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 GIVE THE NEXT MAN A CHANCE
 
 THE AIR PILOT
 
 fcfi 
 
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 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 A Modern Love Story 
 
 BY 
 RANDALL PARRISH 
 
 AUTHOR OF "KEITH or THE BORDER," "WHEN WILDERNESS WAS 
 
 KINO," " MY LADY OF DOUBT," ETC., ETC. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY 
 CLARENCE F. UNDERWOOD 
 
 CHICAGO 
 A. C. McCLURG & CO. 
 
 1913
 
 COPYRIGHT 
 
 A. C. McCLURG & CO. 
 1913 
 
 Published April, 1913 
 Copyrighted in Great Britain 
 
 PRESS Of THE VAIL COMPANY 
 COSHOCTON, U. S. A.
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 I A MONOPLANE MYSTERY 1 
 
 II THE VOICE IN THE TELEPHONE .... 9 
 
 III BEAUTY IN DISTRESS 20 
 
 IV UNCOVERING A CONSPIRACY 35 
 
 V AT THE CAFE FRANCOIS 49 
 
 VI BRANDT SHOWS His HAND 65 
 
 VII A WOMAN INTERFERES 82 
 
 VIII TRAPPED 96 
 
 IX "STONE WALLS Do NOT A PRISON MAKE" . 112 
 
 X Miss PROBYN DEFIES DANGER 127 
 
 XI FRESH COMPLICATIONS 138 
 
 XII IN THE DEATH CHAMBER 154 
 
 XIII A DASH FOR FREEDOM 170 
 
 XIV A MAN AND A MAID 185 
 
 XV HIGH SPEED FORWARD 200 
 
 XVI Miss PROBYN CHOOSES . . . . . .215 
 
 XVII AT THE HANGAR 227 
 
 XVIII THE FIGHT IN THE DARK 244 
 
 XIX How THE FIGHT ENDED 259 
 
 XX "ON UPWARD WINGS" 274 
 
 XXI LOVE AMONG THE CLOUDS 288 
 
 XXII FACE TO FACE IN MID-AIR 302 
 
 XXIII MME. HELEN DESSAUD 317 
 
 2137687
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Winging silent passage through the sky . Frontispiece 
 Brandt gripped him none too gently ,. , .. . * 68 
 
 He fought . . . exhibiting a strength I had not sup 
 posed he possessed . * ...... 136
 
 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 THERE were several of us, chance ac 
 quaintances of travel, idling away an 
 hour in the smoking room of the Cedric, 
 when the conversation drifted to the late avia 
 tion meet at Chicago. I think it was a Minne 
 apolis lumber man who originally introduced the 
 subject, telling by chance some incident of the 
 meet, but it was Hadley, an enthusiast in such 
 matters, and member of the New York Aero 
 Club, who interjected a remark which led to the 
 telling of this strange tale of modern adventure 
 and love. 
 
 "Yes, I was there," he said, the blue rings from 
 his cigar circling above his head, "and remained 
 through the meet. But the one thing I went 
 for failed to take place. Did any of you fellows
 
 2 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 ever chance to hear of the Dessaud monoplane? 
 I presume not, unless you are students of the 
 game." 
 
 A little man with a white, wrinkled face, leaned 
 forward across the table. 
 
 "I read about it in a newspaper," he said 
 sharply. "Some new discovery in balancing, and 
 a silent engine. Was that it?" 
 
 "Partially* yes," acknowledged Hadley slow 
 ly. "The improvements as outlined were almost 
 enough to revolutionize flying. In addition, 
 there was report of a newly discovered paint 
 which rendered an aeroplane practically invisible 
 two hundred feet away. Dessaud is a daring fel 
 low a French army officer, and well known also 
 in England, where some of his earlier mechanical 
 inventions have been adopted. I first heard of 
 him in Paris two years ago, and he was spoken 
 of then as the coming genius of French aviation. 
 Naturally therefore I became intensely inter 
 ested when I heard of this newly devised mono 
 plane bearing his name, and said to be capable 
 of flying without noise, while bearing necessary 
 supplies for a protracted journey. It was the 
 statement that he was to be there with his new
 
 A MONOPLANE MYSTERY 3 
 
 military machine to demonstrate its merits, which 
 took me to Chicago." 
 
 "And the man failed to appear?" 
 
 "That was the odd part of it. Dessaud was 
 certainly in the city registered at the Congress. 
 I saw the name myself Philip Dessaud, Paris/ 
 As I remember now his suite was I 54. But 
 he was not to be found ; indeed the only evidence 
 that he had ever been there was that signature 
 on the clerk s book, and two suit cases left un 
 opened in the room. No one about the hotel had 
 any remembrance of ever even seeing the man 
 with the exception of the bell-boy who had taken 
 him up." 
 
 "Probably a fake." 
 
 "No," firmly. "That explanation does n t ex 
 actly fit. Remember his monoplane was not a 
 speculation; it had already been tried out in 
 France, on the military aviation fields. It really 
 belonged to the French government. He was in 
 America on leave of absence to demonstrate its 
 military value. He brought the machine with 
 him ; or rather it preceded him a week, under care 
 of competent mechanics, and was already set up 
 ready for flight."
 
 4 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "You actually saw the monoplane then?" 
 "I saw the hangar where it had been set up," 
 Hadley admitted, "but the machine was not there, 
 nor any of the men connected with the enterprise. 
 It had been, however," he added hastily. "It 
 seems that Dessaud, afraid that others might ap 
 propriate his idea at least this is my supposi 
 tion had arranged, through the assistance of the 
 French consul, for the use of a large vacant lot 
 out on Sixty-third Street, near the lake, instead 
 of joining with the other aviators at Grant Park. 
 Here a hangar had been built, and the machine 
 installed. Two expert mechanics (French sol 
 diers) and a day and a night watchman (Pinker- 
 ton men) were in charge. The neighbors saw 
 nothing of Dessaud, nor was the machine, after 
 being set up, taken out of the hangar at any time 
 to their knowledge. It was there, however, seen 
 by a half hundred people, properly set up, and 
 apparently made ready for flight. Then a pecu 
 liar thing happened. The morning after Dessaud 
 had registered at the Congress Hotel, when the 
 regular day guard reported for duty, he found 
 no one to relieve, the doors of the hangar stand 
 ing wide open, and the machine gone. The two
 
 A MONOPLANE MYSTERY 5 
 
 mechanics never reappeared, nor did the Pinker- 
 ton night watchman ever report back to his of 
 fice. From that hour, so far as I could learn, and 
 I felt sufficient curiosity to investigate carefully, 
 no one ever saw a sign of the missing monoplane. 
 That is the story, gentlemen." 
 
 "What did the police the Pinkerton people 
 do?" questioned the white-faced man crisply. 
 
 "Nothing. From all appearances the affair 
 was hushed up. The Superintendent of the 
 Pinkerton Agency, when I called at his office, 
 merely stated that they were not even consulted, 
 and the only newspaper item bearing on the 
 affair, which came to my notice, was a paragraph 
 in an afternoon sheet stating that the Dessaud 
 monoplane would take no part in the aviation 
 meet, on account of some defect discovered at the 
 last moment." 
 
 "And the French consul?" 
 
 "Smiled and shrugged his shoulders, saying 
 very politely that he did not care to interfere 
 with the private affairs of Monsieur the Lieu 
 tenant Dessaud; that his government was not at 
 all involved, and hence he could give me no infor 
 mation whatever. I did learn, however, from
 
 6 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 other sources, that this same noncommittal gen 
 tleman paid the bill at the hotel promptly, re 
 covered the unlocked suit cases, and furnished 
 transportation for a mechanic from Chicago to 
 Paris. Beyond this slight knowledge the whole 
 episode remains a blank." 
 
 No one of us spoke for several moments. Then 
 the man sitting opposite me, who had been smok 
 ing steadily while Hadley spoke, apparently only 
 politely interested in the topic under discussion, 
 straightened in his upholstered chair, and drew a 
 card case from his pocket. The slight movement 
 attracted my attention, while the change of pos 
 ture revealed his features under the glare of 
 light. He might have been thirty years of age, 
 smoothly shaven, with pleasant gray eyes, and 
 light hair, medium figure, and rather carefully 
 dressed. What impressed me most, however, 
 was the firmness of the mouth and chin, and a 
 certain outward expression of good breeding 
 which can never be successfully counterfeited. I 
 instinctively felt the impress of character. As 
 I glanced across at him, attracted by his first 
 movement, he quietly drew a card from the case, 
 and extended it to Hadley across the table.
 
 A MONOPLANE MYSTERY 7 
 
 "It may be of interest to you, Monsieur," he 
 said rather slowly, yet in most excellent Eng 
 lish, "to learn that you have been discussing an 
 affair of some importance to me." 
 
 Hadley s face flamed, his eyes riveted on the 
 card. 
 
 "I sincerely beg your pardon," he stammered. 
 "I was not aware " 
 
 "It is not necessary, the apology," the other in 
 terrupted quickly. "Your curiosity was but 
 most natural. You are an aviator, as I under 
 stand?" 
 
 "Merely as an amateur." 
 
 "That is true of us all we learn; we are stu 
 dents. That you feel the interest, possess the 
 faith, is enough. I am glad to know that my 
 name is not unknown to you as a student. You 
 felt my interest in my work why should I ask 
 more?" His eyes, still smiling, swept over our 
 faces. "One among you said fake/ a word I like 
 little. Perhaps you would listen while I tell what 
 occurred in Chicago. T is rather an odd tale, 
 Messieurs, but it is not a fake. Yet I have only 
 my word to give." 
 
 "The monoplane?" I asked.
 
 8 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 He bowed across the table. 
 
 "Lies a shapeless wreck in the north woods, 
 Monsieur/ he rej>lied easily, "but with duty done. 
 You wish the story?" 
 
 He must have read the answer in our faces, 
 for, with a smile, he relit his cigar, and settled 
 back more comfortably in his chair.
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 THE VOICE IN THE TELEPHONE 
 
 I WILL speak with slowness, Messieurs, for 
 while I know the English well, yet it is in 
 French I think more easily, and at times 
 find it difficult to discover an equivalent for some 
 native phrase. This you will pardon, for the in 
 cidents I am about to relate are most vivid to my 
 memory. To forget would be impossible. 
 
 I am Philip Dessaud, an officer of Chausseurs, 
 but for five years past detailed by the military 
 authorities to experiments in aviation. These 
 have been conducted largely at Nice, yet my work 
 has compelled me to visit both Italy and Eng 
 land. Were it not for my established reputation 
 in these three great countries I might hesitate to 
 relate the strange adventure which has befallen 
 me here on my first visit to America. Yet the 
 word of Philip Dessaud is surely sufficient. In 
 France I speak with authority in aeronautics, and 
 even in America my achievements are to some
 
 10 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 extent known. Very well; I can address you 
 then in all frankness as a gentleman of established 
 veracity. 
 
 A year and a half ago I first placed in opera 
 tion the machine since known as the Dessaud 
 Monoplane. While entirely of my own inven 
 tion, yet its method of operation is a guarded se 
 cret of the government. The details I cannot 
 reveal. All I am at liberty to say, is that it 
 requires but a single operator, can rise within 
 a space of one hundred feet, and possesses suffi 
 cient lifting power to transport a rapid fire gun 
 and ample ammunition. I mention this as it was 
 originally designed for war purposes. The en 
 gine is small, exceedingly light in weight, but of 
 remarkable power, and practically silent in oper 
 ation. During experimental trials in France I 
 have twice made cross-country flights approxi 
 mating one hundred miles, the last time carrying 
 with me two passengers. This is of official rec 
 ord. You know of the truth, Monsieur? 
 
 Hadley, of whom the question was directly 
 asked, nodded in affirmation, but no one inter 
 rupted. 
 
 I would have you realize all this, the narrator
 
 VOICE IN THE TELEPHONE 11 
 
 continued, or otherwise you might doubt the truth 
 of what I am about to tell you. I had no thought 
 of visiting America, and only did so under di 
 rect orders of the French War Office, in response 
 to a special request from the Consul at Chicago. 
 The latter made all arrangements, rented suita 
 ble property, where privacy could be assured, and 
 had a hangar constructed in readiness for our 
 arrival. The machine was shipped from Paris, 
 via the French Line, in charge of two expert me 
 chanics, detailed from the army. These were 
 thoroughly reliable men, who could be implicitly 
 trusted to guard the secrets intrusted to them. 
 In addition the consul was to furnish American 
 watchmen to patrol the grounds both night and 
 day. You see, Messieurs, while France was 
 ready to demonstrate what she had accomplished, 
 yet she would guard her discoveries with care. 
 These were my orders. 
 
 It was in the afternoon I reached Chicago, and 
 drove first, in what you call a taxi, to where the 
 monoplane was. The consul was with me, and 
 for an hour I examined everything, testing the 
 work of the mechanics, and satisfying myself the 
 machine was in perfect condition, and well pro-
 
 12 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 tected. All was to my liking ; at any time, within 
 five minutes, I could be in the air, confident 
 against failure. With enthusiasm I shook hands 
 with both De Vigne and Ramon, my assistants, 
 and departed for the hotel to which I had been 
 directed. Success was apparently already as 
 sured; I had no doubt, no question. It was in 
 this confident spirit of victory I parted with the 
 Consul, hoping to rest a few hours after my long 
 journey. S acre 7 T is a strange world! 
 
 My suite was high up, overlooking the great 
 lake, and I lit a cigarette, and sat by the window 
 alone looking out. At first it was the stretch 
 of water, glinting in the sun which held my at 
 tention, and the boats visible against the horizon ; 
 then I noted the aviation camp amid the green 
 of the park below, and became absorbed in its 
 contemplation. It was to me a fascination, and 
 I dreamed of what the week would reveal to these 
 American aviators That I should fail was not 
 possible; confidence in myself, and in my ma 
 chine was supreme. I smiled in happiness at 
 what was before me. 
 
 It was then my telephone rang. Startled by 
 a sudden fear lest something had gone wrong at
 
 VOICE IN THE TELEPHONE 13 
 
 the hangar, I crossed the room, and grasped the 
 receiver. 
 
 "Hello," I said, in the American fashion. 
 
 It was unmistakably a woman s voice that an 
 swered, a peculiarly soft musical voice. Even in 
 my first surprise I was aware of its fascination. 
 
 "Is this you, Philip?" 
 
 "Thatthat chances to be my name yes," I 
 responded hesitatingly. "Yet, surely you are 
 mistaken." 
 
 "I think not," and it seemed to me I could de 
 tect an accent of pride in the swiftly spoken 
 words. "This is certainly Suit I 54?" 
 
 "I believe so yes : but really*" 
 
 She interrupted me with a short laugh. 
 
 "Oh, hush, I beg. Of course I understand 
 you have no desire to advertise your presence 
 abroad, yet that is no reason why you should deny 
 your identity to me. Besides, I must see and 
 talk with you at once." 
 
 "But truly," I protested earnestly, "I do not 
 know with whom I am speaking." 
 
 "Really. This is most droll. You do not rec 
 ognize my voice?" 
 
 "I regret not," I admitted gallantly. "It is
 
 14 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 most musical; not to be easily forgotten, yet 
 awakens no memory." 
 
 She laughed again. 
 
 "Then the very mystery should appeal to you. 
 But really I hardly believe you so ignorant. Are 
 there so many ladies calling you up that you can 
 not tell one from another?" 
 
 "There are none not one; it is that which 
 makes me believe this all a mistake." 
 
 "And I am convinced otherwise. It is the 
 room, and the name. You will know me when 
 we meet, so let us not waste time. You will see 
 me, surely?" 
 
 There was just enough anxiety in the tone to 
 stimulate my interest. 
 
 "It is of importance?" 
 
 "To me yes. I must talk with you at once, 
 alone. There are reasons why we should not be 
 seen together, and I cannot explain over a tele 
 phone." 
 
 "The parlor," I suggested. 
 
 "Oh, no, no," hastily. "That would be far too 
 public. I am talking to you now from a public 
 booth, and it is not safe for us to be seen together 
 at least about the hotel."
 
 VOICE IN THE TELEPHONE 15 
 
 "I cannot comprehend " 
 
 "Which convinces me that you really do not 
 recognize my voice," she hastily interrupted. 
 "If I should tell you, you would understand in 
 an instant. But I dare not venture; no one 
 knows in America who may be on the line. 
 Please be gallant enough to grant my request. 
 Surely you cannot be afraid of a woman?" 
 
 "It is not fear," I protested indignantly. "If 
 Mademoiselle truly knows me then she must be 
 aware that I have never lacked daring. Yet this 
 is strange, mysterious, and I know not the mean 
 ing. Can you not give me some clue?" 
 
