London. And maybe the -Queen of Sheba, too! How do I know? I had lots of questions I wanted to -ask the group captain back there at Croydon, but after taking a look at -his face, I could tell it wouldn't get me to first base. Maybe he knew, -but it was my hunch he wasn't going to tell us." - -Dawson paused a moment to lick his lips and shrugged. - -"So who sent it is anybody's guess, and I'm not even bothering to -guess," he continued. "But about it not going through the usual -channels, here's what I think. The powers that be were afraid it would -be spotted, maybe even swiped, or lost. Maybe they knew that somebody -was wise to the fact that this was headed for Secretary Hull. So to -throw whoever it was off the beam, they sneaked it out to Croydon to -be taken across and delivered by us. Who would guess that a couple of -guys going to the States on leave would be carrying a letter to the -Secretary of State? See what I mean?" - -"Yes, that's a possibility," Freddy Farmer grunted with a frown. "But -here's a funny thing, Dave. I didn't exactly _plan_ to pop on down to -Washington to say hello to Colonel Welsh. Did you?" - -"To tell the truth, I hadn't even thought of it yet," Dawson replied. -"Of course, if we should be passing through D. C. I sure would drop in -to see the colonel. But it was just one of those things I'd probably do -while on leave." - -"But Group Captain Bainsworth seemed to think that was just what we -were _going_ to do," Freddy argued. "And right after we reached New -York." - -"Yeah," Dawson grunted, and looked at his English pal. "Or else it was -a left-handed order, and we're just catching on now." - -"And that's a possibility, too," Freddy Farmer said with a grave nod. -"But--blast it!--we're supposed to be going on leave, and to forget the -confounded war for a spell--if we can. Which we won't, of course. But -there should be a law against filling up a chap going on leave with -mystery. There really should!" - -Dave opened his mouth to speak. Instead, though, he bent his head and -faked a cough while he wiped the grin from his face. When next he -looked at Freddy, his eyes were bright and eager. - -"Know what, Freddy?" he said. "I just thought up a way to find out all -the answers. Yes sir! And it's foolproof. We can't miss!" - -"Really, Dave?" the English youth echoed excitedly, and leaned forward -a little. "How?" - -Dawson winked very confidentially, and started to slip a hand inside -his tunic. - -"A cinch way!" he said in a stage whisper. "And are we dumb not to -have thought of it until now! Tell you what, pal! We'll rip open the -envelope and see for ourselves. I bet you all the stored up coffee in -Brazil that it will be mighty interesting, too!" - -Freddy Farmer sat up straight. The blood drained from his face, his jaw -sagged, and a look of utter horrified amazement came into his eyes. - -"Good grief, Dave!" he gasped out. "Are you mad? Are you absolutely -balmy? Open that envelope? When it's addressed to Secretary of State -Cordell Hull? Good grief, Dave! Why--why--why, they could shoot you for -a thing like that. And besides, it was entrusted to us. For Heaven's -sake, Dave, don't you dare open--" - -The English youth broke off short and choked and sputtered over his own -words as he saw the broad grin spread over Dawson's face. - -"Boy! Do I get a kick out of the way you can change expressions on that -mug of yours!" Dave laughed. "Okay, sweetheart. Just for you I'll let -the envelope stay right where it is. But, pal, did you rise in a hurry -to the bait that time! Boy, oh boy!" - -Deep red flooded Freddy's face, and he could only go on sputtering for -a moment or two longer. - -"You no-good blighter!" he finally got out. "You almost had me -believing you for a moment. Blast you! For sixpence I'd take that -envelope away from you, and make sure that nothing happened to it!" - -"Well, of course you could _try_, pal!" Dave grinned at him. -"But maybe they wouldn't like us to make a wreck out of this bomb -compartment. So let's skip it, huh? Besides, I think I'll go forward -and ride with Squadron Leader Hixon for a while." - -"Do that, by all means!" Freddy Farmer snapped at him. "And observe him -closely. Perhaps he can teach you something about flying. Nobody else -has been able to, though, Lord knows, they tried hard enough and long -enough!" - -"Smacko!" Dave chuckled, and pushed up onto his feet. "I walked right -into that one. So that evens us up. See you later, pal." - -"Much later, if I get my wish!" Freddy snorted, and squirmed around to -a more comfortable position. "Now, run along, my little man. I've got -important things to think about." - -Dawson let the conversation hang on a nail right there, and went -forward and into the pilots' compartment. The co-pilot's seat was -empty, and he caught Squadron Leader Hixon's eye in the rear view -mirror, and cocked a brow. - -"Mind if I ride with you for a bit, sir?" he asked. - -The pilot grinned, nodded, and jerked his head at the empty seat. - -"Do that, Dawson, please," he said. "Been on the point of calling -somebody up here to help me keep awake. Blasted uninteresting flights, -these. Too much water, and too little anything else. But I fancy you're -just as keen to get it done with as I am, what?" - -"It will be swell to get back home, and how!" Dave grunted, and slid -into the empty co-pilot's seat. "I've got a million things I want to -do, but I probably won't have the time to do even half of them. Time -flies too darn fast when you're on leave." - -"How right you are!" the Squadron Leader echoed. "A chap no sooner -settles down to have a bit of sport and fun than it's time to pack up -and catch a train or bus back to the drome. But war's like that, of -course. Good times go by in a hurry. And--well, flights like this one -seem to take years and years." - -"Well, dawn's busting over the horizon, anyway," Dawson consoled him. -"And it looks like we'll have sunshine and blue sky for the rest of the -trip. That--" - -The Yank air ace cut himself off short, leaned forward and peered out -through the window glass on his side. - -"See something?" Squadron Leader Hixon inquired casually. - -Dawson didn't reply for a moment. He thought he saw something on the -surface of the water a few miles ahead and a couple toward the north. -It seemed to disappear from view, however, when he strained his eyes. -Then, suddenly, he saw it again, and his heart leaped up in his throat -to hit hard against his back teeth. Without taking his eyes off the -distant object, he reached and rapped Squadron Leader Hixon on the arm. - -"Take a look up ahead there, and a couple of degrees to the north, -sir!" he cried out. "That looks to me like a submarine on the surface. -Yes, it is. But I can't tell from here whether it's one of theirs or -one of ours." - -"By Jove, you're right, Dawson!" the Squadron Leader's voice boomed -close to Dave's ear. "A sub, right enough. And not making headway, -either. It's--Oh, blast our luck!" - -"What do you mean?" Dawson shot at him. - -"Not a U-boat," the pilot said with heavy disappointment in his voice. -"Can tell from the shape of the conning tower. It's one of our undersea -boats. Should know I'd never have the luck to come across one of -Hitler's U-boats on the surface like that. I'm--I say! Seems to be a -bit of trouble, what? They've sighted us and sent up a signal." - -Dawson didn't make any comment for the moment. His gaze was fixed on -the submarine awash on the surface, and he saw the red distress flare -arc up into the air from the conning tower bridge. Squadron Leader -Hixon had changed course and was drilling the Lockheed Hudson down -across the sky straight toward the motionless submarine. In a matter -of seconds Dave was able to see the groups of men on the bow and stern -decks. And as a second and a third red distress flare arced upward, he -saw the men on deck start waving their hands wildly. And a split second -later he saw a thin column of smoke come up out of the conning tower -hatch. - -"Trouble is right!" he grunted. "Must be a fire inside, which forced -them all up top-side. Nothing we can do for them, though, is there, -sir? This Hudson can't land in the water to pick them up." - -"Certainly can't!" the pilot grunted with a frown. "Too many of them, -anyway, even if we could. The chaps are just out of luck, too. My -orders are for radio silence, regardless. I can't even send out a flash -to any of our navy boats that may be close by." - -"That is tough!" Dave groaned, and watched the trickle of smoke come up -out of the conning tower hatch. "But we could change course, sir. I -mean circle around a bit and perhaps spot one of our patrol destroyers, -or something. Then we could drop a note giving them the location of -these poor devils." - -"Yes, of course we can do that, and will," the pilot said. "A good -suggestion, Dawson. First, though, we'll slide down over them for a -closer look. There's just the chance that it isn't as bad as we think. -Maybe they just want to give us some kind of a message, and that fire -aboard is really under control." - -"Well, here's hoping, and how!" Dawson breathed as the Lockheed went -sliding down lower and lower. "There's only one thing worse in my book -than fire in the air, and that's fire on the water." - -"And aren't you right!" the Squadron Leader echoed, tight-lipped. -"Well, here goes for a better look at the chaps." - -"What a sweet spot to be in, I don't think!" Dawson grunted. "A fire -right under their feet, and about four miles of ocean under the fire. I -hope--Hey! What gives?" - -Dawson hardly realized that he had choked out the last. As a matter of -fact, the words he spoke were simply automatic, for in the next split -second his brain was in a mad whirl. The forward gun of the submarine -had suddenly spat red and orange flame upward. And in practically -the same instant the starboard engine of the Lockheed exploded in a -thunderous roar of sound, and a sheet of vivid red flame went sweeping -back over the wing! - - - - -CHAPTER FIVE - -_Ice Cold Courage_ - - -For a seemingly year long split second it was absolutely impossible for -Dawson to get control of his whirling brain. And it was obviously the -same with Squadron Leader Hixon, for the pilot just sat motionless in -the seat, gaping wide-eyed out at the flame and smoke pouring out of -all that was left of the starboard engine. - -"They nailed us!" Dawson suddenly found his tongue. "Their bow gun. -A bull's-eye on the starboard engine. Better level off, sir! We're -heading down too fast!" - -As a matter of fact, Dawson's wild yell of alarm wasn't necessary. -The squadron leader had snapped out of his trance, and was battling -furiously with the controls. But like a wild horse with the bit in its -teeth, the Lockheed Hudson went screaming downward toward the rolling -grey-green swells of the North Atlantic. What was left of the blasted -starboard engine started flying off in small pieces. One chunk of metal -smashed straight into the window close to Dawson's head. He ducked just -in time as a shower of slivered glass came spilling in on him. - -Then terror seemed to explode in his chest as he saw the squadron -leader slump over against the control wheel. The flying chunk of metal -had carried on past Dawson to glance off the pilot's helmet. Its force -was not enough to rip through the helmet and snuff out the man's life. -But it had been enough to knock him cold and send him slumping forward -over the control wheel. Even as Dave glanced at the man, he was in -action himself. With one outflung hand he forced Hixon back in the -seat. And with the other he swung the control wheel over to a position -in front of him. Then he grasped it with both hands and took up the -struggle that Squadron Leader Hixon had left unfinished. - -However, it was almost as though the Lockheed had become something -human, and gone just a little mad. It was as though the aircraft -actually realized that it was master of its own fate, and were savagely -hurtling downward to smash itself to bits, as well as the bodies of the -men it had aboard. Face grim and strained, and lips pressed tight, -Dawson battled the crippled plane with every ounce of his strength. -Twice he succeeded in getting the nose up and the craft back onto even -keel. However, a good portion of the damaged starboard wing had been -ripped away by the furious slip-stream of the plunging bomber, and no -sooner would it get on even keel than it would flop over on the damaged -wing, and struggle to wham right down to the vertical. - -Whether more shots were fired from the guns of the mysterious submarine -below, Dawson didn't know. Nor did he dare take his attention off -the bomber for one split second to take a flash look. If noise meant -shooting, then the submarine was hurling up everything it had aboard, -for there was a continuous thunder in his ears. However, the sound -could well have been caused by the violent vibration of the diving -plane, plus sections of the starboard wing breaking free. But what -caused the continuous thunder was the least of his worries. In fact, -he didn't even give that item a second's thought. If the Lockheed hit -those grey-green swells nose on it would be curtains for fair. Not -even a Heaven-sent miracle could save a man's life from that kind of a -crash. That kind of thing just didn't happen. - -"Up, baby; up, pal! Come on! Up with it, and take it steady. Come on! -Up--up--_up_!" - -From a long way off Dawson heard his own pleading, commanding voice. -A day of doom thunder was in his brain, now, and there was a terrific -pounding in his chest as though his heart would burst out through his -ribs at 'most any second. And down there before his eyes the grey-green -water came surging, lunging upward. And then, suddenly, the nose of the -Lockheed came upward for the third time. How, or just why, he didn't -have the faintest idea. Maybe Lady Luck or the gods of good fortune had -reached down and given invisible help. The fact was that the bomber -seemed to realize that it did have a master, and was grudgingly obeying -that master's commands. - -At any rate, the nose came up until the aircraft was on an even keel. -On an even keel, with the belly of the fuselage not fifteen feet over -the grey-green swells. Dawson had long since killed the port engine, -and so there was but one thing to do in the few split seconds of time -allowed. Before the plane could flop over on its damaged wing again, he -hauled the nose even higher. That killed off flying speed and brought -the bomber to a stall. For a century long instant it seemed to hang -dead motionless in the air, with its nose slanted up several degrees -toward the clear dawn sky. Then it quivered violently and dropped belly -first toward the water like ten ton of loose brick. A split second -before it hit, Dawson spun half around in the seat and flung both arms -about Squadron Leader Hixon, and braced hard with both feet. - -The crash landing gave him the crazy thought of an express train -ripping through a stalled freight loaded with empty tin cans. The roar -of sound was deafening, and a wave of darkness surged up out of nowhere -and tried to engulf him. And to make it all quite complete, a hundred -or so little unseen demons stepped up and sledge-hammered every square -inch of his body. When his brain stopped spinning long enough for him -to take stock, he found that the force of the crash had flung him clear -across the pilots' compartment, so that he was completely shielding -Squadron Leader Hixon with his body. He also was able to realize that -the pilot had regained consciousness, and was gaping up at him out of -wide and still slightly dazed eyes. Dave grinned, tight-lipped, and -heaved himself off the man. - -"You hurt bad, sir?" he choked out. "Can you move? We're down in the -water now. Got to get out of here before the nose goes under." - -For answer the squadron leader straightened up in the seat and shook -his head. Then he spoke. - -"Quite fit," he said. "Thanks to you, of course. Something must have -cracked me one on the head. Right-o! Let's get aft and see if the -others are all right." - -Dawson didn't hear the last because he was already ducking through -the door and back toward amidships. After a couple of steps his eyes -focussed on the scene, and his heart leaped with relief. The crew, -and Freddy Farmer, were none the worse for wear and tear. They had -obviously realized that a crash landing was inevitable and had braced -themselves for the jolt. But even at that the force of the crash had -spilled them around like peas in a can. They were slowly picking -themselves up off the belly floor as Dawson came down the catwalk. - -"Anybody hurt?" he shouted. - -A general mumble in the negative assured him that the worst could be -no more than a few bruises here and there. And then Freddy Farmer was -standing beside him, eyes flashing. - -"You and Squadron Leader Hixon gone completely balmy?" the English -youth barked. "What in the world did you mean by sliding down so close -to a U-boat? Why in thunder didn't you stay high? There're no depth -bombs aboard. Or didn't Squadron Leader Hixon know?" - -"_U-boat?_" Dawson choked out. "You're nuts, pal! It was one of ours! -And is the fur going to fly because those blind men took a pot shot at -us! They fired distress flares, and Hixon--Ye gods! Look, will you! -Look!" - -Dawson practically gagged out the last as in that moment he had -unconsciously turned his head and looked out through one of the bomb -compartment ports. There, not seventy yards away, was a German U-boat -nosing slowly through the water toward the crashed Lockheed. Its -superstructure wasn't even close to that of British design. And what -was even more convincing was the black cross edged in white that was -painted on the sides of the conning tower. - -"The blighters! The low-down tricky blighters. They had her rigged up -to look British. But now they've tossed the camouflage overboard and -are showing their own dirty colors. And what about me? Good grief! I -should be thrown right out of the R.A.F. for this stupid bit!" - -It was Squadron Leader Hixon who had gasped and groaned out the -words. He had come aft to join Dawson, and seen for himself through -the compartment port. His face was drawn and haggard, and he wore -the utterly bitter expression of a man who wants nothing but the -opportunity to crawl away and cut his own throat. - -"My mistake as well as yours, sir," Dawson spoke to him quickly. "She -certainly looked English when we started down. The dirty rats! Waited -until we were so close they couldn't miss with that bow gun. What a -sweet mess this has turned out!" - -"Well, it won't get any better if we just stand here," Freddy Farmer -said quietly, and pointed at the two inches of sea water that already -covered the compartment floor. "I suggest that we go top-side, and at -least not give them the satisfaction of seeing us drown like so many -rats!" - -"That's showing the old brains, pal," Dawson grunted. "You're dead -right! Up we go, everybody. That she's heading over here must mean that -she plans to take survivors prisoners. So--well, it could be worse. And -more than one fellow has escaped from a German prison camp." - -Dawson grinned cheerfully as he spoke the words, but in truth his heart -was heavy as lead. And then, suddenly, as he caught Freddy Farmer's -eyes on him, his heart seemed to stop beating altogether and freeze up -in a solid ball of ice. The English youth's eyes were not fixed on his -face. On the contrary they were fixed on that part of his tunic that -covered his inside pocket. And although Freddy didn't move his lips -to say anything, he didn't have to. In a flash Dawson remembered the -envelope addressed to Secretary of State Cordell Hull. - -Could--could that envelope be the reason for all this? Was there any -connection between that envelope addressed to Cordell Hull and the -mangy trick the U-boat had played in shooting down the Lockheed? - -The two questions stumbled a burning path through his brain. And -although he tried to thrust them aside as utterly fantastic, they -remained fixed and fast to taunt and torment him as he climbed top-side -with Squadron Leader Hixon, Freddy Farmer, and the four members of the -bomber's crew. And as if that weren't bad enough, the envelope tucked -away in his inside pocket began to feel like a plate of white hot steel -burning away the skin of his chest. - -By the time all had reached top-side, and were staring at the U-boat -creeping closer and closer, the Lockheed was well down by the nose, and -the damaged starboard wing was completely under water. For one crazy -instant Dawson wondered why those Hitler-mesmerized killers aboard -the U-boat didn't head off in the opposite direction and leave them to -a watery fate, which would come in a very short time. But even as he -wondered about that, the burning sensation of the sealed envelope in -his inside tunic pocket seemed to give him the answer. - -"Well, if it's true," he whispered to himself, and started to slide his -fingers inside his tunic, "then they're going to have fun trying to get -it!" - -He gave a faint nod of his head for emphasis, and then reached up with -the others to grab hold of the rope that came curling through the -air from the bow of the U-boat. They all caught it, and one of the -Lockheed's crew quickly made it fast about the opened fuselage hatch. - -"Pull yourselves over!" a harsh voice came from the conning tower -bridge of the U-boat. "And if you swine try any tricks, you will all be -dead men. Hurry! Pull yourselves over. I do not wish to remain here all -day! Hurry!" - -A fitting remark rose to Dawson's lips, but he choked it back and took -his hold on the rope. Slowly the half submerged bomber was pulled -over until it was bumping against the hull of the U-boat. A couple of -square-headed Nazis caught hold of it with boat hooks, and held on hard -while the voice on the conning tower bridge snarled out the next order. - -"Jump aboard, you fools! Be quick about it. Fall overboard and you can -save yourselves. We won't! So be quick about it!" - -It was no time for those on the top of the Lockheed to put up any -argument. And so one by one they leaped across the three feet of open -water, caught hold of German hands outstretched and clambered up onto -the sea water-dripping deck of the U-boat. Dave was the last to leave -the doomed Lockheed Hudson. And when his feet touched the wet deck, he -ignored the hands reached out to help him, and turned around to stare -back at the bomber. - -"Happy landings, old girl!" he said softly. "And don't worry. You've -got thousands of sisters and brothers that will carry on for you. So -long!" - - - - -CHAPTER SIX - -_Action C.O.D._ - - -Steel claws slammed down on Dawson's shoulder, and spun him around. -Close-set pig-like eyes blazed into his, and thick lips twisted back in -a snarl. - -"What are you trying to do?" the owner's voice roared in his ears. -"What kind of a trick is this? You think you can still escape, eh?" - -Dawson stared steadily at the huge man, who wore a seaman's jacket over -civilian clothes. He stared steadily, then grinned, tight-lipped, and -shrugged a little. - -"You'd never guess, Nazi," he said evenly. "And even if you did, you -wouldn't understand. Only white men would!" - -The German bunched one huge fist, and it looked as though he were going -to smash it straight to the Yank's face. As a matter of fact, Dawson -expected just that, but he did not regret his words. He was too filled -with boiling rage to care what he said to these Naziland-born butchers. -However, the German seemed to think better of his first intentions. His -face remained puffed and red with rage, but he relaxed slightly and was -content to stab Dawson with his pig-like eyes. - -"We will see about that tongue of yours later, Captain Dawson!" he -rasped out in a voice that shook and trembled. "Yes, later, we will see -about many things. Now, go aft with these other swine. And if you wish -a bullet in your swine skull, then just try another trick on me! So! -Move along, you dogs!" - -With their hearts and hopes down in their boots, but with their heads -high and their jaws squared, the little group from the doomed Lockheed -permitted themselves to be herded to the conning tower and down into -the bowels of the U-boat. And from the central control room they were -shoved and cuffed forward to an empty torpedo storing chamber. The air -was thick and foul, and it was difficult to breathe. However, not one -of them so much as made a face. They were ordered to sit down on a -steel bench, and they did so without a word of comment, and with a look -of calm defiance on every man's face. - -When they were seated, the man in civilian clothes and the commander -of the U-boat stood in front of them and swept them with leering, -triumphant eyes. Then the commander spoke to the other in German. - -"My congratulations, _Herr_ Miller," he said. "It was as simple as you -promised it would be. Too bad we were forced to cast all that clever -superstructure camouflage adrift. We might have been able to use it -again before we return to the St. Nazaire base." - -"Yes, it was very simple," the one addressed as _Herr_ Miller grunted -back, and toyed with a small but deadly Luger he held in his big hands. -"But it is perfect planning, and thoroughly knowing your swine enemies, -that makes things so simple. Do not forget that, _Herr Kommandant_. -But I think we had better submerge at once. There are many British -patrols in these waters. I can do what I came to do under water as -easily as on the surface. But send one of your men in here to assist -me in keeping an eye on these dogs. Two of them have the reputation of -being reckless, stupid fools. And I do not wish to deal with them until -another little matter is settled. So send one of your men in here, at -once." - -"_Ja, ja!_" the U-boat commander replied, parrot-like, and turned and -ducked out through the compartment door. - -Hardly had he disappeared when his place in the compartment was taken -by a hefty Nazi sailor wearing the familiar look of meek obedience and -Teutonic dumbness from the neck up. At a word from _Herr_ Miller, he -took up a position where the Luger in his hands could be trained dead -on any man in the bat of an eyelash. _Herr_ Miller glanced over at him, -nodded his approval, then let his leering gaze slide back over the row -of prisoners. He gave a jerk of his head, and a jerk of his Luger. - -"Empty your pockets, at once!" he rasped out, and let his leering gaze -rest for a full second on Dawson's face. "Empty your pockets and toss -everything on the deck here at my feet. The swine who does not empty -out everything will be shot instantly!" - -For a couple of seconds not one of the prisoners moved. Then Dawson -chuckled softly and began tossing his personal belongings down onto the -compartment's steel deck. - -"Might as well give him his selection, fellows," he grinned at the -others. "He's holding the gun, he and his brother rat." - -"Silence, swine!" the German thundered, and practically waved the -barrel of his Luger in the Yank's face. "And let me remind you, you -American dog, if you do not empty out _everything_, I will shoot you on -the spot!" - -Dawson looked up at the man, and although he kept a thin grin on his -lips, there was nothing but a chip of ice in his chest. - -"Okay, _Herr_ Miller," he replied in the man's own tongue. "I'm tossing -out everything I've got. And you can strip me, and search my clothes -if you want to. But I just want to ask one question. It's important to -_both_ of us, _Herr_ Miller!" - -The Nazi narrowed his eyes, and gave Dawson a hard, searching stare. -Then he grunted and nodded. - -"And what is the question?" he demanded in German. - -"Has the Lockheed gone under yet?" Dawson asked with forced calmness. - -The Nazi blinked, and looked just a trifle startled. - -"But of course!" he finally rasped out. "It was sinking when you fools -came aboard. By now it is halfway to the bottom." - -"Yeah?" Dawson echoed softly. Then with a head shake of mock pity, -"That's tough--for _you_, _Herr_ Miller. You should have made the -Lockheed empty _its_ pockets--if you get what I mean?" - -The Nazi started to speak, but checked himself and slid his narrow-eyed -stare along to Freddy Farmer's face. The English youth was taking -a bunch of keys from his tunic pocket. He stopped the motion for a -moment, stared innocently back at the Nazi, then flipped out his hand. - -"Here, catch, old bean!" he grunted. "The key to the situation, you -know, what?" - -The German's brain was much too slow for his reflexes. He automatically -caught the bunch of keys as they came sailing through the air, and -stared down stupidly at them. Then he bellowed out an oath and flung -them down onto the steel deck. - -"So!" he bellowed. "You swine dogs dare me to shoot, eh?" - -"Why not?" Dawson cut right back at him in a flash. "It might as well -be now as later. But you're still out of luck, _Herr_ Miller. _We -haven't got it!