CHAPTER XLVII. THE MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE.

The boys were just aching in spirit for even a word with the supposed

sailor, safely out of range of the lynx-eyed Roque, but the latter,

after the experience in Kiel, stuck closer than a burr to his charges.

The face had passed from the mirror, and the owner of the smiling

countenance sauntered through the street door of the café, mingling

with many of his kind, smoking and chatting on the sidewalk.

“How will we make it?” tapped Billy on the table.

“Do not know,” was Henri’s answering tap.

Roque had paid the waiter for the dinner service, and was placidly

puffing a long, black cigar.

“We might take a stroll,” suggested Billy.

“Something like you did at Kiel?”

The secret agent seemed to have amused himself with this sly dig, but

it was lost upon his young companions, who were working their wits to

invent a getaway.

“How would you like to go to the theater?”

“Bully idea!” This was Billy’s vote.

“Fine!” echoed Henri.

As the three passed out of the café, the boys brushed against the very

man with whom they were eager to speak.

Billy was inspired at the moment to distinctly address Herr Roque

regarding their return journey to the air camp:

“What time to-morrow do we leave for Hamburg, sir?”

Roque gave Billy a look of stern rebuke.

Billy was not worried about the answer he did not get in words. He saw

a certain bystander uncover a fine set of teeth, and that was enough.

The play at the theater was a war drama, which was not at all like

the real thing, but Billy was so delighted with the success of his

stratagem at the café door that he was inclined to applaud at both the

right and the wrong time.

Henri held his praise for his chum, when the two retired for the night.

“It looks like a case of ‘diamond cut diamond’ to me,” he observed,

“for you can wager that they would never send a fool over here to buck

against the like of Roque.”

“I bet they wouldn’t,” was Billy’s sleepy opinion.

The next evening the boys were back in the air camp at Hamburg.

“You have your hands full, lieutenant,” remarked Roque, with a wink and

a nod at our Aviator Boys.

There is no telling what he might have said had he known what Billy had

put over on him the night before.

“Well,” said the lieutenant, “though it appears that Roque has the

first call on you, I’m going to keep you busy between times, and as

there is nobody around now to scuttle your air mounts you can fly to

your hearts’ content.”

They flew the air as they willed, in monoplanes and biplanes, singly

or doubly, and, as usual, at the same time these boys managed to fly

together into some of the ticklish affairs of earth.

It was on a Sunday morning that a jolly party of sailors came over from

the harbor to the air camp, and, as they were all supposed to be “true

blue,” or, rather, “true gray,” they were permitted to poke their noses

into the hangars without restraint.

Billy and Henri, as the chief aviators present, were counted in as part

of the exhibit, and delegated to represent the lieutenant, who claimed

this one day for late slumber.

One of the sailors, while he and his comrades were watching the aërial

maneuvers of a Zeppelin, had picked standing room as near to our

Aviator Boys as he could conveniently get. So enthusiastic was this man

over the majestic flight of the big airship that he grasped the hand of

the nearest member of the flying profession, which proved to be Henri.

There was something more than the mere pressure of the shake, however,

for Henri’s fingers closed over a wad of paper.

The sailor kept on cheering, but he did not keep on standing in the

same spot.

The paper wad lay in an itching palm, for the holder was itching to

open it.

He knew the man who had “delivered the mail!”

Billy also had something of an acquaintance with the bubbling sailor.

When the boys jointly read the faint tracing of the tissue message

they could not comprehend all that it was intended to convey. That

understanding was to come later.

Then, too, Roque must be in the reckoning.

Here we shall have to leave them, flying toward Kiel harbor, but their

further adventures in their chosen profession will be found in the

second book of this series under the title of “OUR YOUNG AËROPLANE

SCOUTS IN GERMANY; or, Winning the Iron Cross.”

* * * * *

The Navy Boys Series

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A series of excellent stories of adventure on sea and land, selected

from the works of popular writers; each volume designed for boys’

reading.

HANDSOME CLOTH BINDINGS

PRICE, 60 CENTS PER VOLUME

THE NAVY BOYS IN DEFENCE OF LIBERTY.

A story of the burning of the British schooner Gaspee in 1772. By

William P. Chipman.

THE NAVY BOYS ON LONG ISLAND SOUND.

A story of the Whale Boat Navy of 1776. By James Otis.