 "I prefer not," and I thought there was laugh 
 ter in the voice. "Your surprise will be greater 
 when we meet, and I would be where I can see 
 the expression on your face. You will make the 
 appointment?" 
 
 "Where, and when?" 
 
 "In front of the Art Building, as soon as it is 
 dusk." 
 
 "I do not know the place." 
 
 "Easily enough found the doorman will tell 
 you; not five minutes walk up Michigan Ave 
 
 nue." 

 
 16 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "But," I protested, "how will I know? how 
 will I recognize you as the lady?" 
 
 "By my face, of course," and this time she 
 laughed outright. "Have I not told you we are 
 old acquaintances? How dare you doubt my 
 word. But wait ; to remove even this fear I will 
 promise to dress in gray, and wear a bunch of 
 violets at my belt. Is not this enough to establish 
 my identity?" 
 
 "Yes but " 
 
 "Oh, enough of that," impatiently. "This 
 hesitating is not at all natural. If I did not know 
 there could be no mistake I would almost believe 
 I was talking to a stranger. Surely you never 
 before refused the request of a lady; do not begin 
 now. You will be there?" 
 
 c< Yes," I acknowledged. 
 
 "Such a man. The answer is half-hearted. 
 However I accept even that, but only to make you 
 regret, and teach you a lesson in gallantry. 
 Adieu then, until dusk at the Art Building. You 
 will not fail?" 
 
 "You have my word/ 
 
 "Which I accept; meanwhile I will busy my 
 self in thinking up some fit punishment for your
 
 VOICE IN THE TELEPHONE 17 
 
 forgetfulness of an old friend. I would make 
 the punishment fit the crime." 
 
 The words ended in a musical laugh, and, after 
 listening a moment longer, I hung up the receiver, 
 and lit a cigarette. As I stood there alone gazing 
 about the silent apartment the oddness of the oc 
 currence obsessed me. Somehow while the wom 
 an s voice vibrant, young responded to mine it 
 all seemed natural enough; but now that it had 
 ceased to fascinate with its vague suggestion of 
 good humor, suspicion swept over me. Who 
 could she be ? For what purpose could she have 
 called me on the wire? Walking the floor I 
 racked my brain vainly for any recollection of a 
 voice such as hers among all my list of acquaint 
 ances. It was of the kind once heard never to 
 be forgotten soft, vibrant, musical, tingling 
 ever with suppressed merriment a peculiar 
 voice, full of character. In my imagination I 
 could almost dream the woman who could possess 
 such a voice. I, to whom expression was always 
 a revelation, could never have heard this woman 
 speak, and fail to remember. 
 
 Yet if she was a stranger why should she be 
 seeking me? Why conceal her identity? My
 
 18 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 suspicion was aroused, and I could not but recall 
 the warning given me by my government before 
 I sailed. Yet the very memory of her laughter 
 echoing along the wire, the good humor of her 
 badinage, served to overcome all doubt. The sort 
 of woman I pictured her could never be the se 
 cret agent of either Germany or England. The 
 very conception was repugnant. Besides what 
 had I to fear? I bore on my person no papers 
 of importance, and I could go to this meeting 
 armed, prepared at any instant to defend my 
 self if others appeared, or treachery manifested 
 itself. Moreover the whole affair smacked oddly 
 of adventure, to me ever an irresistible attrac 
 tion. I was impelled to see the woman of the 
 voice : to thus learn if she was also the woman of 
 my dreams. It was the choice of a Frenchman, 
 and a soldier. 
 
 I scarcely know how the hours passed, only 
 that I rested, reading a little, and reflecting 
 much. A light lunch was served me in my rooms 
 by a pleasant-faced German waiter, with whom 
 I conversed in his native tongue, and so soon as 
 darkness began to obscure the lake, I descended 
 in the elevator, more eager than ever to learn
 
 VOICE IN THE TELEPHONE 19 
 
 what was destined to befall me at the rendezvous. 
 As the moment approached my heart beat fast in 
 anticipation, yet it was with coolness I had pre 
 pared for any emergency, and stepped forth upon 
 the street pavement with every nerve braced, and 
 alert. Whether this was to be love or war I was 
 ready.
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 BEAUTY IN DISTRESS 
 
 IT was like some Parisian boulevard, that 
 Michigan Avenue, with the park on the one 
 side, and great buildings blazing with lights 
 upon the other, while between, glistening in the 
 glow of electric clusters, an endless stream of 
 motor cars glided noiselessly along the smooth 
 pavement. The wide walk was thronged with 
 pedestrians, interested in the aviation camp, or 
 strolling idly through the summer night, the 
 women richly dressed, the men in somber colors. 
 It was a scene of enchantment, ever changing, yet 
 continually brilliant in the glow of multi-colored 
 lights. 
 
 The doorman gave me directions, and I drifted 
 into the throng moving northward, so entertained 
 by my neighbors as to almost forget for the mo 
 ment the nature of my quest. Yet it was but a 
 short walk, not over three blocks I presume, when 
 
 I found myself opposite what must be the Art 
 
 20
 
 BEAUTY IN DISTRESS 21 
 
 Building, a notable edifice of stone standing alone 
 in the open. Assured of this by questioning a 
 passer-by, I picked my way across through 
 speeding vehicles, and approached the steps, my 
 mind again centered on this special adventure. 
 There were several women near by, some with 
 escorts, but a few unattended in the strange free 
 dom accorded the sex in this country. 
 
 Unable to distinguish between these I saun 
 tered the full length of the building, and, still in 
 doubt, returned toward the entrance, without hav 
 ing ventured to address anyone. Two or three 
 of the women were apparently waiting the ap 
 pearance of some expected companion, and 
 glanced at me curiously, yet none of these met 
 my ideal of her who had spoken to me through 
 the medium of the phone. Nor did they wear 
 the violets of recognition. 
 
 In the shadow of the further lion, however, one 
 stood motionless, barely discernible. I must 
 have passed her by unseeing on my first trip, but 
 as I returned more slowly, my eyes searching the 
 gloom dimly perceived the outlines of her figure. 
 Perhaps I might have passed her by the second 
 time, but for her own impatience. Indeed I was
 
 22 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 already at the foot of the steps, tempted to aban 
 don the search, half convinced I was the victim 
 of a hoax, when she took a step forward into the 
 light. The sudden movement attracted my at 
 tention, and the first hurried glance revealed the 
 violets at her belt. Beyond this I saw nothing 
 clearly, only to realize that the face below the 
 wide brim of the hat was young, and the lady 
 petite. Her eyes were not upon me, yet there 
 could be no mistake, and I lifted my hat, and 
 bowed. She stood still in evident surprise, her 
 eyes swiftly searching my face. 
 
 "You mistake " she began, but I interrupted: 
 
 "Pardon me if that be true, yet I think not. 
 You wear the violets, Mademoiselle, which were 
 to be the sign of my recognition," and I pointed 
 at her belt. "Indeed I am sure now that you 
 have spoken, for there cannot be two such voices 
 in the world." 
 
 "But but you are not Philip Houser. It was 
 not you to whom I spoke." 
 
 I began to see light, to understand. 
 
 "It was a mistake then; I thought as much," I 
 said regretfully. "Yet, Mademoiselle, what 
 could I do ? You called me Philip, which is also
 
 BEAUTY IN DISTRESS 23 
 
 my name Philip Dessaud," and again I bowed 
 with all respect. "It was you who insisted." 
 
 "Yes, I know," she attempted to explain, her 
 voice trembling, her gloved hands clasped. "I 
 I was so sure. And you were in I 54, were 
 you not?" 
 
 "Certainly ; that is my suite." 
 
 "Since when?" 
 
 "It must be from three o clock this afternoon, 
 Mademoiselle." 
 
 Her eyes fell, then glanced up again into my 
 face. 
 
 "It is indeed a mistake such a curious one," 
 she began. "You must listen, and believe me. 
 I do not in the least blame you; as a gentleman 
 you could do no less, for you could not know but 
 what the message was from some friend. It is 
 all my own fault, my own carelessness. He was 
 there Philip Houser in Suite I 54 this morn 
 ing. I read the name on the register. I I 
 went there seeking him, but lacked the courage 
 at that time to speak. I cannot explain this 
 now, nor will you ask. You are a gentleman, I 
 am sure, or I could not speak even as freely as 
 I do. You respect my silence?"
 
 24 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "Most assuredly; you need only tell me to go, 
 Mademoiselle." 
 
 "No; that is not my meaning. I wish to ex 
 plain, to make clear the nature of my mistake; 
 only there are conditions I cannot confide to a 
 stranger. I I am not specially a friend of 
 Philip Houser, merely an acquaintance, a busi 
 ness acquaintance. We have not met for two 
 years, yet there was a reason why I should see 
 him now, a reason of importance. Yet I was 
 uncertain how my appeal would be met, and hes 
 itated. It was not until late this afternoon that 
 I finally gained courage, and going into a public 
 booth called his room at the hotel." 
 
 "You called him Philip." 
 
 "He is of an age to permit that; besides we 
 were at school together." 
 
 "Yet the voice which answered was a strange 
 
 one." 
 
 "Some voices are never natural over the wire, 
 and his was changing when I last heard it. Be 
 sides I was so sure suspicion never once entered 
 my mind." 
 
 "That might be possible." 
 
 "Might be," the tone expressive of indigna-
 
 BEAUTY IN DISTRESS 25 
 
 tion, her eyes flashing into mine. "Do these 
 words imply doubt ? If so there remains nothing 
 more for me to relate." 
 
 "By no means; you misunderstand. I believe 
 all you say, and merely questioned to better clear 
 the affair up in my own mind. Odd as this meet 
 ing has been, we can be friends, can we not?" 
 Impelled by some sudden impulse I held out my 
 hand. 
 
 Her face was toward the light, and I could 
 perceive the change of expression. There was 
 an instant of hesitancy ; then her gloved hand met 
 mine firmly. 
 
 "I would be a prude not to say yes," she re 
 sponded frankly. "Although I cannot let you 
 dream that I ever contemplated such a thing. 
 This is all an accident a most unfortunate acci 
 dent so far as it concerns me yet I can congrat 
 ulate myself that it is no worse. I have confi 
 dence that you are a gentleman." 
 
 I bowed, still retaining the small hand, and 
 conscious of the almost wistful look as her eyes 
 met mine. 
 
 "I am Philip Dessaud," I said simply, "an of 
 ficer of the French army."
 
 26 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 She drew a quick breath, apparently of sur 
 prise. 
 
 "Why, I have heard the name before; you 
 you are the aviator?" 
 
 "Yes, Mademoiselle," with a smile, "and it is 
 surely something not to be entirely unknown." 
 
 "If all I have read be true it is much more than 
 that," she responded quickly. "They say the 
 newspaper writers that your discoveries will 
 revolutionize flying. Of course," she added has 
 tily, "as a woman I know about such things only 
 in the most superficial way." 
 
 "And the suppositions of the newpaper men 
 have yet to be proven by experiment," I confessed 
 good humoredly. "The end of the week will tell 
 the tale." 
 
 "And I shall be so interested now in your suc 
 cess just from this little meeting, this brief ac 
 quaintance. What small happenings change our 
 outlook on life." 
 
 "Do you call this small, Mademoiselle? I have 
 begun to view it as of importance. Perhaps it is 
 because you see it with other eyes beautiful as 
 I imagine them to be that you still refrain from 
 telling me whom I am addressing?"
 
 BEAUTY IN DISTRESS 27 
 
 She withdrew her hand, but with a gentleness 
 that left no sting, stepping back a little, so as to 
 come within the shade of the stone. 
 
 "You possess the French gift of compliment, 
 Monsieur," and her voice had in it the old accent 
 of laughter. "I am not sure it meets my ap 
 proval. However, I shall be fair with you I 
 am Helen Probyn." 
 
 "Not of the English Probyns, in Kent? I 
 have been at their manor-house." 
 
 "No such luck; while I may be a sixteenth 
 cousin, who knows, the very best I .can claim is 
 an ancestral home on the coast of Maine. No, 
 Monsieur, I abominate pretense, and if you ac 
 cept me at all it will have to be as a very com 
 mon individual unknown, unhonored, and un 
 sung. 
 
 "Which statement I believe, or not, as I 
 please." 
 
 "No," decisively. "You must accept my word. 
 I am simply an atom in the great sea of life a 
 working girl." 
 
 "A working girl," I mocked. "Your lan 
 guage, your dress betrays you." 
 
 "You think so. That is because you judge
 
 28 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 from the viewpoint of the European rather than 
 the American. Nevertheless it is true, Monsieur, 
 for, although my work may be of the brain in 
 stead of the body, I am still under orders. If 
 my task is not done I suffer, and am told to go 
 and come, fetch and carry, just as though I was 
 a serf in the fields. In other words I am an em 
 ployee, dependent on the whim of my employer 
 for my daily bread. This fact changes the whole 
 aspect of affairs, does it not?" 
 
 "You mean my interest in you?" 
 
 "Certainly. That is why I have been so frank. 
 I know your class prejudice, your point of view. 
 Over there a great gulf is fixed between those 
 who earn, and those with nothing better to do 
 than spend. Even in America it exists to some 
 extent, but with you it is an inheritance of birth. 
 Thinking me of your own class you became inter 
 ested in my personality; but now that I have 
 confessed the truth all your desire will be to 
 politely say good night. I prefer to antici 
 pate," and she extended her hand. "Good night, 
 Monsieur." 
 
 I held it close, my heart beating more rapidly. 
 
 "You think me a snob?"
 
 BEAUTY IN DISTRESS 29 
 
 "Oh, no, Monsieur; merely what birth and 
 environment would naturally make you." 
 
 "But cannot a man, a cosmopolitan, overcome 
 such prejudices?" I protested warmly. "Even if 
 I admit being born into the class of idlers, yet my 
 life since has thrown me much into the society of 
 those who work. I have even learned to work 
 myself beside them, and have turned toward them 
 for instruction. I have mechanics with me here 
 common soldiers from the ranks who are my 
 friends." 
 
 "Not socially, Monsieur. That is the point I 
 make." 
 
 "A distinction in your case I refuse to admit, 
 Mademoiselle. I bow to your will yes. If it 
 is to be good-by, I submit, but never because I 
 deem you not of my class, or beneath me in any 
 way. You do insist?" 
 
 "It will be best. I am sorry, but I am sure it 
 will be best." 
 
 Our eyes met, yet she stepped aside, and passed 
 me. It was accomplished with such quiet decision 
 that I failed for the instant to grasp the truth. 
 But one fact impressed itself upon me those 
 eyes which had been lifted to mine were misty
 
 30 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 with tears. She was in trouble, in distress, and 
 yet she was leaving me. In that second of time 
 all suspicion, all doubt left my mind, and I be 
 came conscious of a new respect for this girl, a 
 new desire to serve her. Whoever she was, how 
 ever strange our meeting, I could not let her pass 
 out of my life like this. In obedience to the first 
 swift impulse, I crossed the broad walk, and 
 touched her arm. 
 
 "You shall not disappear like that," I ex 
 claimed. "I am enough of a fatalist to accept 
 destiny. You will tell me all." 
 
 "All?" 
 
 "Yes, there were tears in your eyes as you 
 turned away. You had held them back as long 
 as it was possible. It was only because you 
 could restrain yourself no longer that you left so 
 hastily." 
 
 "Oh, please" 
 
 "No. I am going to say what I think. You 
 are in trouble, some real, desperate trouble. That 
 was why you ventured to call upon this old-time 
 acquaintance, Houser. Blindly seeking help, 
 you had found his name on the hotel register, but 
 at first lacked courage to approach him. When
 
 BEAUTY IN DISTRESS 31 
 
 you finally did call up by telephone he had left 
 the room, and you got me. Isn t this the 
 truth?" 
 
 "I I why do you insist upon my answer 
 ing? You have no right to question me in this 
 way." 
 
 "Not if it was idle curiosity; but I wish to as 
 sure you my motive is far higher than that. For 
 get how we have met it was no fault of either 
 of us and believe me a gentleman. To my mind 
 the first duty of gentleness is to relieve a woman 
 in distress. I claim the privilege. Surely you 
 will trust me? You will not refuse?" 
 
 She stood with head bowed, her face hidden in 
 the shadows. 
 
 "You you are too kind," she stammered. "I 
 I do not know what to say." 
 
 "Which is a confession itself. My guess then 
 is not far wrong? It was because of trouble 
 your own trouble that you sought an interview 
 with Houser?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "And when you discovered a mistake had been 
 made you were desperate? You did not know 
 what to do?"
 
 32 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "And you left me just now because you could 
 stand the strain no longer? You realize that you 
 must confess everything, or else go away?" 
 
 She lifted her eyes to mine. 
 
 "That is true yes." 
 
 "Then that is what you are going to do," and 
 I held out my hands. 
 