_ I left it aboard, and you'll have to do some diving, -what I mean." - -As Dawson clipped out the words, he held his breath, and kept his gaze -riveted on the German's face. But it wasn't more than a split second or -two before he knew beyond all doubt that the fantastic, and the utterly -incredible was indeed the truth. A Nazi U-boat, cleverly camouflaged -as a British submarine in distress, had shot down an R.A.F. Lockheed -Hudson for just one purpose: to capture its crew alive and secure a -sealed envelope that this _Herr_ Miller _knew_ was carried by someone -aboard. Moreover, he knew that that someone was either Freddy Farmer or -himself. - -The conglomeration of inner emotions that swept across the Nazi's face -told Dawson the truth. And if he needed any further confirmation, he -received it right after he spoke again. - -"That's right, _Herr_ Miller," he said evenly. "There's our stuff on -the floor. Strip us and search our clothes, if it will make you feel -any better. But you won't find a certain sealed envelope. No, not -unless you do some fancy diving and reach that bomber. You see, stupid, -we had _our_ orders, too. And you can guess what _they_ were!" - -Wild, angry dismay flooded the Nazi's face. Not yet accustomed to -dumbfounding defeat, he was unable to maintain rigid control over his -emotions. His eyes popped out, and then popped back in again. His jaw -sagged, and his lips moved, though he didn't utter a sound. His hands -shook, and the beet red came surging up into his flat, moon-shaped -face. Dawson knew that the danger point was close, very close. The -German had been flung far off balance, and in the next second or so the -animal training in him would get the upper hand. Cold, common sense -would go flying out the window, and all that would be left would be the -savage lust to butcher and slaughter. - -And so Dawson half stood up, and tore off his tunic. - -"It's the truth, _Herr_ Miller!" he shouted, and started to rip open -the seams. "Take a look, stupid! You see anything hidden in the lining? -Take a look and weep, you fathead. See any sealed envelope? See -anything that interests you? I told you that I left it aboard. Okay! -See for yourself. Here! Take a darned good look!" - -As Dawson spoke the last he held out his ripped tunic with his hands. -He practically shoved it right under the Nazi's nose. And then, as the -German automatically looked down at it, the Yank air ace practically -exploded in a whirlwind of action. He flung the tunic straight into the -Nazi's face. He slapped down his right hand, caught the Luger by the -barrel and twisted it free. His other fist he smashed to the German's -jaw, and one knee he brought up hard into the Nazi's belly. And then, -in what was practically a continuation of the original movement, he -reversed the Luger in his hand, half turned, and drilled a single shot -at the pop-eyed Nazi sailor. The bullet hit the steel plate right -behind the sailor's left ear. And that was close enough. His own gun -dropped from his fingers, as he flung both hands high in terrified -surrender. And the Luger had hardly struck the deck before Freddy -Farmer had dived from a sitting position on the metal bench and scooped -it up. But Dawson didn't see that fast bit of action. He didn't because -he was busy clipping _Herr_ Miller one for good measure on the back of -the skull as the man fell down. That done with, he shot a look over at -Freddy Farmer and grinned broadly. - -"Nice going, pal!" he chuckled. "But I'll give you a kiss later. We've -got things to do, right now. Okay, you fellows. Get behind Farmer and -me. Maybe that shot of mine was heard, and we haven't got time to lose." - -"But, good grief, Dawson!" Squadron Leader Hixon gasped out. "What in -the world can you do? There must be thirty Nazis, at least, aboard this -thing, man!" - -"That's right!" Dawson shot back at him. "And I'll bet not one of them -has any hankering to drown! Catch on? Okay. Stick close while Freddy -and I rush the central control room. Okay, sailor! Step along ahead of -me!" - -As Dawson spoke the last he whipped out his free hand and caught the -scared stiff sailor by the arm, and yanked him over and shoved him -through the compartment door leading to amidships. He and Freddy Farmer -kept right at the German's heels. Like blockers running interference -for a ball carrier, they went charging into the central control room. -Dawson saw the U-boat commander turn from his post at the periscope -sight. He saw the anger that flooded the Nazi's face as he recognized -the sailor, and right after that the look of dumbfounded fear that -glazed the man's eyes as he caught sight of Dawson and Freddy Farmer -right behind. - -Perhaps it was just a nervous twitch of the U-boat commander's hand. Or -perhaps he actually did start to reach up for his holstered Luger. At -any rate, Dawson didn't wait to find out which. He squeezed the trigger -of the Luger he held in his own hand, and the bullet snipped a button -off the German's jacket before it smacked into the radio panel on the -far side of the control room. - -"Don't move, anybody!" Dawson thundered in German. "Get stupid, any one -of you square-heads, and we'll all go to the bottom, to stay for good. -I--" - -The Yank choked off the rest, half turned, and fired the Luger. A -thin-faced, hawk-nosed junior officer had tried to snatch up a gun and -shoot across his chest at Dawson. His gun didn't even have a chance to -go off. Dawson's bullet caught him in the chest, spun him like a top, -and dumped him flat on his face, to stay there motionless. - -"Anybody else want to play?" the Yank grated, and swept his eyes over -the four or five other Germans in the control room. "Suits me swell, if -you want to. So just start something. Go ahead, you Nazi slobs!" - -There was a moment of silence, save for the whine of the electric -motors driving the U-boat down below the surface. Then its commander -made sounds in his throat and licked his lips. - -"What do you want?" he choked out. "You are prisoners. Not one of you -will live to tell of this madness." - -At that moment, and for reasons that Dawson couldn't even understand, -a flood of war memories swept across the screen of his brain. He -remembered scenes of Nazi-slaughtered men, women, and children. He -remembered scenes in which houses, villages, and mighty cities had -been laid flat in smoking, stinking ruins by the Nazi hordes. He -recalled the floating dead bodies of Yank, British, and other United -Nations seamen from ship upon ship sent diving to the bottom by -Hitler's ruthless U-boat commanders. A hundred scenes of horror and -death that made the rage seem to freeze like lumps of ice within him. -Lips tight and eyes hard, he stepped over to the U-boat commander and -gun-whipped him with the Luger across each cheek. - -"Dry up, rat!" he grated as the Nazi reeled back, moaning with pain. -"Just get this steel fish up on the surface, or I'll put one right -between your fishy eyes. Come on! Snap out your orders! And don't get -the idea I don't understand German. You get us top-side, and pronto, -or we'll wreck this tub, and all go down together. Step on it, you. -Top-side we go, and in a hurry!" - -The German shook and shivered, and tried desperately to summon what -little courage he had left. But true to the German type, when he no -longer held the whip hand there was nothing but cowardly yellowness to -him. And he almost fainted with fright as Dawson suddenly drew a bead -on a point square between his eyes. - -"Don't! Don't shoot!" he sobbed out. "I will do as you ask. I will -give the order to surface the U-boat." - -"And tell everybody to stay right where they are at their posts, too!" -Dawson barked at him. "The first Jerry to stick his face inside this -control room will get you a slug right in your fat face. Get it? Okay! -Do your stuff!" - -The U-boat commander trembled some more, then picked up the inter-com -phone and gave the necessary orders. Dawson watched him like a hawk, -and with ears tuned to every German word the man spoke into the -inter-com. Then, when the U-boat trembled and started up by the bow, -a great sense of joyous relief flooded through him. But he didn't let -any of it show for an instant on his face, or in the agate hard eyes -he kept fixed on the U-boat commander. He didn't worry about the other -Germans in the central control room, because he knew that Freddy Farmer -was keeping an eye on them. As a matter of fact, at just about that -same moment he felt rather than saw his English pal at his elbow. And -then he heard Freddy's quiet voice. - -"What a shame you've already received all the medals they give out in -this war, Dave," the English youth chuckled. "Certainly deserve one for -this little bit. Though, of course, it didn't actually happen, you -know. Just a mad dream!" - -"You telling me, sweetheart?" Dave shot out of the corner of his mouth. -"I won't even ever believe this, myself. But keep your eye on those -other birds. They might dive for their--" - -"Hardly!" Freddy Farmer interrupted. "I've collected all their guns. -I'll show them to you sometime when you're not so busy." - -"Do that, pal," Dave chuckled. "And get set to crank open that conning -tower hatch just as soon as we hit surface. There might be a plane or -two up there cruising around. Or maybe a British destroyer." - -"What a cheerful chap!" Freddy groaned. "And do I hope you're all wrong -about _that_!" - - - - -CHAPTER SEVEN - -_Yankee Bluff_ - - -The next few moments seemed to Dawson to be year upon year stretching -slowly out to their fullest extent of time. During every ticking second -he kept his gaze fixed steadfastly on the U-boat commander, and held -the Luger in his hand steady and ready for instant action, if need -be. However, there was no need for that kind of action. Perhaps the -German read the truth in the Yank's agate eyes, and realized beyond -all possible doubt that Dawson would squeeze the trigger of the Luger, -if he was forced to, just as sure as the Lord made little apples. Or -perhaps the Nazi was still so paralyzed with fear that he couldn't have -moved a single muscle, if he'd wanted to, but could only stand there at -the periscope's base sight, and stare with glazed eyes back at the man -who had him covered. - -And then suddenly, the German seaman at the depth gauge board grunted -out the fact that the U-boat was awash on the surface. Dawson didn't -turn his head to glance over at him. He still kept his eyes fixed on -the commander, and spoke out of the corner of his mouth. - -"Okay, Freddy," he said. "You, and Squadron Leader Hixon, and a couple -of the others go top-side, pronto. Yell back down if you see anything. -Better take along a couple of those flares, even if it is daylight. The -two who don't go up with you can park down here and help me keep these -rats in line. Give them each one of the guns from your collection." - -"Right-o, Dave!" the English youth replied. "I'll go top-side and take -a look. But if I don't see anything, I think we'd better make use of -their radio, what?" - -"Bright lad," Dawson grunted. "Okay, get set." - -As the Yank spoke the last he leaned forward slightly so that the -muzzle of his Luger was just a few inches closer to the spot square -between the U-boat commander's eyes. - -"Up conning tower hatch, you!" he grated out. "And if we _aren't_ on -the surface, it's going to be just as tough for you as for the rest of -us. So--" - -Dave chopped off the rest, swung his Luger in a short arc and squeezed -the trigger. A bull-necked Nazi sailor charging through a door behind -the commander took the bullet smack in the chest and fell down in a -heap. A gun he had half raised bounced when it hit the steel deck, and -went skidding away. Dawson swung his eyes back to the senior officer, -who was now having all kinds of difficulty keeping his knees from -buckling. - -"Catch on?" Dawson snapped. "I never kid, stupid, when I make a -promise. And I made one to you. Remember? Okay! Up with that conning -tower hatch!" - -The Nazi could only bob his head up and down violently. Then the words -poured off his lips like raging flood waters going over a broken dam. - -"I do not lie, _Herr_ Captain!" he gasped out. "We are on the surface. -Yes, yes! It is so. I would be a fool to drown us all by ordering the -hatch to be opened while we are still below the surface. I would be mad -to do that. I do not wish to die--that way!" - -"Well, there are other ways, if you don't snap it up!" the Yank -reminded him with a significant gesture of the Luger. "So step on it, -my little Nazi tramp. Step on it!" - -The U-boat commander did just that, but during the few seconds it took -to issue orders and get the hatch open Dawson's heart stood still, and -he held his breath clamped in his lungs. After all, there was just -a wild chance that the commander did have a little stiffness in his -backbone! However, the man had had more than enough. And like all of -his type, when it came to the matter of his own life, he could change -from a blustering, arrogant hireling of Hitler to a cringing, sniveling -whimperer in practically nothing flat. - -And so he did just as he was ordered, and presently the conning tower -hatch was opened, and clean, fresh ocean air was pouring down inside to -cut the thick, heavy U-boat stench. - -"Stop daydreaming, pal!" Dawson snapped, as Freddy Farmer made no move -toward the companion ladder. "Get up there and do your stuff, in case -somebody has already sighted us. I sure don't want to be kissed now by -any made-in-England depth bomb. Scram!" - -"You go, Dave," the English youth argued. "You've earned a smell of -fresh air. I'll watch these blasted Jerries." - -"Nothing doing!" the Yank snapped. "Up with you. This is more fun, see? -Maybe some other dope will stick his head through a door. I can do -with a little side-arms practice. Get going!" - -Freddy didn't bother arguing after that. With Squadron Leader Hixon, -and a couple of the Lockheed's crew, he went scrambling up the -companion ladder, and out onto the conning tower bridge. Down below, -Dawson and the remaining two of the Lockheed's crew kept their eyes -and their captured Lugers fixed on the Germans in the central control -room. Seconds ticked by to add up to a minute. And the minutes added -up to total three, then four. Tension began to tell on Dawson, and a -whole flock of little worries and doubts began to play about in his -brain. True, he was standing guard over the "nerve center" of the -U-boat. And true, his prisoners were the commander and his junior -officers. Just the same, he couldn't hope to keep the situation just -as it was indefinitely. Maybe the commander and his officers were -cringing cowards, but that didn't guarantee that it was the same with -every member of the U-boat's crew. Maybe there was a hero or two among -them who would rather take death than capture and imprisonment. Or, at -least, perhaps there was one among them who might crack easily. One -who might go clean off his nut, and do anything, such as open the sea -valves, to break the terrific, tormenting strain. And whether a brave -hero or a man gone mad opened the sea valves and let the ocean come -pouring in, the _result_ would be the same! - -And so, as each new second ticked by, another little bead of cold, -clammy sweat formed on Dawson's forehead. And with each passing instant -of time he had to battle harder to keep from showing his nervousness by -yelling up to Freddy Farmer to find out if anything had been sighted. -Finally, when his nerves were so tightly drawn that they threatened -to snap and fly off in small pieces at almost any second, he suddenly -heard the welcoming sound of the English youth's voice. - -"Cheerio, Dave, old thing!" Freddy shouted down the hatch. "Luck of the -Devil for us, for fair. The King's Navy, no less, Dave, my lad. What a -beautiful sight to see, and--" - -"Save it!" Dawson roared back at him. "What in thunder _do_ you see?" - -"A British cruiser, of course!" the English youth told him. "Didn't I -say the King's Navy? Well, there she is, and coming right for us. Happy -days are here again, what?" - -Dawson gave a little shake of his head, and dropped the crazy -conversation. He realized that Farmer's joy at sighting a British -cruiser, which had come up out of nowhere, had sent him just a little -joyously haywire for the moment. As a matter of fact, Dawson's own head -felt a little light, and he almost smiled at the U-boat commander as he -jerked his head upward and gave the order. - -"Top-side for you!" he said in German. "A British cruiser is bearing -down toward us. Get up there and get an eyeful. Hey, Freddy! Stupid is -coming up! Keep your eye on him. I'll be up in a minute." - -Right after he had shouted the last in English to Freddy Farmer up -on the conning tower bridge, Dave turned to the two members of the -Lockheed's crew who had remained below decks with him, and gave them a -happy grin and a nod. - -"Okay, up you go, too," he said. "And thanks for giving me a hand down -here. Too bad we didn't get some--" - -"Watch it, sir!" screamed one of the R.A.F. men. "Down with you!" - -Dawson had already dropped low and twisted around. He saw the blurred -figure of _Herr_ Miller charging toward him, and saw the Nazi's -outstretched hand spit flame and smoke. Something plucked at his tunic -sleeve, and almost spun him around. His feet were too well braced, -however. And in the next split second the sound of his own gun blended -with the crack of the guns held by the two R.A.F. men. All three -bullets hit _Herr_ Miller, and the man was stone dead before his feet -left the deck as he went toppling over backwards, and down. Dawson -swallowed hard and glanced down at the bullet hole in his tunic sleeve. - -"Thanks for the yell," he said to the man who had given the alarm. "And -thank God he was a rotten shot. Tough that he's dead, though. I've had -the hunch that he was Gestapo. I'd hoped to take him alive and learn a -thing or two. But maybe it's just as well that he's that way. One less -rat to worry about. Well, let's go." - -Dawson motioned the other two up the companion ladder, and then, -after barking a cautioning word or two to the live Germans still in -the central control room, he backed slowly up the companion ladder -and then quickly scrambled out of the hatch and onto the bridge. In a -flash Freddy Farmer was by his side and pointing excitedly at a British -cruiser standing off about a quarter of a mile to starboard while it -launched one of its motorboats. - -And a little over fifteen minutes later another of Hitler's U-boats had -made its last trip, a trip that took it straight down to the bottom of -the North Atlantic. Its officers and crew were prisoners of war aboard -the cruiser. And in the cruiser captain's quarters, Squadron Leader -Hixon was giving a glowing account of all that had happened. - -"It was Captain Dawson all the way, I fancy, sir," he finished up with -a grin. "The rest of us were simply the audience. But an audience that -will never forget his performance, you can be sure. Fact is, when I -return to England I'm certainly going to recommend that he be mentioned -in Orders, and be cited for a decoration. Truth to tell, sir, it was -all so incredibly wonderful that I'm still wondering a little if it -actually did happen." - -"Well, if it's all right with you, sir," Dawson spoke up, his face -flaming red with embarrassment, "let's just say that it didn't, and -forget the whole thing. Frankly, it was just bluff, and a barrel of -luck. Those two things, plus Jerry brains that can't turn over very -fast in the clinches. So if it's all the same to you, sir, I'd--" - -Dawson let the rest hang in the air as there came an urgent knock on -the door, and the senior radio officer came in with a yellow slip of -paper in his hand. - -"An answer from your report to the Admiralty, sir," he said, and handed -the yellow slip of paper to the senior officer. "But it's from the Air -Ministry, sir." - -Dawson and Farmer unconsciously stiffened, and exchanged glances. Then -they looked at the cruiser's captain. The officer scowled at the yellow -slip for a moment, then looked up quickly to meet their gaze. - -"Seems that you two chaps were in a bit of a hurry, what?" he said with -a faint smile, and tapped the paper with the fingers of his other hand. -"This is a special radio request from the Air Ministry--a request to -launch you two chaps off in one of our planes, and let you finish your -journey by air. A bit of courier work, eh?" - -Dawson almost shook his head, but just in time he recalled his little -bluff scene with _Herr_ Miller in that empty torpedo store chamber -aboard the U-boat. At that time Squadron Leader Hixon and the others -had of course tumbled to the fact that he and Freddy were supposed to -be carrying something of importance--something that _Herr_ Miller had -been ready to kill to obtain. So it would be silly to deny it now. - -"Yes, sir," he said instead. "Yes, you might call it that, sir. But how -did the Air Ministry--" - -"Find out about your rescue?" the cruiser's captain interrupted with -a chuckle. "Routine, I fancy. Any reports on our aircraft, and flying -personnel, we radio to the Admiralty are immediately telephoned over to -the Air Ministry. Obviously the Air Ministry wants you to get on with -the job at once, and can't wait for us to get to the States. Hence, -this request." - -"And--and are you granting it, sir?" Dawson asked as casually as his -inner eagerness would permit. - -The cruiser's captain looked stern, and scowled darkly. And then, -perhaps because of the fading hope he saw in Dawson's eyes, he smiled -broadly, and nodded. - -"I fancy so," he said. "After all, you two chaps have got just so much -_leave_ coming, you know. Haven't the heart to make you spend any more -of it than you have to aboard my ship. Probably never hear the end of -it from the R.A.F. chaps. Get enough ragging from them as it is. So -right you are, then. You can take one of my planes. But see that you -deliver it in New York in good shape, mind you! We'll pick it up in a -week or so. Not that a cruiser really needs aircraft, you understand. -However, the blasted things do have their uses now and then." - -"Yes, of course, sir," Dawson replied, refusing to rise to the bait. -"And thank you, sir, for granting the request." - -"Quite, sir," Freddy Farmer echoed politely. "At any other time both -Dawson and I should love to--" - -"Not likely, you would!" the senior officer growled. "You flying chaps -hate blue water. Much prefer blue sky. But you're all a little balmy, -of course. Give me a good solid deck under my feet, and--But never -mind. Birds of different feathers, and all that. Hop along below, and -clean up. I'll have flying gear routed out, and one of the seaplanes -made ready. Good luck, and all that sort of thing." - -A few minutes later Dawson and Freddy Farmer were washing off U-boat -dirt and filth in a cabin turned over to them by one of the cruiser's -officers. They had set to work on the cleaning job in silence, but -presently Freddy Farmer couldn't hold back the words any longer. - -"What rotten luck, eh, Dave?" he said with a heavy sigh. - -Dawson wiped soapsuds from his eyes and squinted over at him. - -"Huh?" he ejaculated. "Rotten luck? You mean to do it in a few hours -instead of days aboard this tub? You gone nuts?" - -"Of course I don't mean that!" the English youth snapped back at him. -"I don't fancy cruisers any more than you do. I'm speaking about -that confounded business aboard the U-boat. About that envelope for -Secretary Hull. Of course you did the right thing to get rid of it in -the bomber. But it would have been wonderful if we could have managed -to save it." - -"That's what I figured," Dawson grunted through the towel on his face. -"So I decided to take the chance, pal." - -In a flash Freddy Farmer was across the cabin and had him by both arms. - -"What?" he cried. "What did you say, Dave? You don't mean--?" - -Dawson shook himself free, and chuckled. - -"What else?" he demanded, and picked up his ripped and torn tunic off -the bunk. "Sure thing, kid. I took the chance of tossing _Herr_ Miller -for a loss with a couple of loads of good old Yankee bluff. So I called -the turn right on him before he could get set. I told him I'd ditched -the thing, and held out my tunic and started ripping open the lining -to get him all mixed up. And--well, he was a nice guy and _did_ get -all mixed up--and dropped his guard, you might say. Gosh, Freddy, just -think! That darn letter was right there in the pocket of the tunic I -shoved in his face. Maybe he even heard the paper crackle. See? Here -'tis, Freddy. A bit wrinkled, but maybe the Secretary of State will -forgive us for its appearance." - -Dawson had pulled the wrinkled envelope from the inner pocket of his -tunic and was holding it out to Freddy Farmer. However, the English -youth didn't touch it. In fact, he backed away slowly and sat down hard -on the edge of the bunk. And his face was one great picture of absolute -dumbfounded amazement. - -"Good grief, good grief!" he gasped over and over again. "Good grief, -you actually _did_ do it, Dave! Will miracles never cease! Why, I never -would believe that--" - -"See?" Dawson cut in with a sad shake of his head. "You save the bum's -life, and you pull rabbits out of a hat, and the guy has the nerve to -tell you he doesn't believe you. He--" - -"I didn't say any such thing!" Freddy cried. "I simply said that I--" - -"Now, don't try to get out from under!" Dave shut him off and waggled a -finger. "I know perfectly well that you--_Blub_!" - -The last was as the wet towel came into his face. And for the next -couple of minutes the cruiser's captain would have had sixteen -epileptic fits if he had stuck his head inside that cabin and seen -those "flying chaps" roughhousing it out with wet towels and gobs of -soapsuds! - - - - -CHAPTER EIGHT - -_Home Again_ - - -The dimout hour for the eastern seaboard of the United States was -not many minutes away as Dawson slid the cruiser's seaplane down to -a perfect landing in the La Guardia Airport basin. As soon as he had -settled, he taxied over to the mooring ramp where attendants took over -and tied up. Then Freddy and he stepped ashore and started for the -Customs Office. - -"Fine lot we've got to declare!" Freddy Farmer spoke for the first -time in quite a while. "What with our bags still aboard that Lockheed, -and down at the bottom of the Atlantic. I'll never forgive the Jerry -beggars for that dirty trick." - -"Nuts to baggage!" Dawson cried cheerily, and sucked air deep into -his lungs. "We're home, pal! That's what counts. Hot dog! Get a load -of this Yankee air, Freddy. It'll do wonders for that flat chest of -yours. It--Hey! What are you grabbing my arm for?" - -The English youth didn't answer. He simply grabbed Dawson's arm with -one hand, and pointed the other at the door of the airport's Customs -Office. The Yank air ace took a good look, and stopped dead in his -tracks. - -"Holy smoke!" he gasped. "Boy! Do they keep tabs on the comings and -goings of you and me, pal! That's Colonel Welsh, of U. S. Intelligence. -How in thunder did he know we were landing here?" - -"Perhaps that cruiser's radio," Freddy grunted. "Or maybe direct from -the Air Ministry. But he's here, right enough. And here he comes. Funny -thing, though, Dave." - -"What's funny?" Dawson prompted when Freddy didn't continue. - -"The feeling I've got," the English youth replied in a low tone. "I -suppose it's a bit rotten of me to feel this way, but--well, to be -perfectly frank, Dave, I don't think I'm greatly overjoyed that Colonel -Welsh is here to meet us." - -"Huh? Not glad that--?" Dawson began, and stopped short with a gulp. -"Oh-oh! I get you, pal. And check and double check. I've got that same -feeling. Colonel Welsh isn't the one to take time out to greet a -couple of guys going on leave." - -"Of course, he could be just making sure that we carried right on down -to Washington," Freddy Farmer murmured. - -"Oh, sure, sure!" Dawson grunted. "And maybe, too, he just wants to -know how the weather was when we left England. Nope. No soap, Freddy. -Much as I like the colonel, and he _is_ one swell person, whenever -he pops into the picture you can bet your bottom dollar that there's -something cooked up for you to do." - -"Yes, quite," Freddy sighed unhappily. "But it was a wonderful leave we -spent--at sea." - -"Couldn't have been better, unless we'd spent it on dry land," Dave -shot out of the corner of his mouth. Then, as the Chief of U. S. -Intelligence came within earshot, he said, "Well, well, hello, sir! We -certainly didn't expect to see you." - -"No, Dawson?" the senior officer chuckled as he returned their salute, -and then shook hands with them both. "Not disappointed, I hope? Got the -flash you'd been launched from that cruiser, and so I flew right up to -meet you. Well, you two have been mixing up in it again, as usual, eh?" - -"Wasn't any of our doing, sir," Freddy Farmer grinned. "Sort of forced -on us, you might say. Forced on Dawson, rather. He's quite a hero. -Better than a story book hero, and all that. Why, Colonel, if it had -not been for Captain Dave Dawson, we'd--" - -"Okay, okay!" Dave interrupted. "The colonel is an old friend, Freddy. -He knows us both. Skip it, pal. But, Colonel, is it all right to ask -what brings you here?" - -For a split second the Intelligence Chief stiffened. His thin face even -paled slightly, and he shot a quick glance back over his shoulder. - -"You didn't bring it?" he asked sharply. "You lost it, or were forced -to destroy it?" - -"We have it, sir," Dawson told him quietly, and started to reach for -his tunic pocket. "We're to turn it over to you?" - -"No, no, don't!" the colonel said quickly. "Not here. Just wanted to -know that you have it, so I won't have to make other plans. Well, it's -time to eat, I'd say. I've arranged with Customs, and the Military, so -come along with me. I've got my car. You're putting up for the night at -the Astor. Suite of rooms all reserved for you. So we might as well eat -there. And I want to hear of your latest venture, with all the details, -of course. But let's get going and--Well, what do you know! I haven't -yet said that I'm glad to see you. However, I certainly am--much more -than either of you may realize." - -Some three hours later, Dawson leaned back in his chair in the Astor -main dining-room, and vaguely wondered if his tunic buttons were going -to stay on, or pop and go sailing across the room. It was his first -made-in-America meal in many, many months, and without any prompting -from Colonel Welsh he had started at the top of the menu card and gone -right down the list. Freddy Farmer was still eating, but then, he was -starting down the list for the second time. - -"Well, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised at anything you two pull -off," Colonel Welsh suddenly broke the moment or two of silence. "But -this latest is certainly tops for sheer nerve." - -"And bluff," Dawson interrupted with a chuckle. "Just plain bluff, -and one hundred per cent good luck. And if you want the honest truth, -Colonel, if anybody had ever told me I'd try for a crazy long shot like -that, I'd have told them they were nuts from away back. And that's a -fact." - -"Bluff, or luck, you did get away with it, Dawson," the colonel said -with a smile. "And that's the important thing. But let's get off the -war for a little while. Tell me, how does it feel to be back in the -United States, you two? Of course, Dawson, I've got a pretty good idea -how you feel about it. What about you, Farmer?" - -The English youth smiled and gave a shrug. - -"I fancy it's all right, sir," he said. "I've always been very fond of -America, and there's no reason why I should change now. Of course, I'd -have much rather spent our leave in England, but Dave, here, pulled one -of your American tricks on me, and I had to come along." - -"He's just a hard-headed guy, sir," Dawson explained as Colonel Welsh -looked puzzled. "We tossed for it, two out of three, and I won. He -still can't get it out of his head that it wasn't crooked." - -"But you see, Dave," Freddy spoke up gravely, "I've known you so long, -and so well." - -"Ouch!" Dawson cried, and clapped a hand to his jaw. "And to think -he's the ungrateful cuss whose life I saved a few hours back. But you -can bet your life, Colonel, he wasn't making any of his smart cracks -_then_! You should have seen the way he gazed at me. Such dumb appeal, -and befuddlement, and helplessness in his eyes. Reminded me of a little -kitten I once found lost in a snow bank. Only difference was the kitten -didn't give me the high-hat afterward. Okay, my little man! Next time -we're stuck aboard a U-boat _you_ can get us out of it!" - -"Not a chance!" Freddy said quickly. "Because if I've got anything to -say about it, and I hope I'll have, I'm never going to step inside one -of those things again." - -"Amen to that!" Colonel Welsh breathed. - -The trio lapsed into silence for a few minutes after that. Freddy -Farmer was content to go on eating, Colonel Welsh seemed to be mulling -over some serious thoughts, and Dave was wondering whether or not this -was the right place or time to bring up a most important subject. A -most important subject, and one that had been worrying him not a little -ever since they'd landed at the La Guardia Airport basin. In short, -the envelope addressed to Secretary of State Cordell Hull that he -still carried in his inside tunic pocket. Rather, the envelope he had -transferred from his ripped and torn tunic to the fresh and clean one -that had been sent up to the hotel suite. - -Apart from Colonel Welsh asking that single question as to whether or -not they had brought the envelope, not a word had been mentioned about -it. And that fact had Dawson worried, plenty. No, not exactly worried. -It had him more bewildered and befuddled. He was sure that the -Intelligence Chief had come up to New York to accompany them down to -Washington and present them to the Secretary of State. But the senior -officer hadn't even said he was going to do that. In fact, he hadn't -spoken about anything that he was going to do. He'd simply rushed -them over here to the Astor, seen that they were comfortable, that -clean uniforms and so forth were sent up, and then had gone away to -return in an hour and take them down to dinner. And all during dinner -the conversation hadn't once touched on the sealed envelope still in -Dawson's pocket. - -Was it possible that this _was_ just a friendly meeting? Was it -possible that Colonel Welsh didn't know anything about the sealed -envelope? Was it possible that the Chief of U. S. Intelligence didn't -have a darned thing cooked up for Freddy Farmer and himself? Those and -hundreds of other questions whirled and spun around in Dave's brain, as -he relaxed comfortably in his chair and let his eyes roam absently over -the well filled dining-room. He wondered plenty about those thought -questions, but there was one thing he _wanted_, not wondered. That was -to get rid of the confounded envelope. It had come much, much too close -for comfort to spelling curtains for Freddy and himself. He would -be glad when he was rid of it, and the sooner that time arrived, the -happier he would be. - -"That envelope you're carrying for Secretary Hull, Dawson--" The -Colonel's words seemed suddenly to explode in his ears. "You've got it -with you? Or are you carrying it, Farmer?" - -Dave jerked his head around, gulped, and nodded. - -"Yes, yes, sir, I've got it," he said. - -The colonel reached out his hand as though he were asking for the salt -and pepper. - -"I'll take it," he said. "Give it to me. You're probably pretty sick of -carrying it around by now." - -Dawson hesitated a moment, completely at sea as to just what to do. The -orders at Croydon Airport had been to deliver it in person to no one -but the Secretary of State. Of course, Colonel Welsh was different. If -he couldn't be trusted, then-- - -"It's all right, Dawson," the other's quiet voice broke into his -scrambled thoughts. "I realize just what you're thinking. And I don't -blame you. However, the Secretary is out of Washington for a few days, -so you can give it to me." - -"Yes, sure, sir," Dawson gulped. "But--but right _here_?" - -"It's all right, don't worry," the colonel said quietly. - -Dawson didn't hesitate any more after that. He had been given an order -by a superior officer, and there wasn't anything he could do but obey. -So he reached inside his tunic, took out the wrinkled and slightly -dirtied envelope and handed it over. - -"The mailman fell in a mud puddle, sir," he said in a half-hearted -attempt at humor. "Sorry." - -Colonel Welsh looked at him and grinned. Then as both Freddy Farmer and -Dawson stared pop-eyed, he ripped open the flap of the envelope and -took a quick look inside. He smiled again, and nodded, and stuck the -envelope in his own inside tunic pocket. - -"Fine, boys, fine!" he grunted. "This may mean a lot of changes in -this war. But let's forget the war. I guess you haven't heard that -story that's going the rounds about the private and the sergeant of the -guard? It's very funny." - -The Chief of U. S. Intelligence made a little gesture with one hand and -hitched his chair closer to the table. Then he casually took a cigar -from his pocket, and took his own sweet time about lighting it up. And -then, just as Dawson was about to explode in confusion, he heard the -colonel's low voice carry to him through the cloud of cigar smoke. - -"Act as though this one were a howl," he said. "But keep your ears -open, and listen carefully. You, Dawson! When I pick up my dessert -spoon, let your napkin fall down under the table. Go down after it, and -when you get down you'll see another envelope held between my knees. -Snake it into your napkin and sit up again. And when you get the chance -slip that envelope into your pocket. All right. Here goes with the -story. Show lots of interest, and grin and chuckle!" - -With that the colonel paused a moment, and then started in on a long -drawn out story about a private and a sergeant of the guard. But Dave -only heard every other word, if that many. His brain was spinning -like a top, and a crazy, cockeyed jumble of thoughts were having a -wonderful time playing leap frog. And all the time he watched to see -when Colonel Welsh would pick up his dessert spoon. What in thunder -was all this about? What other envelope? And why was the Colonel being -so cagey about how he was to get it? Holy smoke! Hadn't he just handed -Secretary Hull's envelope across the table? Why should the colonel get -fancy and make him do tricks to get another envelope he held between -his knees? Or was it that something very heavy had dropped down on the -Intelligence Chief's head since their last meeting, and the man had -gone just a little screwy? - -Dawson had no idea, and it was utterly useless even to try to guess. -His war experience had taught him to try to take things in stride, and -expect 'most anything, and 'most everything. The minute you stopped -to figure out the whys and wherefores of things that happened in this -crazy war, you were sunk. And so Dawson half listened to the long drawn -out story, grinned or chuckled in what he hoped were the right places, -and kept half an eye on Colonel Welsh's dessert spoon. - -And then, suddenly, the senior officer picked it up and dipped it into -the untouched dish of ice cream that was before him. A split second -later Dawson gave his napkin a shove so that it dropped off his knees -and down under the table onto the floor. - -"Excuse me a second, sir," he said, and pushed back his chair a little. - -He ducked his head down, and reached for the napkin on the floor. It -was there, of course, and so was a letter sticking out from between -Colonel Welsh's knees. In one lightning-like motion Dawson scooped -up the napkin, flipped it over the extended letter, and sat up in his -chair again with the napkin back in his lap, and the envelope safely -hidden under it. - -"... And so that's why Private Jones swore he'd never be a sergeant of -the guard," Colonel Welsh said, and grinned broadly as Freddy Farmer -burst into laughter. - -"That's top-hole, sir!" the English youth cried. "Very, very funny, -really!" - -"Sure is a pip, sir," Dawson said as he forced his own lips to grin -broadly. "I must remember that one. I sure must." - -"I thought it was pretty good, myself," Colonel Welsh nodded. Then, -as he seemingly decided against the ice cream, he went on, "Well, -how about a walk around New York in the dimout? It's like high noon -compared to London and the other cities across the Pond. But maybe -you'll get a kick out of it." - -"Well, it's New York," Dawson grinned, and pushed back his chair. "So -that makes it okay with me. Okay with you, Freddy?" - -The English youth cast a fond parting glance at the menu, and shrugged. - -"Right you are, then," he said. "Perhaps on the way back we can pop in -some place for a midnight bite, what?" - -"Not a chance, pal," Dave said, and threw a quick wink at Colonel -Welsh. "Wartime rules and regulations. I read about them in England. No -male or female over fifteen years of age can have more than seven meals -per day." - -"_Seven_ meals per day?" Freddy Farmer echoed, and looked puzzled. - -Dawson nodded at the collection of empty dishes in front of where the -English youth had been sitting. - -"And if that lay-out didn't total up to _eight_ full meals, then I -don't know my groceries," he said. "So come along, before the head -waiter hails a cop to haul you in for busting the law so soon!" - -"Blast if I wouldn't stay here and wait for him," Freddy said with a -long sigh, "if I only knew that the food in your American jails was as -good as this!" - - - - -CHAPTER NINE - -_White TNT_ - - -After the blaze of lights, the countless intricate neon signs, and the -thousand and one other things that made New York night life famous -the world around, the dimout condition was a strange thing indeed to -witness. Strange, and interesting, and so utterly unreal to a native -Yank who had seen the city so many times before Hitler drew his bloody -butcher's sword. - -Yes, strange, and interesting, and quite unreal. But not to Dave -Dawson. Nor to Freddy Farmer, for that matter. For the very simple -reason that they were two youths with a great big absorbing problem on -their minds. Rather, it was a great big question mark, that neither -of them could begin to figure out. And so they could very easily have -strolled through the streets of the New York World Fair and not paid -much attention to what they saw. - -And as they walked up Broadway, and over to Fifth Avenue, and on down -around the Grand Central section, it was all Dawson could do to refrain -from blurting out the one and obvious question in his mind. In short, -what in thunderation was this second sealed envelope all about? Just as -the first one had done, this second envelope was practically burning -holes in his tunic pocket. It was the same overall size as the other -one, but it was considerably fatter than the first. By fingering it he -could guess that there were several folded sheets of paper inside. And -stiff paper, too, he imagined. This second envelope didn't "give" so -much with the movements of his body. Fact was, whenever he bent over -quickly a corner of it would stick into his ribs. - -And, as had happened once before, his thoughts were all on a certain -sealed envelope in his inside tunic pocket when suddenly Colonel -Welsh's voice broke right through his train of thought. - -"Relax about that thing in your pocket, Dawson," the senior officer -said in a low voice. "You'll both get full explanations in a little -while. First, though, I want to make sure of something. Take it easy, -and let's walk back to the hotel along Forty-Second Street. Good old -New York. I'm not a native here, but I always loved this town." - -"Me, too," Dawson said with a grin and a nod. "They say that if you -hunt long enough and hard enough in New York you can find a touch of -every other country in the world in it." - -"True as the day you were born," Colonel Welsh agreed instantly. -"Including Hitler's Gestapo." - -"Eh?" Freddy Farmer gasped out. "What was that you said, sir?" - -"The Gestapo," the Colonel repeated in a low voice. "At least, I'm -willing to bet my shirt on it. Spotted him in the Astor dining-room, -and he's been tagging along after us ever since." - -A wild urge to turn around and look back swept through Dawson. However, -he killed the urge and kept his eyes front. - -"Then he must have seen you take that envelope, sir," he said quietly, -"In the dining-room." - -"That's what I hope," Colonel Welsh replied quietly. "And the way he's -tagging around after us now seems to indicate as much." - -"The dirty blighter!" Freddy Farmer muttered. "What's the chap look -like, sir? Let's duck around the next corner, and give the beggar -something to think about when he comes around. Matter of fact, sir, -why have you been letting him tag us around?" - -The Chief of U. S. Intelligence didn't answer that question at once. -Instead he came to a stop and nodded his head toward a small all-night -restaurant on the other side of the street. - -"Not that we're hungry," he said, "but let's go in there for a small -bite or two." - -"A splendid idea!" Freddy Farmer replied enthusiastically. - -"It always is, with you!" Dawson growled. "Me, I won't be able to look -food in the face again for hours." - -"Full up, myself," Colonel Welsh grunted. "But that's a good place -to talk. It's half empty now. We can get a corner table where we can -keep an eye on the door. Then, if our little Gestapo friend--and, of -course, I could be wrong--comes inside, you can get a good look at him. -But let's go in and rest the feet, anyway. And I'll try to give you a -little bit of the picture." - -A few minutes later the trio was seated at a corner table in the -all-night restaurant, and the waiter had taken their orders. Coffee and -sinkers for Dawson and the colonel, and a three-decker sandwich for -"starving" Freddy Farmer. - -"First, I'll answer your question, Farmer," Colonel Welsh began in a -low voice. "I'll answer it by saying that sometimes it's better to let -a spy go free than to throw him into jail, or put him in front of a -firing squad. The reason, I think, is fairly obvious. Throw a spy in -jail, or shoot him, and he is no longer useful to anybody. But, on the -other hand, let him go free, and keep your eye on him, and oftentimes -he'll lead you to bigger fish. But in the case of this chap we think is -following us around, I'm not dead sure that he is Gestapo. True, I'm -just about as sure as I can be, but we haven't as yet learned exactly -where he fits into the Axis picture of espionage in this country. -So we've been giving him plenty of rope, in the hope that he'll -unknowingly add to our knowledge of Axis activities in this country." - -The senior officer paused for a moment to grin, and give a little shrug -of his shoulders. - -"He's following us around," he said presently, "but one of my men is -also following him around. So, as you might say, we're keeping tabs on -him both coming and going." - -"I had a hunch that was so," Dawson grunted. "Didn't figure you'd carry -that envelope around and present your unprotected back to any trailing -Nazi. But I still don't get the idea why you had me hand it over in -plain view of anybody who was there to take a look." - -"Yes, I know," the colonel said with a chuckle. "I've been watching -both of you go quietly screwy wondering what it was all about. -And--well, what I'm about to say will give you both quite a jolt, -considering your little experience out there on the North Atlantic. -But before you both hit the roof, give me a chance to explain. The -sealed envelope you two escorted across the ocean contains nothing but -a few sheets of blank paper. And not blank paper with invisible writing -either. Just plain blank paper you could pick up in any ten-cent store." - -Both Dawson and Farmer stiffened as though they had been shot in the -back. For a long minute both held their breath clamped in their lungs -as they stared at Colonel Welsh out of wide, disbelieving eyes. Then, -finally, Dawson managed to regain control of his tongue. - -"Maybe you'd better repeat that, sir," he said with an effort. "That -envelope addressed to Secretary of State Cordell Hull was nothing but a -lot of blank paper? And Freddy, and I--?" - -"That's right," the other replied quietly. "Just blank paper. And you -and Farmer darned near lost your lives over a sealed envelope of blank -paper. But--well, it was something like the stunt you pulled on that -_Herr_ Miller, Dawson. The very fact that you were so eager to have him -search you convinced him that you _didn't_ have what he wanted. And -that conviction baffled him so, that you were able to catch him off -guard, and get away with your colossal bluff. In other words, by doing -the one thing he didn't expect you to do, you made him believe that you -had done the exact opposite." - -The Chief of U.S. Intelligence took time out for a moment to light up a -cigar. - -"Well, we did something the same way, you might say," he continued -presently. "But I'll have to give you a bit of history by way of -explanation. At a recent meeting between Prime Minister Churchill and -President Roosevelt, and their respective staffs, a detailed agreement -was reached regarding the vitally important matter of military and -economic aid to China. The entire program was mapped out in detail. -And after the meeting a pledge was drawn up--a secret pledge to -Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, and the Chinese peoples. It was perhaps -one of the most secret documents drawn up in this war thus far. It -contained everything. Amounts of guns, tanks, planes, ammunition, and -so forth to be delivered by England and the United States to China. -The supply routes to be followed. Dates of arrival. Troop strength, -flying strength, and ground crew strength, and so forth. Plus locations -of air bases selected by an Air Forces commission recently returned -from China. In short, everything that China wants, needs, and wishes to -know." - -The senior officer paused again to take care of his cigar that had gone -out. - -"Well," he continued as blue cigar smoke drifted ceilingward, "all that -was drawn up here in the States, and signed by the necessary parties. -Then it was sent to England for English signatures. Right there we -threw Axis rats, who had got wind of the document, off the track for -a short time. It seems that they expected it all to be drawn up in -England, and sent over here for signatures. So they kept watchful eyes -on all our courier planes, diplomatic pouches, and such, ready to leap -and strike the instant that document was on its way back to the States. -Naturally, for the Axis boys to get their hands on that agreement would -be worth a dozen victories in the field. Not only would they learn -what we could, and could not, do for China, but they could use it as a -powerful propaganda weapon against China. Particularly, the Japs could -use it. Imagine how the brave Chinese would feel to find out first -from their enemies what their allies were going to do for them! It -would put the war in the Far East back a full year, at least. So it was -absolutely essential to keep this agreement a perfect secret, get it -to Chiang Kai-shek's hands by a fast route the Axis spies would least -suspect, and then let Chiang Kai-shek decide what parts of it he would -let be made public, and what parts would continue to remain a secret." - -"Which, of course, ruled out the usual diplomatic channels," Dawson -grunted as the senior officer paused for breath. "Or even a special -courier. The Axis rats would probably smell out both angles." - -"Exactly as we figured it," Colonel Welsh grunted, with a nod for -emphasis. "_But_, to make doubly sure of everything, it was decided to -cross up the Axis agents in England. In other words, to actually slip -it into a diplomatic pouch bound for Washington by plane, _but_ make -it appear that we were trying to sneak it out of the country by secret -courier. By the way, did you two enjoy meeting Mr. Soo Wong Kai?" - -Dawson and Farmer sat bolt upright again. - -"And how, particularly Freddy, here!" Dawson gasped. "But--? Oh, so -that wasn't just one of those things, eh? He was part of the picture, -too?" - -"Very much so," Colonel Welsh replied. "And it worked out just as we -hoped it would. Axis eyes saw him meet with you. They saw him hurry -back to the Air Ministry. They naturally figured that he was giving -his okay on you two taking the document out of the country. They were -unquestionably dead sure when they saw an Air Ministry courier later -tear out to Croydon Airport. And it's ten to one they actually saw the -Croydon commandant turn an envelope over to you. What they _didn't_ -know was that the real envelope had actually left England by air twelve -hours before!" - -As the senior officer paused, Dawson gulped and wiped a hand across his -forehead. - -"Boy! Am I glad I was in the dark all the time!" he breathed. "For a -bunch of blank paper I don't think I'd have been so keen to stick my -neck out." - -"Quite!" Freddy Farmer echoed. "Though, of course, I wouldn't have -remained the blasted Nazi's prisoner any longer than I could have -helped." - -"I know just how both of you feel," Colonel Welsh said softly. "In -a way, it was a low-down dirty trick to play on you two. A trick -that might have cost two lives the United Nations can ill afford to -lose. But if and when you get to thinking about it being a raw deal, -try and remember this. You never would have been chosen for that red -herring mission if we hadn't had absolute faith that you two would put -it across. And that you did simply confirms the faith that the High -Command has in you two." - -"Well, thanks, sir," Dawson mumbled. "But don't worry about me thinking -it over. I want to forget it, and how. From now on every time I see a -batch of blank paper I know doggone well that I'll break out in a cold -sweat. But just the same, it does make me feel good to know that Freddy -and I have that degree of the High Command's confidence, whether we -deserve it or not." - -"Yes, quite!" was all that Freddy Farmer could add to his pal's -statement. - -"Well, it's certainly deserved!" Colonel Welsh told them gravely. -"No doubt about that. But to get on with the story. While you two -were still at sea--and I do mean at sea--the document was received in -Washington, and turned over to me. When you arrived on this side we -knew that attempts would be made to get to you, if they had not already -been made. Which, of course, they were. So I came up to meet you, -knowing full well that Axis agents would follow me sooner or later. -So I took you to that hotel, and to dinner, with the express idea of -taking Axis agents off you. In other words, with the express idea of -making it appear to watching Axis rats that you had completed your part -of the mission, and were now definitely out of the picture. To make -them forget you, and concentrate _on me_. So I had you turn over that -envelope right there in the dining-room. I took a chance, yes. But what -I hope I gained counts most. In short, they know now that I have it. -And they will soon learn, by keeping tabs on me, that I'm returning -to Washington tonight. They saw it handed to me. They haven't got to -wonder if, or if you didn't, slip it to me when we were alone in your -suite before dinner." - -As the senior officer paused, Dawson licked his lips, and found it -terribly difficult to ask aloud the question that was uppermost in his -mind. - -"And--and that second envelope, sir?" he finally managed to get out. - -Colonel Welsh nodded slowly. - -"Yes, Dawson," he said quietly. "It is. And while I am knocking the -pins out from under you two, I might as well give you the bad news -now. Your two months leave has been postponed--until after you've -arrived in Chungking, China, and have seen Generalissimo Chiang -Kai-shek." - -Dawson looked at him for a moment, then turned his head and met Freddy -Farmer's eyes. A moment later they both started to chuckle. - -"What goes on here?" Colonel Welsh demanded with a frown. "What strikes -you so funny?" - -"Well, to be headed for Chungking is sort of a surprise, sir," Dawson -explained. "But--well, to have our leave tossed overboard isn't. You -see, sir, when we first spotted you at La Guardia Airport, we had a -hunch that you weren't there just to say hello to us. We were pretty -sure that--Well--I mean, that is--" - -"That seeing me meant trouble, eh?" Colonel Welsh groaned. "Yes, I -understand. It happens all the time. I guess I'm the most unpopular man -in the armed forces. And that's one reason why I told you long ago, -when we first met, never to let yourself get promoted to a high