"
"If you're not, well--this won't be exactly a salubrious altitude for
you."
"I have my papers, my licenses, my commission."
"With you here?"
"Yes, sir."
"Very well," answered the Master, "I will examine them in due time.
English, American, or--?"
"I am a Canadian." answered the aviator. "I have seen nearly two
years' active service. I rank as an ace. I bear three wounds and have
been cited several times. I have the Distinguished Service Cross. What
more need I tell you, sir?"
His voice was steady and rang true. The Master nodded approval, that
seemed to echo round the room in a buzz of acceptance. But there were
still other questions to be asked. The next one was:
"How did you come here? It's obvious my man didn't bring you up."
"I came in my own plane, sir," the stranger answered, in a dead hush
of stillness. "It just now landed on the roof of this building. If you
will draw the curtains, there behind you, I believe you can see it for
yourself."
"I heard no engine."
"I volplaned in. I don't say this to boast sir, but I can handle the
average plane as accurately as most men handle their own fingers."
"Were you invited to attend this meeting by either Major Bohannan or
by me?"
"No, sir, I was not.
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