The general turned and spoke quickly to the other officers in Italian. They looked at O’Malley and talked some more, then the general turned to O’Malley. Before he could speak, O’Malley cut in:

“What I want to know is who’s responsible for the trick that was pulled on us?”

The general smiled and his medal-covered chest expanded at O’Malley’s question.

“I am honored that you appreciate my clever trick,” he said affably.

O’Malley scowled at the general. “’Tis a foul trick,” he said. “I have been insulted an’ I’ll get even with you.”

Stan broke in to avoid O’Malley’s getting into real action against the general.

“What are you going to do with us?”

“You will be flown to one of our prison camps on the mainland. You will be treated strictly according to International Law,” the general answered.

“How soon?” Stan asked. He was thinking the paratroopers might take over this airfield very soon. He knew they would be hitting the coastal fields in order to give the boys spots to work from that were closer to Italy than the African coast.

“At once, at once,” the general said and he seemed suddenly nervous.

“We are in no hurry, old man,” Allison said and grinned.

“Ah, but we are in a very great hurry,” put in the junior officer. “General Bolero is leaving at once. You will be flown out in, say, twenty minutes. I am so sorry there will be no time for dry clothes.” He bowed and nodded to four soldiers armed with rifles who had appeared through a side door. “You will go with the guards.”

CHAPTER V

PRISON SHIP

The three Yanks were rushed out upon the parade ground at the Italian base. Two squads of shouting Italian soldiers escorted them. They burst upon a scene of confusion and excitement. Stan looked across the grounds toward the runways. Suddenly he burst out laughing and poked Allison in the ribs.