 "What?" 
 
 "Trust me as a friend, and make full confes 
 
 sion." 
 
 She made no movement to give me her hands, 
 but stood motionless with eyes on my face. 
 
 "But but how can I?" she questioned doubt 
 fully. "I I do not know you." 
 
 "Years of acquaintance have little to do with 
 friendship," I insisted. "I wish to serve you hon 
 estly, and in all kindness. Surely you will not 
 refuse merely on the plea of our short acquaint 
 ance you are far too sensible a girl." 
 
 I felt the warm clasp of her fingers, and knew 
 she was crying softly. 
 
 "I would be idiotic if I did," she responded, 
 her voice trembling in spite of every effort at con 
 trol. "It is not because I am afraid of you; not
 
 BEAUTY IN DISTRESS 33 
 
 because it is unconventional, Monsieur. I have 
 advanced beyond that stage in life. I do what I 
 deem to be right without being troubled by the 
 opinion of others. There were two reasons which 
 have kept me from confiding in you pride, and 
 a hesitancy to involve a stranger in my trouble." 
 
 "Forget the word stranger." 
 
 "You compel me to; I will not use it again. 
 Shall I tell you everything?" 
 
 "That will be best ; then no fresh mistake is pos 
 sible." 
 
 She drew a deep breath, the heavy lashes hiding 
 her eyes. 
 
 "I I am hungry," she confessed, almost in a 
 whisper. "That is the bitter truth, Monsieur; 
 I have not eaten since yesterday." 
 
 I stared at her, too surprised for immediate 
 speech. 
 
 "You do not believe?" 
 
 "Yes, but it is so strange; I can hardly realize 
 the possibility. You must go with me to some 
 restaurant at once," and my eyes searched the 
 electric signs opposite. "The story can wait. 
 Where shall we go?" 
 
 She tried to smile, yet trembled so that her
 
 34 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 fingers clasped my sleeve. The slight pressure 
 appealed even more strongly than her words. 
 
 "That that is good of you. I cannot talk 
 until I have food; it is the reaction which makes 
 me so weak; the the knowledge that I have 
 found a friend."
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 UNCOVERING A CONSPIRACY 
 
 I HAVE small recollection of where we went, 
 only it was not far, but involved a ride in 
 an elevator. Not until we were seated op 
 posite each other at a small table did I really have 
 intelligent view of my companion. As I glanced 
 across at her, while ordering from the extensive 
 bill of fare, I was conscious of a newly awakened 
 interest. Not beautiful, perhaps not even pretty, 
 if judged by accepted standards, my vis-a-vis was 
 certainly most attractive, a slender girl of medium 
 height, with dark eyes and hair, the former 
 thoughtful and a bit dreamy; the latter most 
 abundant and glossy. Her face was white, but 
 the skin clear, and, as she turned her head to look 
 at the occupants of the other tables, I could but 
 observe the well-modeled features, expressive of 
 character and high breeding. Whatever she 
 might claim to be child of the farm, girl of the 
 working class her appearance, as well as her 
 
 35
 
 36 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 language, bespoke ancestry and social standing. 
 I confess this discovery was to me a relief, and 
 I must have exhibited my feeling by some un 
 conscious outward sign, for the lady glanced 
 across at me questioningly. 
 "What is it, Monsieur?" 
 "You will laugh if I tell you," I replied un 
 easily. 
 
 "Then tell me, pray, for I want an excuse." 
 "I have been looking at you for the first time 
 in the light, and approve wholly." 
 
 "Indeed," her eyes dancing. "That is nice, but 
 a confession that previously you were somewhat 
 doubtful." 
 
 "Why, yes; you see you " 
 "Oh, I know," leaning forward, so to speak 
 more softly. "You have been troubled by my 
 humble origin; my confession of having to work 
 for a living. You began to fear you were in con 
 tact with one of the lower classes. And now?" 
 
 "The thought will never again occur, Made 
 moiselle. I am convinced, converted. In Amer 
 ica it is not as in France, in Europe; or is it that 
 you work from love of art? because the soul as 
 pires?"
 
 UNCOVERING A CONSPIRACY 37 
 
 She laughed at this heartily, with white teeth 
 gleaming between red lips, and eyes dancing. 
 
 "Not so poetical: no! no!" a little gesticulation 
 of the hands, now ungloved, but showing white 
 and ringless. "It is very prosaic, my work, and 
 its main purpose is the purchase of bread and but 
 ter. Were you ever in need, Monsieur?" 
 
 "Not as you mean what you call broke ; I 
 have been hungry yes; and thirsty. On cam 
 paign one suffers often, and I have also been lost 
 in African forests, and nearly perished. But 
 money! t is true I have always possessed that." 
 
 "Then you know nothing of what it really 
 means to be born poor; to have to struggle from 
 early childhood for every luxury, almost every 
 necessity; to have to earn your own schooling, 
 working while your classmates play, and then, at 
 graduation, accepting the first offer of employ 
 ment That has been my life, Monsieur, and it is 
 not an uncommon one. It does not seem to me I 
 was ever a little girl, for I can scarcely remember 
 back to a time when I was not burdened by re 
 sponsibilities." She paused, leaning her head 
 on her hands, but still with eyes on my face. "It 
 is all right to talk of art and ambition, but some
 
 38 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 lives must learn early to put such dreams aside, 
 and front the stern realities of existence, thank 
 fully accepting what the gods send." 
 
 "You have dreamed, however; it is written in 
 your face." 
 
 "Oh, yes! I would not be human else," wear 
 ily. "I have dreamed, but the achievement has 
 been nil." 
 
 "Hardly that," I insisted, more interested than 
 ever in this personality being so frankly revealed. 
 "A worthy dream is of itself an achievement. 
 What form did yours take?" 
 
 "Literature," and her lips smiled. "Is n t it a 
 joke! With all my ambitions the nearest to it I 
 ever really attained was employment on a news 
 paper." 
 
 "And now?" 
 
 She spread her hands with expressive gesture. 
 
 "I appeal to a stranger for a meal yet, if his 
 tory tells truth, poverty is one of the evidences of 
 genius, more especially poetical. Possibly I am 
 about to arrive. 
 
 She spoke so lightly that I failed to appre 
 ciate the soberness of appeal underlying her 
 words.
 
 UNCOVERING A CONSPIRACY 39 
 
 "I am no judge in such matters," was all I 
 could think to reply. "Being an army man my 
 life is too intensely practical for dreams. I sim 
 ply obey orders, and just now that is also your 
 duty." 
 
 "Indeed! with you in command?" 
 
 "Temporarily, at least. See, here is our 
 waiter." 
 
 "Oh, if it be only to eat, you will find me a most 
 obedient servant. But I insist upon sharing with 
 you I am quite generous." 
 
 "And I accept," adapting myself to her hu 
 mor. "You will not find me backward, for I 
 only indulged in a light lunch. It is distressing 
 to eat alone." 
 
 "And I never find it distressing to eat either 
 alone or in company." She waited in silence until 
 the waiter departed. 
 
 "And you are really Philip Dessaud?" she ques 
 tioned. 
 
 "There is no doubt as to that." 
 
 "I don t suppose you realize what that fact 
 could mean to me professionally, if I was base 
 enough to turn your friendship into money?" 
 
 "Professionally ! What do you mean ?"
 
 40 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 She was eating with relish, yet paused to an 
 swer. 
 
 "Did I not confess I had been a newspaper 
 woman?" 
 
 I nodded, wonderingly. 
 
 "And I am still, in a way. In fact this is my 
 only present means of livelihood, and you, Mon 
 sieur, embody the one great mystery in town," 
 
 "Surely not," yet, even as I protested a faint 
 suspicion came to me. 
 
 "What I say is true, however. Every city edi 
 tor in town has assigned his star men to interview 
 
 you." 
 
 "For what cause?" 
 
 "To learn if possible some hint of the new dis 
 coveries embodied in your aeroplane, of course." 
 
 "But none have called upon me," I said, unbe 
 lieving, "so this cannot be true." 
 
 She laughed, her eyes suddenly uplifted again 
 to my face. 
 
 "And you do not suspect why? Then let me 
 tell you, Monsieur. The French consul left strict 
 orders that you were not to be disturbed. He 
 foresaw all this, and prepared for it. Tomor 
 row you will find your box crammed full of re-
 
 UNCOVERING A CONSPIRACY 41 
 
 porters cards, and notes beseeching interviews. 
 I discovered the situation before you had ever 
 registered." 
 
 "You ! this is a new revelation." 
 
 "And my last," speaking rapidly, and leaning 
 across the table, so her words should not carry be 
 yond me. "Now listen, do you understand why 
 I am going to tell you this?" 
 
 "No, although I do not in the least comprehend 
 what this may be." 
 
 "Well, it is serious enough, and my reason is 
 that I am a woman, and like you. That is cause 
 enough. But first let me ask you a question 
 why do you guard the secret of your invention so 
 closely?" 
 
 "It is not my secret, Mademoiselle," I replied 
 soberly. "It belongs to France." 
 
 "Ah, I see; that explains what I wanted to 
 know, and gives me my excuse for speaking 
 frankly. This then is an international, and not 
 simply a local newspaper affair." She leaned 
 her face on her hands, a little frown making crease 
 between her eyes. "So I am a mere catspaw to 
 pull their chestnuts out of the fire. I began to 
 suspect as much this afternoon. The story will
 
 42 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 interest you, Monsieur ; you may despise the nar 
 rator, but I am disposed to risk that. Shall I go 
 on?" 
 
 While I said nothing, my eyes must have an 
 swered for me, for, with a slight shrug of the 
 shoulders, she continued slowly: 
 
 "I am a special writer on the Press, Monsieur, 
 and while it is true I was very hungry when I met 
 you, that hunger arose from deliberate starvation, 
 and not because I lacked means with which to 
 procure food. There was no Philip Houser; 
 that was all a lie told for the purpose of making 
 your acquaintance. Do you despise me for the 
 deceit?" 
 
 "Not necessarily," I returned briefly. "To 
 tell the truth, also, I have half suspected this 
 from the first, although I know little of Ameri 
 can newspaper methods." 
 
 "Then I will tell you. They are bad enough, 
 but this goes even deeper. I have every reason 
 to believe, Monsieur, that there is a conspiracy 
 against your government of which I was to be 
 made the unconscious tool, under the guise of 
 newspaper enterprise. Do you know a German 
 by the name of Brandt?"
 
 [UNCOVERING A CONSPIRACY 43 
 
 "Not in this country no. Such a man was 
 once under arrest in Marseilles." 
 
 "And escaped, did he not ? He belonged to the 
 secret service?" 
 
 "Yes ; I was not there, but my captain saw and 
 described him to me a large man, with round 
 face, wearing spectacles; oh, yes, and a broken 
 
 nose." 
 
 "Now wearing also a closely trimmed beard. 
 He was in our office yesterday, and after he left 
 the city editor assigned me to this case." 
 
 "Ah! and the editor?" 
 
 "Is German also; his name is Schmitt. But, 
 perhaps, I had better explain everything as it 
 occurred." 
 
 "That will give me clearer understanding." 
 
 "And require but a moment. I was alone in 
 the reporters* room yesterday when this man 
 came in. He asked for Schmitt by name, and, 
 there being no boy present, and as he said he 
 called by appointment, I took in his card ; it read 
 simply Johann Brandt. The city editor jumped 
 up at once, and came out and shook hands with 
 him, taking him into the private office, and clos 
 ing the door. Then he put out his head again
 
 44 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 to say he was not to be interrupted. Their greet 
 ing was in German, which I do not understand 
 well, but I am sure Schmitt called his visitor Cap 
 tain. Could that be?" 
 
 "Brandt was at one time in the army, I be 
 lieve, as an officer." 
 
 She drew a deep breath. 
 
 "He walks straight like a soldier, and Schmitt 
 told me once he served in the German army. 
 That must be how they knew each other. Of 
 course after the door was closed I heard nothing ; 
 indeed felt no interest, but went on with my work. 
 They were together for half an hour, and when 
 they came out were still talking earnestly in Ger 
 man. Schmitt went with him to the stairs, and 
 stood watching his visitor descend. When he 
 came back, he looked all around carefully, as 
 though to make sure we were alone, and then 
 asked me into his room, and closed the door. I 
 stood beside the desk waiting, while he fumbled 
 over some papers, and my eyes chanced to de 
 cipher among them a draft on a Berlin bank, 
 made out to Emil Schmitt for a thousand dollars. 
 Before I could see more he had shoved it out of 
 sight, under some copy paper, and was giving me
 
 UNCOVERING A CONSPIRACY 45 
 
 orders, pretending to read from the assignment 
 book." 
 
 She paused a moment, wetting her lips with a 
 sip of claret, while I waited silently. 
 
 "He told me about your machine, where the 
 hangar was, and how it was guarded. He gave 
 me the number of your suite at the hotel, and 
 knew all about the orders of the Consul. It was 
 plain that ordinary newspaper methods of ap 
 proach would be vain, and he suggested and out 
 lined the plan I followed in making your ac 
 quaintance. To me, at the time, it was merely a 
 professional matter, Monsieur I was sent out by 
 the Press to gain information of interest to its 
 readers. You understand?" 
 
 "Perfectly," and I held out my hand to her 
 across the table. "However, your tale is of in 
 terest." 
 
 Her face lighted up, and there was greater con 
 fidence in the tone of her voice. 
 
 "I am glad you can say that, and show you 
 mean it," she said eagerly, and her fingers clasped 
 mine just for an instant. "I I was actually 
 afraid you might think me a sneak, a spy. I am 
 not, but did my part innocently. Yet, Monsieur,
 
 46 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 I began to doubt the fairness of this assignment 
 the moment I came out of that office. There 
 were three things so peculiar as to attract my: 
 attention the German draft, the fact that I 
 was not told to write a line for the paper regard 
 ing my discoveries, and that all I was required 
 to do was to form your acquaintance, and then 
 induce you to accompany me to a designated 
 place." 
 
 "There was to be no interview? no question 
 ing?" 
 
 "Not by me. My understanding was Schmitt 
 proposed attending to that himself. All he 
 expected of me was to induce you to appear 
 where he was. I was to be the stool-pigeon; 
 that was what made me rebellious and suspicious 
 of the whole affair. It was only womanly curi 
 osity which led me to go this far, and newspaper 
 instinct, perhaps. I wanted to uncover the 
 story, and, incidentally, discover what sort of 
 man you are." 
 
 "And now, Mademoiselle?" 
 
 She was the one to extend her hand frankly. 
 
 "Now I am on your side," she said gravely. 
 "That is if you will accept of such an ally.
 
 UNCOVERING A CONSPIRACY 47 
 
 You need not hesitate," she added swiftly, "be 
 cause I am a woman, for I can be of assistance, 
 I know. You are a stranger here, while I am 
 acquainted with every street and alley." 
 
 I gazed into her face, unconsciously noting 
 its youthful enthusiasm, and then about the 
 room crowded with guests. I could hardly 
 comprehend the seriousness of the situation, yet 
 my mind was busy with details. There was no 
 reason why I should not accept her statement, 
 or share in her suspicions. I had been warned 
 before I left France, and was fully aware of the 
 precautions taken at our military aviation meets 
 to prevent discoveries by English and German 
 agents. Beyond doubt I had been followed 
 across the water, and the importance of the 
 quest was evidenced by Brandt s being detailed 
 to this service. He was a trusted agent of his 
 government, with high rank in the secret serv 
 ice, and it was not likely he was alone. Indeed, 
 I already had proof of their careful espionage 
 in the fact that they knew all my plans, and had 
 arranged this trap. What should I do now I 
 was forewarned? Should I ignore the conspir 
 acy, or boldly confront the conspirators? It
 
 48 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 was the soldier in me that responded, for I was 
 never a diplomat. 
 
 "This was not the place, then, where you were 
 to take me? * 
 
 "No, Monsieur; that was the Cafe Fran- 
 
 C.ois." 
 
 "A French restaurant? * in surprise. 
 
 "In name, and pretense, only. Schmitt prob 
 ably believed you would be more easily induced to 
 go there. The place is not of high repute, and is 
 conducted by an Italian with a French chef. I 
 have never been there, but am told the other 
 employees are a motley set. What do you think 
 is best to do?" 
 
 "You are willing to trust yourself with me?" 
 
 "Absolutely," and her eyes met mine. "I 
 know a man when I meet one." 
 
 "Then," and I smiled genially, "we will visit 
 the Cafe Fra^ois. May I be permitted to 
 smoke, Mademoiselle? *
 
 CHAPTER V 
 
 AT THE CAFE FRANCOIS 
 
 t. 
 
