"Mornin', Jimmy," exclaimed the new-corner, on seeing that Derek wore the R.A.F. uniform. "Can you give me a lift as far as Le Tenetoir aerodrome?" "That's where I'm bound for, old son," replied Derek. "What's wrong?" "Run out of petrol. Union leaking, I fancy. Rotten old 'bus--never gave a fellow a chance. They are all alike, dash 'em." "Jump in," interrupted Daventry brusquely. "I'm in a hurry. No, not here, in the front seat, if you please. Right-o!--full speed ahead, driver; let her rip!" Derek leant back against the cushions, and, holding his precious dispatch-case with one hand, meditatively contemplated the castor-oil-stained back of the airman in front. With a sudden jerk the car pulled up before the sentry at the entrance to Le Tenetoir aerodrome. It did the tyres no good, but the driver chose the lesser of two evils, since it was decidedly unhealthy to ignore a challenge in war-time, especially when a sentry is smart with his trigger-finger. "Thanks, old bird!" exclaimed the pilot of the disabled machine, taking advantage of the car being at a standstill, and alighting agilely. "Good of you to bring me home, you blinking Samaritan. See you later in the mess. I'll be on the look-out for you." Derek signed to the driver to keep the car stationary, then, when the stranger was out of earshot: "Who is that officer, sentry?" "Dunno, sir," replied the man. "We gets such a lot o' new officers 'ere it's no tellin' who's who." "Thank you," replied the Lieutenant. "Carry on, driver." Arriving at the orderly-room, Derek handed over his documents, and waited until the C. O. had drafted a reply and had passed it on to be typewritten. By the time the official reply was in order, nearly half an hour had gone. This part of the business completed, Derek was free to commence his return journey. Instead, he strolled into the officers' mess, where he was not surprised to find that the man he had befriended was not present. He looked round to see if he knew any of the crowd of flying-men. To his satisfaction he recognized a pilot who had been with him at Averleigh. "Hallo, Canterbury!" he exclaimed. "So you're out here?" "And well I know it, you old merchant," replied the Lieutenant, shaking Derek's hand. "Had quite a sticky time ever since I joined the squadron. Well, how goes it? Anything I can do?" "Can you find me the Orderly Officer?" asked Daventry. "Behold in me the Orderly dog," replied Canterbury, with mock obeisance. "For this day only--until next time. What is it?" "You have a number of big bombers here?" "Yes; a number," was the guarded reply. "Where?" Canterbury waved his hand in a comprehensive sweep. "Out there," he answered. "But why this curiosity?" "Look here, old man," said Derek earnestly. "You can vouch for me. I want to get hold of an armed party. I'll explain why as briefly as I can."