Suddenly, flying as low as I really dared, I struck out a little to the south making a complete circle of Stockhurst, but avoiding Mayfield. I had no desire to rouse the town again by the noise of my exhaust, for in those days of Zeppelin peril the throb of aircraft engines was always alarming, and more especially at night.
Three times did I circle round, but failed to attract Teddy's attention.
Suddenly Roseye nudged me and pointed eagerly down to the left. Her quick eyes had detected a tiny white light showing, which looked like short and long sparks.
My heart gave a bound. Yes, it was Teddy!
Yet we were now so high again, to avoid the surrounding hills, that his flash-lamp only looked a tiny point of light.
He flashed some message in Morse, but I only got a few letters.
Would he repeat it? We both watched breathlessly, as I headed the machine in his direction.
Yes!
Again the light spoke in the 'longs' and 'shorts' of the Morse code, which both Roseye and I could understand.
Together we read it.
'Return in an hour,' he signalled.
Why? I wondered. What could have occurred?
Somehow, by the appearance of his light, I thought he must be signalling in secret, and not in the open.
He would expect some acknowledgment from me, telling him that I understood.
Therefore I elevated our searchlight so as to shine
