Frank was thinking somewhat on similar lines. So long as there was nothing to prevent the Germans from making those swift swoops down toward them the peril must continue to hang heavy over their devoted heads.
He realized that it was always possible for the aviators to come so close to them that there would not be one chance in ten of a miss being made. Perhaps after all it might be fear of the gun which Billy was making out to wave that would save them in the end. Frank had on more than one occasion in the past known even smaller things than that to accomplish important feats.
If the danger continued he was inclined to exercise his authority and compel his chums to dismount so as to fall behind. In that way they would be out of the danger zone, while he stayed aboard with the chauffeur to try and baffle the plans of the enemy above.
And now once more the peril hovered over them. How Billy yearned to have a gun in his hands, and with what joy would he have started using it, in the hope of at least causing the Germans to climb to safer heights?
Frank had altered his plan of campaign again. He intended to keep them guessing as long as possible. This time he arranged with the chauffeur to start the car speeding, and then at the second signal to suddenly apply the brake and bring it to a standstill.
When the man above saw them starting off wildly he evidently judged that was meant to be their game, and so he sent the small but terrible bomb through space.
Frank knew when it left his hand, and at that same second he gripped the chauffeur, so that the car was instantly brought under control. The bomb struck ahead of them, alongside the road, and tore another hole in the ground.
Billy gave a shout as though in that way he might get rid of some of the pent-up emotion that was well nigh choking him.
"Never touched us!" he called out exultantly. "Better go back home and take a few more lessons. American boys are too swift for you fellows!"
"Don't crow too soon, Billy," advised Frank, who although naturally relieved for the moment, knew only too well that this new check would be apt to urge the determined Taube men to further exertions.
He himself was casting an anxious look along the road ahead, for Frank knew full well that their best chance for escaping the net that was being laid for their feet lay in the coming of friends who carried arms that must make the aviators give the hunt over as wasted time.