"It occurred to the Chief that you who had saved one bridge might perhaps destroy another. It is a mere suggestion, not a command. The work would be very risky; it is not your job, and all that part of the country is in German hands. But when the matter was mentioned I said I thought you would at least make a reconnaissance and learn what prospect there is of a successful attempt." "Of course," said Pariset at once. "You don’t know exactly how much damage was done?" "No. Perhaps a bomb or two would complete it." "That is rather doubtful," said Pariset musingly. "The chances of hitting the bridge at the right spot from an aeroplane flying very high at speed are slight, and we should have to fly high to escape the German shot." "Unless we flew in the Taube," suggested Kenneth. "In that we might get low enough to smash the bridge before they suspected us." "The objection to that is that you would be in almost as great danger from our own guns as from the German," said the captain. "The forts would certainly fire on you. But stay: if you decide on that, I will ’phone the southern forts to pass a Taube showing the Russian flag. That would protect you until you are clear of our lines." "Very well," said Pariset. "We will start early in the morning. Do you mind getting us a Russian flag while I talk over things with my friend?" "Not at all. I will bring it to you here." He left them. "It is frightfully risky," said Pariset, "but we must make the attempt. We must wear German uniforms. Your friend Granger’s will come in handy." "You have practised bomb-dropping, of course," said Kenneth. "Yes, but, as I said, it’s a most uncertain thing. Besides the difficulty of hitting the vulnerable spot, the bombs sometimes do little damage. We might drop a dozen, and yet fail to destroy the bridge. It’s essentially a job to be done on terra firma." "It’s not likely we should be able to land. Even if there is at the moment no considerable force in the neighbourhood the bridge is sure to be guarded." "That’s certain. Still, it’s just as well to be provided for the off chance, so I’ll take, along with the ordinary bombs, a small case of gelignite and a little electric battery--a pick-axe, too: that may be useful." "How far is it?" "About twenty miles. The bridge is at a narrow gorge by the village of Simon’s Inn. There’s a tunnel beyond, and the banks of the river are steep. The railway crosses the river several times, but I’m pretty sure of the particular bridge they have tried to destroy." They waited nearly an hour before the captain returned. "I have had the greatest difficulty in getting the flag," he said, placing a parcel in Pariset’s hands. "I tried several shops in vain, then it occurred to me to apply at the Russian consulate, and they happened to have a spare one. I wish you luck. Report to me at head-quarters."