Nevertheless, they were most cautious as day came.  They hid for a time, then decided to go to some homely cottage and see what manner of folk they would find.  Stealthily approaching a simple home, they waited until they caught sight of the housewife who was outside it, feeding her chickens.

“She looks Dutch,” said Dicky.  “Let’s try her.”

They came upon her suddenly, but she showed no great surprise.  Perhaps she had seen escaping soldiers of the Allied Armies in that part of the world before.  She could not understand either English or French, but offered the boys a drink of milk and some bread, taking the money they proffered for it and looking at the coins curiously before she placed them in her pocket.

“She is Dutch as Dutch,” was Bob’s conclusion.

Sure enough, they were in Holland at last.

Careful maneuvering enabled them to get a passage to England, though they had to use camouflage in their answers to certain pointed questions in order not to disclose the fact that they were American belligerents.

It was not until their arrival in London—–­which they reached without further incident—–­that something of their real adventures became known.

Bob voted that they proceed at once to Farnborough, which he had heard was the headquarters of the British Flying Corps.  An English intelligence officer who had helped them to get through from Holland had suggested Farnborough, too.  Accordingly they wasted no time in London, except to inquire for the whereabouts of the Farnborough train.  They were soon at Waterloo Station, and by afternoon had come to the Royal Aircraft Factory Grounds, which were then at Farnborough.  There the commander was very cordial to them, and found a place for them to get a bath in a jiffy.  More than once the boys had effected changes of raiment during their series of adventures, but while they did not look quite as bad as they did when they assumed their first disguise in France, they were still dressed in odd fashion.  Two smart British uniforms were given them, and they were told that they would be very welcome and honored guests at the general’s mess for dinner.

At dinner they told their story in relays, to an intensely interested audience.  It was voted a truly great adventure, and the two young Americans were overwhelmed with genuine admiration from their British comrades.

“I suppose your squad have no idea you escaped, have they?” asked the general, who was a very youthful man for his rank.

“I dare say they imagine we are done for,” answered Bob.  “I think we should send word to them as soon as we can.”

“We have a squadron of pushers going over in the morning, sir,” remarked the commander to the general, “and if these boys would like to get over to their own crowd in a hurry they could take a couple of that new squadron over for us.  We are really very short-handed.  It would help us and it might suit the boys.  It would be quite dramatic for them to show up over there in person after being counted as lost.  How would it suit you, gentlemen?”