[Gutenberg 43683] • Our Young Aeroplane Scouts in Germany; or, Winning the Iron Cross

"Hold on there, I want a word with you!"

Billy Barry and Henri Trouville, the Boy Aviators, were in the act of climbing into a superb military biplane on the great parade ground at Hamburg when thus hailed by a mild looking man in citizen's attire, with face half-hidden by a slouch hat and a pair of huge, horn-rimmed spectacles.

There was a note of authority in that voice, gently tuned as it was, and behind those spectacles were a pair of eyes as keen as gimlet points.

The speaker was none other than Roque, the noted secret agent—"Herr Roque," if you please, fitting into his masquerade as a merchant having contract business with the authorities of the canvas city of aëroplane hangars.

"Come over to quarters for a few moments, young sirs, won't you?"

The polite manner of request was for the benefit of the bystanders, who had been awaiting the flying exhibit, but the slight gesture that went with the words indicated a command to Billy and Henri.

They knew Roque!

Heinrich Hume, aviation lieutenant, who usually had a good deal to say on those grounds, made no more protest than a clam at this interruption of a special aëroplane test. He simply waved two other aviators on duty into the machine, as Billy and Henri marched meekly away with the imitation merchant.

While many of the spectators marveled at the apparent breach of discipline, the lieutenant was content to let them wonder. At least, he offered no explanation.

Billy and Henri did a lot of thinking as they crossed the parade ground—there must be something brewing, or Roque would not have been so impatient as to invade the parade ground at the time he did.

Roque conducted the boys into Lieutenant Hume's private office at headquarters, closed and locked the door behind them.

CONTENTS

SAVED BY QUICK WIT

A STIRRING HOLIDAY

A THRILLING MOMENT

THE STOLEN PAPERS

WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT

A FLYING VICTORY

THE RAIN OF BOMBS

ALONG THE BATTLE LINE

THE LUMINOUS KITE

THE CARRIER PIGEONS

UNDER THE RED ROOF

THROUGH FIRE AND FOG

CAPTURED BY COSSACKS

A WONDERFUL RESCUE

DUEL TO THE DEATH

DRAWN FROM THE DEPTHS

A MIGHTY STONE ROLLER

TRAILS THAT CROSSED

RABBIT'S FOOT FOR LUCK

WINNING OF THE IRON CROSS 

HELD IN WARSAW

AN HOUR TOO SOON

A LEAP FOR LIBERTY

AGAIN THEY WON OUT