 WE walked as the distance was not 
 great, and neither of us had any 
 desire to attract attention, both 
 realizing that the result of our adventure might 
 prove unpleasant. Indeed I rather regretted 
 my decision, but lacked courage to confess as 
 much while my companion remained silent. I 
 do not know the streets traversed, but as I re 
 member we proceeded for a block away from 
 the lake front, and then turned south. The 
 lady spoke but once of her own volition, and 
 made very brief replies to my efforts at being 
 entertaining. It was after we had walked 
 south some distance, and pedestrians had be 
 come fewer, that she asked suddenly: 
 
 "You are armed, Monsieur?" 
 
 "Yes; you anticipate trouble?" 
 
 "Hardly that, but it is well to be prepared. 
 I have heard unpleasant stories of the place, and 
 
 49
 
 50 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 I do not know the exact character of the men 
 you are seeking." 
 
 "Brandt has the reputation in Europe of be 
 ing equal to any expedient to attain his ends," I 
 said quietly. "Perhaps that is why I am rather 
 anxious to cross swords with him. This man 
 Schmitt is an unknown." 
 
 "Schmitt! Oh, he will be content with a 
 silent part. There is no danger of his getting 
 in the way of any harm. But there are prob 
 ably others here under Brandt s orders." 
 
 "Likely enough, although he usually prefers 
 to operate alone." 
 
 There was a pause during which I glanced 
 aside at the contour of her face through the haze 
 of my cigar. 
 
 "Do you regret coming?" I asked finally, 
 almost hoping she did. "For if so we can turn 
 back. Really it is nothing to me; principally 
 a curiosity to see the fellow." 
 
 She turned her face up to look at me in sur 
 prise. 
 
 "I ! Why certainly not. You do not under 
 stand, Monsieur, the newspaper instinct. This 
 looks to me like a good story, and I would n t
 
 AT THE CAFE FRANCOIS 51 
 
 lose my chance at writing it for the world and 
 getting a scoop. * 
 
 "Oh, then I am to comprehend your interest 
 is altogether professional, Mademoiselle? That 
 is not flattering." 
 
 She laughed, her hand pressing my sleeve. 
 
 "It is far better for you to think that than be 
 deceived. Surely you could not expect me to 
 fight to preserve a French secret?" 
 
 "My hope was a personal one rather," I ven 
 tured recklessly. "That you might have some 
 interest in a Frenchman." 
 
 "Why of course I have. I confess I wish you 
 to win; perhaps I may even help you, if I see a 
 way clear; of course," she added mischievously, 
 "if it does n t endanger my job." 
 
 "Your what, Mademoiselle?" 
 
 "My position; you must remember this play 
 is about to be staged in the presence of my city 
 editor. It therefore behooves me to act well my 
 part, and preserve a strict neutrality. You 
 must not expect too much." 
 
 "But you are more than a reporter." 
 
 "You would not think so, if you had to live 
 on my salary."
 
 52 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "That is not my meaning you are also a 
 
 woman." 
 
 "Why remind me of that misfortune! The 
 newspaper game is the one place where sex is 
 forgotten except as occasionally good bait for 
 an interview. Oh, no, Monsieur, while I wish 
 you well in this night s adventure, I am to be 
 a non-combatant, to count only as a mere looker 
 on in Vienna!" 
 
 As suddenly the light raillery in her voice 
 changed to a tone of seriousness. 
 
 "Of course circumstances might arise to cause 
 the woman to overcome the reporter. One 
 never knows, and there are times when I fail to 
 understand myself. Do you speak Spanish, 
 Monsieur?" 
 
 "Indifferently; just sufficient to get along in 
 Madrid," I answered, surprised at the quick 
 change. "Why do you ask that?" 
 
 "Because there might be occasion for us to 
 exchange words unknown to the others. If so, 
 remember I speak the tongue. It may prove 
 of value." 
 
 "Then you must really mean that I can rely 
 upon you in an emergency."
 
 AT THE CAFE FRANCOIS 53 
 
 "I have made no promise; rather it is more 
 the nature of a warning, because you have re 
 minded me that I was more than a reporter. A 
 woman, you know, is a strange combination. 
 This is the Cafe Fraiwjois." 
 
 Outwardly, at least, the place appeared re 
 spectable enough, the front brilliantly lighted, 
 but the interior scene obscured by clouded glass. 
 Besides the main swinging doors, there was a 
 smaller one with "Ladies Entrance" lettered on 
 it, and we entered through this, finding our 
 selves in a narrow hall, leading directly to a 
 rear room. This, while evidently not the main 
 dining-hall, was sufficiently large and commodi 
 ous, containing tables of varying sizes prepared 
 for guests, and a few booths arranged for pri 
 vacy. Many of the tables were occupied, and 
 noise and loud voices proclaimed the presence of 
 a convivial set. A piano played furiously, and 
 on one side of the room, in a vacant space, a few 
 couples were dancing. 
 
 Table, sir?" 
 
 "Yes," the lady answered for me. "The small 
 one next the wall, please." 
 
 As we were being seated, and the waiter left us
 
 54 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 to find a printed menu, she leaned across to whis 
 per swiftly: 
 
 "We must order something any trifle, with 
 drinks. Our party is at the next table to the 
 right. Don t look; let them make the first 
 
 move." 
 
 I glanced at them as I scanned the bill, order 
 ing a salad with a bottle of champagne. There 
 were, somewhat to my surprise, four in the party, 
 two unmistakably German, the others not so 
 easily classified. Directly fronting us, and hence 
 facing the door, was a tall, rather cadaverous 
 person, with iron-gray hair, hollow cheeks, and 
 light-colored mustache, his blue eyes partly con 
 cealed by heavy glasses. Mentally I decided 
 this must be Schmitt, although he was hardly 
 the type I anticipated. Beside him sat a 
 younger man, very debonair in appearance, with 
 red cheeks, and pink and white complexion. 
 He was doing most of the talking, describing 
 some incident on shipboard in excellent English, 
 while the others, apparently interested in his re 
 cital, were leaning forward, forgetful of their 
 meal. The faces of the two with backs toward 
 me were hidden, but one was large, with almost
 
 AT THE CAF^ FRANCOIS 55 
 
 colossal shoulders, and a dark beard closely 
 trimmed. I noticed how upright he sat in his 
 chair in contradistinction to the other, a small 
 sandy-haired fellow with waxed mustache, and 
 long, thin neck. I contented myself with a single 
 glance, deciding instantly that the larger indi 
 vidual was Brandt, and feeling only slight inter 
 est in the others. He was the one to watch and 
 fear, and I knew instinctively he was likely to 
 prove himself no mean antagonist. I remember 
 feeling amused at the soberness of Miss Probyn s 
 watchful eyes as my gaze returned to her face. 
 The adventure was beginning to be entertaining, 
 and I was already confident enough of its final 
 outcome to feel slightly amused. 
 
 "Do you recognize the others? " I asked softly. 
 
 She shook her head negatively; then said 
 slowly in Spanish. 
 
 "Do you understand? Yes; then listen, but 
 do not answer in English. The younger man 
 is a reporter on one of the German papers, but 
 I have never before seen the fellow sitting be 
 side Brandt. Has Schmitt appeared to notice 
 me yet?" 
 
 "No; he is listening to the story."
 
 56 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "All make-believe; the whole four saw us when 
 we came in. They will begin the game in a min 
 ute. Don t be surprised at anything I may do, 
 Monsieur, and keep your eyes and ears open." 
 
 We sat there sipping our wine, and convers 
 ing carelessly. As her back was toward the 
 other table, I easily kept them in view, but could 
 observe no sign that we had been recognized. 
 Finally the German reporter excused himself 
 and withdrew, passing our table without so much 
 as a glance, yet he had scarcely disappeared, be 
 fore Schmitt stepped across the narrow aisle, and 
 spoke to my companion. 
 
 "Why, Miss Probyn," he exclaimed, his 
 slight foreign accent barely perceptible. "This 
 is the last place I would expect to meet you. 
 However, all the greater pleasure," and he ex 
 tended his hand, smiling genially behind his 
 glasses. "You have met Captain Brandt? No! 
 Oh, then, permit me Captain Brandt, Miss 
 Probyn, and ah, Herr Franzen, of Berlin, Miss 
 Probyn old friends from the Fatherland, in 
 dulging in reminiscences, inspired by the na 
 tional beverage," and he swept a glance over the 
 half-emptied steins littering the table. "Ger-
 
 57 
 
 mans are Germans the world over, you know. I 
 I think I have never met your friend." 
 
 She was standing facing them, and I also 
 arose to my feet. 
 
 "My friend," she said pleasantly, " happens to 
 be traveling incognito, so names do not count for 
 much Mr. Gray, of Boston, gentlemen." 
 
 Brandt was the picture of courtesy, bowing 
 politely, while not a change of expression ap 
 peared on his somewhat stolid face. Schmitt s 
 pale blue eyes sought those of the girl in a swift 
 questioning, but Herr Franzen, his face red 
 dened by drink, was evidently in an ugly mood, 
 and glared at me without acknowledgment. 
 
 "Huh!" he snapped, twisting his waxed ends 
 insolently. "Champagne; our new friend must 
 be a millionaire." 
 
 "The wine is paid for," I replied, holding my 
 temper, "and another bottle will be ordered if 
 Messieurs will join with us?" 
 
 "Messieurs! Bah! I smelt a Frenchman at 
 the first whiff." 
 
 "Be quiet, Franzen," and Brandt gripped the 
 drunken fool none too gently. "Sit down and 
 hold your tongue. Your pardon, Monsieur,"
 
 58 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 and he turned to me smilingly. "This fellow is 
 always most patriotic when sodden with beer, 
 but it is the case of a barking dog. We will 
 join you with pleasure, only I insist on giving 
 the order. Draw up your table next to ours." 
 Willing enough to permit affairs to shape 
 themselves I accepted the exchange of places. 
 The lady s eyes flashed warning into mine, but I 
 felt little need of the admonishment. While be 
 yond doubt Franzen had been drinking, yet he 
 was not drunk, but was deliberately exaggerating 
 his condition. For what purpose? either to 
 throw me off my guard, or else to provoke a 
 quarrel. His insolence was part of a well con 
 ceived plot; these fellows were here with a pre 
 arranged plan, a concerted purpose in view, yet 
 I could only sit quiet watching for the card to 
 be played next. The delay was not a long one, 
 although we conversed idly over the wine, which 
 Franzen, however, refused to touch, leaning 
 back in his chair and glowering across at me. 
 I chose to ignore him utterly, directing my en 
 tire conversation at Brandt, whose individuality 
 interested me at once. Here was the man I 
 must measure swords with. Nevertheless I
 
 
 Brandt gripped him none too gently
 
 AT THE CAFfi FRANCOIS 59 
 
 made no attempt to probe the man, contenting 
 myself with the commonplace; it was Miss Pro- 
 byn, taking advantage of her sex, who ventured 
 personal questions. 
 
 "Are you really an officer of the German 
 Army, Captain Brandt?" she asked innocently. 
 "I am so interested." 
 
 "Not at present no," he acknowledged 
 frankly. "Indeed, I am seldom called Captain 
 any more except by old comrades. Schmitt 
 here and I served together, but it is ten years 
 since I resigned from the army." His response 
 was in English, scarcely marred by the slightest 
 accent. 
 
 "Not in government service then?" 
 
 "No," indifferently, yet with a swift glance at 
 her face across the table. "Traveling alto 
 gether for pleasure, and renewing old acquaint 
 ances." 
 
 "In these days I presume you meet with a 
 good many in America," I interposed carelessly. 
 
 "They are scattered about everywhere. I ran 
 into Schmitt here merely by accident. Had n t 
 seen him before for twenty years until yester 
 day. T is not so with your countrymen, Mon-
 
 60 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 sieur they do not scatter as the Germans." 
 
 "Taking it for granted I am French." 
 
 "I supposed that was admitted," laughingly. 
 "Really nationality has little weight with me, 
 Monsieur. I have lived under so many flags 
 that I am a true cosmopolitan. Herr Franzen, 
 here, remains intensely patriotic, but I have 
 learned long ago that manhood has no race lines. 
 Am I to understand you desire to remain in 
 cognito?" 
 
 "Certainly not; that was merely a joke of Miss 
 Probyn s." 
 
 "Then it will be my privilege to name you to 
 my friends." 
 
 "You recognize me?" 
 
 "Of course. I have traveled widely in 
 France, and have even visited the aviation 
 ground at Nice. Your presence in Chicago is 
 no secret, and pictures of you have frequently 
 appeared in the newspapers of Paris and Berlin. 
 I recognized you at once gentlemen," and he 
 glanced about at the others, "the distinguished 
 aviator, Lieutenant Dessaud." 
 
 Knowing what I did this byplay was most 
 amusing. I even ventured to smile aside at Miss
 
 AT THE CAFJE FRANCOIS 61 
 
 Probyn, while acknowledging this new intro 
 duction with a bow, but the good humor felt did 
 not in the least throw me off my guard. That 
 Brandt was a secret agent, specially detailed to 
 learn all he could relative to my monoplane, was 
 beyond discussion. Directly, or indirectly, the 
 other two men with him, were also interested 
 to the same end. How highly important my 
 discoveries were rated was evidenced by the 
 amount of money already paid Schmitt merely 
 to arrange this apparently accidental meeting. 
 It alone was proof positive that Brandt was pre 
 pared to go far to attain his ends. Nor was he 
 one to waste effort. The present masquerade 
 of good-fellowship was only a step in some pre 
 arranged plan, an effort to make me feel at ease. 
 What that plan was I could not, as yet, even 
 guess, yet dimly I connected its revealment with 
 the disappearance of the German reporter, and 
 the pretended drunkenness of Franzen. The 
 latter was so poor an actor I was compelled to 
 suspicion him, but not by so much as a glance 
 in his direction, did I reveal my suspicions to his 
 chief. But the fellow was not content to re 
 main unnoticed. He struck the table with one
 
 62 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 hand, tipping over a half -filled glass, in an en 
 deavor to attract attention. 
 
 "Dessaud! Dessaud!" he repeated, hic 
 coughing the name derisively. "Bah! I ve 
 heard of him ; he s got a damn toy. Who ever 
 heard of a French mechanic?" 
 
 "I think the world has heard of several," I 
 answered, surprised at this outbreak, yet hold 
 ing my temper, "and the toy flies." 
 
 "How about Rheims? Did it fly then, Mon 
 sieur Frenchman?" 
 
 "A plane broke; accidents are always pos 
 sible." My glance fell upon the man s extended 
 hand ; it was that of a mechanic, with stubby fin 
 gers, and close clipped nails. So he was the ex 
 pert. "You have such even in Germany." 
 
 "Maybe so," stubbornly, "but your whole 
 principle is wrong." 
 
 "What do you know about that?" 
 
 "What do I know" 
 
 Brandt s hand gripped the fellow s arm. 
 
 "That s enough, Franzen," he said, sternly. 
 "We are not here to discuss aviation, or quarrel 
 over flags. Finish your beer, and we 11 go." 
 
 He leaned closer to me, and whispered.
 
 AT THE CAFE FRANCOIS 63 
 
 "We 11 leave the drunken fool at the hotel. 
 I would like a moment s quiet talk with you 
 somewhere." 
 
 "But I am with Miss Probyn." 
 
 "A brief appointment tomorrow morning will 
 do, Monsieur. I have a proposition to make 
 which may be of interest, of great interest." 
 
 "I cannot imagine " 
 
 "Of course not. However it is not a matter 
 to be discussed here. I ask for only ten minutes 
 at, let us say, nine tomorrow. Your hotel?" 
 
 "The Congress." 
 
 "My own also; very convenient. I take it for 
 granted the request is granted. Schmitt, let s 
 get Franzen to bed." 
 
 We all arose together, and passed out into the 
 rather narrow entry-way. Schmitt was talking 
 with Miss Probyn, while Brandt held to Fran 
 zen, thus leaving me for the moment alone. The 
 proposition for a conference in the morning had 
 relieved me of any fears for the present. I must 
 wait till then to learn more definitely what was 
 being attempted. Brandt, by making this en 
 gagement, had apparently accomplished all he 
 desired. I had no longer any reason to suspect
 
 64 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 trickery, or a resort to violence. Without doubt 
 the German considered me approachable, and 
 would attempt the money argument. Very 
 well I would learn then what he considered my 
 discoveries worth, and could laugh at him. The 
 thought restored me to good humor. 
 