THE NAVY BOYS AT THE SIEGE OF HAVANA.

Being the experience of three boys serving under Israel Putnam in 1772.

By James Otis.

THE NAVY BOYS WITH GRANT AT VICKSBURG.

A boy’s story of the siege of Vicksburg. By James Otis.

THE NAVY BOYS’ CRUISE WITH PAUL JONES.

A boy’s story of a cruise with the Great Commodore in 1776. By James

Otis.

THE NAVY BOYS ON LAKE ONTARIO.

The story of two boys and their adventures in the War of 1812. By James

Otis.

THE NAVY BOYS’ CRUISE ON THE PICKERING.

A boy’s story of privateering in 1780. By James Otis.

THE NAVY BOYS IN NEW YORK BAY.

A story of three boys who took command of the schooner “The Laughing

Mary,” the first vessel of the American Navy. By James Otis.

THE NAVY BOYS IN THE TRACK OF THE ENEMY.

The story of a remarkable cruise with the Sloop of War “Providence” and

the frigate “Alfred.” By William P. Chipman.

THE NAVY BOYS’ DARING CAPTURE.

The story of how the navy boys helped to capture the British Cutter

“Margaretta,” in 1775. By William P. Chipman.

THE NAVY BOYS’ CRUISE TO THE BAHAMAS.

The adventures of two Yankee Middies with the first cruise of an

American Squadron in 1775. By William P. Chipman.

THE NAVY BOYS’ CRUISE WITH COLUMBUS.

The adventures of two boys who sailed with the great Admiral in his

discovery of America. By Frederick A. Ober.

For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by

the publishers A. L. BURT COMPANY, 114-120 East 23d Street, New York

* * * * *

The Boy Spies Series

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These stories are based on important historical events, scenes wherein

boys are prominent characters being selected. They are the romance of

history, vigorously told, with careful fidelity to picturing the home

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THE BOY SPIES AT THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS.

A story of the part they took in its defence. By William P. Chipman.

THE BOY SPIES AT THE DEFENCE OF FORT HENRY.

A boy’s story of Wheeling Creek in 1777. By James Otis.

THE BOY SPIES AT THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL.

A story of two boys at the siege of Boston. By James Otis.

THE BOY SPIES AT THE SIEGE OF DETROIT.

A story of two Ohio boys in the War of 1812. By James Otis.

THE BOY SPIES WITH LAFAYETTE.

The story of how two boys joined the Continental Army. By James Otis.

THE BOY SPIES ON CHESAPEAKE BAY.

The story of two young spies under Commodore Barney. By James Otis.

THE BOY SPIES WITH THE REGULATORS.

The story of how the boys assisted the Carolina Patriots to drive the

British from that State. By James Otis.

THE BOY SPIES WITH THE SWAMP FOX.

The story of General Marion and his young spies. By James Otis.

THE BOY SPIES AT YORKTOWN.

The story of how the spies helped General Lafayette in the Siege of

Yorktown. By James Otis.

THE BOY SPIES OF PHILADELPHIA.

The story of how the young spies helped the Continental Army at Valley

Forge. By James Otis.

THE BOY SPIES OF FORT GRISWOLD.

The story of the part they took in its brave defence. By William P.

Chipman.

THE BOY SPIES OF OLD NEW YORK.

The story of how the young spies prevented the capture of General

Washington. By James Otis.

For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by

the publishers A. L. BURT COMPANY, 114-120 East 23d Street, New York

* * * * *

THE JACK LORIMER SERIES

5 Volumes By WINN STANDISH

Handsomely Bound in Cloth Full Library Size--Price 40 cents per Volume,

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CAPTAIN JACK LORIMER; or, The Young Athlete of Millvale High.

Jack Lorimer is a fine example of the all-around American high-school

boy. His fondness for clean, honest sport of all kinds will strike a

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JACK LORIMER’S CHAMPIONS; or, Sports on Land and Lake.

There is a lively story woven in with the athletic achievements, which

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JACK LORIMER’S HOLIDAYS; or, Millvale High in Camp.

It would be well not to put this book into a boy’s hands until the

chores are finished, otherwise they might be neglected.

JACK LORIMER’S SUBSTITUTE; or, The Acting Captain of the Team.

On the sporting side, the book takes up football, wrestling,

tobogganing. There is a good deal of fun in this book and plenty of

action.

