"Good sakes! that's impossible. She lies right athwart the fence, and
you'll have to rig a crane to lift her."

"The fence must come down. I'll pay."

"But drat it all--"

"Look here, farmer, it's got to be done. Here are the men; just oblige
me by showing them a light at the fence, and set them to take down
enough of it to free the aeroplane--carefully; I don't want it
smashed. There's a sovereign on account; you shall have a cheque for
the rest when you send in the bill."

Apparently the magic touch of gold reconciled the farmer to these
hasty proceedings, for he made no more ado, but took the lamp and bade
the three men to follow him.

"What's wrong, mister?" asked Rodier. "You look as if you had been
shocked."

Smith drew the paper from his pocket, gave it to Rodier, and then,
striking a match, showed him the paragraph, and lighted more matches
while he read it.

"Mon dieu!" ejaculated the Frenchman, when he was halfway through. "It
is your father!"

"Yes; my brother is with him. I must get home; it will kill my mother
if she sees this."