 I was chuckling over the situation when 
 Schmitt and Miss Probyn disappeared through 
 the swinging doors onto the sidewalk. Almost 
 at the same instant these opened inward, and 
 the red-faced reporter burst in hastily, coming 
 face to face with Franzen. I heard an oath, and 
 the sound of a blow; someone toppled over 
 against me, forcing me to press against the side 
 wall for support. Then I was struck on the 
 head from behind, and went down like a log.
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 BRANDT SHOWS HIS HAND 
 
 THE blow felled me flat, and I had but 
 the vaguest impression of what was tak 
 ing place. While not rendered totally 
 unconscious, yet my brain was numbed, and it 
 seemed impossible for me to move a muscle. 
 However, I realized, in a dim, impersonal way, 
 that I was lifted up, carried swiftly across the 
 walk outside, and thrust into a cab. I retained 
 a flickering recollection of Brandt s face pressed 
 close to mine in the glare of an electric light, and 
 heard Franzen laugh spitefully. 
 
 "He s dead to the world," said someone. 
 "Turn on the juice, Carl; give her the limit." 
 
 Then my head fell back on someone s shoul 
 der, and I lost all consciousness. I retain some 
 slight recollection of being aroused again when 
 the cab stopped, of far-away voices talking, and 
 of being lifted out. Then I lapsed again into to 
 tal darkness. When I awakened the second time 
 
 65
 
 66 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 I was lying half-dressed on a bed. There was no 
 light in the room, but an open doorway revealed 
 a second apartment in which lights were burn 
 ing. I saw no one, yet almost the first sound 
 distinguished was that hateful laugh of Franzen. 
 It brought me to an instant realization of all that 
 had occurred. 
 
 " Not much reward for the risk, Captain," he 
 said clearly in German. "These letters tell noth- 
 ing." 
 
 "We ve got the man, haven t we?" was the 
 gruff answer. 
 
 "Yes, if that is any comfort, but there is no 
 proof that he will talk." 
 
 "You can leave that to me ; he 11 either talk, 
 or not fly. Did Schmitt say he could n t speak 
 German?" 
 
 "Sure; that s what the girl said. It was her 
 business to find out. You got his gun?" 
 
 "In the drawer there a nasty weapon. Bet 
 ter look at the fellow again, Fritz." 
 
 I heard a chair pushed back, and lay flat with 
 my eyes closed, hoping the investigator would 
 deem me still unconscious, and go back to his 
 conversation. There was much I desired to
 
 BRANDT SHOWS HIS HAND 67 
 
 learn, and the easiest method was to use my ears. 
 I was surprised at the fellows boldness, their 
 resorting to the strong-arm; this alone was evi 
 dence they were acting under urgent orders. 
 My first theory that money was to be the appeal 
 had utterly failed. They had adopted a shorter 
 and uglier means to obtain their end. How 
 much farther would they venture, if I proved 
 obstinate? The prospect was not pleasant, and 
 I comprehended my own helplessness, unless I 
 learned more of the situation. Yet, I confess, 
 what troubled me most was the apparent per 
 fidy of the young woman. I had trusted her, 
 believed in her friendship, still it was clear 
 enough now that she must have deliberately 
 lured me on to this rough manhandling, and then 
 stood idly by while I was being hustled away. 
 But did she? If so, if she was that sort, a willing 
 part of the conspiracy, why should she have de 
 ceived them relative to my knowledge of Ger 
 man? I certainly had reason to bless her for 
 that. 
 
 All these thoughts flashed through my mind 
 as I lay there with closed eyes, barely permitting 
 myself to breathe, while Franzen silently crossed
 
 68 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 the room and bent over me. It seemed as if he 
 would never finish, as he stood with fingers on 
 my wrist counting the pulse, but finally, he re 
 leased his grasp and turned away. Through 
 slightly parted lashes I watched him disappear 
 into the other room; then lifted my head to lis 
 ten. 
 
 "Still dead to the world," he reported shortly, 
 and a shadow on the wall told me he had paused 
 to pour out a drink. "You must have soaked 
 him good." 
 
 "A bit harder than I intended," returned 
 Brandt composedly, "but it is all right; he ll 
 come around. We 11 give him a half hour 
 more," and I heard the snap of his watch, "and 
 then try the cold water cure. Go down and 
 call up Schmitt on the phone, Fritz. I want 
 to be sure he has got that girl safely corralled." 
 
 "Where is he?" 
 
 "Probably at the Press office by this time, un 
 less he has had trouble with the woman. She 
 made some fuss, didn t she?" 
 
 "I did n t wait to see. I was busy helping 
 you lug the fellow to the cab. Why should she ? 
 She was in on the deal?"
 
 BRANDT SHOWS HIS HAND 69 
 
 "Only partly; I wanted Schmitt to get hold 
 of the right kind, and slip her some coin, but I 
 guess he did n t want to spare any. He said she 
 did n t need to know ; he d make her believe it 
 was a newspaper job, and she d fall for it easy 
 enough. I guess she did too, but that strong- 
 arm work was pretty raw, and she did n t look 
 to me the sort to stand quiet. Did you notice 
 her particularly?" 
 
 "Only that she was a mighty pretty girl, and 
 her eyes were always laughing." 
 
 "There was more to them than that, Fritz, a 
 damn sight more, and there was character in her 
 face. It will take a smarter man than Schmitt 
 to make a fool out of her. If, by any chance, 
 she has taken a fancy to this Frenchman, she s 
 likely to make trouble. Go on now, and call 
 Schmitt up, and hurry back; then we 11 stir up 
 Monsieur." 
 
 I could perceive the fellow s shadow as he 
 passed across the outer room, and then heard the 
 click of a closing door. Brandt remained silent, 
 except for the soft rustling of some papers, and 
 I slipped quietly out of bed. There was light 
 enough to enable me to find my discarded clothes
 
 70 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 lying across a chair, and I donned these gar 
 ments hastily, pausing only to assure myself the 
 pockets had been emptied, only leaving me my 
 money. It occurred to me suddenly that this 
 had been the original purpose of the attack a 
 desire to secure my papers. Brandt would 
 naturally imagine that I would have on my per 
 son some memoranda of my invention, if not a 
 detailed sketch. That would be all he would re 
 quire. Likely enough he merely expected to 
 rob me of these papers, leave me in the cab, and 
 escape. But he discovered nothing, not so much 
 as a scrap, and so was driven to other extremes. 
 Yet this very disappointment might lead to des 
 perate measures, and the cold chills ran over 
 me as I realized the truth no one would ever 
 know into whose hands I had fallen. Even 
 should I utterly disappear no friend of mine 
 would ever be able to guess how it had occurred. 
 Few of them knew just where I was staying. 
 Miss Probyn alone possessed sufficient knowl 
 edge to pull aside the curtains, but was she friend 
 or foe? Probably neither; merely one drawn 
 unknowingly into the affair, and glad enough 
 now to slip quietly out of sight, when she realized
 
 BRANDT SHOWS HIS HAND 71 
 
 its seriousness. My only hope of escape lay 
 then in my own efforts. 
 
 I glided across to the nearest window, which 
 was open, and looked out. Below was a sheer 
 expanse of wall, revealing, perhaps, three stories 
 down, a dingy glass dome through which light 
 shown dimly. This would enclose the hotel 
 lobby, but escape that way was clearly impossi 
 ble, the slight coping along the wall barely two 
 inches wide. I sought in vain for some weapon, 
 but found none; very well, if I must fight my 
 way out with naked hands, it would be better to 
 have only one antagonist than two. Brandt was 
 a giant of a man, and, no doubt, knew the game, 
 but I would have more chance with him alone 
 than I would if he had the assistance of the 
 mechanic. I started forward, only to crouch 
 down just inside the door. I was already too 
 late Franzen had returned. 
 
 "Well!" growled the chief, in no pleasant hu 
 mor, "y u took your time." 
 
 "I could n t get a booth, and the line was work 
 ing badly." 
 
 "Cut that and get to the business; what did 
 Schmitt say?"
 
 72 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "He let the girl go home; said she was hyster 
 ical, and he was afraid to have her around the 
 office. Sent her off in a cab." 
 "Where does she live?" 
 "I never asked." 
 
 "Oh, hell! Do you call that a head you have 
 got on your shoulders? It s too late now; we 11 
 have to risk her. Did you see Eisenbarth any 
 where about?" 
 
 "He is in the lobby, watching the elevators." 
 "What did he have to say?" 
 "It s all quiet out there. Kelly goes on guard 
 all right at midnight, but the two Frenchmen 
 sleep in the hangar. One of them drank heavily, 
 but the other would n t touch the stuff." 
 
 "Just as I sized it up, Fritz," the chief s tone 
 evidencing better humor. "They told me in 
 Berlin that De Vigne could n t be touched, but 
 his assistant drank like a fish. Oh, well, one man 
 ought not to be very hard to handle ; I m equal 
 to that myself," and he struck the table with his 
 fist, thrusting back a chair as he arose to his 
 feet. "Come on, let s go in, and stir up Mon 
 sieur; we Ve got to get action in the next few 
 hours."
 
 BRANDT SHOWS HIS HAND 73 
 
 There was nothing left me to do but fight. I 
 straightened up, desperate and ready. Which 
 ever came first was the man. I hoped it might 
 be Brandt, but in this I was disappointed. It 
 was into Franzen s face I sent my clinched fist, 
 hurling the fellow headlong across the room. 
 The next instant I was at his chief, taking him 
 sufficiently by surprise to get in two short-arm 
 jolts before he gripped me. He had the 
 strength of a gorilla, and, although I fought like 
 a fiend to break away, his vise-like fingers forced 
 a passage to my throat, and I was borne back 
 choking for breath, with his huge body holding 
 me prone. We fell in the narrow hall-way, still 
 struggling madly. The outside door opened, 
 scraping my head as it swung, and two men 
 leaped in. Through the mist darkening my 
 vision I saw one wore the uniform of a bell-boy. 
 It was the other, a stocky fellow with stubby mus 
 tache, who spoke, dragging Brandt off me, and 
 forcing him to loosen his grip on my throat, as it 
 seemed to me just in time. 
 
 "Here now! What s all this mean? Do you 
 think you are in a bar-room? Let loose!" 
 
 For the life of me I could not speak, my swol-
 
 74 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 len tongue fairly choking me, but Brandt 
 grasped the situation in an instant. 
 
 "It s all right," he said, handing out a card. 
 "I am Captain Brandt, and this is one of my; 
 party," indicating me. "Crazy drunk, you un 
 derstand, and we re trying to keep him in the 
 room until we can sober him up, that s all. You 
 are the hotel officer?" 
 
 "Yes, sir," more politely. "Need any help 
 handling the fellow?" 
 
 "No; he 11 be quiet enough now; there *s two 
 of us here, only he took us by surprise that time. 
 Sorry to have made such a row." 
 
 He slipped a bill into the officer s hand, and 
 lifted me back into a chair. I made a desperate 
 effort to speak, to declare myself, but the words 
 would not articulate; I could only pant pain 
 fully for breath. I saw the detective eyeing me, 
 his hand on the knob of the door. 
 
 "All right, Captain," he said finally. "He 
 looks quiet enough now; just call me if you need 
 any help. What s your friend s name?" 
 
 "Von Eisel Baron Von Eisel; he s not reg 
 istered here." 
 
 "Oh, I see; well good night, sir."
 
 BRANDT SHOWS HIS HAND 75 
 
 "Good night, officer." 
 
 The door closed, and Brandt walked over and 
 locked it. Then he came back, smiling broadly, 
 and whirled me around in the chair so I would 
 face the light. At the same moment Franzen 
 made his appearance, both hands pressed against 
 his eye. The woe-begone look of the fellow made 
 me smile, even as I gasped for breath. Brandt 
 turned his head to see what had amused me, and 
 burst out laughing. 
 
 "We Ve learned something tonight, hey, 
 Fritz!" he said gayly. "That there is one 
 Frenchman who knows how to use his fists. 
 Where did you master that art, Monsieur?" 
 
 I shook my head, but straightened up in the 
 chair, feeling a slight return of strength, and 
 with it a new desire to meet the issues squarely. 
 At least I meant to know exactly what Brandt s 
 purpose was, and how he proposed achieving it. 
 Yet I had no wish to assume the initiative. For 
 tunately there was no necessity for my doing so, 
 as Brandt was anxious to disarm me of sus 
 picion. Almost with his first smooth utterance 
 I grasped his intention, and determined to per 
 mit myself to be persuaded.
 
 76 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "Go bathe your eye, Franzen, while I have a 
 talk with Monsieur," he said shortly. "There is 
 some misunderstanding, I think," and he turned 
 again to me, smoothing his ruffled cuffs. "What 
 did all this attempt at violence mean?" 
 
 "It rather occurs to me that I am the proper 
 one to ask that question," I returned, finding my 
 voice with difficulty still. "I was struck uncon 
 scious, and then held prisoner here." 
 
 "Oh, that s it!" he gave vent to a short laugh. 
 "Well, perhaps your mistake is natural enough. 
 However the truth is you were struck accident 
 ally in a street fracas, and were brought here out 
 of kindness." 
 
 "Then, I presume, I am at liberty to depart?" 
 
 "Oh why; certainly, as soon as you are ca 
 pable of looking after yourself alone." 
 
 "Probably you retain my personal property 
 on expense account?" 
 
 "Your personal property!" 
 
 "Certainly; my revolver, and private letters." 
 
 He glanced aside at the table, nonplused for a 
 moment, but as instantly recovering assurance. 
 
 "Oh, exactly; really do you know I had ac 
 tually forgotten. You see they fell out of your
 
 BRANDT SHOWS HIS HAND 77 
 
 pockets, and we picked them up," and to my 
 surprise he swept the papers together, handed 
 them to me, then opened a drawer, and gave me 
 the weapon. It was done with such an air of 
 good-fellowship that I could only stare at him, 
 my hand gripping the revolver butt. 
 
 "Nice weapon," he commented easily, "latest 
 automatic model, I see; I am something of a 
 connoisseur in fire-arms ; acquired the taste in the 
 army. To tell the truth I was almost tempted 
 to keep that gun, and report to you that it was 
 lost in the skirmish. Still, of the two, I rather 
 believe I prefer to retain your confidence. Fact 
 of the matter is, Dessaud," and he leaned back 
 comfortably in his chair, "you are about the first 
 Frenchman I ever cared to be friendly with." 
 
 "The form your friendship takes," I com 
 mented sarcastically, "would not prove a recom 
 mendation to many." 
 
 "You can scarcely blame me for protecting 
 myself; remember you were the aggressor." 
 
 It was sufficiently plain that his present pur 
 pose was to win my confidence. Unaware that 
 I had overheard his indiscreet conversation with 
 Franzen, he preferred to substitute diplomacy
 
 78 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 to force. Under the circumstances I could do 
 nothing better than encourage the effort. How 
 ever there was no apparent reason why I should 
 not call his hand, and be blunt about it. 
 
 "All right, let it go at that," I said quietly. 
 "And now, Brandt, what is it you want? I 
 am not simple enough to believe all this is an 
 accident. If there is any understanding to be 
 come at, state your purpose. I 11 answer you 
 promptly enough." 
 
 "That sounds like a declaration of war." 
 
 "Whether peace or war depends on your de 
 mands." 
 
 "Well!" he exclaimed, losing the grip on his 
 temper. "It makes small odds to me which, if 
 you want to know. You are going to give up 
 one way or the other, my fine fellow, and I don t 
 give a sou markee, whether I talk with money or 
 fists." 
 
 "Try money first," I suggested, eager to have 
 my value stated. "That will be easier." 
 
 He stared at me in perplexity, my cool de 
 meanor a surprise, and unable to determine 
 whether, or not, my proposition was made in 
 earnest. Without doubt, however, he had been
 
 
 BRANDT SHOWS HIS HAND 79 
 
 accustomed to dealing with men who were for 
 sale, and my willingness to be approached con 
 vinced him I belonged to the same class and could 
 .be bribed if he offered enough. 
 
 "I can offer $20,000 American gold," in a 
 whisper, leaning closer. 
 
 "And protection?" 
 
 "Certainly ; a little private matter between you 
 and me." 
 
 "I do not trust Franzen," appearing to hesi 
 tate. 
 
 "That needn t interfere; I 11 send him out on 
 some errand, and telephone for a public stenog 
 rapher to be sent up here. She will take down 
 what you have to say, and will never understand 
 a word of it. When typed we 11 pay her to de 
 stroy the notes. That will protect all parties." 
 
 "What is it you want exactly?" 
 
 "A technical description of your machine, de 
 scribing accurately wherein it differs from the 
 ordinary type. I am not an expert, but I know 
 enough of such matters so as not to be deceived." 
 
 "You represent your government?" 
 
 He nodded, now thoroughly convinced of 
 success, and no longer disguising his eagerness.
 
 80 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "Then you can offer more the secret is worth 
 more," I said calmly, realizing my surrender 
 must not be too sudden. 
 
