probably by connivance of somebody. It was afterward heard that he had
gotten back to Germany by some hook or crook. Would he ever pay the
penalty he had so richly deserved? That remains yet to be seen.

On the day when Byers himself escorted Blaine and Bangs from the
hospital to the aviation camp, there were many visitors. Amid the
cordial welcomes given them by their old comrades and also many new
ones, Buck anxiously scanned each group of visitors as they passed.
Lafe joked him about this.

"Why, you poor stiff," said the new ensign, "where are you looking?
What's wrong, anyhow? Gee! Isn't it jolly to be back among the boys
-- well, well!"

Blaine interrupted himself when Buck, his eyes roving, suddenly espied
two young women, garbed as Red Cross nurses - novitiates -- wandering
amid the new hangars in which were a score or more of the American
machines. Straightway Buck had bolted.

Blaine, following him with his eyes, saw Buck doff his aviator's cap as
he reached the group that also included an elderly man and lady, and
another matronly form which was easily recognized by many as the head
nurse in charge of the new Red Cross stations within the American
sector.

"Durn me if he isn't shaking hands with those girls!" soliloquized
Lafe. "The cheek of him! If he wasn't such a mighty good fellow, I'd
call him down!"

But Blaine was a pretty good chap himself. He and Erwin had come