"The order sending us here came down in the regular way," Cowan explained, "but the order that takes us to La Ferte, to-morrow morning, was highly confidential. I did not disclose it until the moment of our departure, and only then so that anyone forced down would know our destination. There is to be a considerable concentration of air forces on the apex of the salient between la Chapelle, this side of Chateau-Thierry, and Villers-Cotterets, on the other side. It is the beginning of a movement of concentration to drive the enemy back beyond the Vesle. Hence the secrecy, and the effort to mislead the enemy as to our movements." McGee smiled, somewhat skeptically. "What's wrong with that?" Cowan challenged. "The enemy isn't so easily misled, Major," McGee answered. "We learned that lesson on the English front, and learned it through bitter experience. If the Hun doesn't know right now where we are going, he will know of our arrival twenty-four hours after we get there. If he fails to foresee our concentration at this point, he is thick-headed and slow-witted indeed. I, for one, do not consider him slow-witted. About the only secret we keep from him is the order that is never issued." Cowan frowned. "I suppose you are right. But how does all this information leak through?" "If I knew that, Major, I'd be too valuable to be a pursuit pilot. If we knew where the leaks were we could plug them by making use of several good firing squads." "You are right," Cowan agreed, and again bent over the map, studying it with minutest care. "See here," he said at last. "If we flew a true course from here to La Ferte we would parallel the front for several miles. Here, just south of la Chapelle, we'd be within three miles of the line. That's pretty close for a green squadron, don't you think?" "We'll be closer than that in the next few days--by exactly three miles!" Mullins answered. "Personally, I'd like to have a look-see at the jolly old Hun." "I don't think you need worry, Major," McGee offered. "It isn't likely that we will run into any of them, and if we should we would so outnumber them that they would establish some new records in high-tailing it home." "You think so?" Cowan seemed so unduly disturbed over so remote a prospect that McGee found himself again doubting the Major's courage. "I do. Why, look at our strength! The Boche prefers to have the numerical superiority on his side." "But you'd take up combat formation, of course?" "Yes, and in echelon, one flight above another by a margin of three thousand feet. Then, if the beggar wants to jump on that sort of buzz saw, let him come--and welcome." "There will be time enough to welcome him when we reach our new base--all present or accounted for," Cowan replied. "You have no objection to flying in the top flight with me to-morrow?" "Why, no sir. Of course not. I'll be honored." "Bosh! No flattery, Lieutenant. I don't expect it--especially from you."