 He lit a cigarette, studying my face intently 
 as he did so. My own mind was in something of 
 a chaos. Was it necessary for me to remain and 
 negotiate with the fellow? With the revolver in 
 my possession why could I not force my release ? 
 Some suspicion halted me, for Brandt s very 
 coolness left me with a vague feeling that the 
 man was not alone, that I was still completely in 
 his power. One of his hands was in the pocket 
 of his coat, and I thought of a hidden weapon, 
 and wondered if he had n t emptied my own re 
 volver of its cartridges before handing it back. 
 Convinced this must be true, I remained quiet 
 awaiting his reply. 
 
 "What is your price?" he asked finally, a bit 
 of ill concealed contempt in the tone. 
 
 "Suppose I say fifty thousand." 
 
 "Francs?" 
 
 "Hardly; I understood your offer to be in 
 American money." 
 
 Without changing his attitude I could see the 
 man s muscles stiffen, his teeth clinch.
 
 BRANDT SHOWS HIS HAND 81 
 
 "Are you in earnest?" he asked sharply. 
 "That is your prices" 
 
 I nodded, wondering what I would do if he 
 should accept. There was an instant of silence, 
 and then, before he could speak three raps 
 sounded on the outsidt door.
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 A WOMAN INTERFERES 
 
 IGNORING my presence Brandt crossed 
 the room, and disappeared in the narrow 
 hall. I found as I already suspected, that 
 my revolver was empty. This accounted then 
 for his coolness armed himself he had no fear of 
 me, with only that useless weapon with which to 
 wage battle. I sank back into my chair, calm 
 enough to all outward appearance, but with every 
 nerve throbbing. He came back accompanied 
 by two men; one was Franzen, the other a 
 stranger with drooping blonde mustache, and 
 heavily arched brows. While Brandt locked 
 the door, this fellow stood and stared at me in 
 silence, and something in his expression caused 
 me to rise to my feet. It was the Captain, how 
 ever, who spoke first, advancing to the table. 
 
 "Well, Dessaud," he said more roughly than 
 before. "I guess we understand each other, and 
 need spar no longer. You know why I am here, 
 
 82
 
 A WOMAN INTERFERES 83 
 
 and what I am after. I take it I am not en 
 tirely unknown to you by reputation?" 
 
 "I have heard of you before." 
 
 "Most French officers have," he confessed 
 dryly, but with a smile of satisfaction. "That 
 knowledge ought to make my work easier. For 
 instance you are aware that I never betray a 
 secret, and never let go when I once take hold. 
 Is this true?" 
 
 "That is your reputation yes." 
 
 "Then listen; you are in my power, absolutely 
 in my power. No one except those in my em 
 ploy have the slightest conception as to what has 
 become of you. I can take your life, and it will 
 merely remain a mystery. No one in this hotel 
 knows who you are, or will ever suspect your 
 identity. You are helpless to defend yourself; 
 the revolver I just returned to you is unloaded. 
 Now the only question is, are you going to be 
 sensible, and give me the information. I seek, or 
 shall we have to drill it out of you ? I am indif 
 ferent as to your choice, for we are prepared for 
 either emergency. As to your price, it is too 
 high; my limit is twenty-five thousand dollars." 
 
 "You offer that?"
 
 84 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "And if I refuse, you intend to try and force 
 the information from me. May I ask how?" 
 
 "You may ask, certainly, but we keep our own 
 counsel," smiling pleasantly enough. "That, 
 however, is a procedure in which I have seldom 
 failed. I think, Monsieur, you must perceive 
 the helplessness of your position, and, I trust, 
 will accept my terms, which, you must confess, 
 are most generous." 
 
 "I refuse them," I returned coldly, and sat 
 down again in my chair, staring into their faces. 
 "I am a French soldier." 
 
 No one moved, only Franzen and the other 
 glanced aside at Brandt, as though expecting or 
 ders. It seemed to me the latter hesitated, as 
 if puzzled at my sudden decision. 
 
 "Don t be a fool, Dessaud," he exclaimed sul 
 lenly. "This is between us alone; you better ac 
 cept the money." 
 
 "No; I have answered you." 
 
 "From whom do you expect help, man? The 
 Consul and your two machinists alone know you 
 are in the city surely it is n t that woman ?" 
 He laughed, glancing aside at the fellow with
 
 A WOMAN INTERFERES 85 
 
 the mustache. "You might tell him what has 
 become of the girl, Swigert." 
 
 "She was watched in her own home," the 
 other rumbled. "I know. I just come from 
 there." 
 
 You are still obstinate?" 
 
 "The whereabouts of Miss Probyn can be of 
 no special interest to me," I said, yet conscious 
 of a vague disappointment. "I refuse, not from 
 any hope of escape, but because I hold my honor 
 of more value than my life." 
 
 "Yet you set a price." 
 
 "Pardon, Messieurs, but I did not. I men 
 tioned a price to test the value of my invention. 
 Personally I am not for sale." 
 
 "Your decision is final?" 
 
 "It is go on." 
 
 "We will go on. You have a lesson to learn 
 yet. Stand up! Now hear me. We, the four 
 of us, are going down the elevator, and will take 
 a cab waiting at the front door. You will walk 
 with me, Monsieur, and Swigert and Franzen 
 will be just behind. I advise you not to attempt 
 breaking away, or raising any alarm. The house 
 detective will meet us in the hall, and accom-
 
 86 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 pany us to the door. He supposes you to be 
 Baron Von Eisel, a friend of ours, crazed with 
 drink, whom we are taking home. He is paid 
 to think so. Any break on your part will re 
 sult in some rough handling. Franzen, put 
 Lieutenant Dessaud s hat on his head. Now, 
 Monsieur, permit me to take your arm." 
 
 An instant I hesitated, even stepped back 
 against the wall, half inclined to resistance. 
 Yet the odds were too great for me to battle 
 single-handed against three armed men. Swi- 
 gert gripped my shoulder savagely, and swung 
 me into the center of the room. 
 
 "Maybe you want me to show you!" he 
 growled, "how we handle men in the German 
 barracks? You go quiet hey?" 
 
 Brandt took my arm, his grasp firm. 
 
 "Come on, Dessaud," he said quietly. "That 
 
 is no use." 
 
 I realized it, but was too angry for words. 
 Besides anything would be better than this room. 
 Franzen opened the door, and turned out the 
 lights, and I permitted Brandt to lead me forth 
 into the hall. The house detective stood leaning 
 against the stair-rail, watching us curiously.
 
 A WOMAN INTERFERES 87 
 
 "Still bug ?" he asked, indifferently. 
 
 "Nothing serious," returned Brandt, urging 
 me toward the elevator. "Only a bit quarrel 
 some; thinks we re trying to rob him. You bet 
 ter come along, officer, until we get him safely 
 outside." 
 
 We were alone in the elevator, and I was 
 crowded back into one corner. The utter use- 
 lessness of attempting resistance, or of making 
 any appeal for help, was apparent. The very 
 presence of the hotel officer left me helpless. 
 Yet my brain was active enough, and I was alert 
 for the slightest opportunity. There were sev 
 eral men scattered about the lobby, and, perhaps, 
 a half dozen women visible in an ante-room be 
 yond. A single swift glance informed me this 
 was not the Congress, although from appearance 
 a hotel of high grade, the furnishing expensive, 
 and in excellent taste. The clock above the 
 clerk s desk told me the hour a quarter of 
 eleven. Almost before I realized what was hap 
 pening I had been hustled across the lobby onto 
 the sidewalk in front. Strange as I was to the 
 city nothing familiar greeted me in my swift 
 glance up and down the street. My guards
 
 88 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 gave me no opportunity to perceive much, clos 
 ing tightly about, and pressing me hastily for 
 ward. The taxi stood slightly at one side the 
 hotel entrance, but I caught a glimpse of the 
 chauffeur s face in the blaze of electric light, as 
 I was unceremoniously thrust through the open 
 door he was the reporter, Eisenbarth. Fran- 
 zen and Swigert jammed themselves into the 
 back seat on either side of me, still gripping my 
 arms, and Brandt had one foot on the step, when 
 he paused suddenly, and closed the door. 
 
 "Wait a minute," he said shortly, "until I use 
 the telephone." 
 
 Helpless to move, crushed in as I was, I could 
 see the hotel entrance, and watched him disap 
 pear, leaving the house-detective loitering in the 
 door-way. No one spoke, except for a growl 
 from one of my guards as I attempted to assume 
 an easier posture. The glass windows were up 
 in front, and the chauffeur appeared only as a 
 mere shadow. During those few moments there 
 was borne in upon me a full consciousness of my 
 desperate situation. Previously I had taken the 
 matter rather lightly, unable to comprehend how 
 such an outrage as this could be consummated in
 
 A WOMAN INTERFERES 89 
 
 the very heart of the city. I was not unknown, 
 or friendless even in Chicago ; to my countrymen 
 my name stood for much, and there were many 
 all about who would rally at a word to my relief. 
 It had seemed to me that could I once escape 
 from that room up stairs any appeal for help 
 would meet with instant response. Yet the pos 
 sibility of my attempting such an escape had 
 been anticipated, and guarded against. I was 
 merely a drunken fool, being taken home by 
 friends, under direction of the hotel police offi 
 cer. Any appeal I might make would only be 
 laughed at. And these fellows were in earnest; 
 they were prepared to go far in attaining their 
 ends. This was a plot, well conceived and 
 thought out. From the first appearance of Miss 
 Probyn the object of every move was to get me 
 into their possession ; it had all been planned, the 
 quarrel at the cafe, the room rented in this ob 
 scure hotel, the rifling of my pockets, the offer 
 of money. And now, when all these means of 
 learning my secret had failed, these men were 
 equally prepared to go on with even more des 
 perate tactics. Eisenbarth had not asked where 
 he was to drive the machine; he already knew.
 
 90 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 I did not, yet my mind grasped one probable 
 fact I was either to be taken to some rendez 
 vous, where I could be safely kept from discov 
 ery, or else to the hangar where my monoplane 
 was under guard. The latter supposition did 
 not appear reasonable in view of the fact that 
 such an appearance would involve the danger of 
 exposure. Brandt would never risk that, ex 
 cept as a last resort. He was a secret agent, and 
 his ability to produce results depended largely 
 on his presence being unknown. From the con 
 versation overheard it was evident my men had 
 been already tampered with the Pinkerton 
 guard or one of them, at least bought, and 
 Ramon rendered useless by intoxicants. But De 
 Vigne remained sober and watchful, and the 
 hangar could not be broken into without creat 
 ing alarm. No, the object must be to get me 
 where I could be handled, tortured if need be, 
 and driven to reveal all I knew. And I could 
 expect little mercy, once they deemed themselves 
 safe. I had heard whispers of Brandt s methods 
 in Europe; diplomatic and smiling as he ap 
 peared outwardly, by nature he belonged to the 
 age of the Inquisition. To attain his ends he
 
 A WOMAN INTERFERES 91 
 
 would not hesitate at any desperate expedient. 
 The outlook was not a pleasant one. 
 
 The house-detective disappeared within; there 
 were occasional passers-by, yet I was guarded too 
 closely to make any disturbance. I thought I 
 saw someone loitering in the dark doorway of a 
 railway ticket office opposite the cab window, but 
 could not distinctly distinguish the form. Then 
 Brandt emerged under the glare of electric light, 
 and stepped forth onto the broad sidewalk. As 
 he appeared the figure flitted out from the 
 shadows, and approached him. It was a woman, 
 wearing a loose wrap. They exchanged per 
 haps a dozen words, although the man did not 
 speak but once. Then they advanced across the 
 walk together, and Brandt flung open the door 
 of the cab. The next instant he had grasped her 
 arm, and thrust her inside, springing in after 
 her. I heard her utter a quick, smothered ex 
 clamation of surprise, felt her extended hands 
 grasp me to keep from falling; then the cab 
 started roughly with a jerk, and someone pressed 
 her back into a corner of the front seat, while 
 Brandt squeezed himself in beside her. Except 
 for the occasional flash of a street lamp we were
 
 92 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 in utter darkness. I could barely distinguish 
 the figures opposite, yet I knew the woman 
 struggled to get to her feet, only to be thrust 
 back helpless by Brandt who gripped both her 
 hands. 
 
 "Keep still!" he ordered sharply. "You ve 
 shoved yourself into this affair, now, you 11 take 
 the consequences, young lady. Be quiet, I say! 
 There is no harm going to be done you, only; 
 I 11 put you where you can t talk for awhile." 
 
 The woman, whoever she was, made no out 
 cry, but drew her hands indignantly from his 
 grasp, and shrank back into her corner of the 
 cab, cowering there. Enveloped in her loose 
 wrap, she was but a shapeless shadow, and, even 
 in the occasional flashes of light, I was unable 
 to distinguish the outline of her features. In 
 truth I was so deeply concerned with my own 
 predicament that my interest in her was only 
 momentary. If her interjection into the game 
 was some outcome of Brandt s love affairs it in 
 no way concerned itself with me. Staring out 
 as best I could I endeavored to determine where 
 we were going, but my slight knowledge of the 
 streets of the city was a serious handicap. Once
 
 A WOMAN INTERFERES 93 
 
 I felt confident we turned onto Michigan Ave 
 nue, heading south, for there was a park on the 
 left, and the street was illumined by clustered 
 lights. The cab was traveling rapidly, so much 
 so that Brandt rapped sharply on the glass front, 
 and ordered the chauffeur to slow down : 
 
 "Not so fast," he snapped angrily. "We can 
 not afford to be stopped, and taken to a police 
 station." 
 
 Crushed in as we were any movement looking 
 toward escape was useless. I endeavored to 
 count the cross-streets, but became confused and 
 lost tally. Then we whirled to the left over a 
 block or two of rough pavement, made a circle 
 through what appeared like a small park, and 
 came forth into an ill-lighted street. As near 
 as I could determine our course was still south, 
 and we skirted a stone wall, perhaps eight or 
 ten feet high, partially overgrown with foliage. 
 I was hardly sure as to this, until the machine 
 suddenly swerved, and ran in through an open 
 gate, plunging us into complete darkness be 
 neath the shadow of overhanging trees. But 
 the chauffeur evidently knew the way, for, with 
 lights extinguished, he half-circled twice on
 
 94 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 a noiseless road-way, and then came to a stop. 
 
 "Open the door, Fritz," said Brandt, leaning 
 over to peer past us. "You and Swigert take 
 care of your man ; I 11 look after the girl. Don t 
 let go of him." 
 
 I was pulled forth rather roughly, but on 
 reaching my feet outside, could perceive we were 
 in the shadow of a large building, apparently a 
 residence, but with no light visible anywhere. 
 Just before us was a flight of stone steps. The 
 two men gripped my arms urging me along a 
 narrow walk which led to a basement door. I 
 hung back just enough to anger them, while 
 Brandt forced the woman to alight. 
 
 "Drive in under the cover, and wait," he com 
 manded the chauffeur. "Cut out your ciga 
 rettes; someone might see the light. Now 
 young lady." 
 
 She sprang back, tearing the sleeve of her 
 wrap as she jerked it out of his fingers. Fran- 
 zen, with a German oath, released his grasp on 
 me and grabbed for her, and, before she could 
 round the cab wheel, the Captain had her. She 
 struck him once, struggling to break free, and 
 the fellow laughed, crushing her arms down.
 
 A WOMAN INTERFERES 95 
 
 "That s enough, you little girl," he sneered, 
 "come on now." 
 
 "I will not," the voice trembling, but deter 
 mined. "Take your hands off me." 
 
 It was then I knew who she was, and, with one 
 supreme effort, wrenched myself free from Swi- 
 gert, and leaped straight at Brandt s throat.
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 
 TRAPPED 
 
 I REACHED him, gripping his collar with 
 one hand, and driving my fist twice into 
 his face, hurling him back against the ton- 
 neau. Yet they were three to one, the chauf 
 feur springing from his seat to help, while Fran- 
 zen clung to the girl. Swigert s arms jerked 
 me back, someone kicked me savagely in the 
 side, and then I felt the muzzle of a revolver 
 pressed against my cheek. Dark as it was I 
 could see a gash across Brandt s chin from which 
 blood dripped. 
 
 "I marked you anyway," I jeered up at him, 
 unable to move, "y u brute." 
 
 "You 11 find out what I am soon enough now," 
 he answered, panting slightly from exertion. 
 "That blow won t make things any easier for 
 you. I pay my debts, Monsieur. Come on 
 now, unless you prefer to be shot." 
 
 I got to my feet slowly, but not at all fright 
 ened by his threat. 
 
 96
 
 TRAPPED 97 
 
 "There are too many of you for me," I ac 
 knowledged, rubbing my knuckles, and endeav 
 oring to distinguish the presence of the girl, "but 
 I am not afraid of your shooting." 
 
 "You mean I do not dare?" 
 
 "Well, partly that; rather, however, there 
 would be nothing for you to gain I am worth 
 more to you alive." 
 
 "You would be as valuable wounded." 
 