rank in -Intelligence. You either get shot, or avoided by friend and foe alike." - -"Well, it's okay by us, sir," Dawson put in quickly. "The truth of the -matter is that both Freddy and I would go nuts by the time two months -were up. Also, we both do want to see China. We said so to Soo Wong -Kai. But gosh! Little did we know what _he_ knew then." - -"Aren't you right!" Freddy Farmer grunted. "And I certainly hope we -have the good fortune to meet him again." - -"Yeah!" Dawson shot at him with a grin. "Provided, of course, he has -a good stock of meat ration coupons! But you say you're heading for -Washington tonight, sir?" - -"In a little over an hour," the senior officer replied after a glance -at his wrist-watch. "But about you two. It will appear as though you're -going to carry on with the regular program. The War Bond speeches, I -mean. Your first stop is scheduled to be made in San Francisco the -day after tomorrow. There's even a piece in tonight's New York papers -to that effect. So tomorrow at nine you will go to La Guardia Airport -and board a TAT transport plane for San Francisco. Reservations have -already been made for you. In Frisco you'll be met by the military -commandant out there, Major General Hawks. Ostensibly, you'll be -staying at his quarters. But actually you won't be there long. You'll -be loaned a plane for a courtesy flight about the city and Bay. But -you'll go on down the Coast to an emergency field that General Hawks -will tell you about. There a Fortress will be awaiting you. It will -take you to Honolulu, and from there to Darwin, Australia. And from -Darwin you'll fly to Calcutta, India. And from Calcutta to Chungking, -China. If all goes well you should be in Chungking by the end of the -week. So, strictly speaking, you'll be simply postponing your leave one -week." - -"And I bet we'll want to spend it all sitting in rocking chairs, after -that bit of cloud hopping!" Dawson said with a chuckle. "Just a little -fifteen thousand mile joy-ride." - -"And my prayers are that it'll be just that!" Colonel Welsh said -grimly. Then, "Well, we'd better get on back to your hotel. I guess you -two can do with some sleep. Any changes, or additional instructions, -will be flashed to you en route. And--well, what can I say but the same -old thing I've said to you countless times? Good luck, and Godspeed, to -both of you. The prayers of the civilized world will be for you." - -"Thank you, sir," Dawson said quietly, as they all stood up. "And we'll -get to Chungking. You can count on it. But one thing, sir?" - -"Yes, Dawson?" - -Dave gave the slightest of nods toward the street outside. - -"Our little rat pal, if he's still around, sir," he said. "I mean, I -hope you'll watch your step going back to Washington tonight. I hope he -doesn't try to pull anything on you, sir." - -Colonel Welsh grinned, but only with his lips. His eyes held the glint -of polished cold steel. - -"On the contrary, I hope he does!" he said softly. "I sure do hope so. -It's been quite a spell since I've had the chance to chalk up a Nazi -rat. Yes, I hope he tries to shoot the works. I could do with a little -workout on him, or them!" - - - - -CHAPTER TEN - -_Wings Westward_ - - -The sun was a solid red ball of flame balanced perfectly on the western -lip of the world, as the Army Air Forces Flying Fortress eased down -to a perfect landing at Hickam Field, on the island of Oahu, in the -Hawaiians. On the way down, both Dawson and Freddy Farmer took a good -look at Pearl Harbor, where on December Seventh of the year before -treacherous Jap wings had left their mark of death and destruction. By -now, however, practically every visual reminder of that terrible day -had disappeared. Sunken and half sunken ships were once again on the -surface, or in dry dock, receiving last-minute repairs before steaming -out to join the Pacific Fleet and pay back ten times over what they -had suffered. And the shambles that had been made of Hickam Field that -day was also just a blood-boiling memory. New shops, new hangars, new -barracks, and so forth, had sprung up like mushrooms almost overnight. -In fact, even to Dawson and Farmer, who had seen that airfield at its -worst, it seemed well nigh incredible that it was actually one and the -same place. And it was Freddy Farmer who made the first comment. - -"Our navigator didn't get us off course, did he, by any chance?" he -grunted at Dave, with a gesture of his hand earthward. "I mean, that -really is Hickam Field down there, isn't it?" - -"It is," Dave grinned back at him. "And some miracle, too, hey, pal? -Boy! When they roll up their sleeves around here and get to work, -they sure get to work. Last time we saw it a fly couldn't have landed -without running into a bomb crater, or a section of blasted hangar, or -something. Yup! The Navy and Army boys have sure done a wonderful job -here at Oahu. And how!" - -"Quite!" the English-born air ace echoed the compliment, and -unconsciously braced himself as the Flying Fortress touched ground and -trundled forward to a full stop. - -A few moments later it had taxied up to in front of the Administration -Building, and one of the crew had opened the fuselage door. Dawson -winked at Freddy, and grinned. - -"Well, so far so good, kid," he said, and pushed up out of his seat. -"Just another eight or nine thousand miles, and we'll be there." - -"Hardly worth thinking about, what?" Freddy groaned. "Gosh, but the -Pacific is a big ocean." - -"Yeah, and we've been looking at only the _top_ of it!" Dave chuckled. -"Anyway, there's one thing we can be thankful for. We didn't have to -make any War Bond speeches in Frisco. Major General Hawks was a good -guy, and got us out of there fast." - -"And if we can get away from here just as fast, it'll suit me fine!" -Freddy Farmer grunted. "Not that I don't like flying, you understand. -But being a blasted passenger really isn't much fun." - -"Check with me, too," Dawson said, and groaned softly as he thought of -the countless over-water miles they still had to travel before they'd -reach Australia, and the countless miles from Darwin to Calcutta, -India. "Oh, well, this trip can't last forever." - -"For me, it's jolly well lasted that long already!" Freddy sighed, and -climbed down out of the Fortress. - -Hardly had both of them reached the ground before a headquarters -captain came up to them and saluted courteously. - -"Captains Dawson and Farmer?" he asked with a smile. "I'm Captain -Drake. General Stickney wants to see you right away, please. I've a -jeep right over here." - -"Fair enough, Captain," Dawson said with a grin and a nod. "Lead the -way, sir." - -A few minutes later the captain ushered them into the office of the -Commandant of the Hawaiian Area. He was a big man, and looked every -inch his rank, did General Stickney. As a matter of fact, as the -general's coal black eyes bored into his, Dawson had the sudden, crazy -sensation that he had done some wrong, and was being dragged up "on the -carpet" for punishment. It was just a crazy thought, of course, and was -gone almost as it was in his mind. - -"Sit down, Captains," the general said, and waved them to chairs. "I've -been waiting for you. Received a message from the War Department at -Washington. Had it decoded for you, and--well, here it is. It probably -makes sense to you two." - -The senior officer held out a slip of paper. Dawson took it and leaned -over so that Freddy could read it, too. It was from Colonel Welsh, and -read: - - "Boy friend disappeared. Possible he is wise. Suggest utmost - caution. Suggest you alter plans of route. Suggest you keep on - constant alert. All Army, Navy, and Air Forces units instructed to - give you any help requested. Good luck to destination. Secrecy - absolutely essential." - -Dawson read the decoded message through twice, and experienced the very -familiar, and very unpleasant sensation of cold lumps of lead beginning -to bounce around in the pit of his stomach. It was easy enough to read -between the lines. The Nazi agent had not trailed the colonel back -to Washington. And he had obviously shaken off the man trailing him. -In short, he had disappeared in thin air. That could mean one of two -things. One, that he had given up. And two, that he had not been fooled -by the bluff trick, and was somewhere close to Freddy's and his heels. - -Yet somehow that last didn't quite seem to check. Nothing had happened -during their short stay in San Francisco. Nor had anything happened -during the flight down the coast to the emergency field, or during the -flight to Pearl Harbor. It seemed just a little crazy to think that -the enemy would let Freddy and him get this far without showing their -hands. It must be that the colonel had been mistaken about a Nazi agent -sticking close to them in New York. - -"Maybe, and maybe not!" Dawson grunted softly. "But the colonel's not -one to yell wolf unless he feels he has darn good cause." - -"Then it is bad news, eh?" - -It was General Stickney who asked the question. Dawson looked at him, -smiled, and shrugged. - -"Not too bad, sir," he said. "But we certainly weren't exactly -expecting it." - -"Well, I've received those orders mentioned," the senior officer said -with a faint frown. "So if you've any requests to make, go ahead and -make them. It's obvious that you're on some kind of an important -mission, so we'll do all we can to cooperate." - -"Thank you, sir," Dawson said. "Right now, though, I can't think of a -thing to request. Fact is, sir, I guess the first thing is for Farmer -and myself to go into a huddle. To talk things over, I mean." - -General Stickney nodded and stood up. - -"My office is yours, Captains," he said with a wave of his hand. "Go -ahead and talk. And when you've reached some kind of a decision, I'll -be waiting in the mess lounge. All right, Captains. I'll leave you to -your huddle. Good luck, on whatever it is." - -The two air aces saluted smartly and waited for the senior officer to -leave. Then they relaxed and looked at each other. - -"And what do you make of it?" Dave asked, and tapped the paper still in -his hand. - -"Don't just know for sure," Freddy Farmer replied with a frown. "But it -certainly doesn't make me happy. The colonel's not the one to scare a -chap, so I take it that the business is more than just serious. I mean, -that that bloke wasn't fooled, and that he's got his eye on us. Yet--" - -The English youth came to a halt and gestured helplessly. - -"Just what I think, too," Dawson grunted. "If that's true, why did he -let us get away out here?" - -"Maybe he was forced to," Freddy Farmer murmured, and stared absently -out the office window. "Maybe we were a bit too fast for the blighter. -_And_ maybe his job was turned over to some other chap!" - -"Huh?" Dave blinked at him. "How's that?" - -Freddy pointed a finger at the message. - -"The colonel suggests we alter our route," he said. "There are still -such things as secret radios, you know, Dave. But--well, it does seem -a little fantastic and story-bookish, doesn't it? After all, the only -thing the colonel knows is that the beggar has disappeared." - -"Sure," Dawson grunted. "He could have been clipped by a New York -taxi, and be in some hospital right now. I wouldn't want to bet on it, -though. For my money, I think we'd better take the colonel's warning as -real, and act accordingly. Frankly, it would suit me to take off from -here and fly non-stop to Chungking, and get it over with." - -"In what?" Farmer asked bluntly. "It's only about sixty-five hundred -miles from here to the Jap-occupied coast, you know. And several more -inland to Chungking!" - -"I know, I know!" Dawson growled. "I was only saying what I'd like to -do, not what we can do. That's out, of course. Too far, and too many -Japs in the way, of course. But we've got to get there somehow, and not -by the route we've planned. I--Hold everything!" - -"What now?" Freddy Farmer wanted to know. - -"The Navy is our best bet, Freddy!" Dawson said as excitement mounted -in his voice. "There's a chance that maybe the Navy can make things -easy as pie for us. Let's go!" - -"Go where?" the English youth demanded. "And what's on your mind, -anyway?" - -"Later," Dawson snapped, and turned toward the door. "If you should put -up an argument, it might convince me that the idea really is dizzy. -Besides, I want to mull it over a bit. Come on. Let's get General -Stickney to take us to the Navy commandant's office here. He's the one -who can make it possible, or impossible. Let's go!" - -Freddy Farmer scowled and hesitated, but finally decided that any -questions would only fall on deaf ears, and went tagging along after -Dawson as the Yank barged out through the office door. And a half-hour -later they had the ears and the attention of Admiral Wallace, Naval -Commandant for the Area. - -"I'm sorry that secret orders forbid us from revealing our destination, -or intentions, sir," Dawson spoke for both of them, "but it is -essential that we get to the Far East as quickly as possible. And not -by way of Australia. Naturally, the trip must be made by air. Can -you tell me, sir, if any of your carrier task forces are located at -present between here and the China coast?" - -The senior naval officer didn't answer directly. He pursed his lips, -and quietly eyed the two youths. Then, perhaps, he remembered that -he also had received cooperation orders from the Navy Department at -Washington. At any rate, he presently sighed, and nodded. - -"Yes, two task forces," he said, and pointed at the huge pinpointed map -of the Pacific that covered one whole side of the room. "There is one -now operating three hundred miles north of Wake Island. And there is -another, of lighter strength, west of Jap-held Marcus Island, and just -about on the One Hundred and Fiftieth Meridian." - -"Perfect!" Dawson cried, and snapped his fingers. "That would be apple -pie for one of the Army's North American B-Twenty-Fives. They can land -and take off from a carrier." - -"What's that?" General Stickney spoke up. "You plan to reach the China -coast by hopping from carrier to carrier in a B-Twenty-Five?" - -"Not the China coast, sir," Dave told him quickly. "Our hop from -the last carrier will be to some spot in the Philippines. There are -still spots there that the Japs haven't taken yet. I mean, a couple -of our secret emergency fields. We can sit down there for our final -refueling." - -"Well, I was about to say you'd not have the gas to reach the China -coast from that last carrier," Admiral Wallace spoke up. "And you're -right, there are still one or two of our emergency fields in the -Philippines that the Japs haven't found yet." - -"Correct," General Stickney said with a nod. "Received the latest on -that matter from MacArthur only this morning. The best one still held -by us is just south of Legaspi." - -"Fine, sir, fine!" Dawson beamed. "Now, if you'll be good enough to -loan us a B-Twenty-Five from Air Forces here? And if you, Admiral, -will be kind enough to advise your task force commanders to be on the -look-out for us, and to give us fuel, Farmer and I will be getting -under way." - -"Under way?" General Stickney gasped. "You mean tonight, now? But what -about your crew?" - -"No crew, sir," Dawson said quietly. "Farmer and I will handle it -alone. Don't worry, sir. We'll manage okay." - -"Well, you two certainly have the reputation for such things," Admiral -Stickney said, and gave them both a hard stare. "But, personally, I'd -feel better about this crazy flight, if I knew a little more about -what you hope to do." - -"Sorry, sir," Dawson said, and smiled. - -"Don't worry, didn't expect you to say anything," the other growled. -"Orders are orders, and we've both received them. Very well, then. I'll -do my part. And you, General, can take care of the rest of it. When do -you want to leave, Dawson?" - -Dave turned his head and stared out at the shadows of night that had -closed down on the Hawaiians. - -"Within the hour, if it's possible, sir," he replied, and gave each of -the senior officers a questioning look. - -They scowled, and seemed not to like it at all, but they finally nodded. - -"In an hour, then," General Stickney grunted, and put on his service -cap. "I'll go tell Air Forces command to make ready a plane. But you -two had better have something at our mess before you take off. You've -at least got time for that, haven't you?" - -"Oh, quite, sir, and thank you!" Freddy Farmer spoke up before Dawson -could open his mouth. - -"Then, come along in my car," the Army commandant ordered, and headed -for the door. - -And it was just five minutes later when it happened! - -Just five minutes later when General Stickney was driving them along a -dirt road that curved about a dense palm grove. As a matter of fact, -the dim shadow of a figure streaked up off the side of the road so fast -that Dawson saw the flash of the gun, heard its roar of sound, and felt -the white hot spear of pain cut across the top of his left shoulder -before his brain could grasp what had taken place. Then, as the gun -barked the second time, and the car swerved violently and went hurtling -off the road into the ditch, Freddy Farmer, sitting next to Dave, -seemed to rise right straight in the air and turn completely over, and -his outflung right hand stabbed the darkness with red flame and sharp -sound three times in rapid succession. And then the car was in the -ditch and flopping over onto its side, as the engine roared in protest, -and the rear wheels spun furiously. - -A sharp crack on the head had filled Dawson's brain with colored stars -and comets. And then the next thing he realized he was sitting on soft -ground, and Freddy Farmer was shaking him by the shoulders. - -"Are you all right, Dave?" Freddy was demanding. "Did you get hit by -that blighter?" - -Dawson didn't answer. Reaction brought him up onto his feet fast, and -had him reaching for the small automatic he always carried in his tunic -pocket. He almost had it out before Freddy Farmer grabbed his arm. - -"Years late, old thing," the English youth said quietly. "The dirty -beggar is stone dead. Almost got the general, though. You sure you're -all right, General?" - -"As good as could be expected!" a voice growled close by in the -darkness. "Felt the wind of his bullet, though. Confound it! What goes -on here, anyway? That would-be killer was one of the Jap farmers from -one of the other islands. How the devil did he get over here? And why -in thunder was he trying to kill us off?" - -Freddy didn't offer an answer, and neither did Dawson. Instead, Dawson -walked up out of the ditch, and across the road to where General -Stickney, flashlight and gun in hand, was bending over the crumpled and -motionless figure of a Hawaiianized Japanese farmer. And three tiny -blue holes in his forehead were silent and perfect tribute to Freddy -Farmer's deadly marksmanship. Dawson took a good look, was conscious -of the slight burning sensation at the top of his left shoulder, and -shivered unconsciously. - -"Pick out your prize, pal," he grunted at Freddy, as the English youth -joined him. "The best is none too good for that kind of shooting. Me, I -sure was asleep at the switch." - -"Well, it had to be done, so I did it, that's all," Freddy grunted. "A -nasty-looking beggar, isn't he, what? Very glad he's dead." - -"Well, I've got to look into this right away!" General Stickney -snapped. "The man must have gone mad, and escaped, and was running -amuck. Darn good shooting, Farmer. Thank God, you got him in time. But -why in thunder he came after us--?" - -The senior officer finished the rest with just unintelligible sounds in -his throat. - -"We can walk the rest of the way," he said. "It isn't far to Air Forces -H.Q. I'll leave you there, and get right on with this confounded -business." - -Dawson and Farmer simply nodded, and said nothing as they dropped into -step. Perhaps it was all a cockeyed mystery to General Stickney, but it -was the handwriting on the wall to them. The confirmation of Colonel -Welsh's message, and warning to be on the alert. How that Jap killer -had received his orders, and who had given them to him, were two -little items that even history would never reveal. But the hows, and -the whys didn't matter. The hand of death had reached halfway around -the world to get them both by the throat. And only Freddy Farmer's -lightning-like action, and perhaps too hasty a trigger finger on the -killer's part, had prevented it. But out of the darkness of night the -enemy had struck again. Struck to wipe them out, and gain possession of -that precious document Chungking-bound. - -"And the sooner Freddy and I are air-borne, the better I'll like it!" -Dawson echoed the thought softly to himself. "And how! Upstairs, a -fellow can at least see what's cooking." - - - - -CHAPTER ELEVEN - -_Invisible Chaos_ - - -Night was again closing down on the vast stretches of the Pacific -Ocean, but this time it found Dave Dawson and Freddy Farmer standing on -the flight deck of the Yank Aircraft Carrier Tempest cutting into the -wind through the long rolling swells some two hundred miles south-west -of the Jap-held Marcus Island. The two air aces were waiting for the -twin Wright Cyclones of their North American B-Twenty-Five to get well -warmed up, and were stretching their legs a bit before taking off on -the long flight through the night to a dawn landing on that secret -airfield at Legaspi in the central Philippines. Yes, waiting for the -B-Twenty-Five's engines to get clicking, stretching their legs, and -trying to remember if it had been a few days ago, or a few years -ago, when one Soo Wong Kai had given them a gourmet's treat in the -dining-room of the Savoy Hotel in London. - -"One more landing at Legaspi, Freddy," Dawson broke the five-minute -silence. "Then we gas and hop along non-stop to Chungking. Just two -more flying laps, kid, and we're in." - -"And may that be true!" the English youth breathed fervently. "I'm so -sick of water, and carrier decks, I could almost drown myself. Not that -your Navy chaps haven't been wonderful to us. But--well, I never was -one for long drawn out jobs." - -"Nor me, either!" Dawson echoed the words. "Dance in and smack them, -and dance right out again. That's the kind of thing I go for. Praise -be, there's no scrapping at the North or South Poles, or we'd probably -get sent there." - -"I fancy this is the longest courier job on record, no doubt," Freddy -Farmer muttered. "And--well, _it's_ safe, isn't it, Dave? You know what -I mean?" - -"Could I miss catching on?" Dawson replied with a grim chuckle. "Yup! -We've still got it along. But maybe you'd like to nursemaid it for the -rest of the trip, kid?" - -"No, by all means!" the English youth said sharply. "I want no part of -it. Wouldn't sleep a wink. No, you're the hero, old thing. You carry -it, and you deliver it. As a matter of fact, it really is much better -that way." - -"Huh?" Dawson grunted absently. - -"For me, in case we should get captured," Freddy Farmer said, and edged -along the flight deck toward the B-Twenty-Five. "In that event I can -simply tell them that _you've_ got it, and they'll cut you up in pieces -and no doubt leave me alone. At the most, keep me a prisoner for the -duration. You see?" - -"Just a dear sweet pal!" Dawson growled. "Do that, my little man, and I -promise to return to haunt you in your dreams. No fooling!" - -"Better think up something worse than that, old bean!" Freddy Farmer -shot right back at him. "Right now you haunt me when I'm awake! But -let's get on with it, what? The aircraft seems about ready." - -"What a tough break I need a navigator!" Dawson growled as they went -down deck to the B-Twenty-Five. "If I didn't, I could toss you over the -side for that crack, and finish this thing in peace." - -"And a jolly, rotten break we're in such a hurry, too!" the English -youth got in the parting shot. "It would be amusing to pretend we were -lost just to see you sweat--and beg me to locate us." - -"That'll be the day!" Dave added one bit more. "And you know what I -mean, pal! Beg _you_, even for the time of day? Nuts!" - -Some ten minutes later there was no longer any kidding around between -the two air aces. Their North American B-Twenty-Five was clear of -the flight deck of the Carrier Tempest, and up in the night-shrouded -heavens. As a matter of fact, they could no longer even see the -carrier. Just as soon as they had left, with the heartfelt good wishes -of every officer and man aboard, the carrier had heeled way over and -gone pounding around at full speed and onto a new course that would see -her well away from that spot, come dawn. - -Yes, the Tempest was far behind them, and Dawson and Farmer were just -two steel-hearted eagles winging southwestward through night-shadowed -skies, with its canopy of a billion or more twinkling stars high -overhead. However, those twinkling stars meant far more than just -night diamonds of beauty to Dawson and Farmer. To them they were the -sign posts to their objective at Legaspi. They pointed the way along -the skyway of the gods that they were to travel. To them they were -understandable and tangible things. All else about them and below was -darkness; the darkness of the unknown. - -Relaxing comfortably in the pilot's seat, but with mind and body ready -to spring to the alert at an instant's notice, Dawson fed the twin -engines a minimum of high test to maintain desired cruising speed, and -held the aircraft dead on the course Freddy Farmer had plotted out. -With luck they should sight their objective at the very first sign of -dawn light. And even then, it wouldn't be any too soon. This was the -longest hop of them all to be made in the B-Twenty-Five. And no matter -how careful and frugal Dave was with the fuel aboard, it was going to -be close. So close, in fact, that they hadn't even considered a direct -flight to China, though the coast line was not much farther away than -the Legaspi airfield. But that was exactly the point. A landing on the -China coast wouldn't do them any good at all. And it could well do -them all kinds of harm. At Legaspi there was a field where they could -sit down. There was fuel there, and Yanks to help them with the plane. -But on the China coast? No such thing! Even though they managed to -land still in one piece, it would be dollars to doughnuts that they'd -probably land right smack in the laps of the occupying Japs. So it had -to be Legaspi next. Legaspi, or bust. - -"You mean drown, kid!" Dawson corrected his own thought. "If you run -out of fuel, or overshoot your mark, or Freddy gets us lost, some -sharks are going to have a swell meal. And no kidding, either!" - -And with that not too pleasant thought he lapsed into silence again, -a silence broken only every so often when Freddy gave him a change -in course. In between times the seconds piled up to form minutes, -and the minutes added up to total one hour, two hours, three hours, -and four hours. And then, at the end of four hours, the gods of war -seemed suddenly to decide that those two daring young sky eagles had -been receiving too many good breaks. At any rate, one of those sudden -and unexpected Pacific storms swept down on them. And swept down -so fast that the B-Twenty-Five was almost stood up straight on her -twin-ruddered tail before Dawson realized what was happening. - -True, he did receive a slight warning in advance. An invisible hand -seemed to sweep away the stars, and leave a roof of pitch darkness. -But it was done in a flash, and as a warning of what was to come it -was just about as helpful as seeing the flash of a lightning bolt -headed your way. In short, one instant the B-Twenty-Five was rolling -along through calm air as nice as you please. And in the next instant -invisible forces were trying to tear it apart and throw the pieces all -over that section of the Pacific. - -Dawson thought he heard Freddy Farmer shout something from his -navigator's nook, but he had no time to turn around and yell for a -repeat of whatever it was. All the rain in the world seemed to be -flooding down on the B-Twenty-Five. And terrific blasts of air were -thundering in on it from every conceivable direction. Twice he would -have sworn that the aircraft whipped through a full roll. And twice he -was as sure as he was that he was over a foot high that the bomber was -completely upside down and whanging along on its back. Aches and pains -were shooting through every cubic inch of his body, and hanging onto -the control wheel, that was whip-sawing back and forth, was just about -as easy as trying to hang onto the broken stub of a spinning propeller. -In fact, it was all he could do to stop the control wheel from driving -back and caving in his chest. It took every ounce of his strength to -hold it forward so that the wind-rocketed plane wouldn't go whanging up -into a stall. And he was just about spent when Freddy Farmer scrambled -forward to lend his strength to the job. - -Neither of them spoke a word. In the combined roar of the engines and -the raging storm it was all they could do to hear themselves think. -Besides, there was no use for words now. Nothing that either of them -could say would help any. It was just a question as to whether their -strength would outlast the storm, _and_ whether the strength of the -plane itself would last through the terrific beating it was taking -from the storm. A question of man, and man-made things, against the -raging fury of the storm gods. And while the great struggle went on, -time stood still. For Dawson and Farmer time ceased to exist. They were -conscious of nothing else save the use of their combined strength to -hold the aircraft as steady as they could. Conscious of that, and of -their prayers that this night might _not_ be the end of everything for -them. - -And so it is quite possible that the gods of misfortune looked down -from their high places, and were forced to admire the do or die efforts -of those two air aces, and were willing to slacken off their fury. Then -again, perhaps it was just one of those things that happen to every -airman sooner or later. Just one of those freak storms out of nowhere -that can not be predicted, or explained after they hit. At any rate, -the raging storm was gone just as quickly as it had arrived. Dawson's -lungs were burning, his head was pounding, and spots were milling -around in a red haze over his eyes. And then suddenly the B-Twenty-Five -had shot out into calm air, and there overhead was the canopy of -twinkling stars again. - -"Take a look, Freddy!" Dawson managed to squeak out past his lips. -"Those are stars, aren't they? And we're still right side up, huh?" - -"Don't ask me!" the English youth gurgled, as he slumped back in the -co-pilot's seat. "If they aren't stars, and we're not right side -up, then it doesn't matter. Doesn't, because I haven't one ounce of -strength left to do anything about it. Good grief! That was all the -storms I ever saw rolled into one!" - -"You're telling me!" Dave gulped. "Boy! What rain! And what a breeze. -But haul it out of here, Freddy. Get back and check on our position, -will you? Heavens knows where that storm tossed us. And--Sweet tripe! -Look at that dash clock, will you! That thing lasted an hour and forty -minutes!" - -"Forty years!" Freddy shouted as he went aft to take their position -from the stars. "And I know blasted well that I've got a grey hair for -every one of them. Be right back, Dave." - -Dawson held the plane at low cruising throttle, and on a general -southwesterly compass course for the next ten minutes. Then Freddy -Farmer came back with his findings. - -"Not too bad, Dave," he announced. "It might have been a whole lot -worse, considering. The blasted thing blew us about sixty-five miles -east of our true course. Here's your new course." - -Dave took Freddy's new course instructions with a heavy heart. True, -he was glad that they had survived the terrible storm, and that that -howling wind hadn't driven them even farther off course. However, -it was bad enough as it was. They were still a good two hours' calm -weather flying from their objective, and as close as he could figure -it, they had just about an hour and three quarters supply of fuel left -in the tanks. Perhaps if they eased up gently for altitude they might -make that last fifteen minutes with gliding. But it certainly wasn't a -chance for even a fool to bet on. - -"Oke, and thanks, pal," he said aloud in a cheerful voice. "Be there -presently, I figure. We'd both better keep our eyes skinned, now that -it's starting to get light. We're in a Jap-infested part of the world -now. And if those rats that have taken the northern sections of the -Philippines have got any air patrols out, we may have to do a wee bit -of detouring." - -"That's quite all right, Dave, old thing," Freddy Farmer said quietly. -"Don't try to be a liar, old chap, just to make me feel good. I've done -a little figuring myself, Dave. Unless we have the good fortune to pick -up a tail wind, we're going to have a very touch and go fifteen minutes -at the end of this trip." - -"But we'll make it, kid," Dave said grimly. "And that's a promise from -me to you. Count on it. Sure wish we had a load of bombs along, though." - -"A load of bombs?" the English youth echoed. "Why in the world bombs? -You plan to blast out a spot to land? Say in the water, if our gas -doesn't last?" - -"I was thinking of MacArthur's boys on Bataan, and Corregidor!" Dawson -said grimly. "I'd certainly give plenty to lay some eggs on the little -brown rats pestering those fellows. What a scrap they've put up. -History that will never die. And even if the darn Japs do finally push -them out, it'll be a mighty hollow victory. I bet it's one big surprise -to those pint-sized butchers that the Philippines are no push-over." - -"No place would be a push-over with General MacArthur in command, I -fancy," Freddy murmured. "He's one of the finest generals of all time." - -"Check and double check!" Dawson echoed instantly. "And could we do -with a dozen like him. But--Hold it! Hold everything, Freddy! Dead -ahead, there. Is that landfall, or just a trick of my eyes?" - -"It's land, Dave!" Freddy replied in an excited voice. "Land, just as -sure as you're alive. And if these charts and maps they gave us at -Pearl Harbor are correct, we've hit it right on the nose. That land is -the Catanduanes Islands just north of Legaspi. We'll know for sure in -another ten minutes!" - -Another ten minutes? In ten minutes nations have fallen into the dust. -In ten minutes half the world has changed face. In ten minutes a -million and one things can happen which normally should take months or -years to come to pass. And so, at the end of ten minutes, Dawson and -Farmer were suddenly "treated" to a sight that chilled their blood, and -sent their hearts dropping down into their boots. - -In the pale light of early dawn they saw a flock of birds come -sweeping up from that bit of the Philippines known as Legaspi. Only it -wasn't a flock of birds. It was a flock of war birds. A flock of Jap -Zeros up on early dawn patrol. True, they had half expected to see at -least a Jap plane or two, but to see them come up from the ground on -Legaspi was like a mule's kick in the stomach. There was no need to -wonder, or to ask each other unanswerable questions. There was only to -observe, and realize the terrible truth. The truth that Legaspi had -fallen to the Japs during the last forty-eight hours, and that the Yank -emergency airfield was unquestionably in enemy hands. - -And, as though to add a final touch to horrible reality, the port -outboard engine of the B-Twenty-Five began to cough and sputter from -the lack of fuel in the tanks. And a couple of seconds later the -starboard engine took up that soul-chilling song that no pilot ever -wants to hear. - -"Would you care to get out and walk the rest of the way, sir?" Dawson -asked in a strained voice that belied the crooked grin on his lips. - -"No thanks," Freddy Farmer came right back at him, with an equal -attempt to crack wise. "Just turn about and take me back to Honolulu, -please!" - - - - -CHAPTER TWELVE - -_Eagles Can't Die_ - - -As a sort of signal to confirm the fast approaching end of the -B-Twenty-Five's flight, the starboard engine coughed its rasping note -for the last time, and joined the port engine in silence. Dave had -already eased the nose down a hair or two to prevent a stall, and like -a statue of stone he sat there hunched over the control wheel with his -worried eyes fixed first on the Jap Zeros mounting higher into the sky, -and then on the stretches of ground below. - -The gods had at least been a little kind. The B-Twenty-Five had the -necessary height to reach land in a long flat glide. However, there -would be little picking and choosing of a suitable place to land. And -if the Zeros came tearing in, it would be decidedly a one-sided combat. -True, Freddy could work the top turret guns, and he could smack away -with the nose guns. But with so much of the bomber left unguarded, it -wouldn't be long before Jap bullets and air cannon shells would rip -home and pull down the curtain. - -"I don't think they've spotted us yet, Dave!" Freddy Farmer suddenly -spoke in a low voice, as though he feared the Jap pilots would overhear -him. "They seem to be going higher up, and swinging westward toward -Bataan." - -"I know," Dawson replied in a low voice, too. "Looks that way to me. -And here's hoping we're both right. If those tramps only keep out -of the way, maybe we'll have a chance. But if they spot us and come -a-running, Freddy, it isn't going to be funny." - -"Well, if I can get one or two of the beggars," the English youth -muttered, tight-lipped, "it won't be so bad. Think I'll go aft and man -the turret guns right now." - -"No, stick around until you have to," Dave stopped him. "If we're going -to crash land, we'd better be up here together. Then one of us can help -the other get out, if one of us is--well, you know what I mean." - -"Quite," Freddy murmured. "But we haven't crashed yet, so why talk -about it?" - -"Suits me swell," Dawson said with a dry chuckle. "My error, pal. And, -heck, this wouldn't be our first crash. But what we want is for those -little brown rats to keep right on going the way they are." - -Freddy Farmer echoed the hope with a grunt, and let it go at that. -Both boys lapsed into silence, and sat very still as the B-Twenty-Five -slid down lower and lower, and the distant flock of Jap Zeros mounted -higher and higher into the Southwest Pacific dawn sky. And then when -it seemed almost certain that the Japs were completely unaware of the -B-Twenty-Five's existence, one of the formation suddenly cut around in -a dime turn and came hurtling back down like a red disc-marked bolt of -lightning. One look at that fighter plane cutting down across the dawn -sky was all that Dawson needed to realize the bitter truth. And all -that Freddy Farmer needed, too. The little game of hide-and-seek was -all over. The B-Twenty-Five had been sighted. And not only one Zero, -but two others, had cut out of formation and were wing screaming down -in a power dive. - -"The dirty beggars!" Freddy Farmer grated, and started to push up out -of his seat. "See you later, Dave." - -But Dawson flung out a hand, caught the English youth's arm, and -hauled him back down into the seat. - -"Waste of bullets, Freddy!" he barked. "We'll be touching ground any -second now. Our only hope is to beat them down to the ground. Stick -right here. The crash might buckle the fuselage and cut that turret in -two. Stick here--and get set, kid!" - -As Dave spoke he kept his eyes fixed on the stretch of lush green -ground almost directly below. At the very instant he had sighted -the first Zero breaking away from formation he had dropped the -B-Twenty-Five's nose to increase her glide speed to the limit. And now -it was but the matter of a few seconds as to what would happen first. -Whether Dawson could get the bomber down onto the ground, or whether -the Japs could reach the aircraft with their murderous blasts and send -it to earth a raging ball of flame. - -From a point that seemed but a couple of feet from his head, Dawson -heard the snarl of Jap machine gun fire, and the deeper and louder note -of enemy aircraft cannon. But he didn't waste time to jerk up his head -for a look. It wouldn't do any good to _see_ the Japs shooting. His -ears told him that they were; that at almost any instant death might -chop right through to nail him. Just the matter of a few seconds, that -was all. A few seconds in which to fight for his life, and Freddy's, -and win--or lose. - -"This is it, Freddy!" he suddenly yelled, and hauled back on the -control wheel column. "Hang on, hard!" - -Maybe he yelled the warning aloud, or maybe he simply spoke it in his -brain. But either way, there was no time to repeat. The B-Twenty-Five -was dangerously low now, and taking up the last bit of its gliding -speed to reach a narrow clearing thickly bordered by tropical growth. -Maybe the surface of that corridor-shaped clearing was hard and firm. -Or maybe it was a narrow strip of swamp ground. There was no way to -tell from the air, and no time to do anything about it, anyway. The few -seconds had run their course. Time had run out. The B-Twenty-Five had -won its race with those diving Jap Zeros, but a crash landing on an -unknown strip of Philippine ground was a certainty. - -Dawson hung hard to the control wheel to the very last split second. He -saw the nose come up, felt the bomber mush forward and start to falter -in the air, and he saw that strip of clearing come zooming up toward -the belly of the fuselage. And then the B-Twenty-Five touched ground. - -_Touched_ ground? The last ounce of its flying and gliding speed spent, -the bomber dropped the rest of the way like ten ton of loose brick. -Braced as he was for the jolting contact with the ground, Dawson had -the crazy sensation that invisible hands grabbed hold of him and -started bouncing him around inside the pilots' compartment like a -human rubber ball. Freddy, the instrument panel, the control wheel -column, and the compartment's windows seemed to parade past his eyes. -And then suddenly the roof fell down on top of him, and the next thing -his spinning brain realized his head was resting on one of the rudder -pedals, and his legs were up in the pilot's seat. And the figure of -Freddy Farmer was sitting astride his stomach like a horseback rider. - -For perhaps a full three seconds the two youths blinked stupidly into -each other's eyes. Then Freddy Farmer choked out a gasp, scrambled off -Dawson's middle, and reached down to twist his legs around and his head -up. - -"You hurt, Dave?" he managed to gasp. - -"Don't know, yet!" Dawson replied hoarsely, and kicked open the -compartment door with his foot. "Tell you later. We've got to get out -of here, kid. This is a swell target for those rats. Here they come -down, now!" - -There was no need to inform the English youth of that little truth. -The ungodly scream of Jap wings in the wind, and the blood-chilling -snarl and yammer of their aerial machine gun and aerial cannon fire -was enough to make the very ground shake and tremble. Instinctively -Dawson reached up, hooked an arm about Freddy and hauled him down onto -the floorboards of the compartment. And there they both crouched, -breath locked in their lungs, as the Zeros piled down and raked the -crashed bomber from twin rudder to nose. Bullets cut through into the -compartment, and made a shambles of what was left of the instrument -panel. But it was as though the hand of Lady Luck touched each bullet, -because neither Dawson nor Freddy Farmer was hit. - -And then when there came a lull in the shooting, and the only sound was -that of the Zero's engines pounding the planes upward for altitude, -Dawson gave the English youth a push and nodded toward the compartment -door. - -"Wiggle out of here fast!" he shouted. "Then snake across to that -jungle growth. Do it fast, kid, before they come down. I'll join you -right after their next attack. _Snap it up!_" - -Another and a harder shove closed Freddy's mouth, which was half -opened to ask questions. He quickly nodded and went out through the -compartment door like a shell from the mouth of a gun. Still hugging -the compartment floor, Dave watched his pal streak across the bit of -open ground and practically dive head first into the thick border of -jungle growth. At that instant Dawson was almost tempted to follow -Farmer. But at that instant, also, he heard the change in the sound of -the Jap aircraft engines aloft. A sound that told him the Zeros had -gained their altitude, and were wheeling over and down for a second -strafe on the helpless American bomber. - -"Stick around some more, please, Lady Luck!" he breathed, and -practically pushed his face through the floorboards. - -For the next few seconds the full wrath of war snapped, and barked, -and howled, and screamed all about him. But once again Lady Luck, or -somebody, guided every one of the Jap bullets and air cannon shells -clear of Dawson's body. And then once again he heard the pounding howl -of the Zeros power-zooming upward. And in that instant he became a -whirlwind of action. He shot his body toward the door opening, and at -the same time flung out one hand and grabbed up a Very-Light pistol and -fired the flare back over his shoulder. He heard the hiss and sputter -as he went out through the door and down into the tall grass. And it -seemed he had no more than regained his feet and was plunging for the -jungle growth when a part of the world in back of him exploded in a -roar of sound. - -Hardly realizing what he was doing, he jerked his head around and took -a flash glance back over his shoulder. The nose of the B-Twenty-Five -was spouting livid red flame and smoke high into the air. The back of -the aircraft had broken and buckled right at the gun turret, so that -the whole thing looked like some weird prehistoric bird of gigantic -size flopped down on the ground in mortal agony. One quick look at that -heap of aero-nautical destruction, and then Dawson turned his head -front, gasped out a sob of pity and sorrow, and plunged head first into -the shelter of the jungle growth just as the three Jap Zeros wheeled -off their zoom and started down again. - -"Good gosh, Dave!" Freddy Farmer was panting in his ear. "Did they hit -the gas fume-filled tanks that last time? I almost passed out in fear -that you were a goner." - -"Not those rotten Jap shots!" Dawson gasped, and rolled off his -stomach. "I smacked a Very-Light flare at one of the split fuel feed -lines. Just enough gas in the line to start a blaze. Hope it'll call -them off, the bums!" - -"_Fired_ the plane?" Freddy Farmer echoed with a frown. "But why? The -thing's a total wreck. The Japs could never make any use of it, Dave!" - -"And how they can't!" Dawson grated, and stared sad-eyed at the blazing -heap of wreckage. "That wasn't the idea, though. There must be Jap -troops close to here. They'll be coming on the run. It won't hurt any -for them to think that we burned up inside. See what I mean?" - -"Of course!" the English youth replied. "And am I stupid. Smart work, -Dave. And by the way, thanks from the bottom of my heart, old thing." - -Dawson glanced at him and blinked. - -"For what?" he wanted to know. - -Before answering, Freddy pointed a finger at the crash landing broken -back of the aircraft. - -"For not letting me go aft to the guns and take a crack at those -Zeros," he said. "It was just as you warned. The thing broke right at -the gun turret. But for you, Dave, I'd be in two or more pieces right -now." - -"Skip it," Dawson grunted, and got up onto his feet. "The thing for us -to do is to make tracks away from here, before we both get carved up -into small pieces. Now, let's see, which way, I wonder?" - -"I suggest south, Dave," Freddy Farmer spoke up quietly. "I think that -Zero field is in that direction. Fact is, while I've been here I think -I've heard air engines toward the south. So?" - -Dawson grinned at him, and winked. - -"So we think alike, pal," he grunted. "We haven't got anything to fly -now. And it's a long swim, and a long walk, to Chungking from here. -Right, Freddy. The least we can do is take a look to see if the Japs -can help us out any--without knowing it." - -"Yes, it's a hope, though a blasted small one, I fancy," the English -youth murmured. "First, though, there's this jungle. Dash it all! I -never saw stuff grow so close together. Looks like it would take us -days to go a mile." - -"Then let's get started," Dawson said, and took one last look back at -the burning plane. "Remind me, Freddy, to send Air Forces Command at -Hickam Field a letter of apology for washing out their ship." - -"Right you are," the English youth promised. Then, with a half-chuckle, -he added, "And I'll be delighted to deliver it _in person_, if you know -what I mean?" - -"Way ahead of you, kid," Dawson replied. "_You_ just remind me to write -it, _I'll_ take care of the delivery angle--I hope!" - -With a grin, and a nod for emphasis, Dawson turned toward the south -and started to push and squirm and wiggle his way through the dense, -steaming jungle growth. - -Two year-long hours later Dawson stumbled over a hidden root for the -umpty-umteenth millionth time, and let his weary body sink down onto -the soft ground. Freddy Farmer, right behind him, sank down too, and -for a couple of minutes neither said a word. As a matter of fact, -neither had the breath to spare for spoken words. Their uniforms were -ripped and torn in half a hundred different places. And there were just -about as many tiny cuts on their faces and hands. And to top it all -off, they were drenched with jungle swamp water, and plastered with -sticky yellow mud from head to foot. - -"How about taking turns carrying each other piggy-back, pal?" Dawson -finally broke the silence. "And you carry me, first." - -"Suits me," the English youth came right back at him, "if I don't have -to go more than two or three yards. But, gosh, I am tired. And if you -want to know my opinion, Dave, I've had the tiny little fear this last -half-hour or so that we've been traveling in a circle." - -The half-grin on Dawson's dirty face faded, and a grave, somber light -stole into his eyes. - -"I know, Freddy," he said quietly. "The sun has touched all four sides -of us at least once in the last half-hour. I don't think we made so -much as a quarter of a mile in a straight line south. In short, Freddy, -you and I are very definitely lost." - -"Yes, definitely," the English youth echoed with a faint catch in his -voice. "However, there's no use crying over the fact, I fancy. The -only thing we can do is to rest up a bit, and then keep pushing on -southward. This is the Legaspi area, I'm positive. We're not on one of -the smaller islands. So if we keep at it long enough we're bound to--" - -A lightning-like warning gesture of Dawson's hand stopped Freddy Farmer -cold. Both youths froze stiff, and locked eyes as they listened to the -sounds that came to them through the jungle growth to the right--sounds -that neither of them understood. But they didn't have to, because -the sounds were the sing-song rising and falling intonations of Japs -talking with one another. - -"Close!" Dave breathed softly into Freddy's ear. "Too darn close for -my liking, pal. Got your gun ready?" - -The English youth didn't answer. He simply nodded slightly and fixed -his eyes on the wall of jungle growth that separated them from the -little brown butchers of Nippon somewhere beyond. - - - - -CHAPTER THIRTEEN - -_Blood In The Sky_ - - -As Dawson crouched there motionless at Freddy's side, and listened to -the Japanese speaking voices that seemed not to come closer, nor to -retreat, a crazy impulse caused him to glance down at his wrist-watch. -The crystal had been smashed in the crash, and the minute and hour -hands were gone. The second hand was still in place, however, and -ticking around its little graduated dial. Yet it seemed to stop and -wait after each tick as though that were the last, and there would be -no more. Then suddenly it would jump around to the next graduation -mark, and pause and wait again. - -Of course, it was actually moving all the time, but because of the -terrible suspense that held him rigid, his eyes and his brain played -him crazy tricks. And then suddenly the grip of Freddy's hand on his -arm dragged his half hypnotized attention from the watch. The English -youth put a finger to his lips for absolute silence, and then pointed -ahead and to the left. Dave bent forward to sight along the pointed -finger, and caught his breath sharply. He was staring through a small -opening in the heavy growth, and there not more than twenty yards away -were five squat, chunky, slant-eyed Japs. Each was armed with one of -the deadly Jap sub-machine guns, and the expression on each face was -that of the lustful desire to kill, and maim, and torture, for the -sheer diabolic pleasure of so doing. - -The little group had come to a halt and were all sharing something -that one of them portioned out from a bag he carried slung over one -shoulder. In a dull abstract sort of way, Dawson guessed it was the -daily handful of rice that keeps a Jap soldier going when on the march, -or on the hunt. However, it was no more than a half-hearted guess, -because his attention was not fixed on what they were doing, but on -what they looked like. The uniforms they wore, and the branch of -service insignia on their uniforms. And though the uniforms were dirty -and shabby, and much the worse for constant wear, he knew in a flash -that that little group of Japs were aircraft mechanics. - -And an instant later when he twisted his head around to meet Freddy -Farmer's eyes, he knew that the English youth had recognized that fact, -too. Freddy was grinning, and there was the light of wild hope in his -eyes. He leaned forward quickly so that his lips were against Dawson's -ear. - -"No doubt chaps sent out to inspect the crash, Dave!" he breathed -softly but with tingling excitement in every word. "And that they've -stopped to have a bit of their blasted rice must mean that they're _on -the way back_ to their field. Right?" - -"Dead right!" Dawson breathed back with a grim nod. "Sure wish I knew -the Jap lingo. I'd give a lot to know if they think the B-Twenty-Five's -crew burned up in her. But we've just got to hope that's so, and trail -them back. Okay by you, Freddy?" - -"Where they go, we go!" the English youth replied. "Only I hope it -isn't far." - -"Something tells me that it isn't," Dawson said with a little gesture. -"Just a hunch. Okay, we tag along behind. But watch it! Those little -tramps have plenty sharp ears, and our guns can't outshoot what they're -carrying." - -"You watch your big feet, and I'll watch mine!" Freddy assured him. -"Don't worry. And--There! They're moving off, Dave. And, say! I can see -it, now. The blighters are following a path. Praise the Lord for that. -Make it easier to keep up with them. Come along!" - -As the English-born air ace spoke the last he got swiftly and silently -up onto his feet and began virtually to squeeze his way through the -heavy tropical growth. Dawson followed along right at his heels. And -just that, too, for it took all of his efforts to keep Freddy Farmer's -heels in sight. The English youth was like a shadow, and just about -twice as silent, as he melted forward. In fact, Dawson came within -a hair's breath of plowing right into his back when Freddy finally -reached the narrow beaten path and came to an abrupt halt. Crouching -down low with his pal, he strained his ears for sounds ahead. The -sing-song jabbering reached his ears in almost no time at all, and -after taking into consideration what heavy jungle growth does to the -travel of sound, he judged the enemy patrol to be a good hundred yards -ahead. Freddy Farmer figured the same distance and formed the words -silently with his lips as he looked inquiringly at Dave. The Yank air -ace nodded, and then started stealthily along the beaten path. - -For almost an hour they followed the winding course of the path through -the dense jungle, pausing every so often to hug the soft damp ground -and listen to the incessant jabbering of the Jap patrol ahead. The last -time they paused they also heard other sounds. Sounds, however, that -were not distinct and clear. In fact, it was a sort of rumbling murmur -that made Dave think of storm waves pounding against a rock-bound -coast. He glanced back at Freddy, but the English youth was equally -puzzled by the sounds. - -However, a few moments later when Dawson turned around and started -forward again, he suddenly felt Freddy's hand grip him by the arm and -jerk him down flat. He squirmed around with an angry questioning look -in his eyes. But Freddy's finger to his lips, and the brittle glint in -his own eyes, checked any words that might have spilled from Dawson's -lips. Then Freddy put his lips close and whispered softly. - -"Just a little ahead, there's one of them, Dave!" he said. "Left to -stand guard, is my guess. So that means we must be near their field. -And--Hear that, Dave! That's what the sound is! Aircraft engines being -revved up. This darn jungle blankets sound until you're right on top of -it." - -"Left one behind?" Dawson echoed, as little shivers began to ripple up -and down his backbone. "You spotted him, Freddy?" - -Young Farmer didn't answer at once. He motioned Dawson up to a half -crouching position, and then pointed a stiff finger ahead, and nodded -for Dave to sight along his arm. Dawson did that, but for several -seconds he could see nothing but the greens, the browns, and the faded -orange of jungle foliage. But all the time he could hear the rumbling -murmur somewhere ahead. And he realized at once that Freddy's statement -was true. The sound came from revving aircraft engines, but it was -muffled and dulled in note by the thick jungle. - -Suddenly, though, as he strained his eyes at the twisted mass of jungle -growth, he saw something move no more than thirty-five yards from where -he crouched. Had he not been peering intently he would automatically -have taken it for a tree branch or jungle plant leaf being stirred by a -puff of air. However, being on the alert both mentally and physically, -he told himself at once that there could be no puffs of air in the -thick of the jungle. Only heavy pungent smells that hung motionless -in space. And then an instant later his eyes picked out the head and -shoulders of a Jap. The little brown man was facing off to the left, -and his face was in only one quarter profile. But Dave could see the -man's jaws champing up and down on the dry rice he had stuffed into his -mouth. And by straightening up just a little, Dawson could make out the -butt of the deadly sub-machine gun that the Jap held in the crook of -his right arm, ready to whip it up and fire at an instant's notice. - -For a long minute Dawson studied the "picture", as a hundred and one -conflicting thoughts raced through his brain. Was that Jap simply -manning his guard post located close to the field? Or had that Oriental -discovered that nobody was aboard the crashed B-Twenty-Five, and was -that Jap up ahead but one of many posted here and there to be on the -look-out for the survivors of the crash? Those two main questions -tormented Dawson's brain, for the simple reason that he could only -guess at the answers. But one thing was very certain, though. There -stood an armed Jap between them and an enemy flying field ahead. If -they were to get closer to the airfield ahead, that armed Jap had to be -put out of the war for keeps. - -That fact uppermost in his mind, Dawson took his gaze off the munching -Jap and looked at Freddy. The English youth returned his look, -grinned, tight-lipped, and nodded. - -"Remember that Commando show in Occupied France, Dave?" he whispered. -"Well, Jap or Jerry, it shouldn't make any difference, eh?"