JACK LORIMER, FRESHMAN; or, From Millvale High to Exmouth.

Jack and some friends he makes crowd innumerable happenings into an

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is typical of the American college boy’s life, and there is a lively

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For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by

the publishers A. L. BURT COMPANY, 114-120 East 23d Street, New York.

* * * * *

The Boy Allies With the Battleships

(Registered in the United States Patent Office)

By ENSIGN ROBERT L. DRAKE

Price, 40 Cents per Volume, Postpaid

Frank Chadwick and Jack Templeton, young American lads, meet each other

in an unusual way soon after the declaration of war. Circumstances

place them on board the British cruiser “The Sylph” and from there on,

they share adventures with the sailors of the Allies. Ensign Robert L.

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admirably the many exciting adventures of the two boys.

THE BOY ALLIES UNDER THE SEA; or, The Vanishing Submarine.

THE BOY ALLIES IN THE BALTIC; or, Through Fields of Ice to Aid the Czar.

THE BOY ALLIES ON THE NORTH SEA PATROL; or, Striking the First Blow at

the German Fleet.

THE BOY ALLIES UNDER TWO FLAGS; or, Sweeping the Enemy from the Seas.

THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE FLYING SQUADRON; or, The Naval Raiders of the

Great War.

THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE TERROR OF THE SEAS; or, The Last Shot of

Submarine D-16.

* * * * *

The Boy Allies With the Army

(Registered in the United States Patent Office)

By CLAIR W. HAYES

Price, 40 Cents per Volume, Postpaid

In this series we follow the fortunes of two American lads unable to

leave Europe after war is declared. They meet the soldiers of the

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THE BOY ALLIES IN GREAT PERIL; or, With the Italian Army in the Alps.

THE BOY ALLIES IN THE BALKAN CAMPAIGN; or, The Struggle to Save a

Nation.

THE BOY ALLIES AT LIEGE; or, Through Lines of Steel.

THE BOY ALLIES ON THE FIRING LINE; or, Twelve Days Battle Along the

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THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE COSSACKS; or, A Wild Dash over the Carpathians.

THE BOY ALLIES IN THE TRENCHES; or, Midst Shot and Shell Along the

Aisne.

* * * * *

The Big Five Motorcycle Boys Series

By RALPH MARLOW

Price, 40 Cents per Volume, Postpaid

It is doubtful whether a more entertaining lot of boys ever before

appeared in a story than the “Big Five,” who figure in the pages of

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THE BIG FIVE MOTORCYCLE BOYS ON THE BATTLE LINE; or, With the Allies in

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THE BIG FIVE MOTORCYCLE BOYS AT THE FRONT; or, Carrying Dispatches

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THE BIG FIVE MOTORCYCLE BOYS UNDER FIRE; or, With the Allies in the War

Zone.

THE BIG FIVE MOTORCYCLE BOYS’ SWIFT ROAD CHASE; or, Surprising the Bank

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THE BIG FIVE MOTORCYCLE BOYS ON FLORIDA TRAILS; or, Adventures Among

the Saw Palmetto Crackers.

THE BIG FIVE MOTORCYCLE BOYS IN TENNESSEE WILDS; or, The Secret of

Walnut Ridge.

THE BIG FIVE MOTORCYCLE BOYS THROUGH BY WIRELESS; or, A Strange Message

from the Air.

* * * * *

The Boy Chums Series

By WILMER M. ELY

Price, 40 Cents per Volume, Postpaid

In this series of remarkable stories are described the adventures of

two boys in the great swamps of interior Florida, among the cays off

the Florida coast, and through the Bahama Islands. These are real, live

boys, and their experiences are worth following.

THE BOY CHUMS IN MYSTERY LAND; or, Charlie West and Walter Hazard among

the Mexicans.

THE BOY CHUMS ON INDIAN RIVER; or, The Boy Partners of the Schooner

“Orphan.”

THE BOY CHUMS ON HAUNTED ISLAND; or, Hunting for Pearls In the Bahama

Islands.

THE BOY CHUMS IN THE FOREST; or, Hunting for Plume Birds in the Florida

Everglades.

THE BOY CHUMS’ PERILOUS CRUISE; or, Searching for Wreckage on the

Florida Coast.

THE BOY CHUMS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO; or, A Dangerous Cruise with the

Greek Spongers.

