At five, the party started for Berlin. The city is only forty miles from Friedrichshafen. After a fine dinner with the city officials and a number of officers, they went to the opera, where boxes were reserved for them. David stood in the back of the commander’s box, admiring Dulcie from afar. She was completely surrounded by a group of dashing young lieutenants, who were utterly captivated by her beauty and charm. It was twelve o’clock before the last strains of Wagner’s immortal theme died away, and they were escorted to a supper, after which they drove back to Friedrichshafen, Mr. Hammond and the older of the German officers sleeping quite openly. Friday was their last day in Friedrichshafen, and Mr. Hammond was himself host at a luncheon. There was great good fellowship, and a loud chorus of German songs. The crew of the Moonbeam had gone to the landing field, where they were eating much food as the guests of the German crews. Directly after Mr. Hammond’s luncheon had come to an end, he found a chance to speak to David. “How much gas did you put on?” he asked. “Ten thousand feet,” said David promptly. “Did they varnish the propellers?” “Yes, sir. Everything is in order. We could start in ten minutes if necessary.” “I think we will go shortly after ten. Most of these people whom we know, with a million or so more, want to meet us at the field and say _Auf Wiedersehen_, so we must not go ahead of time.” “We have had a great reception, haven’t we?” said David. “To a shy little country boy like me, it has been rather overwhelming.” “Huh!” said Mr. Hammond, “I’m reeling in my tracks. By the way, when have you seen Florsheim?” “I was up at the hospital early this morning, and once yesterday. I will go say good-bye before I leave for the field. What rotten luck that was, wasn’t it?” “A mean break,” agreed Mr. Hammond. “I think poor Florsheim feels pretty low over it. He is enough better now to think a little.” “Have you seen Fraine?” asked the commander. “They just let me look in on him after the operation.” “No, I haven’t seen him, but it really doesn’t matter, because it will be days before he knows anyone. Poor old Fraine! I certainly hope the next time I am captain, there won’t have to be a war staged to get me the job.” “I’m sorry about Fraine, and Florsheim, too,” said Mr. Hammond, “but it was an accident that might have occurred wherever Fraine had happened to be. And as far as you go, David, well, boy, I am well satisfied with you.” He patted David’s shoulder in a way that added value to his brief praise. “Wonder where Dulcie and the professors are,” he continued. “I hope they haven’t gone off on some jaunt of their own. I clean forgot to tell them that we are going out in a powerboat to see the lagoons and the coast line. See if you can find them, will you?”