[2] - -[Footnote 2: _Dave Dawson With The Commandos._] - -"Same thing, pal!" Dawson chuckled softly, and slowly closed the -fingers of one hand into a rock hard fist. "Let's see if we've -forgotten any of that sweet technique. Okay, kid!" - -With a grin and a nod for emphasis, Dawson twisted around and started -along the path again. Compared with their "travel" now, they had been -making a noise akin to that of a herd of elephants on the rampage. Like -blending shadows, and twice as silent, they eeled and snaked their -way forward. Each leaf, or twig, or plant stem was moved cautiously -to the side, and held there until they had slid their bodies past. -Then, another few inches forward, and another few. Bit by bit creeping -closer to the armed Jap, and with no more sound than that caused by the -pounding of their hearts. - -However, though they advanced completely wrapped in a blanket of -silence, the Jap was perhaps possessed of that premonition of danger -that science has named the sixth sense. Or perhaps his Nipponese ears -were tuned to thumping human hearts. At any rate, when Dawson and -Freddy Farmer were but a scant two yards in back of him, the Jap spun -around and threw up his sub-machine gun. He was fast, lightning fast, -but those two air aces had been trained to throttle lightning on the -loose. They both moved even faster. - -Dawson's outflung arm was like an iron rod with a ball of steel on the -end of it. And that "ball of steel" flew straight to the Jap's Adam's -apple to cut off his wind, and paralyze the nerve center at the base of -his brain. However, that one blow alone would not have been sufficient, -and neither Dave nor Freddy Farmer were counting on it to do the trick. -At the same time Dawson slashed down with his gun hand and knocked -the sub-machine gun downward. And while that was taking place, Freddy -Farmer's flying body caught the Jap across the knees. On the football -field that little bit of blocking would have caused the penalty of -plenty of yardage. But this wasn't the football field. It was a -jungle battle field. And the player to be "taken out" was a ruthless, -butchering little brown rat of Hirohito's brood. - -And he was _taken out_, and very definitely so. When Dawson and Freddy -got quickly up onto their feet again, and Dave even had the sub-machine -gun in his own hands, there was no need to give the Jap more than a -passing glance. He was out! He was not only out of the war, but he -was out of his heathen world as well. A broken neck is a broken neck, -whether it belongs to a Jap or anybody else! - -Dawson looked at Freddy, but didn't say anything. Whatever might be -said was said with their eyes. They simply exchanged looks, nodded -grimly, and then stared once more along the winding path with ears -tuned to the rumbling murmur ahead that grew louder and more pronounced -with every foot forward they advanced. And so it was that at the end -of ten or twelve minutes of cautious advancing, they finally reached a -point where the jungle stopped, and flat, sun-baked ground began. - -The pair stopped just a few feet inside the jungle and peered silently -out at the sight ahead. It was one that caused wild hope to blossom -within them. But it was also a sight that weighed down their hearts -with bitterness and angry helplessness. Though Dawson had been -suspecting it all along, it was not until he stared out onto that -triangular-shaped patch of sun-baked ground that he knew definitely -that Freddy and he had finally reached what had no more than -forty-eight hours before been a Yank and Filipino-held emergency -airfield. - -But it was all Jap now. And the only traces that it had once been -Yank-Filipino were the fire and bomb-marked wrecks of American planes -caught on the ground by overwhelming Jap bombers, and the gutted -hangars and buildings that lined one side of the field. And that it -was all Jap, now, was obvious from the Nipponese planes of all types -that were lined up on the other two sides. Planes, and Jap pilots and -mechanics, and ground troops strutting about. A sight to make any -Christian's heart weep blood. And the bitterest touch of all to Dawson -and Freddy Farmer was the way the planes were lined up. They were not -even dispersed about the field. And that could mean but one thing. That -there were no more Yank bombers left in the Philippines to roar back -and give those little slant-eyed brown men a taste of their own kind -of war. No, the bombers that would some day do that little thing were -thousands and thousands of miles away. And a great number of them were -still just working blueprints in American aircraft factories! - -Yes, a sight to make Christians weep, but also a sight to fan the -flickering spark of hope and determination into a mounting flame! - - - - -CHAPTER FOURTEEN - -_Beware The Sharks!_ - - -"The dirty swine! Blast their rotten hearts! Gosh! What I'd give to -lead a patrol of bombers right now! Dash it all! I'd even be willing to -settle for Hawker Hurricanes!" - -The words spilled softly and tonelessly off Freddy Farmer's lips. His -eyes fixed on the captured field were bright and brittle, and he was -unconsciously thumping one clenched fist into the palm of the other -hand. Dawson glanced sidewise at him, grinned, and nudged his arm. - -"Check, and double check, pal!" he whispered. "But wishing for the -impossible won't help a bit. Besides, we haven't got time to jaw around -on such things. Take a look at that spread of Jap planes, Freddy. Which -one do you figure should be our baby, when we get it?" - -"_If_ we get it!" the English youth muttered grimly. "Of course, I'd -much prefer one of those Zeros. But we couldn't both ride in the same -plane. Besides, they don't even carry enough gas to get us across the -China Sea, to say nothing of up to Chungking." - -"Not a chance in a Zero," Dawson grunted with a shake of his head. "And -those Mitsubishi bombers over there are out, too. Take too long to get -one of them off. So that brings up the important fact, pal." - -"Only _one_ important fact?" Freddy Farmer groaned. - -"For the present, anyway," Dawson whispered with a grin. "In other -words, with what we manage to steal from these little rats, we wouldn't -be able to make Chungking non-stop. Our best bet, and the shortest hop -possible, is to skip across the northern part of Indo-China, and reach -Kunming." - -"Suits me perfectly!" breathed Freddy Farmer, his eyes lighting up. -"Kunming is H.Q. for those Flying Tiger chaps. We may spot a few of -them on patrol to escort us in. Also, to send the Jap johnnies on their -way. The ones chasing us, or ones we're bound to run into, I mean." - -"Sure, easy as pie!" Dawson snorted. "When we meet Flying Tigers on -patrol we simply yell at them that the Jap ship we're in doesn't -mean a thing, huh? And they'll catch on, quick? Listen, pal, those -Flying Tigers are hot stuff. They don't bother asking Jap pilots for -their names and addresses. They just sail in guns blazing. And, bingo! -Hirohito has a few less. See what I mean?" - -"Well, what do _you_ plan, then, Master Mind?" Freddy growled. - -"Nothing," Dave came right back at him. "Once we're in the air, all we -can do is hope that we can outfly the Japs chasing us. _And_ that we -don't bump into any of the Flying Tiger boys on the prowl. So I guess -that baby over there is the one for our money. It's the closest, and -those Jap mechanics wheeling that gas dollie away means that it's just -been fueled up. What do you think?" - -Freddy Farmer peered in the direction of Dawson's pointing finger -and silently eyed the plane indicated on the near side of the -triangular-shaped field. It was a Mitsubishi "Karigane" MK-Eleven -two-place, low wing monoplane fighter. It was powered with an eight -hundred horsepower radial engine of copied American design. And it was -reputed to be one of the fastest, and longest ranged two-place planes -in the Far Eastern theatre of war. And so Freddy had only to take a -good look to be satisfied. - -"We should just about make Kunming in it, with luck," he said to Dave. -"However, there's the small detail of stealing her, you know. There's -plenty of Nips standing around over there. And they all look armed to -me." - -"They are," Dawson grunted. "But this isn't any walking stick I've got -in my hands, pal. Seriously, though, Freddy, I think we can _surprise_ -those bums out of that plane without much trouble. Look at how cocky -they're acting, will you? Well, it's my guess a few well placed bursts -from this machine gun could throw the place into a panic. You fast on -your feet, kid?" - -"Fast as you are if I have to be, I guess," Freddy replied gravely. -"But just what do you plan to do? Rush them from here? It's sixty -yards, if it's an inch." - -"You think I'm that dumb?" Dawson growled, and shook his head -vigorously. "No, not rush them from here. Get _them_ to come rushing -_over_ here!" - -"Eh, what's that?" the English youth gasped as his eyes popped and his -jaw sagged. - -He started to say more, but Dawson stopped him by pointing at the -little path that turned sharp right and skirted that side of the -airfield, just inside the jungle growth. It had obviously been used -by soldiers on guard duty. In short, they had used it to reach their -posts, instead of crossing the field in the face of planes landing or -taking off. It could also be used during a bombing raid when it wasn't -good sense to show oneself out on the open field. - -"There's where we run, Freddy," Dawson said. "_After_ I've blasted a -few bursts _back_ in the general direction of that Jap sentry we hauled -down. My guess, or my hope, is that those over there on the edge of the -field will come a-running, figuring his post has been attacked. Well, -when they start cutting across the field we'll start down that path, -but fast. The jungle growth will hide us, and we can get to a point -right behind that two-seater before we'll have to break out into the -open. And then--" - -Dawson paused, and a tight, hard smile stretched his lips. - -"Maybe even then we'll have to knock a few of them off," he said -grimly. "But so what? That'll make just less Japs, that's all. Well, -okay by you?" - -Freddy Farmer shrugged, and gestured with his hands, palms upward. - -"Why not?" he grunted. "It's just as insane and foolhardy as anything I -could think up. Right you are, then. But let's get on with it. I don't -fancy hanging around here any longer than I have to." - -"You think I'm in love with the place?" Dawson snorted, and slipped the -safety catch off the machine gun's trigger. "Okay, kid. On your mark! -Here goes!" - -Dawson's last whispered word hadn't even been swallowed up by the -jungle silence before he had pointed the sub-machine gun back along the -path in the direction of the dead Jap sentry, and pulled the trigger. -Three, four silence-shattering bursts leaped out from the gun's muzzle, -and a bit of the jungle growth in the line of fire promptly looked as -if it had been whizzed through a fine meat grinder. But Dave didn't -pause to admire the fire power effect on the jungle target. As the last -bullet sped clear, he spun around and snapped a quick gaze out across -the field. And for a crazy instant it was all he could do to stop from -laughing out loud. Every blessed Jap on the field had frozen stiff, and -some of them in the queerest, most unnatural positions. - -However, they did not remain that way for long. A high-pitched -sing-song voice hit the air, and it was as though many invisible -strings had been jerked. The Japs snapped up straight, grabbed -for their side arms, or caught up their rifles or machine guns, -and came tearing across the field, screaming at the top of their -hideous-sounding voices. But by the time the first of them had taken -one step, Freddy and Dave had taken two steps along the hidden path. -And they kept right on adding more and more driving power to their legs. - -In almost less time than it takes to relate it they had covered those -sixty odd yards of jungle path, and were directly behind the two-seater -Mitsubishi MK-Eleven that they figured on "borrowing." Yes, directly -behind it, but they still had some fifteen yards more of open ground -before they could reach the plane's cockpit. Just the same they didn't -hug the ground and waste time contemplating that final dash across open -ground. They simply waited long enough for Dave to sprint in front with -the sub-machine gun, and then off they went on the final lap. - -Final lap? It was only fifteen yards to that MK-Eleven. Four good -running broad jumps would cover the distance easily. But to Dave -those fifteen yards seemed more like fifteen hundred. As he had half -expected, and half feared, not all the Japs in that corner of the field -had gone tearing over to investigate the mystery of the firing machine -gun. A half dozen or so of them, all mechanics, had remained where they -were. And it so happened that their sharp eyes caught sight of Dawson -the very instant he broke out into the open. Blood-curdling screams -of rage smote the air, and were instantly punctuated by rifle fire. -But also in the same instant Dawson had dropped to one knee and was -sweeping his bullet-spitting machine gun to left and right. - -A couple of the Japs instantly went flat to the ground, and right out -of the war and the world forever. And the others spun around and leaped -for the protection of a nearby bomber's fuselage. That was okay by -Dawson. It was just what he wanted. He slammed a short burst under the -bomber's belly, and yelled to Freddy. - -"Jump for it, Freddy!" he cried. "Into the rear cockpit, and be ready -to catch this gun and cover me as I pile in. Get going!" - -The last two words were quite unnecessary. Freddy Farmer wasn't taking -precious split seconds out to do any arguing this time. As a matter -of fact, he had already leaped past Dave as the Yank ace shouted the -order. And in another couple of leaps he had reached the side of the -MK-Eleven and was virtually throwing himself into the rear cockpit. -Dawson saw Freddy make it out the corner of his eye, and slapped one -more burst to kick up dust under the bomber's belly. Then he sprang to -his feet, and dived for the MK-Eleven himself. As he reached its side -he threw the sub-machine gun straight at Freddy. The English youth -caught it in his hands, and was pumping bullets over at the bomber, -behind which the Japs were attempting to hide and fire, in the single -bat of an eyelid. - -In what was practically a continuation of a wild leap into the -pilot's cockpit of that Jap MK-Eleven, Dawson whipped out one hand to -knock up the ignition switches, and stabbed the other thumb on the -starter button, and kicked off the wheel brakes with his foot. As the -Jap-copied American aircraft engine caught on the first time over, -and roared up in a full throated song of power, he blessed the odd -simplicity of Jap instrument panels and engine gadgets. There were not -more than six or seven of them, and though they were printed in Jap -sign writing, it was easy enough to guess their uses and functions. And -so as the MK-Eleven quivered and trembled for a brief instant and then -went rocketing out across the field like a comet gone haywire, he did -not jab or pull one wrong thing and put an end to their little bit of -war thievery right then and there. - -On the contrary, he was able to nurse the last ounce of maximum power -from the roaring engine, and Jap-fired bullets had hardly begun to -twang and whine past his ears before he had the wheels clear and was -hauling the speedy little craft straight up toward the sun-flooded -Philippine sky. And he kept it going right on upward until he had more -than enough altitude under him. Then he whipped over and around onto -even keel with the nose pointed diagonally across the northern reaches -of the Philippines toward the South China Sea beyond. - -Then he turned around and grinned happily at Freddy Farmer. - -"Just like robbing the cradle, hey, pal?" he bellowed. - -The English youth made a wry face and flung a pointing hand toward the -south. - -"Not quite over yet, old thing!" he shouted back. "Here come some -of the blighters, for a starter. Too bad we didn't also steal their -blasted radio station!" - - - - -CHAPTER FIFTEEN - -_Aces Think Fast_ - - -As Dawson swung his head around the other way and stared to the south, -he saw the swarm of Jap wings prop-clawing along on a line intended -to cut him off from in front. A second glance, however, told him that -his stolen MK-Eleven held a slight edge. Told him, also, that his path -and the flight path of those other Jap planes would cross at a point -several miles out over the South China Sea. - -"But those bums are going to cross our path _behind_ us, if I've got -anything to say about it!" he told himself grimly. "I've got enough -worries about whether this crate will make Kunming, without having -those bums give me grey hairs!" - -With a savage nod for emphasis, he shot another look toward the Jap -planes boiling up from the south, twisted around to give Freddy Farmer -a reassuring grin, and then turned front and concentrated every -effort on getting every ounce of speed out of the MK-Eleven. Some -fifteen minutes later, when he took another look at the Jap planes, a -tight grin stretched his lips, and he gave a little nod of approval. -He had managed to gain on them considerably, and it looked now as if -the little brown men of Nippon were just wasting gas and oil. And in -addition to that helpful fact, cloud banks were beginning to form in -the heavens ahead. Just let him reach them, and the whole darn Jap air -force could try to hunt him out, if it wanted to. - -"And so that is just what we'll do!" he murmured softly to himself. -"We'll beat those little tramps to the clouds, and--" - -A sharp rap of Freddy Farmer's fist on his shoulder cut the rest off -short. He jerked his head around and started to bark the obvious -question, but the English youth was already talking, and pointing. - -"I fancy the Japs back on Legaspi have been using their blasted radio -some _more_, Dave!" Freddy shouted. "Look up there to the north! More -of the blighters. Guess they must come from Jap air bases on Hainan -Island. Up to you, old thing. Can we still make those clouds?" - -Dawson didn't answer at once because at that moment he had impulsively -glanced to the south-west. And there in the distant sky he picked -out more Jap planes racing up to join the other two enemy forces. He -studied them for a moment longer, and then turned front, eyes hard and -lips pressed into a thin grim line. - -"We not only can," he grated presently, "but we're _going_ to, if this -thing'll just hold together. They figure to pull the old three-way -squeeze on us, but the bums have got another think coming. Hang onto -your hat, Freddy! This air buggy is going to go places, but fast!" - -And then began a sky race against overwhelming odds. With the heel of -one palm jammed hard against the already wide open throttle, Dawson -hunched forward and kept his eyes glued on the clouds ahead. To reach -them he had to sacrifice precious speed by gaining altitude. But there -wasn't anything else he could do about it. To out-race the Japs cutting -down from the north was just plain out of the question. If they didn't -pile down into him eventually, the Japs coming up from the south-west -would. So his only hope lay in reaching the safety of the clouds ahead, -in gaining altitude, and slicing into those clouds before any of the -enemy planes could get within range. - -It was nip and tuck every foot of the way. And when the most optimistic -of the Jap pilots opened up with long range fire, every crack of -their guns was like a tiny little knife of frozen ice jabbing into -Dawson's heart. Not once, though, did he take time out to glance at -the diminishing distance between the planes. He kept every bit of his -attention riveted on his own aircraft. When the Japs got too close, the -yammer of Freddy Farmer's rear guns would tell him that it was time to -forget the race, and concentrate on fighting for their lives. - -However, Freddy Farmer's rear guns did not speak once as Dawson sent -the MK-Eleven ripping through the air high above the South China Sea. -And then, when it seemed that at least ten years of his life had -come and gone, the plane reached the first of the clouds and went -prop-clawing into them, and out of sight. - -"Cheers for you, old thing!" Freddy Farmer cried as the fleecy -whiteness closed in all about them. "We made it, for fair!" - -"But only just!" Dawson called back to him. "And don't thank me. Thank -this Nip sky wagon. Okay, start navigating, pal. We stick right to our -original course. Ten to one they'll think we'll try to fool them by -doubling back. Kunming! Here we come!" - -As Dave yelled the last there was a smile on his lips, and the warmth -of great happiness in his heart. The end of their journey halfway -around the world was almost in sight now. All that was left was the -small matter of sitting down at Kunming without getting shot down -for a surprise raiding Jap plane, gassing up there, and racing on to -Chungking. At Kunming he'd have word flashed ahead that they'd be -arriving in a Jap plane. Or perhaps it would be better to borrow a -Flying Tiger ship at Kunming and not run the risk of being taken for a -Jap. However, that was a minor point. Just one more landing, and then -Chungking next stop! - -"And it won't make me mad to get a little rest from barging about the -sky!" he grunted with a nod. "Yeah! It will be all to the merry to feel -how it is to walk on the ground for a spell, and not crawl on hands and -knees, or wiggle around like some darn snake. Nope, I won't mind it a -bit." - -And with those and other very pleasant thoughts rippling through his -brain, he sent the MK-Eleven charging dead ahead on course through -the clouds. Every so often they came to a hole in the stuff, and -they could look down through and see patches of Japanese-occupied -Indo-China. And on a couple of those occasions Freddy Farmer was able -to accurately determine their position from land marks below. And each -time it was proved that they were right smack on course. - -Two, three, four hours dragged by, and then suddenly the Mitsubishi -MK-Eleven ripped out into clear blue air just as suddenly as it had -gone ripping into the clouds. The instant they were out in the clear -both Dawson and Freddy Farmer made a swift study of the rugged and most -uninviting terrain below. However, its ugliness did not beat down the -great satisfaction that swelled up in them. They were dead on course -still. Some fifty miles ahead was the China border, and about as many -miles to the left was the point where the borders of China, Indo-China, -and Burma met. A little under an hour, now, and Kunming would be under -their wings. - -Yes, it was a very wonderful and soul-satisfying realization, but it -lasted just about long enough for them to stop looking at the terrain -below and make a searching sweep with their eyes of the surrounding -sky. It was then that the gods of war screamed with laughter and -the heart-stopping truth was revealed. In short, there was a swarm -of Jap planes to their right, another one to their left, and a third -one directly behind. True, all of the enemy aircraft were well out -of range, but it took only a flash study of their angle of approach -to realize that the enemy pilots would reach the China border long -before they did. Reach it and form a winged barrier of flame and -death-spitting aerial machine guns and cannon. - -"Blast them!" Freddy Farmer's voice thundered in Dawson's ears. "Go -right through the blighters, Dave! We've got to. It's the only thing -we can do. Blast through them, Dave, and I'll keep the beggars at a -distance!" - -Dawson heard the words, but he paid little attention to them. He was -studying the Jap planes closing in from three sides, and with heavy -heart he realized that these planes were new. That is, they were -not the ones that had taken up the chase originally. And that fact -confirmed what he already believed to be the truth. The Jap forces -in the Far Eastern theatre of war had practically gone nuts with the -radio, and summoned every Jap plane over an area of thousands of square -miles to hunt down the thieves of a single Jap MK-Eleven. But its -meaning held more than just that for Dawson. It seemed almost insane -to credit it as truth, but facts pointed to the obvious: that the -Japs here, halfway around the world from London, knew who Freddy and -he were, knew the object of their mission, and knew where they were -headed. Yes, it seemed incredible and utterly fantastic. But hadn't -that little adventure with one _Herr_ Miller in the middle of the North -Atlantic seemed equally so? And that close brush with death when they -had been ambushed on the way to Hickam Field with General Stickney? -It just went to prove for the umpty-umph millionth time that anything -can happen in war. And that the smart soldier should expect it, and be -ready. - -Perhaps it took all of three seconds for those and other thoughts to -whip through Dawson's brain. And then in the fourth second he saw -something that made a decision for him. That "something" was a small -group of dots at a point in the air right smack over the Burma border. -They were several miles away, but Dawson's eyes were sharp enough to -pick them out for what they truly were, and an unconscious shout of joy -spilled from his lips. - -"Lifesavers, Freddy!" he howled back at the English youth. "Over there! -See? That's a patrol of Flying Tigers! Those are shark's head-painted -Curtiss P-Forties, or I'll eat my shirt. Take a deep breath, Freddy! -Everything is going to be okay!" - -"Yes, I see them!" the English youth shouted back. "But _they_ don't -know who _we_ are, you know. Head for them and they'll blow us to bits -before we can even flash them a sign. Good grief! What are you doing -now?" - -The last was because Dawson had deliberately hurtled the MK-Eleven -around toward the south and was tearing full