THE BOY CHUMS CRUISING IN FLORIDA WATERS; or, The Perils and Dangers of

the Fishing Fleet.

THE BOY CHUMS IN THE FLORIDA JUNGLE; or, Charlie West and Walter Hazard

with the Seminole Indians.

* * * * *

The Broncho Rider Boys Series

By FRANK FOWLER

Price, 40 Cents per Volume, Postpaid

A series of stirring stories for boys, breathing the adventurous spirit

that lives in the wide plains and lofty mountain ranges of the great

West. These tales will delight every lad who loves to read of pleasing

adventure in the open; yet at the same time the most careful parent

need not hesitate to place them in the hands of the boy.

THE BRONCHO RIDER BOYS WITH FUNSTON AT VERA CRUZ; or, Upholding the

Honor of the Stars and Stripes.

When trouble breaks out between this country and Mexico, the boys

are eager to join the American troops under General Funston. Their

attempts to reach Vera Cruz are fraught with danger, but after many

difficulties, they manage to reach the trouble zone, where their real

adventures begin.

THE BRONCHO RIDER BOYS AT KEYSTONE RANCH; or, Three Chums of the Saddle

and Lariat.

In this story the reader makes the acquaintance of three devoted chums.

The book begins in rapid action, and there is “something doing” up to

the very time you lay it down.

THE BRONCHO RIDER BOYS DOWN IN ARIZONA; or, A Struggle for the Great

Copper Lode.

The Broncho Rider Boys find themselves impelled to make a brave fight

against heavy odds, in order to retain possession of a valuable mine

that is claimed by some of their relatives. They meet with numerous

strange and thrilling perils and every wideawake boy will be pleased to

learn how the boys finally managed to outwit their enemies.

THE BRONCHO RIDER BOYS ALONG THE BORDER; or, The Hidden Treasure of the

Zuni Medicine Man.

Once more the tried and true comrades of camp and trail are in the

saddle. In the strangest possible way they are drawn into a series of

exciting happenings among the Zuni Indians. Certainly no lad will lay

this book down, save with regret.

THE BRONCHO RIDER BOYS ON THE WYOMING TRAIL; or, A Mystery of the

Prairie Stampede.

The three prairie pards finally find a chance to visit the Wyoming

ranch belonging to Adrian, but managed for him by an unscrupulous

relative. Of course, they become entangled in a maze of adventurous

doings while in the Northern cattle country. How the Broncho Rider Boys

carried themselves through this nerve-testing period makes intensely

interesting reading.

THE BRONCHO RIDER BOYS WITH THE TEXAS RANGERS; or, The Smugglers of the

Rio Grande.

In this volume, the Broncho Rider Boys get mixed up in the Mexican

troubles, and become acquainted with General Villa. In their efforts to

prevent smuggling across the border, they naturally make many enemies,

but finally succeed in their mission.

* * * * *

Our Young Aeroplane Scouts Series

(Registered in the United States Patent Office)

By HORACE PORTER

Price, 50 Cents per Volume, Postpaid

A series of stories of two American boy aviators in the great European

war zone. The fascinating life in midair is thrillingly described.

The boys have many exciting adventures, and the narratives of their

numerous escapes make up a series of wonderfully interesting stories.

OUR YOUNG AEROPLANE SCOUTS IN ENGLAND; or, Twin Stars in the London Sky

Patrol.

OUR YOUNG AEROPLANE SCOUTS IN ITALY; or, Flying with the War Eagles of

the Alps.

OUR YOUNG AEROPLANE SCOUTS IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM; or, Saving the

Fortunes of the Trouvilles.

OUR YOUNG AEROPLANE SCOUTS IN GERMANY; or, Winning the Iron Cross.

OUR YOUNG AEROPLANE SCOUTS IN RUSSIA; or, Lost on the Frozen Steppes.

OUR YOUNG AEROPLANE SCOUTS IN TURKEY; or, Bringing the Light to Yusef.

For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by

the publishers

A. L. BURT COMPANY, 114-120 E 23d St., New York

* * * * *

Transcriber’s Notes:

Punctuation has been made consistent.

Variations in spelling and hyphenation were retained as they appear in

the original publication, except that obvious typographical errors have

been corrected.

Our Young Aeroplane Scouts in France and Belgium Or, Saving the Fortunes of the Trouvilles · 第 47 / 47 章