"Yeah, something like that," Dawson grunted absently. "The colonel in the flesh, huh? Well, that means there isn't any clam bake coming up, that's certain. But I guess we must have fallen down on that last job he gave us, Freddy. And he's very disappointed."[A] "Eh?" Freddy gasped. "What do you mean, we must have fallen down on the job? Don't be silly!" "Well, look at all these other pilots here," Dave replied. "Must be he doesn't think we're so hot any more, and is going to give us plenty of help on the next job--whatever it is." "Man! How some people hate themselves!" Freddy Farmer snorted. "But I wonder what's up; what he has up his sleeve?" "Well, there's one way to find out, I guess," Dave grunted, and started to move. "Get into line, here, and ask him when it comes our turn." As Dave and Freddy were the last two to enter the room, and were therefore at the end of the line, the room was pretty well cleared of pilots when they reached the desk. Colonel Welsh was bent over a list of names and didn't look up. "Name, rank, and former unit?" he asked mechanically. "Dawson, sir. Captain. Returned from special assignment in China." Colonel Welsh stiffened, let his pencil drop, and looked up quickly. A broad smile of welcome lighted up his thin, sun-bronzed face. He didn't bother to reply to their salutes. He simply put out his hand. "So you made it, Dawson, and you, too, Farmer?" he said. "Good! I've been worrying you wouldn't get under the wire. How are you?" "Fine, sir," Dave grinned as he shook hands. "And sort of curious, of course." "Oh, quite, sir," Freddy echoed, and extended his hand. "And I fancy Dawson has expressed it for both of us." "Well, stay curious for a while, boys," the colonel replied with a dry chuckle. "But here, I want both of you to meet Major Taylor. He's seen a bit of action in this mess, too. Take a look at his decorations, if you don't believe me. Major Taylor, Captains Dawson and Farmer." The two youths shook hands with the major, and both liked him instantly. He had twinkling grey eyes that could become as cold as ice cubes when he wanted, and a warm smile that showed he always meant what he said from the heart. "Big moment Number One for me today, Captains," he said. "I've heard about you two plenty, of course. So I'm mighty glad to meet you. Maybe we can have fun together. With the Jap rats, I mean." "Nothing would suit me better, Major," Dawson replied, and meant it, too. "Definitely, Major," Freddy Farmer added. And then with a faint smile, "But _where_, sir?" "Oh, haven't I told you yet?" Colonel Welsh spoke up with a quick laugh. "Why, we're all making a little flight to--well, to give you something to think about, Farmer, let's call it a little flight to nowhere!" [Footnote A: _Dave Dawson With The Flying Tigers._] CHAPTER FOUR _Action Bound_