They were rowing for the other sh.o.r.e before the words were well spoken.
And, once over, they were seized at once by two soldiers.
"More of them," said one of the soldiers. "Where"s the colonel?"
Without trying to explain, they let themselves be taken to where Colonel Throckmorton stood near the burning wreckage. At the sight of Harry his face lighted up.
"What do you know about this?" he asked, sternly, pointing to the wrecked airship.
Harry explained in a few words.
"Very good," said the colonel. "You are under arrest--you broke arrest this morning. I suppose you know that is a serious offence, whether your original arrest was justified or not?"
"I felt I had to do it, sir," said Harry. He had caught the glint of a smile in the colonel"s eyes.
"Explain yourself, sir," said the colonel. "Report fully as to your movements to-day. Perhaps I shall recommend you for a medal instead of court martialling you, after all."
And so the story came out, and Harry learned that the colonel had never believed Graves, but had chosen to let him think he did.
"The boy Graves is a German, and older than he seems," said the colonel.
"He was here as a spy. He is in custody now, and you have broken up a dangerous raid and a still more dangerous system of espionage. If you hadn"t come along with your aeroplane, we would never have stopped the raid. I had ordered aviators to be here, but it is plain that something has gone wrong. You have done more than well. I shall see to it that your services are properly recognized. And now be off with you, and get some sleep. You may report to me the day after to-morrow!"