out straight for the -nearest of the Jap planes roaring up from that direction. - -"Our best bet!" he yelled at Freddy. "Get set with those rear guns. -We'll give those Flying Tiger boys a sign that'll leave no doubts that -we're not Japs. We smack one of them down, Freddy. Make it two. That'll -tell the Flying Tiger boys as plain as writing them a letter. Okay, -pal! Make it perfect as I tear in and out. Here we go!" - -To any unsuspecting observer, that lone MK-Eleven racing straight -toward a swarm of Jap Zeros must have looked like a sheer suicide -maneuver. At least, it must have looked that way to the Zero pilots -who knew who was in that MK-Eleven. At any rate, the suddenness of the -mad attack threw the slow thinking Japs off balance for a few split -seconds. And for two sky warriors such as Dave Dawson and Freddy Farmer -a few split seconds is sometimes as good as a whole lifetime. And that -was so in this particular case. - -While the brains of those slant-eyed sons of the Rising Sun groped for -the true meaning of this unexpected maneuver, Dawson cut the MK-Eleven -in at the leader at rocket speed. In the last second allowed he feinted -as though to bank around and retreat. And that little act was curtains -for the already befuddled brain in the leading Zero's cockpit. Its -pilot started to pull over, but Dawson cut right back in again and -jabbed the trigger button on his stick. The savage bursts from his guns -caught the Zero broadside, and the Jap probably never even knew that -he was dying for his so-called Heaven-born Emperor. At least he didn't -know it until he was dead, and was falling earthward in a ball of -raging flame. - -Nor did a second Jap Zero pilot who happened to "get in the way" of -Freddy Farmer's rear guns. The only difference was that he didn't go -earthward in a ball of flame. Freddy's first burst caught his fuel -tank. There was a sheet of mounting flame, and great belching gobs of -black-smudged white smoke. And then there was just a shower of pieces -going downward. - -The time it took for all that to happen was perhaps no longer than -the time it would take you to blink one eye. In fact, almost before -both planes started down out of the war, Dawson had sheered off at -lightning bolt speed, leaving the rest of the Japs still brain-groping -and automatically fanning their guns at thin air. As a matter of fact, -practically all of them had unconsciously swerved off in the opposite -direction, and so when Dawson finally straightened out they were no -longer to the south of him. They were behind, and well out of range. -And six Curtiss P-Forties with their shark-painted noses were less than -a mile dead ahead. - -"Start waving, just to make sure, Freddy!" Dawson roared, as he booted -the MK-Eleven toward those gallant American eagles who had come -thousands of miles to fight and to die for China's great and worthy -cause. "Stand up, and start waving. They might think it was just some -dizzy Jap trick." - -"Not a chance, I fancy!" the English-born air ace shouted back. "Those -Jap yellow beggars have seen _them_! Take a look for yourself!" - -Dawson gulped, "Huh?" as he jerked around in the seat. But that's all -he said, because in the next second he was bursting with laughter. -He was, for the very funny fact that every Jap-flown plane in the -surrounding skies had about-faced and was making tracks for any place -that would be far away from those dead-aim pilots who flew those -terror ships of the Chinese Air Force. At least a hundred Jap pilots -were streaking for safety from six hard-eyed, steel trigger-fingered -knights of the air. Just one more proof that though Jap pilots fly in -bunches, they know they will die the same way if they make the mistake -of getting too close to the guns of the Flying Tigers! - -"Boy, oh boy! Look at them scoot, will you!" Dawson chuckled. "Praise -be to Allah for the Flying Tigers. It's just about all over but the -shouting, Freddy. Better start brushing up on your Chinese, pal, if you -know any!" - -The English-born air ace laughed at that remark. But so did the gods of -war up in their unseen high places. Not, however, for the same reason. -They laughed because they knew that Death was only taking a breathing -spell; that Death would return again, and soon, to claim its victims! - - - - -CHAPTER SIXTEEN - -_Warriors' Duty_ - - -With a grin on his lips, and a happy song in his heart, Dawson rocketed -the Jap MK-Eleven across the sky toward the six P-Forties. And Freddy -Farmer half stood up in the rear cockpit and waved a wild greeting to -the Flying Tigers. The pilot of the lead plane waggled his wings in -reply, and then he and his five buddies swept by the MK-Eleven and -came about fast to take up escort positions. Dawson glanced over at -the leader and grinned broadly. The Flying Tiger returned the grin, -and then made signs with his hands to inquire how much gas Dawson had -left in his tanks. The Yank air ace took a quick look at the gauge and -gulped. True, he had some gas left, but not nearly enough to get him -to Kunming. In fact, he had only fifteen minutes or so of flying time -left. Unless there was a field within fifteen minutes range, he and -Freddy were still going to have trouble on their hands. - -Turning his head toward the Flying Tiger in the leading P-Forty, he -lifted up his free hand and opened it and closed it three times. The -Flying Tiger nodded acknowledgment, gave Dawson a reassuring wave with -his hand and then pointed ahead and to the north. And just twelve -minutes later the pilot waggled his wings once more, dropped the -shark's-head nose of his plane, and went sliding downward. Dawson took -a look downward and swallowed hard. As far as he could see there wasn't -the sign of a field below. There was nothing but lush green jungle and -cliff and crag-studded hills and mountains. He knew they were over the -Burmese border, but at just what point he could only guess. - -"I hope that guy isn't kidding!" he grunted absently. "You could break -your neck without any trouble landing in that stuff down there. Oh, -well. Here's hoping, anyway." - -There was no need for Dawson to be worried, however. A little under a -minute later, the leading P-Forty eased off the angle of its glide, and -slid around the corner of a hill range and settled down onto a small, -level field, that looked like anything else but from the air. The -other five Flying Tigers went down in rapid succession to show Dawson -where he should land. And then, just as the Jap M-Eleven's engine was -sputtering out the last of its song of power, Dawson whipped off the -ignition switch, and coasted down the rest of the way. - -No sooner had he touched ground than a couple of Flying Tiger mechanics -rushed out and waved him over to the side of the field where heavy -tropical growth grew like a solid green wall. They grabbed his wing -tips, and helped him wheel-brake the plane in under the edge of the -stuff. And when Freddy and he finally legged down onto the sun-baked -ground, there wasn't a single plane left out in the open for prowling -Jap eyes to spot from above. - -"Wonder what this place is?" Dawson grunted, as he and Freddy watched -a dozen or so youths in American Volunteer Group uniforms come running -over to them. - -"I think it's near Menglien, in Burma," the English youth replied. -"Between the Indo-China border and the Salween River. But what does it -matter? We're in very safe hands, and praise the good Lord for that!" - -"Check, and double check!" Dawson echoed the statement. "Now, just one -more hop, and this crazy messenger boy job will be all over." - -Freddy Farmer started to comment on that but checked himself as the -group of Flying Tigers arrived. They were all American boys, and a -warm, satisfying feeling flooded through Dawson. One of them, a tall, -dark-haired man with a major's insignia on his shoulder straps, flipped -a hand up in friendly salute and acted as spokesman. - -"Welcome to Burma, Captains Dawson and Farmer!" he said. "How's one of -those Jap crates fly? And did you really swipe it in the Philippines? -Oh, yeah. I'm Major Brown, Fifth Group Commander. I'll introduce you to -the boys later. But welcome, anyway." - -"Thanks, Major," Dawson said with a faint frown. "How come you know who -we are, and that we swiped this MK-Eleven in the Philippines? We didn't -think anybody knew it, except maybe some Japs." - -"That's just the point," the major replied with a chuckle. "Some Japs -_did_ know it, and now the whole world knows it, maybe. At least, if -they've been tuned in on the Jap radio in this neck of the world. -Darned near the whole Jap Air Force has been looking for you for hours. -I guess some of them must have got close, eh, to force you this far -south. According to the Jap radio, you two were supposed to be headed -for Chungking." - -For a couple of seconds neither Dawson nor Freddy Farmer could say a -word. Their feet, figuratively speaking, had been knocked right out -from under them. The fact that their supposedly secret journey to -Chungking had been publicized just about as much as Santa Claus' yearly -trip on Christmas Eve left them speechless, and gaping at the Flying -Tiger C.O. - -"Jap radio, sir?" Freddy Farmer finally found his voice. "You mean, the -Japs have been broadcasting this thing?" - -"Well, mainly for Jap Air Force consumption, I guess," the major -replied. "But anybody who tuned in, and understood Jap, could have got -the story. Part of it, anyway. We've got a radio here, of course, and -one of the boys understands Jap. So we learned that Captains Dawson and -Farmer are wanted plenty bad by the Japs. It seems they are believed -to have stolen a plane near Legaspi, in the Philippines, and are -undoubtedly headed for Chungking. All available Jap pilots were ordered -into the air from Hong-kong to the Burma border to find these two -wanted lads, and force them down and take them prisoner. _Force_ them -down, not shoot them down. Maybe you know why. I don't. Anyway, we were -out on patrol when our ground station relayed to us that the Japs had -sighted you, and where. Seemed as if you might get into trouble, so we -busted out a ways to help if we could." - -"And how you did, Major, how you did!" Dawson exclaimed. "And thanks -from the bottom of our hearts. Yes, we do know why the Japs want us -alive. We--well, we've got an important date in Chungking. I can tell -you that much, anyway. But it sure is a shock to learn that the Japs -over here knew all about us. We'd been thinking we were pretty slick to -have given them the run-around." - -The Flying Tiger C.O. grinned and shrugged. - -"Things like that happen, and often," he grunted. "It sure does beat -all how secrets get around in this darn war. But they sure do. And from -my experiences with the Japs I've learned that Hitler's trick Gestapo -hasn't got a thing on the little brown slant eyes when it comes to -espionage and stuff. But here, here! You two must be about dead on your -feet. We can compare notes later. You'll be wanting food, and rest. -Or--or are you really in a hurry to get to Chungking?" - -"Frankly, we are, sir," Dawson told him. "We began this trip from -London four nights ago, and---well, there's just one more hop to make, -and we'd sure like to get it over with, if you get what I mean? So we -were wondering if you could spare us gas for this MK-Eleven to get us -to Chungking?" - -Major Brown scowled and shot a worried look up toward the clear blue -sky. - -"We've plenty of gas," he said presently. "It isn't a case of that. -But this MK is a marked ship, Dawson, and there are flocks of Japs on -patrol between here and Chungking. You'd never make it unless some of -us went along as escort. And--" - -"Well, could we borrow a couple of your P-Forties, sir?" Freddy Farmer -interrupted politely. "Then the Jap beggars probably wouldn't suspect. -And we'd bring them right back. Not necessary for us to remain in -Chungking for any great length of time, you know." - -The Flying Tiger C.O. sighed heavily, and looked very sad. He gestured -toward twelve Curtiss P-Forties well dispersed about the edges of the -small field. - -"Those are all the ships we have," he said. "And just enough pilots to -fly them. At any other time, I'd say take a couple and luck to you. At -any other time, too, I'd radio Kunming for permission to have us all -escort you up there, and you could fly the MK. But both of those things -are out now. Maybe this mission of yours is plenty important, but--" - -The senior officer paused and shrugged again. - -"But we've got an important mission coming up 'most any minute, too," -he continued presently. "A matter of some twenty thousand Chinese -soldiers caught in a trap, and about to be slaughtered by the Japs. -Sometime today every A.V.G. unit within reach is going to try and fix -it so's those Chinese soldiers can get out of the trap. If they don't -make it today, they're sunk--every one of them!" - -"Good gosh!" Freddy Farmer breathed. "Twenty _thousand_, you say, sir?" - -"And maybe more!" the other said grimly. "Northwest of here, about -sixty miles. At a bend in the Salween River. The Chinese are on one -side, and a much larger Jap force on the other. A surprise move that -caught the poor devil Chinese cold. The river is shallow there, but -right behind the Chinese is a five hundred foot cliff. They came down -it by small road and foot path. Just infantry units, with no artillery -support at all. Meantime, the Japs had closed in on the other side of -the river, _with_ plenty of artillery. So the Chinese are caught both -ways. If they try to retreat up the cliff roads the Japs can pick them -off like flies. And if they try to cross the river and get at the Japs -with their machine guns and rifles, the Jap artillery can drown them -like rats--by the thousands. We _hope_ to ground-strafe and light bomb -the Japs so much they won't have time to let the Chinese have anything -before the Chinese have been able to force the river crossing and -can come to close grips with them. If we don't do that today, Chiang -Kai-shek's boys are lost. The Jap artillery will have all been moved -into position by nightfall. So you see--" - -Major Brown gestured, and left the rest hanging in mid-air. Both Dawson -and Freddy Farmer nodded, and showed their understanding and sympathy -with their eyes. - -"Well, in that case, sir--" he began, and stopped. - -He stopped because at that moment three things happened all at the same -time. First, an A.V.G. orderly came pounding up on the dead run. - -"Word's just been flashed, Major!" he panted. "Group take off and -proceed as ordered!" - -The second thing that happened was the ungodly wail of the air raid -siren mounted atop a small shack on the far side of the field. And the -third thing that happened was the sudden, lightning-like appearance of -a lone Jap Zero wing screaming around the corner of the hill range, and -straight down toward the field. - -Dawson had hardly spotted it before he saw the jetting streams of -orange-yellow coming out from the leading edges of its wing. It swept -down low until its belly was almost touching the field, and it came -straight for the group near the MK-Eleven. Dawson heard Major Brown -roar out for everybody to duck for cover, but the order was quite -unnecessary. Everybody had done just that, and as Dawson tried to bury -his own body deep in the sun-baked ground, his ears were filled with -the savage snarl of the Zero's gunfire. It was as though the plane were -sitting right on top of his head, and its guns pumping bullets straight -into his brain. And mingled in with the chattering roar was the sound -of fire from ground guns posted about the field. Then suddenly there -was silence, to be shattered almost immediately by a terrific explosion -just overhead. - -Impulsively Dawson twisted over and stared up to see what was left of -the Jap Zero about six or seven hundred feet up in the air. Ground -gunners had obviously caught it cold, and its gas tank had blown it -into all those flaming splinters that were now arcing out far and wide. -Its dead pilot, however, had seemingly fulfilled his suicide mission. -As Dawson twisted over he saw that the MK-Eleven was on fire and -blazing fiercely. That fact snapped him out of his trance and brought -him leaping up onto his feet with a cry of alarm struggling up his -throat. - -It was then, though, that he realized there was no gas in the MK-Eleven -for those raging flames to explode. And it was then, also, that he -saw the terrible look on Major Brown's face. Wild, seething rage, and -bitter, heart-crushing agony flamed on the senior officer's face. -Dawson leaped over to him and grabbed his arm. - -"You hit, sir?" he shouted. "Where? Take it easy, and--" - -"I'm okay!" the other snapped. "But Stevens, and Gregg. They caught -one. They can't go. That leaves only ten of us to do a big job. I -wonder if--" - -"Ten nothing!" Dawson roared as he saw the two wounded Flying Tigers -stretched out on the ground. "You've _still_ got twelve. What do you -think Farmer and I do for a living? Drive tanks?" - -"But, but Chungking!" Major Brown sputtered. "I can't ask you two to--" - -"And you can't stop us, either!" Dawson cut him off. "Chungking? -Listen! Twenty thousand trapped Chinese soldiers are worth making -Chungking wait! Heck! You think Freddy and I would sit here and cool -our heels while all those Chinese lads are trapped? And by dirt rotten -Japs? Nuts! What two planes, Major? Point them out, and let's go!" - -"Over there, numbers six and ten!" the Flying Tiger leader cried. "And -good--!" - -"Same to you!" Dawson snapped and started running. "Come on, Freddy. -Shift it! We've got some _real_ flying to do for a change!" - -Not over two minutes later twelve shark head-painted Curtiss P-Forties -went roaring up off the surface of that field, slid in close in -formation, and went cutting around and up toward the northwest. Flying -at number three on the right, Dawson turned his head and grinned over -at Freddy Farmer flying the same formation position on the left. The -English youth seemed to feel his look, for he turned his head and -returned the grin. They both nodded silently and immediately returned -their attention to the business of flying. - -"Tough on those two lads hit!" Dawson breathed to himself as the -formation went ripping along over the uninviting terrain of North -Burma. "But what a break for Freddy and me. Once again going into -action with the Flying Tigers. Hot dog! And here's hoping that this -time things will turn out even better than that other time, which was -plenty, what I mean!"[3] - -[Footnote 3: _Dave Dawson at Singapore._] - -With a grim nod for emphasis, Dawson twisted the little button on the -stick to "Fire" position, and made sure that everything was set to -release the cluster of twenty small strafing bombs fitted to the under -side of the wings. Everything was in order now, and all that was left -was the passing of time, and the arrival at the objective. - -And that arrival seemed to become a fact almost before Dawson could -blink his eyes and take a deep breath. As though by magic, three more -Flying Tiger Groups materialized in the Burma sky. And just ahead at -a hair pin bend in the muddy Salween River, the ground on both sides -was beginning to belch up flame and smoke. But most of the flame and -smoke came from the north side of the bend, from the heavily fortified -Japanese positions. And it seemed to be no more than a couple of split -seconds later that Dawson was wing-screaming his Curtiss P-Forty -practically down at the vertical. - -In his earphones he heard Major Brown bark orders for two of the Flying -Tigers to stay top-side to ride herd and watch out for Jap planes. But -he didn't turn his head to take a look at the two who were to remain -aloft. He kept his eyes fixed on the picture below, and his blood -boiled with anger. Trapped was right! And how! It was like a small -edition of the beach at Dunkirk, during the British evacuation of -France back in 1940. Thousands and thousands of brave Chinese troops -were huddled in the shore growth with the suicide cliff at their backs. -And across the river's bend in the low hill, thousands and thousands -of little slant-eyed rats of Nippon were hurling death and destruction -into the midst of those Chinese. The foothills seemed to explode shell -fire every three or four feet in any direction. And trailing backward -along the narrow roads were columns of supply trains moving upward -with more horror and more death for those helpless Chinese. - -All that and more Dawson saw and absorbed with his eyes as he went -roaring downward. And then he was within range of the Jap forces, and -all thoughts of everything fled from his brain. That is, all thoughts -of everything save the constant thought of hammering those hordes of -slant-eyed rats into the ground as long as he and his plane and his -guns could hold out. Here was a chance to pay back for some of the -things he had seen and had suffered himself. Here was a chance to fight -for a gallant nation; a nation that had held its own against the Tokyo -vermin for so many years. Chungking? Sure! Freddy and he would get to -Chungking presently. Right now, though, the lives of twenty thousand -Chinese soldiers hung in the balance. The lives of twenty thousand -Chinese soldiers, and some thirty odd shark-painted Curtiss P-Forties -overhead to do something about it! - -"Don't worry, pals, we'll blast them out for you! We'll blast the -rotten bums out even if we have to come down and do it with our bare -fists! And how, pals! And how!" - -Silly, crazy words? Certainly! But Dave Dawson's brain was afire with -the excitement of battle. And besides, words shouted and screamed -aloud are simply a warrior's escape valve in the heat of conflict. -Sure! Crazy, silly, inane words! But there was nothing crazy or silly -about Dawson's guns, or the light strafing bombs fitted under his -wings. Nor was there anything silly about the way he and the others -tore right down until their props were practically flipping off the -helmets of the Jap troops. And nothing silly about the way they blasted -ammunition truck after ammunition truck on the roads, and knocked -scores and scores of the little brown devils out of the world at -practically every tick of their wrist-watches. - -Before those Flying Tiger P-Forties had arrived, the Japs had been -turning the opposite bank of the river bend into a smoking, blazing -graveyard. But now it was all very different. The graveyard had been -moved to the other side of the Salween's bend, and the Japs were -getting the savage, relentless back-fire of something they had started. - -"So? Think so? Well, think again, but good!" - -The words automatically burst from Dawson's lips as he caught sight of -two heavily loaded ammunition trucks rocking down one of the roads -straight for the river's bend. Chinese troops relieved from the -terrific pounding of Jap fire were starting to swarm across the shallow -river and get at close quarters with the enemy. Some Jap officer had -spotted them, though. Or perhaps it was just a suicidal idea of the -drivers of those two ammunition trucks. At any rate, the two trucks -were hurtling down to the river's bank to plow into the water among -those swarms of Chinese troops, and blow them all to bloody pieces. - -That was the mad Jap suicide idea. But two steel-eyed eagles spotted -what was taking place. Two steel-eyed eagles who had been feasting -on juicy roast beef in London just four nights before. And down they -streaked like two man-made birds of vengeance straight for those two -trucks hurtling toward the river's edge. And when he was little more -than a few feet over the leading truck, Dawson dumped the last of his -light strafing bombs, and instantly nosed upward for altitude. On that -load of exploding death he could practically have dropped a lighted -match! - -Hardly had his P-Forty started to prop-scream for the sky before the -whole of Burma below him exploded in a world-shattering thunder of -sound. He had purposely dropped down low so that he would be sure not -to miss his target. And so his zooming plane was caught by a thousand -invisible hands, spun around like a top and flung high and far across -the sky. Instinctively he tried to battle the helpless plane, but he -might just as well have tried to jump out into thin air and hold it -back with his two hands. - -Earth, sky, fire, smoke, and sections of airplane spun around in a -mad race before his eyes. He saw the Jap hordes retreating from their -positions in mad, frenzied flight. He saw wave after wave of Chinese -soldiers swarming across the river and lighting out after the heels -of the fleeing Japs. He saw a section of his left wing let go, and -go sailing off into space. He even saw Freddy Farmer's P-Forty come -tumbling down past him. And a split second later his own plane broke -in two right at the cockpit, and popped him out into thin air as a pea -pops out of a pod. - -In a dazed, abstract sort of way he knew that he was falling through -space. He knew also that his right hand clutched the rip-cord ring -of his parachute. He thought, but he wasn't sure, that he had yanked -the ring, and that the lifesaving white parachute silk was billowing -upward. He had just a vague idea that the parachute had mushroomed out, -and that his fall had been checked. However, there was no time to get -control of his neck muscles and twist his head around and up to look. -There wasn't time because at that instant jet black night sky seemed to -drop straight down on him--and he knew no more! - - - - -CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - -_Lightning Wings_ - - -The music was soft and soothing; like no other music ever heard on -earth before. And all about was beauty far beyond the reach of words, -or the brush of an artist. Everything was so wonderful, so perfect, and -so-- - -But into Dawson's throbbing, pounding head slipped a tiny inkling of -the stark naked truth. There was no soft, soothing music. And there -was no breathtaking beauty. In fact, nothing was wonderful, or even -approaching perfection. All was Death! Horrible, lingering, painful -death that comes to a man lost and unarmed in the steaming lush jungle -of northern Burma. - -Yes, it was just his brain, and all of his senses playing him tricks -originated by the Devil. Tricks to make him let go, and just relax -peacefully--and die! But he wouldn't let go. And he wouldn't die. He -couldn't! There was too much to-- - -The roaring whine of aircraft engines pulled his head up out of the -jungle mud and slime. He rolled half over on his back, gritted his -teeth against the pain that movement caused, and peered up through -the canopy of jungle growth at four Jap Zeros cutting across the -blue-white sky toward the north. For a moment or so he blinked up at -them stupidly. And then, like flood waters storming over a broken dam, -memory came rushing back. - -"Freddy!" he gasped, and pushed himself painfully up onto his feet. -"Freddy! I saw him bail out! Or did he?" - -The thought seemed to catch hold of his brain and twist it savagely. -White hot fire shot across the backs of his eyeballs, and the mass of -lush green jungle all about began to swim around and become as so much -churned up pea soup. He grabbed hold of a hanging vine for support, -closed his eyes tight and fought grimly to drive back the wave of -black oblivion that tried to engulf him. After a few moments his brain -cleared a little, and his thumping heart eased off considerably. - -"Easy does it, pal!" he told himself, tight-lipped. "Don't go off -half-cocked. It'll just get you that much more trouble." - -The sound of his own voice seemed to soothe his jangled nerves. He -nodded, and slowly looked about him. - -"One thing at a time is the way," he went on talking to himself. -"First, get out of this spot. Pick some high ground, and head for it. -You can't be so very far away from the Salween. Pick a hill and maybe -you'll spot the river. But take it easy, and don't break a leg getting -there. You--" - -A thought suddenly cut into his head and froze his brain solid. And for -a long minute he just stood there hanging onto the vine as he mentally -died a thousand times over. Then, with an almost superhuman effort, -he reached his right hand inside his tunic. When his fingers touched -the stiff paper of the sealed envelope, tears of utter, inexpressible -relief sprang to his eyes, and a great big lump clogged up his throat. -Praise be to God! The sealed envelope for Chiang Kai-shek was still -safe! But for a moment-- - -He shook his head, refusing to finish the horrible thought. It did -little good, however, to brush