"
"I'm with you there all right," agreed Jack. "But to land in
hostile territory--it hasn't been done ten times since the war
began, and have the aviator live to get away with it!"
"I know it," said Tom, quietly. "But this may be the eleventh
successful time. Now that's my plan for rescuing Harry Leroy. If
any of you have a better one let's hear it."
No one answered, and finally Nellie spoke.
"No," she said, with a shake of her head, "it's very fine and noble
of you boys, but I can't allow it. If you wouldn't let me give
myself up--exchange myself for Harry, I can't let you give your
lives for him this way. It wouldn't be fair. It would be depriving
the Allies of two valuable fighters, to possibly get back one, and
the possibility is so slim that--well, it's suicidal!" she
exclaimed.
"Not so much so as you think," said Tom. "I've got it all figured
out as far as possible. And as for landing in hostile territory, if
all goes well, and the big battle progresses as Pershing and his
aides think it will, maybe we won't have to land in hostile
territory at all. We may drive the Germans back, and then the
prison will be within our lines."
"That's so!" cried Jack. "I didn't think of feat. Tom, old man,
maybe your scheme isn't as crazy as I thought! Anyhow, I'm in it
with you. The only thing is--will this big battle take place?"
"'It will unless the Germans decide to surrender between now and the
day set," Tom answered grimly, "and I hardly believe they'll do
that.
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