 "Yet you will not risk it. Where is Miss 
 Probyn?" 
 
 "Out of your way. But this is enough talk 
 until we are inside. No one is going to injure 
 the girl if she will behave herself. That you, 
 Franzen? Safe, hey? All right, now I guess 
 the two of us can handle this French cockerel. 
 You stay with the car, Eisenbarth. Come, 
 Lieutenant, you may as well go along quietly, 
 unless you enjoy being hurt." 
 
 The basement door had been left open, and 
 between them I was shoved into the dark pas 
 sage beyond. Someone closed and locked the 
 outer barrier and then switched on an electric 
 light, revealing a flight of stairs. Realizing my 
 inability to resist, and more impressed now with
 
 98 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 the fact that Helen Probyn was also being held 
 prisoner in this house, than with my own danger, 
 I obeyed instructions without a word, and as 
 cended to the second story. The great hall w r e 
 traversed, as well as the rooms into which I was 
 ushered, gave evidence that this was a private 
 home, the residence of someone possessing both 
 wealth and refinement. The rugs on the floor, 
 the furniture draped in denim, the choice pic 
 tures on the walls, revealed in the dim light, all 
 combined to make this evident. The double 
 shades at the windows were drawn closely, and 
 Brandt turned on sufficient light so I could per 
 ceive something of my surroundings. We came 
 to a halt in what was apparently a music room, 
 as it contained a grand piano as well as a harp, 
 and I was thrust down into a chair. Brandt 
 muttered some words of instruction to the others 
 in German, and they disappeared, leaving us 
 alone together, the captain remaining between 
 me and the door. He did not speak, although 
 I noticed his right hand was hidden in his 
 pocket, and his eyes watched me closely. For 
 some moments I also remained silent, staring 
 about the room, but the silence became oppres-
 
 TRAPPED 99 
 
 sive, and my curiosity overcame my contempt. 
 
 "I presume I am to consider myself a pris 
 oner." 
 
 "For the present yes. How long that state 
 of affairs may continue will depend entirely upon 
 yourself." 
 
 "You mean when I am prepared to reveal the 
 secrets entrusted to me by my government?" 
 
 He bowed, nursing the cut on his chin. 
 
 "You have our offer, Monsieur." 
 
 My face flushed. 
 
 "Apparently your conception of the honor of 
 a French officer is not high." 
 
 "This is not the first time I have put it to the 
 test," he said lightly, "and think you will learn 
 to see the value of freedom." 
 
 "But you cannot expect to hold me here 
 indefinitely? I am not an unknown gutter 
 rat." 
 
 "You might as well be, Monsieur," he replied, 
 apparently quite at ease. "Do not deceive your 
 self as to any chance of rescue. I am too old 
 at the game to be caught in that way. I pre 
 sume you have no conception as to where you are 
 at present."
 
 100 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "No, except that I am still in Chicago." 
 
 "A rather indefinite description, as Chicago 
 is a large city, and hence one of the best hiding 
 places in the world. You are in a private home, 
 unoccupied for a year, and your whereabouts are 
 unknown except to those connected with our se 
 cret service. The care-keeper is in my pay 
 Swigert. Meanwhile who is liable to be partic 
 ularly interested in your disappearance? the 
 French Consul, and a couple of mechanics. The 
 police, bah!" and he smiled genially, waving his 
 hand. : T is easy enough to steer them wrong, 
 Monsieur," leaning forward, and lowering his 
 voice, "If you never came back, I do not believe 
 it would create such a great stir there could be 
 reasons given, most plausible reasons, whispered 
 here and there." 
 
 "That I had sold out?" I asked, gripping the 
 arms of my chair. "That I had been untrue to 
 France?" 
 
 "Why not? Who could tell otherwise? You 
 would be neither the first, nor the last, Monsieur. 
 We Germans get what we go after." 
 
 I drew in my breath sharply, perceiving in an 
 instant the predicament in which this suave vil-
 
 TRAPPED 101 
 
 lain had placed me. It was true if I disap 
 peared, and these men, through force, or finesse, 
 succeeded in learning the secrets of my mono 
 plane, the construction would be obvious. No 
 one would believe I had died in honor; no one 
 would ever know. 
 
 "You perceive, Monsieur," Brandt went on 
 calmly, grasping my thought. T is why we 
 brought you here to this lonely house, that you 
 might think over my liberal offer of recompense. 
 It was dollars, not francs, Monsieur, and, they 
 tell me, the West offers opportunities to energy, 
 and means. Is not life and money more to be 
 sought than death and dishonor? T is to be con 
 sidered, Monsieur." 
 
 "You threaten that! What would my death 
 gain you?" 
 
 "Nothing at present, tonight," his voice cold 
 and deliberate. "We naturally prefer to deal 
 quietly with you, yet there are other methods 
 available. It would not be impossible, I im 
 agine, to even find a way into your hangar 
 without discovery. You smile! We Germans 
 study everything, Monsieur ; we are patient, dili 
 gent. The guard pah ! it is less money than we
 
 102 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 offer you for a guard, and, as for your own men, 
 Ramon is a drunken fool, and De Vigne; there 
 are ways of dealing with De Vigne. I tell you 
 this that you may see just how you are situated. 
 Not that I threaten oh, no; but they know me 
 in Europe for what I am I do not fear the ex 
 treme measures, when all else fails." 
 
 He leaned back, his eyes looking frankly into 
 mine, his shoulders squared. There was no 
 doubt as to his exact meaning, his intentions. 
 Something about the cold insolence of the. man, 
 coupled with memories of his reputation, caused 
 me to shiver. He was like a wild beast on the 
 trail, merciless, unyielding, hungry for the smell 
 of blood. And I recognized now he possessed 
 the power ; he had played his cards well. 
 
 "Possibly, Herr Brandt," I suggested at last, 
 holding myself firm, "you may have overlooked 
 Mademoiselle Probyn." 
 
 "No harm will be done her, except a slight de 
 tention. We are not interested in any story she 
 might care to tell afterwards. Whatever her 
 suspicions, she knows practically nothing." 
 
 "True; yet she must have friends to be alarmed 
 at her absence."
 
 TRAPPED 103 
 
 He laughed. 
 
 "Which remark serves us rather than yourself. 
 T was a point I had overlooked. Fritz, come 
 here." Franzen appeared so suddenly that I 
 comprehended he had been on guard in the hall 
 without. "Is not Monsieur s room ready yet? 
 No; it should have been prepared before we 
 came. Keep watch here a moment while I tele 
 phone." 
 
 He crossed the room, disappearing into an al 
 cove at my left, while the newcomer leaned 
 watchfully in the doorway. I heard the click 
 of the receiver as it was taken down. 
 
 "Give me Main 782 yes, the Press office; 
 hallo, is this the Press editorial rooms? can you 
 connect me with the City-editor s desk? Yes, 
 it is important thank you. Who is it speak 
 ing? All right, Schmitt; I recognize the voice 
 now this is Brandt never mind where I am 
 the less you know the better yes, everything is 
 all right what I called you up for is this, if 
 anyone inquires for your young lady reporter 
 just tell them she is on an assignment out of 
 town, will you may be gone a week. Never 
 mind the reason ; you do as I say. Oh, she s safe
 
 104 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 enough, but there might be friends who would 
 inquire. Yes, that is all good-by." 
 
 He sauntered carelessly back into the room, 
 whistling softly. 
 
 "A ghost easily laid," he said, "and do you 
 still require time in which to consider, Mon 
 sieur?" 
 
 "No; you already have my answer." 
 
 "They say the English are obstinate, but com 
 mend me to a Frenchman. However a few 
 hours may work wonders, and meanwhile I have 
 other strings to my bow. Is the room ready, 
 Swigert ?" 
 
 "Yes," answered the man stolidly in German, 
 his face showing in the open door beside Fran- 
 zen, "I have it ready." 
 
 Brandt bowed to me in mock politeness, his 
 hand over his heart. 
 
 "A night s rest, Monsieur, together with an 
 hour devoted to thought in the morning may be 
 sufficient to show you the error of your ways. 
 If not," and I felt the sudden grip of his fingers 
 on my arm, "I will have to convince you by 
 sterner measures. Come." 
 
 There was nothing to do but obey, faced as I
 
 TRAPPED 105 
 
 was by the three of them, all probably armed. 
 However they might fear to use their weapons 
 elsewhere, all danger of alarm was now nullified 
 by the thick walls, and isolated situation of this 
 house. With Swigert leading the way, and 
 Brandt and Franzen close at my heels, I pro 
 ceeded into the dimly lighted hall. The care 
 taker turned to the left, his footsteps noiseless 
 on the soft carpeting, and then descended a stair 
 way into the basement. A single small electric 
 bulb gave me glimpses of the surroundings. It 
 was all cement, even to the dividing walls, to the 
 right open, merging into darkness forward, 
 while on the other hand were rooms of different 
 sizes, arranged conveniently for household use. 
 The first was evidently the laundry, as I caught 
 glimpse of stationary tubs; the second held a 
 riff-raff of discarded furniture, and at the door 
 of the third my guide stopped, motioning me to 
 enter. The door, which to my surprise was of 
 iron, opened outwardly and was made to be se 
 cured by a heavy bar. Within I saw a bare cot 
 and single stool, the walls solid and unbroken, 
 save for a small round opening directly oppo 
 site. I turned inquiringly to Brandt,
 
 106 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "Rather a neat arrangement," he commented 
 dryly. "Absolute quiet assured. Tradition 
 has it that the owner s brother became insane 
 from drink, and this room was originally pre 
 pared to keep him in until he recovered, thus 
 avoiding an unpleasant notoriety. You will 
 kindly enter, Monsieur." 
 
 His tone, the expression on his face, was a 
 command, and I stepped over the threshold, still 
 facing them. 
 
 "I believe there is nothing more we can do 
 for your comfort," he went on, rather enjoying 
 the situation. "There is running water in the 
 corner; no luxuries, of course, but all that a sol 
 dier requires. If the bed is hard you may have 
 more opportunity for thought. My offer re 
 mains twenty-five thousand, Monsieur, and a 
 guard will remain without." 
 
 I did not answer, and he laughed, signaling 
 Swigert to close the door. It swung into place 
 with a clang, and I heard the bar forced down 
 into its sockets. For an instant I stood motion 
 less staring at the painted iron, half suspecting 
 I was in a dream. Vet this stupor was but for the 
 instant; strange as the events of the night were,
 
 TRAPPED 107 
 
 rapidly as they had occurred, it was impossible 
 for me to ignore their reality. The warning of 
 my superiors in France flashed across my brain; 
 they had appreciated, as I had not, the desire 
 of other nations to appropriate our secrets. 
 Yet, even now, it was almost impossible for me 
 to conceive that such ruthless tactics would be 
 resorted to. This was the twentieth century, not 
 the seventeenth, and the heart of a great city. 
 Outside, almost within reach of my voice, was 
 modern civilization law, the police, the news 
 papers, the quiet home-life of millions. Yet 
 here I was, a prisoner in a dungeon, as com 
 pletely in Brandt s power as though a captive 
 of the Middle Ages. I had read of such things 
 in fiction, and laughed at their improbability. 
 I had supposed the War Office, in their warning, 
 had merely meant that I should beware of spies. 
 To that end I had taken every ordinary precau 
 tion, bearing on my person no papers of value, 
 and having the hangar guarded night and day. 
 But I had never anticipated a situation like this. 
 Keen as was the rivalry in aeronautics through 
 out Europe, it had never once occurred to me 
 that my invention was of a great money value
 
 108 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 to a rival nation, or that its representatives would 
 resort to force to make me reveal the secret. 
 But I knew now, and the shock of discovery was 
 like a blow. Brandt was in deadly earnest, and 
 had already gone too far to hesitate at going 
 further. His were no idle threats, however 
 smilingly uttered. His reputation convinced 
 me of that, even if I had not read the truth in 
 the face of the man. He had the name of re 
 sorting to desperate means, and more than one 
 whispered story of his dealing in such matters, 
 came hauntingly to memory. Some of these 
 even hinted vaguely at murder, at mysterious 
 disappearances, at actual robbery. In Paris 
 some wag had nick-named him "the last resort." 
 Then then I was not only battling for honor, 
 for the safe-guarding of a French secret my 
 very life was in peril. 
 
 I seemed to awaken anew at the thought, and 
 my eyes, which had been staring, unseeing, at 
 that iron door, glanced about over the gray walls 
 of cement. I was trapped like a rat, but not 
 yet hopeless, or despairing. This was no prison, 
 but merely a refuge for a victim of alcoholism; 
 strong as it appeared, secure as Brandt evi-
 
 TRAPPED 109 
 
 dently believed it to be, yet there might be a 
 weakness somewhere to yield to ingenuity and 
 patience. It was worth the try. I sought the 
 round opening first ; small as it was, far too small 
 for my body to ever squeeze through; it was ef 
 fectually blocked by boiler plate, through which 
 small apertures had been pierced sufficient for 
 the admittance of air. The plate itself was sol 
 idly set in the wall, imbedded in cement. Find 
 ing not even so much as a loosened corner at 
 which I could pry, I began a slow testing of the 
 wall, using the butt of my unloaded revolver with 
 which to sound. There was brick beneath the 
 coating of cement, a hard, glazed brick, as I 
 discovered by painfully gouging out a cracked 
 bit in one corner, set solidly in mortar, so hard 
 it turned my knife-blade. I dared not venture 
 striking with any force, but with ear against the 
 wall, convinced myself that it was both solid and 
 thick. I made the circuit of the room twice, 
 testing it every foot or two, without reward. 
 No hollow sound disclosed any weakness. For 
 the first time I despaired, and sat down upon 
 the couch, not knowing what else to attempt. 
 No sound reached me through those thick
 
 110 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 walls, and if, as Brandt had intimated, a guard 
 remained on duty in the basement, the fellow 
 possessed no means of observing my movements 
 within. The door was a solid piece of iron, and, 
 while it might be possible for one outside to use 
 the small holes pierced in the grating over the 
 window, I felt confident I was not being spied 
 upon. Beyond doubt my captors were thor 
 oughly convinced that the cell in which I was 
 confined was absolutely safe. But I was far too 
 restless to remain quiet; too desperate to yield 
 without further effort. Even as my mind re 
 viewed the night s adventures, and speculated 
 on what Brandt might attempt now he had me 
 safely under lock and key, my eyes were anx 
 iously studying ceiling, side walls and floor. 
 Apparently these offered nothing of weakness, 
 yet, as a last resort, I pushed aside the cot 
 high enough to have been originally some sur 
 geon s operating table and made a more care 
 ful scrutiny of the wall space behind. The eye 
 found nothing, as the bed shadow somewhat ob 
 scured the cement surface, but my fingers, by 
 mere chance, touched a raveled edge of cloth. 
 The raveling was so small that, for a moment
 
 TRAPPED 111 
 
 I esteemed it merely a thread accidentally bedded 
 in the cement, yet some instinct led me to at 
 tempt digging it out with the point of my knife. 
 This probing uncovered a section of coarse cloth, 
 and, eagerly enough now, I clipped it sufficiently 
 free so as to enable me to obtain a firm grip upon 
 it. The result was astounding. The stout 
 cloth held in my hands, ripping upward and 
 across, showering broken cement on the floor, 
 and revealing an opening nearly three feet in 
 diameter, closed with wood. The meaning of 
 it all occurred to me in a flash; there had been 
 a dumb waiter here at some time; doubtless by 
 means of it the poor devil confined had been fed. 
 Later the opening had been closed, and boarded 
 up, while, in order that the wall should look alike, 
 cloth had been tacked across to retain the ce 
 ment. This bit of falsework, unknown to the 
 care-taker, Swigert, had also escaped the obser 
 vation of Brandt. Without wasting time in 
 further speculation I began my endeavors to 
 loosen the boards.
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 "STONE WALLS DO NOT A PRISON MAKE" 
 
 FORTUNATELY the wood was pine, 
 and not thick, but even then I must have 
 consumed twenty minutes in whittling 
 out a space sufficiently long and wide to admit 
 the muzzle of my revolver. This, however, af 
 forded me ample purchase, and the nails yielded 
 almost noiselessly. The first loosened board was 
 utilized as a lever on its mates, and shortly gave 
 me ample space in which to explore. A very 
 brief groping in the dark hole proved my first 
 conjecture correct. Not only had this been the 
 passage for a dumb waiter from some upper 
 floor, but the waiter itself had been left there, 
 resting on the stone foundation. I felt upward 
 as far as possible, discovering the contrivance 
 had no cover, except iron braces to which a rope 
 had been fastened. I could even feel the frayed 
 end of a knot, but was unable to reach far 
 
 enough to determine if the rope itself remained 
 
 112
 
 NOT A PRISON 113 
 
 intact. If not, or if it proved insecurely fas 
 tened at the upper end, my discovery was likely 
 to be valueless, as the walls of the passage were 
 of matched wood, smooth from long usage. To 
 scale the shaft unaided would be impossible. 
 