that unfinished thought from his brain. -Another one popped right in that was equally heart-stopping. The -thought, the realization that he was completely lost in the North Burma -jungle with no telling what was lurking in wait for him. If he didn't -get out and complete his trip to Chungking, it would be just the same -as though Freddy and he had been killed in that German U-boat, or by -that Jap near Pearl Harbor, or by the little brown rats at Legaspi. -Yes, to fail now would be just as bad as failing right at the very -start. And he might-- - -"Cut it, cut it!" he rasped savagely at himself. "Words won't help a -darn bit. Action is what's needed! Snap out of it, you sniveling punk. -Get going! Stop crying for your Mama! Get going!" - -The commands from his tongue put his muscles into action. He took a -quick glance at the position of the sun, and then headed north, and -slightly to the east. He had a hunch that the Salween River lay in that -direction, and until he was proved wrong the only thing he could do was -to play hunches. - -An hour later, though, the soul-crushing torment that comes to men lost -in the jungle was closing in on him from all sides like an invisible -army of demons. With every step he had practically walked hand and hand -with Death. Every step? His travel through the thick jungle growth -could hardly be called steps. It was more falling forward, scrambling -forward, lurching, twisting, and virtually clawing and tearing his way -through the hanging vines. Hard ground would be beneath his feet at one -moment, and in the next he would be up to his knees in muck and mire. -Clouds of insects attacked him every inch of the way, and there was the -constant danger of the needle fangs of deadly snakes. He spotted at -least a dozen of them in the nick of time. But as the year long minutes -dragged on and on, he ceased to care about what might be in his path. -And there was so much pain in all parts of his body that he would have -been unable to feel any new pain from the fangs of a striking snake, or -any other jungle animal. - -And then, when his brain as well as his body was hovering on the verge -of a complete breakdown, he stumbled out onto open ground. But for a -moment or two his befuddled brain was unable to grasp that truth, and -he continued lurching and reeling forward until his foot tripped over -a stone, and he fell flat on his face. It was the sharp, jarring pain -of meeting hard ground that shook the red cobwebs from his brain, and -pulled away the grey-green curtains from in front of his eyes. Yet even -then the brain was not quite ready to function as it should, and he -stared blankly up the bare slope of a hill without realizing what it -was. - -Eventually, though, it registered on his brain. And he also took note -of the fact that a thin column of oily black smoke was mounting high -into the still air from around the left side of the hill. A little door -in his brain seemed to open up and tell him that that smoke must be -from a burning plane. His plane, or Freddy Farmer's? He didn't know. -The thin column of smoke was simply a welcoming beacon. Something -tangible between a lost man and a world he had once known. He only knew -that tears were streaming down his cheeks, that gagging sobs filled his -throat, and that a pair of legs that had been on the point of quitting -completely a moment or two before were carrying him at full speed -around the base of the hill. - -The gleefully jeering gods of war refused to let him alone, however. As -he skirted the base of the hill, jungle growth leaped up in front of -him to block off what was at the ground end of that mounting column of -smoke. It forced him high and higher up the hill, and made him travel -a good two miles toward a spot that was actually a short six hundred -yards from his starting point. But eventually he reached a spot where -the heavy growth ceased abruptly, and he found himself staring down -the hill at the burning wreckage of a plane on the edge of a fair-sized -plot of barren level ground. It was as though Nature had taken a pair -of shears, started some three hundred yards back in the jungle, and cut -a perfect swath through the jungle and right up the side of the hill. - -Yes, that's what it looked like, but Dawson didn't tarry one fleeting -instant to observe and marvel. He didn't for the simple reason that he -saw the figure of Freddy Farmer standing a little off from the burning -wreckage. Freddy Farmer spotted him at almost the same instant, and -started jumping up and down, waving his arms wildly, and shouting like -a maniac. But Dawson didn't wave or shout back in reply. He didn't wave -because he was using his arms to pump his body down the hill. And he -didn't shout because the air he sucked into his lungs was needed to -keep his piston rod legs going at full speed. - -As a matter of fact, when he finally reached Freddy Farmer and -practically fell into the English youth's arms, there wasn't the air -in his lungs to permit him to say anything. Nor could Freddy speak, -either. The emotions of both of them had hit an all-time high, and they -could only cling to each other and struggle for control and sanity. - -"Freddy, Freddy, boy!" Dawson finally managed to force out past his -lips. "Am I happy to see your ugly mug! Say, am I happy?" - -"Not half so glad as I am to see you, Dave!" Freddy panted, and -pounded him on the back. "I thought it was all up for fair. And it -was a horrible thought I never want to have again, old thing. Another -five minutes and I'd have given you up for good, and tried to find my -way out of here. But--but you did see this smoke, and my prayers were -answered. Why, you old good-for-nothing blighter, I never dreamed I'd -taken such a fancy to you!" - -"Me, too!" Dawson grinned at him. "It had to take something like this -to make me realize you're not such a bad guy at times. But hey! That -burned crate was the bus I was flying, wasn't it?" - -"That's right," Freddy told him. "My aircraft didn't burn. And I bailed -out near this spot. I saw this smoke and headed for it, hoping that -you'd sight it, too, and we'd meet. And we did. But, good grief, Dave, -what took you so long? I've been here almost an hour!" - -"What took me so long?" Dawson echoed. "Look, pal! I've been crawling -through stuff that you just can't crawl through, if you get what I -mean. Sweet tripe! After this little adventure a desert is sure going -to look wonderful to me! I'll be tearing vines aside in my dreams for -years to come. Holy smokes! Just look at me!" - -"I am," Freddy Farmer said with a grin. "And not to be impolite, I'd -suggest a good bath for you, old thing!" - -"It'll take a day of just soaking to get off the first layer!" Dawson -said as he stared down at his mud and slime-caked hands, and at his -uniform that just wasn't a uniform any more. "But let's cut the horsing -around. We're still in a spot, Freddy. I haven't any idea which way is -out, have you?" - -"Just a half-belief that the Salween must be east of here," the English -youth said. "But goodness knows how many of the Japs may be in between. -And--" - -"Plane engines!" Dawson barked, and grabbed Freddy's arm. "Probably the -Jap patrol I spotted when I woke up. This burning ship. They see the -smoke. Let's duck, Freddy! We'd be sweet targets for those rats out -here in the open!" - -Freddy Farmer didn't reply. He simply nodded and started running with -Dawson for the bordering jungle. But when they were a few yards from -it some impulse caused Dawson to turn his head and glance back up over -his shoulder. A wild cry burst from his lips, and he skidded to such -an abrupt halt that he almost tripped over himself to go flat and haul -Freddy down with him. - -"_P-Forties!_" he gagged out. "Hold everything. P-Forties! Not Zeros, -Freddy!" - -The English youth had skidded to a halt, too, and both boys stood -gazing unbelieving up at three Flying Tiger P-Forties ripping into view -over the brow of the hill. And the next thing Dawson realized he was -racing back out onto the field again, jumping up and down and waving -both hands over his head. And right beside him Freddy Farmer was doing -the same thing, if not a little more violently. - -But for one heart-shriveling instant the three Curtiss P-Forties, with -their shark-painted noses, went banging right on across the field, as -though their pilots hadn't sighted a thing of interest beneath their -wings. However, when they reached the far end, two of them came curving -around and down, while the third went up for a bit of altitude, and -started circling about. - -"They're landing, Freddy, they're landing!" Dawson screamed crazily. - -"I know, I see!" the English youth screamed back, and pulled on his -arm. "So get out of the way, you blasted idiot, before their props chop -your head off!" - -That bit of sanity registered on Dawson's happy merry-go-round brain, -and he let Freddy Farmer pull him clear of the path of the two -landing P-Forties. But as soon as they had touched earth, and were -wheel-braking to a halt, he broke away from Freddy's grasp and went -pounding over. The pilot who leaped out of the first P-Forty was Major -Brown, and he let out a warwhoop of greeting. - -"Chalk one up for Lady Luck!" he boomed, as the two youths came racing -up. "I would have bet my shirt that--But never mind. By luck we spotted -this smoke, and came for a look. Thank the Lord for small things, but -this isn't small. Heavens above, Dawson! What mud hole and bramble -patch did you fall into? But skip the answer. You two got the strength -to hang on for a piggy-ride back?" - -"If we haven't, we'll find it somewhere!" Dawson grinned. Then, -sobering quickly, "But do you think you can get off here with the extra -load?" - -"If we don't," the other Flying Tiger, a freckle-faced red head, spoke -up, "then there'll be four of us stuck here. And after what I saw you -two guys do today, you're swell company any place, in my book." - -"And that feeling is mutual," Dawson grinned at him. "But tell me, how -did the scrap come out? Did the Japs--?" - -"Still running, those that aren't dead!" Major Brown said grimly. -"Yeah! Another headache for Tokyo, and more coming up. But let's can -this chatter session. The Japs occupy this neck of the woods, and -they'd be very happy to catch us here with our pants down. So let's get -going. Sweeney! You take Farmer, and don't let him fall off, see? Come -along, Dawson. Nothing like an airplane ride in the open air!" - -Just four minutes later Lieutenant Sweeney, of the American Volunteer -Group in China, sent his P-Forty rocketing down the length of the level -patch of Burmese ground. And standing on the left wing butt, with his -head and shoulders and arms inside the cockpit, Freddy Farmer went -along as passenger. The savage prop-wash caught at Freddy's legs and -tried to pull them out from under him, but he was well braced, and his -hands had an iron grip on the inside of the cockpit. So he stayed put, -and the veteran Flying Tiger lifted the fighter plane off the ground at -the right moment, and nursed it up over the rim of the jungle and on up -toward the blue-white sky. - -And thirty seconds later Major Brown took off with Dave Dawson as -his "strap-hanging" passenger. When that plane was well clear of the -ground, the P-Forty that had been left top-side to ride cover slid -downward, and the three planes slid into formation with their noses -pointed for the home field at Menglien some eighty odd miles away. - - - - -CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - -_Satan's Last Gasp_ - - -A new day's sun was climbing up over the eastern rim of a whole world -embroiled in total war. A new day that would see small triumphs, and -big ones, at one front or another. And a new day that would see more -war miracles performed, and more fading life for some, and sudden -violent death for countless others. - -A new day of war, but for Dave Dawson, and Freddy Farmer, it was not -the beginning of something new. Rather, it was the beginning of the end -of something old. Before that sun set in the west again they would be -in Chungking, the secret document would be delivered to Generalissimo -Chiang Kai-shek, and a mission that had carried them almost two-thirds -of the way around the world would be all over but the shouting--and the -great and deep sighs of utter relief. - -"Don't say it, Dave!" Freddy Farmer spoke up as the pair stood on the -edge of the Flying Tiger field at Menglien while mechanics warmed up -the engines of six Curtiss P-Forties. "Don't say it, for Heaven's sake. -It's brought us too much bad luck already!" - -"Okay, I won't say it," Dawson grunted, and gave him a side-long look. -"But off the record, just what in blue blazes are you yapping about?" - -"Your favorite speech ever since we left Colonel Welsh!" the English -youth shot back at him. "Remember? Three more laps, Freddy, old kid. -Two more laps, Freddy, my boy. Just one more hop and we'll be there. -And so forth, and so on? And each time you've made that little speech -we've barged straight into bad business. So, for goodness sake, spare -us this time. In fact, my good man, shut up, will you, until _after_ -we've landed at Chungking?" - -"Okay, okay!" Dawson growled. "But just the same, it's practically in -the bag now, and so--" - -"So shut up!" Freddy ordered him. "Will you please stop defying the -gods?" - -"Sweet tripe!" Dawson snorted. "What a superstitious mug you turned out -to be. But okay. Maybe we won't ever reach Chungking! There! Does that -make you happy?" - -"Makes me feel worse!" the English youth snapped. "Because there's no -telling but what you might be right, at that!" - -"Oh my gosh!" Dawson groaned, and shook his head sadly. "I wonder what -kind of a bug did bite you there in the jungle anyway? My guess is that -the natives around these parts call it the Coo-Coo Bug. A variety of -the Screwy Family, probably!" - -Freddy Farmer didn't make any retort to that, because he didn't have -time to. At that moment Major Brown, Lieutenant Sweeney, and two other -Flying Tigers came over to join them. The A.V.G. commander looked at -Dawson's hastily washed and mended uniform, and grinned. - -"Sorry our home-made steam laundry couldn't do better, Dawson," he -chuckled. "But this is Burma, not China. Still, even at that, you'll be -one of the best dressed people in Chungking, I guess. Their wardrobes -have been Jap-bombed and blasted around plenty, too." - -"I'm not fussy about my looks, Major," the young Yank air ace grinned -back at him. "Even if I get to Chungking in a barrel, it'll be okay by -me. Yeah! Just so long as I get there." - -"Well, don't worry about that!" Major Brown said with a vigorous -shake of his head. "We're practically there now. Just one more hop, -and--Say! What's the matter, Farmer? You swallow something the wrong -way?" - -"No, no, sir!" Freddy hastily assured him, as the blood started up his -neck. "Just had a bad memory for a moment. No, I'm quite all right. -Quite!" - -"Okay, then," the Flying Tiger group leader grunted, and glanced over -at the warming up P-Forties. "Let's get this joy hop underway. We've -got about eight hundred miles to go, but it'll be a cinch with those -extra tanks fitted aboard. However, some Japs will be on the prowl, no -doubt. So we'd better get on with it, so that we can get it over with, -or something like that. Anyway, into your sky hacks, Gentlemen. See you -all on the Chungking field, eventually." - -"Fair enough!" Dawson sang out happily. "Just one more--Oops! Sorry, -Freddy, old pal!" - -"That's more like it!" the English youth muttered, and ran over toward -his plane. - -If one could study the Japanese Air Force records for that particular -day, one would undoubtedly find that numerous Nippon planes were in -the air between Menglien, Burma, and Chungking, China. However, if one -could talk with the little slant-eyed pilots of those planes, and get -them to tell the truth--which, of course, would be an out and out -impossibility--one would unquestionably learn that although they were -in the air, the terrible fear of shark head-painted Curtiss P-Forties -was in their black hearts, as well as in their heathen-brained heads! - -At any rate, no Jap plane came within radio distance of that tight -six-plane formation that roared up out of Burma and across the South -China border. And if they did, they spotted those Flying Tigers first, -and made tracks for more distant places. Twice Dawson thought he saw -a few dots or so hugging some scattered clouds high up in the brassy -sun-filled sky. But he couldn't tell for sure. And they might well just -have been tricks of his imagination. - -So finally the six-plane formation reached the broad and much bombed -expanse of the Chungking Airport, circled it twice in salute, and then -slid down to a perfect landing. A few moments later the pilots had -taxied up to the tarmac line, and had legged out to stretch cramped and -aching muscles. As for Dawson, it was all he could do to refrain from -leaping out and kissing the ground, he was that joyously thankful that -all was at an end, definitely. Or so he _thought_! - -However, he curbed his impulse. He climbed down with the others, -grinned happily at Freddy Farmer, and then turned to stare at the -small group of Chinese military officials walking out to meet them. -One, however, was in civilian clothes, and as Dawson spotted him the -Yank's heart executed a perfect outside loop in dumbfounded amazement. -The broadly smiling Chinese in civilian dress hurrying toward them was -none other than Minister of War Soo Wong Kai! - -"Good gosh, it can't be!" Dave heard Freddy Farmer gasp at his elbow. -"Why--why, we left him in London!" - -"Yeah, I know," Dave grunted. "But I just happened to think, pal. -R.A.F. planes make this hop by way of Gibraltar, Cairo, India, and -so on, you know. And _he_ didn't have any tough luck to hold him up -places, probably. But heck! _You_ should feel happy to see Soo Wong -Kai, kid!" - -Dawson would have said more, but at that moment the little group -reached them, and the beaming Soo Wong Kai was wringing them both by -the hand. - -"My blessings and those of all my countrymen upon you, my dear -Captains!" he said. "There are not the words in all the world to -express the overflowing happiness in my heart. Even death at this -moment would be but death for a man whose cup of joy is filled to the -brim. Again, Captains, the greetings and blessings of all China. You -two shall live among her heroes forever." - -"Thank you, sir," Dawson said with an effort. "And I can assure you -that there are not the words either to express how glad Farmer and I -are to be here. Tell me, though, sir--just how much did you beat us by?" - -"By only a few hours, Captain," the Chinese said with a laugh. "I was -delayed a short time in Calcutta. However, we meet again, and all is as -it should be." - -"And how, sir!" Dawson replied fervently. "I--Say, I beg your pardon, -sir. Permit me to introduce--" - -"Major Brown, and these other Flying Tiger heroes?" Soo Wong Kai -interrupted pleasantly. "But I already possess the high honor of -knowing them, Captain Dawson. In fact, all of the gallant Flying Tigers -are my friends. How are you, Major Brown? And you, Gentlemen?" - -"Very well, thank you, sir," Major Brown replied for himself, and his -pilots. "And delighted to meet you again. But may I ask if your journey -to London was successful?" - -For a moment Soo Wong Kai looked at Dawson and Farmer. Then he turned -to Major Brown and smiled. - -"Successful countless million times over, my dear Major Brown," he -said. "But I, too, must beg pardons. Permit me to present these -military officials of my country. Then we will proceed to the -Generalissimo's headquarters. He and Madame Chiang Kai-shek are eagerly -and anxiously awaiting us at this moment." - -It took a few minutes for the introductions to be made, and then all -walked over to where several Chinese Army cars stood waiting. Soo Wong -Kai, Dawson, Farmer, and Major Brown rode in the first car, while the -other Flying Tigers and the Chinese military officials rode in the -other cars. And then for the next half-hour Dawson and Freddy Farmer -forgot all about the hardships and nerve-racking trials through which -they had passed in the last five days, and lost themselves completely -in the many and varied sights of the Far East that greeted them as -the motor cavalcade made its way through the throng-packed streets of -Chungking. - -And then finally they approached the building that housed Generalissimo -Chiang Kai-shek's headquarters. Suspended from poles above the broad -steps leading up to the main doors were all the flags of the United -Nations. And as Dawson caught sight of Old Glory among them something -swelled up in his heart, and his eyes grew bright with deep and -reverent pride. - -"All for one, and one for all!" he said softly. - -"Eh, what's that, Dave?" Freddy Farmer grunted in his ear. - -He turned and grinned at his English pal. - -"I said, this is it, kid!" he chuckled. "The last stop. The end of the -line, and--" - -But Dawson never finished the rest of that sentence. At that exact -instant a fiendish scream of rage rose high above the general murmur -of the throngs gathered in front of the Generalissimo's headquarters. -A horrible unearthly scream of satanic madness that chilled Dawson's -blood, and made his flesh crawl. And in almost the same instant a human -body came hurtling through the air. The violent movement was so sudden -and so utterly unexpected that Dawson couldn't so much as move a muscle -as a berserk jungle beast in human form crashed down on top of him, and -drove him hard against the back of the car seat. - -For one fleeting tick of a second his brain was a completely stunned -blank. And then his eye caught the flash of a thin, gleaming steel -blade held poised above him. But instinct was taking charge of him -even as his eyes were registering the terrible truth upon his brain. -Instinct that made him twist violently and crack up with one arm -with every ounce of his strength. And as his upflung arm caught that -screaming object under the chin, he brought up his clenched right fist -with terrific battering-ram force. Pain from the blow shot clear up his -arm to the elbow, but his was the fierce satisfaction of seeing that -poised steel blade go flying off into space. And of seeing, also, a -hideous face horribly distorted by excruciating pain. - -Then in the next second he was not quite sure of just what he did see. -Rather, so many things happened, and so fast, that it was practically -impossible for one pair of human eyes to follow them in detail. But he -did see Freddy Farmer lunge upward and grab for the choking, squealing -figure still sprawled on him. And he did see the short, rotund Soo Wong -Kai transform himself into a veritable pin-wheel of stabbing lightning. -As though by magic, a similar steel-bladed knife appeared in Soo -Wong Kai's hand. And as though by magic, also, the blade disappeared -straight into the chest of the squealing, gasping figure on top of -Dawson. But in the next instant the squealing figure was lifted clear -by Soo Wong Kai, and hurled down onto the street beside the car. And -the third bit of magic was when Chinese headquarters guards virtually -materialized out of thin air and completely circled the car to protect -the occupants from the chattering crowds striving to press in close. - -"Holy smoke!" Dawson was conscious of his own voice choking out. "What -was that? And where in thunder did it drop from? What gives, anyway?" - -"A last gasping effort by Satan himself!" he heard Soo Wong Kai tell -him. "And praise to all the gods that he failed even in this his dying -effort. But his blade did not touch you, Captain?" - -"Not--not quite!" Dawson gulped. "But I wouldn't want it any closer. -But--My gosh! A _Jap_!" - -Dawson popped out the last as he saw the face of the limp figure -stretched out on the street beside the car. - -"He is a Jap, isn't he?" he said to Soo Wong Kai. "I mean, he has the -face." - -"He is," Soo Wong Kai told him gravely. "The face, the black heart, and -the mad brain of the hated enemy of my country. But cunning and great -cleverness was his, too. Knoye Kyoto served his Emperor long, and well. -But as to all such as he, failure and death can be his only rewards in -this life." - -"I say, sir!" exclaimed Freddy Farmer. "You know him?" - -Soo Wong Kai smiled as he nodded, but his smile was one of sadness, and -a little pity. - -"For as many years as you have fingers on your two hands," he replied. -"But no, not personally. I have known only of him, and of the real -truth of his life in Europe, where he has resided for many years. -There are many devils like Knoye Kyoto. To you they seem outcasts, -men without a country. However, for every minute of their lives they -remain obedient slaves to their masters. Yes, many of us here in China -have known of Knoye Kyoto, but there was nothing we could do, and less -that we could say--because it would not have been believed. However, -the gods turned their smiles upon me. Quite by accident I saw Kyoto in -London. It was the day after you had left. It was the day I started my -journey home, with my heart bursting with prayers for your safekeeping, -and arrival." - -The new Chinese Minister of War paused for a moment and turned reverent -eyes heavenward. - -"I saw him, and then flew away in my plane," he went on presently. -"Then in Calcutta only yesterday I saw him again. No, that is an -untruth to say that. Rather, I thought I saw him. And a great worry -was mine. Could it be that he, too, was bound for Chungking? Had he -slipped out of England to the Germans in France, and had they provided -air passage to Calcutta? Was he bound for Chungking to strike his final -blow when you two did arrive? To kill you in your moment of great -glory? I asked myself that many times. And the answer was the same. It -could well be true, for to the Japanese brain defeat and revenge are -the same. I am as sure as I am that he is there dead in the street that -Knoye Kyoto gave the orders meant to doom your mission in failure. And -that he came here to get his own personal revenge in the form of your -lives in the face of his own defeat. - -"Yes, I thought I saw him in Calcutta yesterday. So I remained there -overnight, and I sought the aid of many friends of China who could -accomplish in a few hours what I personally could not have accomplished -in weeks and months--a search of the city for this Knoye Kyoto. But he -was not found. I realized now that he had perhaps already left before -my friends started the search. But--Forgive me, I beg of you, my true -and dear friends; I did not dream that he would not strike his blow -until this late moment. At the airport? Yes. A possibility. But here, -at the very steps of the Generalissimo's headquarters? I am overwhelmed -with shame for what has happened. And I can but offer you the humble -apologies of my entire life for the thoughtlessness, the stupidity, and -the humiliation that I have--" - -"Hold on a minute, sir!" Dawson stopped him, and grinned. "It wasn't -your fault at all. Not a bit. The truth of the matter is that I've got -you to thank for _my_ life for the _rest_ of my life. No fooling, sir. -If it hadn't been for you, why--well, believe me, I--" - -"Quite, sir!" Freddy Farmer spoke up as Dawson stumbled over the words -to say. "But for your brilliant thinking and action, there would have -been terrible tragedy at the very last moment. Yes, quite!" - -And then, staring hard at Dawson, the English youth added: - -"Yes, tragedy for a blasted, balmy idiot who can't seem to get a bad -luck speech out of that lame brain of his. This was it, was it? Last -stop, eh? End of the line, was it? Why, you blithering--" - -But Dave Dawson wasn't listening to Freddy Farmer. Instead he sat stiff -and straight with one hand impulsively pressed against that part of -his half washed and hastily mended tunic that covered the thick sealed -envelope in his inside pocket, and watched with shining eyes as two of -the world's most honored people, living or dead, came slowly down the -steps of Chinese Army headquarters at Chungking. The Generalissimo and -Madame Chiang Kai-shek! - - -THE END - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dave Dawson with the Flying Tigers, by -Robert Sydney Bowen - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DAWSON WITH THE FLYING TIGERS *** - -***** This file should be named 50259.txt or 50259.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/2/5/50259/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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