"Well, papa, said Avella, "we'd feel better to go down and inquire."

"Yes, daddy dear! You must go with us, please!"

The upshot of all this was as usual. The Senator went.

At the station they found Captain Byers returning from an observation
post where he had been scanning the eastern heavens in a last effort to
discern something of the absent planes that had long since vanished
over No-Man's-Land into the unknown void beyond, which was enemy
country.

"I am afraid for those lads," said he to the Senator after greeting all
three. "They are both too risky at times, and they were much stirred
up over Erwin's long absence. Great friends they were, too."

The Senator and the girls expressed concern. Especially so was it with
the sisters, both of whom grew pale as they listened. Perhaps they
were pleased that owing to the darkness this manifestation of inward
concern was hidden from the others. They quietly pressed each other's
hands.

Just then an orderly came up on the run, his night glasses in hand.

"Oh, Captain," said he, "there's a plane returning. I couldn't make it
out clearly. It sags a bit is if it was crippled, sir."

"Wait for me, Senator," called Byers, starting out almost on the run,
his night glasses again out. The orderly followed rapidly.