When Roque returned, sure enough, he was again playing the merchant--horn, spectacles, and all. "Ah, young sirs, kindly waiting for the weary worker?" "Same old blarney," muttered Billy. Zorn chuckled as he relieved the "merchant" of his hat and overcoat. "Some time ago I believe I told you that here you were only balancing on the edge of the great empire, and there might be an opportunity for you to see much more of the country. The opportunity is at hand. I have been called by trade interests further afield, and as I cannot consent to a separation, you will continue as my companions." In his hour of relaxation, Roque really enjoyed this sort of word play, and he eyed the boys to see if they appreciated the fact that all of the best actors were not on the stage. He was sure of Zorn's sincere appreciation. This man had seen the chief in many parts. Henri accepted the cue, and, with a profound bow, and a hand on his heart, replied in kind: "My dear Herr Roque, we would grieve if you left us behind." "What of you?" Roque turned to Billy. "Oh, anything goes with me." The boy from Bangor always hit straight from the bat. The last evening of many in Hamburg was a very pleasant one to the boys. Roque's intimate knowledge of London and Paris was displayed in entertaining way, with no reference to his own exploits as the cleverest conspirator that ever invaded court and palace. He expressed regret that he had never seen America, and induced Billy to tell about Boston and Bangor. It may also be recorded that with this evening the boys unconsciously said good-by to the character of the Hamburg merchant. They went far with the many-sided man, but never again saw him in the rôle imposed by this big city on the Elbe. When the boys retired they left master and man--Roque and Zorn--conversing before the fire. With the coming of the morning, the journey to the unknown began, and the Aëroplane Scouts had no idea of its purpose or their assignment in the new sphere of action. That it would, however, include further conquest of the air they might have guessed. CHAPTER VI. A FLYING VICTORY. IT was a great day for the boys when they set foot in imperial Berlin, with its palaces, art galleries, museums, parliament building, monuments, magnificent parks, and over all its martial spirit. Roque, by which name, it might be mentioned, he was not known in this heart of the empire, soon demonstrated to his charges that he was the man higher up by his manner of getting about, and the high cost of living had no worries for him. "Who'd have thought that we would be hitched up to a ten-time winner like this?" Billy was content for the time being to be allied with power.