The Dive Bomber by L. Ron Hubbard Page B

his head and walked out of the guard file and into the office. He stopped before the general’s desk, looking neither right nor left.
    â€œYou sent for me, sir?”
    â€œI did!” said LeRoi, white mustaches bristling and ruddy face scarlet. “You seem to be somewhat untidy.”
    â€œNo illusion about it,” said Mike. “Your observation is correct.”
    LeRoi coughed and glared, and then gradually composed himself through necessity.
    â€œCaptain Malloy, I wish to introduce you to M’m’selle Lois DuGanne,” said the general.
    Mike turned and then blushed for the wretchedness of his appearance. Lois DuGanne, a little bewildered, nodded to him and gave him a slight smile. Mike bowed but he did not lower his glance. She was a very lovely woman, all neat and crisp in delicate whites. Her eyes were blue and frank. Mike was spellbound.
    The general coughed to distract Mike’s attention.
    â€œAnd,” said LeRoi loudly, “I wish to present you to M. Delage, and his secretary, Henri Corvault.”
    Mike turned to shake Delage’s hand. The man was patently important. His linen was expensive, and was cut on the pattern of most French politicians’. He was around forty, and there was a certain arresting quality about him which one could trace to his eyes. They were odd, those eyes, because it was impossible to tell their exact color.
    Henri, the secretary, was too thin to throw a decent shadow. His head was too big for his body and his neck too small. He seemed to be a very timid echo of Delage.
    â€œCaptain Malloy,” said General LeRoi, “is the man I have been telling you about. He has just returned from scout duty and I apologize for his appearance. However, it has nothing to do with his competence. He knows every square inch of the Middle Atlas , having fought throughout the last campaign in that region, and he is one of our best pilots.”
    Mike looked on in amazement and heard in astonishment such praise.
    â€œIn addition, we will send with you our Lieutenant Reynard, who is also an excellent pilot,” continued LeRoi. “I doubt you will suffer any inconveniences on your trip.”
    Delage stood up. “General, I am very pleased at your generosity. I could have hoped for nothing more satisfactory.”
    â€œ M. Delage,” said the general, “it is with extreme pleasure that I am able to extend to you the courtesies of the French Army. It is little enough to do for such an important personage as yourself.”
    They bowed to each other.
    Miss DuGanne stood up. “And I too thank you, General.”
    â€œ M’m’selle, ” said LeRoi, “while I regret your insistence upon accompanying the party into the Middle Atlas—which I assure you is no place for a lovely woman—I shall nevertheless do all in my power to aid you.”
    Henri scuttled to the door and opened it for Delage. The personage bowed in the entrance to the general and then to Mike. “We shall see you in the morning, Captain.”
    Miss DuGanne smiled at the two officers and withdrew.
    When the door had closed, Mike looked with suspicion at LeRoi. “If you don’t mind my saying so, sir, it’s hardly the time for an expedition of a private sort—”
    â€œNobody asked your opinion,” snapped LeRoi, sitting down. “Why did they have to bring you here in that condition! If you could see yourself…!”
    â€œSir, I assure you that if I had had time, and if I had known, I would have presented another facet of my glittering self. But your guards are most abrupt and your jail… General, you should look into that jail.”
    â€œNone of your insolence, Malloy. You were brought here for one purpose and one purpose only. You can go to the bataillon pénal , as scheduled, or you can fly this party into the Middle Atlas. I give you that choice.”
    Mike was suspicious. “By any chance, would the