He opened his eyes and found himself searching for aeroplanes, the most tangible portion of those hosts of the air, with which man had to fight.

He saw several behind him, where the French and German lines almost met, but there was no shape resembling the _Arrow_.
The aeroplanes and Zeppelins had been much less active since winter had come in full tide.

They were essentially birds of sunshine and fair weather, liking but little clouds and storms.

And as the skies still looked very threatening John judged that they would not be abroad much that day.

The conditions were far from promising, as a heavy massing of the clouds in the southwest indicated more snow.
"There is Chastel, sir," said Mallet, his chauffeur.