 To get inside was not so difficult, but it 
 required persistence and labor to discover a pas 
 sage, through the iron network above. I wig 
 gled and squeezed my way up at last, but con 
 fident I could never get back unaided, and, with 
 beating heart, tested the strand of rope. It 
 held; even to my heaviest pulling it appeared 
 firmly attached somewhere above in the intense 
 darkness. I hung upon it with my full weight, 
 but there was no yielding to the strain. Thank 
 ful for a gymnastic training which made such a 
 feat possible, I went up slowly, hand over hand. 
 I could see nothing, but must have made fifteen 
 or eighteen feet, when my groping hand encoun 
 tered the upper beam. Wrapping the rope 
 about my leg in partial support I explored my 
 surroundings by sense of touch. The rope s end 
 was wrapped about the beam and tied, a loop 
 dangling. I crept into this, assured of its sup 
 port, and began to feel for some opening in the
 
 114 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 side wall. There must be one, unless it also had 
 been sealed, which would be improbable, yet so 
 closely did the slide fit, that I must have passed 
 over it a dozen times before my fingers detected 
 the crack. Only that I had determined upon 
 which side it must be, and persevered in the 
 search, I should have failed in uncovering it. 
 Once found, however, and pried with my knife 
 blade the door slid aside easily enough, but re 
 vealed nothing except darkness beyond. 
 
 There was no light, no noise, and, encouraged 
 by this, I managed to swing my loop close 
 enough so as to reach in through the opening, 
 and gain grip on the edge of a shelf. This en 
 abled me to drag my body slowly forward, al 
 though the narrowness of the opening caused 
 discomfort, until I kicked the loop free, and let 
 myself down gently on the floor. It was uncar- 
 peted, and in the darkness, I felt the outlines of 
 a gas range, and knew I was in a kitchen. 
 Fearful of making some noise I moved with cau 
 tion, discovering a window, with blinds tightly 
 closed, and a large table, with some odds and 
 ends upon it, including two empty cans, and 
 finally came to a door, latched but unlocked.
 
 NOT A PRISON 115 
 
 This I opened noiselessly, an inch at a time, and 
 peered out into the hall. Far in the distance 
 to my left was a faint glimmer of light, barely 
 visible. Even this dim illumination, to my eyes, 
 trained by groping through the dark, rendered 
 much visible, although distorted and grotesque. 
 In a vague way I knew where I was, on the fir.st 
 floor, at the back of the house, and felt convinced 
 the light must stream forth from the same room 
 into which I had been first taken. Possibly 
 Brandt had returned there, or Franzen. In 
 either case it would be best for me to avoid that 
 portion of the house. 
 
 My sole thought was of escape; of getting 
 safely away, and warning my men at the hangar. 
 I might be already too late, but every wasted 
 second added to the danger. I could only guess 
 at Brandt s plans, whether he had faith enough 
 in my final yielding to refrain from other meas 
 ures, or whether he would venture at once to win 
 his end by force. He had my keys, and, so far 
 as I knew, there was nothing to prevent his en 
 tering the hangar, except the faithfulness of De 
 Vigne. Ramon had already yielded to weak 
 ness, and, if Eisenbarth s report was true as
 
 116 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 overheard, one, at least, of the Pinkerton watch, 
 had been easily bought. If it was his turn for 
 duty, the conspirators should find easy sailing 
 and small danger with only one man to oppose 
 them, and he, doubtless, unsuspecting of their 
 purpose. This situation obscured all else to my 
 mind. It was not that I valued my discovery 
 so highly; in very truth I considered the price 
 offered in excess of its real importance; I could 
 have laughed at the Germans for paying so 
 highly for so simple an invention; but that was 
 not the point. I was a French officer, intrusted 
 by my government with a military secret, even 
 warned to guard it with my life. I was here 
 under orders which involved what I valued more 
 highly than all else my honor. I was pledged 
 to preserve the unknown element in the Dessaud 
 monoplane from others. This was the single 
 thought which for the moment obsessed me, mak 
 ing me forgetful even of the girl also a prisoner, 
 and for my sake. 
 
 I am ashamed now of the selfishness which ac 
 tuated me, but tell the story as it occurred. My 
 one dominant purpose was to escape, and over 
 throw Brandt s plans. I crept to the right, away
 
 NOT A PRISON 117 
 
 from the light, testing windows and doors, only 
 to discover the former boarded up, the latter se 
 curely locked and keyless. They could not be 
 forced open noiselessly, and to attempt such a 
 thing would bring the whole pack upon me. Ap 
 parently the only way out was through the area 
 door by which we had entered. As I stood there 
 again in the hall, hesitating and doubtful I 
 heard the chug of the motor outside, the sound 
 growing fainter. Someone had left the house 
 Brandt probably or else the chauffeur had 
 been dispatched upon an urgent errand. At 
 least there would be one less on guard. Heart 
 ened by this knowledge, and driven to action by 
 the thought that at any moment that cell in the 
 basement might be invaded, and my disappear 
 ance discovered, I crept forward toward the 
 single gleam of light. To attain the opening I 
 must pass this, and braced myself for the ordeal. 
 The carpeted hall rendered my approach noise 
 less, while I could see well enough to avoid the 
 few articles of furniture. To my left were 
 broad stairs leading upward; to the right the 
 lighted room with door ajar, and beyond the pas 
 sage to the area.
 
 118 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 Breathless I glanced into the illumined apart 
 ment, perceiving no evidence that it was occu 
 pied. I could see the table, and two-thirds of the 
 room, and, encouraged, advanced a step further so 
 as to survey every nook and cranny. There was 
 no one there, unless hidden by the folds of drap 
 ery which concealed the alcove. There was no 
 noise in the house, the silence profound, and I 
 slipped through the door, and drew aside the 
 curtain; the alcove was also vacant. There was 
 no doubt in my mind now as to what had oc 
 curred. Satisfied that I was helplessly sealed 
 in the cell below, both Brandt and Franzen had 
 departed, leaving Swigert alone on watch. They 
 did not purpose being absent long, or this light 
 would have been extinguished, but for the mo 
 ment I was free, with nothing to fear. I was 
 standing there still, one hand grasping the por 
 tiere draperies, when I heard a voice in the hall. 
 Instantly I sprang back behind the folds, 
 crouching low, yet able to peer out through the 
 slit of the curtain. Franzen and Swigert en 
 tered, the latter with an automatic rifle in his 
 hands, which he leaned against the wall. Fran 
 zen stretched himself on the sofa, smoking, and
 
 NOT A PRISON 119 
 
 it was clear enough that both men had been 
 drinking. 
 
 "That was good stuff, Carl, and plenty more 
 of it, you say?" he ejaculated in German. 
 "No; not now. Brandt would raise hades if he 
 knew about it, and he might jump back here 
 any minute. I know where I get butter for my 
 bread." 
 
 "Where s he gone, anyhow?" 
 
 "Search me. All he said was, Stay here, and 
 keep awake ; I 11 be back later. That s his 
 way; he never tells his plans. Obey orders, 
 draw your pay, and let him do the thinking. 
 I ve been with him five years now, and have got 
 through asking questions. It s no use, an only 
 gets him down on you. By God, I d kill a man 
 now, if he said so, and never ask the reason ; I d 
 know it would be all right." 
 
 "That fellow is n t dead, is he?" and there was 
 a certain accent of horror in Swigert s voice. 
 
 "Of course not; dead drunk is all. No need 
 of killing that kind brandy will do the business 
 easier. But the Captain ain t afraid of the other 
 way, when it is necessary. He s as cold and 
 hard as a rock. There s the only man I was ever
 
 120 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 afraid of in my life, Swigert ; that s a fact. If 
 ever I went back on him he d break out of hell 
 to kill me. I know it, and ain t taking any 
 chances." He glanced about uneasily. "You 
 better go back on guard." 
 
 "Oh, what s the use? The fellow is safe 
 enough in there, and the Captain can t get back 
 without our hearing the car. He s the same 
 Brandt that used to be in the Fifth Huzzars, is 
 he?" 
 
 "Yes Captain ; the story is that was all be 
 fore my time he was dismissed the service for 
 killing a Major over a card game. I ve heard 
 there was a woman involved, and a dirty scandal. 
 Anyhow he dropped out of sight for a while, 
 and then, all of a sudden, made his reappear 
 ance in the secret service. I ve heard the 
 Kaiser took his part. Anyhow the war office 
 gave him plenty of work. He served a year in 
 the French army, and there s some awful hard 
 stories about what he s done. First time I saw 
 him was in Hungary five years ago, and I Ve 
 been with him, off and on, ever since. There 
 is n t anything he s afraid to do, under orders. 
 He knows how to get results."
 
 NOT A PRISON 121 
 
 "Schmitt got me into this; he knows him." 
 
 "Yes, Brandt told me they were in the army 
 together; funny little devil; scared half to 
 death." 
 
 "Well, I ain t any too easy being mixed up in 
 the affair myself. It s all right for you fel 
 lows, able to leave the country, and keep out of 
 sight, but we re running some risk if this French 
 man ever gets out and squeals." 
 
 "You re getting paid for it more money 
 than you have earned in a year and this won t 
 be the first Parley-voo you Ve handled." 
 
 " T ain t because I care about that fellow, but 
 I got to live here ; I m an American citizen, and 
 don t want to get into any trouble. What s 
 Brandt going to do with him?" 
 
 Franzen shook his head. 
 
 "That depends on what the fellow does for 
 Brandt. But you have n t any cause to worry 
 the Captain knows what he is about." 
 
 "Maybe he does. Of course I know he is 
 smart, but the best of them makes mistakes. 
 There s that girl now ; he s going to have a time 
 of it keeping her still." 
 
 Franzen sat up suddenly, eyes snapping.
 
 122 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "I d forgotten her. There 11 be no danger 
 of her wanting to talk when she does get out. 
 We ve learned how to keep a woman quiet. 
 Mighty pretty girl this one hey?" 
 
 "I did n t get to see her," admitted Swigert 
 regretfully. 
 
 "I did; she was with the Frenchman at the 
 cafe. Now Carl, you take my advice and go 
 back on guard. I know the Captain, and he 
 won t have any mercy if he ever catches you up 
 here." 
 
 The care-taker picked up his gun, but loitered 
 at the door. 
 
 "I 11 take a bottle with me then; it s mighty 
 lonesome down there." 
 
 "I don t care what you take, so you keep sober 
 enough to escape the notice of Brandt. Bring 
 me one here first, will you ; I Ve got to keep 
 awake." 
 
 I could hear Swigert pass behind me along 
 the hall, while Franzen stretched himself back 
 on the sofa, and waited. I straightened up, but 
 made no noise ; somewhere out of sight, I heard a 
 clock tick. Then the care-taker returned, and 
 placed a pint bottle on the table. Franzen, lying
 
 NOT A PRISON 123 
 
 with hands beneath his head, staring up at the 
 ceiling, paid no apparent attention. 
 
 "There s your stuff," the other said shortly. 
 " Where did Brandt go? do you know?" 
 
 "He did n t tell me, but maybe I could guess 
 if I had to. It s my idea he s after the fellow s 
 valises. The best thing you can do will be to 
 get back down stairs." 
 
 "All right; I m going." 
 
 He disappeared, and, after listening for a 
 moment to make certain he was alone, Fran- 
 zen stepped across to the table, and poured him 
 self out a stiff drink. He stood there muttering 
 to himself in German, and then indulged in an 
 other, finally concealing the bottle behind some 
 bric-a-brac on the mantle. The liquor did not 
 seem to greatly affect him, for he paced the room 
 twice steadily enough, although his face was 
 flushed, and he muttered to himself; this was in 
 German, and so indistinct I could barely dis 
 tinguish isolated words. 
 
 "An hour yet not two o clock pretty 
 bah! What do I care free enough with others 
 picked up Dessaud might try my luck too 
 afraid? I guess not I can shut her mouth
 
 124 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 and his too, if it comes to that won t do any 
 harm to see." 
 
 He glanced out into the hall, turning his face 
 so as* to look both ways; then advanced to the 
 head of the basement stairs. By stepping for 
 ward slightly I could see that far, and watched 
 him lean over the railing and listen for some 
 sound of Swigert below. Apparently satisfied 
 he turned away, and disappeared to the left. 
 Where he was going and what was his purpose, 
 I could only conjecture, yet his vague mutterings 
 had given me a clue they must refer to Made 
 moiselle Probyn. I had not forgotten her pres 
 ence, but rather she had been forced out of my 
 mind by the importance of my own peril. I had 
 not before conceived that she was also in dan 
 ger. But now the situation assumed a totally 
 different aspect. If Franzen in liquor sought 
 her, taking advantage of Brandt s absence, my 
 escape from the house became of secondary im 
 portance. Whatever might have brought her 
 into this serious predicament whether zeal as 
 a newspaper woman, or personal interest in me 
 made no difference. She was a woman, a most 
 charming woman, as I was ready to admit, and
 
 NOT A PRISON 125 
 
 I could never leave her unprotected to the scant 
 mercy of such a wretch as Franzen. What the 
 latter might do or attempt, I could only con 
 jecture, yet I felt the fellow was sufficiently un 
 der the influence of liquor to be dangerous. All 
 this flashed over me in an instant, as I realized he 
 had vanished in the direction of the flight of 
 stairs leading to the upper floor. 
 
 I crept to the door, and looked out cautiously. 
 Franzen was just disappearing around the bal 
 uster above, a dim moving figure. He seemed 
 to pause, and I quickly drew back, convinced 
 that he was leaning over the rail, staring down, 
 to make certain he was unobserved that Swi- 
 gert remained on duty in the basement. His 
 cat-like caution, and watchfulness, convinced me 
 afresh his purpose must be an evil one. In the 
 full glow of the light I dare not move, until my 
 ears, strained to the utmost, told me he had 
 changed his position, was feeling his way slowly 
 along the upper hall. Then I slipped forth 
 silently, almost holding my breath, and stole up 
 the carpeted steps, pressing close against the 
 darker shadow of the wall. The night hung 
 black enough at the top, and the passageway was
 
 126 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 so strange to me that I was compelled to grope 
 my way forward. Franzen had turned toward 
 the front of the house, and I took the same di 
 rection, barely avoiding a couch against the side- 
 wall, and feeling out a passage inch by inch. 
 Twice I stopped to listen, but met with no re 
 ward. Then I came to a sharp corner, the hall 
 turning abruptly to the left, revealing a light 
 streaming through a narrow transom. Even as 
 I caught its reflection the door opened suddenly, 
 and a man s figure disappeared within. I 
 thought I distinguished a startled exclamation, 
 but the door closed so quickly as to shut it off 
 unrecognized. I ran forward, then stopped, 
 striving to distinguish what was occurring behind 
 that barrier.
 
 CHAPTER X 
 
 MISS PROBYN DEFIES DANGER 
 
 THE key was outside in the lock, proof 
 enough that Franzen realized the need 
 of haste, and had wasted no time in at 
 taining entrance. Once within he felt capable 
 of preventing any escape, and he had no fear of 
 being followed. The transom was closed, but, 
 with ear held close to the wood, I could distin 
 guish voices, and even pick out fragments of 
 speech. Trusting they were both too excited to 
 be observant I ventured to remove the key, 
 dropping it into my pocket, and staring through 
 the aperture. I could perceive quite a section of 
 the room, and their words reached me now 
 clearly. 
 
 She stood facing him fully dressed, but with 
 the loose coat discarded and flung over the foot 
 of the bed, the coverlet of which appeared ruffled, 
 as though she had been lying down, perhaps 
 sleeping. If so she was certainly wide awake 
 
 127
 
 128 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 enough now, judging from the flash of her eyes, 
 and glow of color in her cheeks. For the first 
 time I realized her beauty, or else suddenly per 
 ceived it with new eyes the rounded firmness of 
 chin, the red fullness of lips, the shapely nose, so 
 expressive of character, the deep, earnest eyes, 
 that could laugh so easily, or glow with indigna 
 tion, the long lashes, and the broad forehead 
 shadowed by a mass of hair. It was a witching 
 face, piquant, ever changing in expression, yet 
 reflecting strength of purpose, and purity of 
 thought. 
 
 "Then why are you here?" she asked, as if re 
 peating the question. "You have not answered 
 me. The outrage of holding me a prisoner is 
 surely enough, without the indignity of this in 
 sult." 
 
 "Oh come now, don t be afraid." 
 
 "Afraid!" scornfully, "I am not afraid not of 
 you. I might be of your master, but I ve met 
 enough of your kind to recognize the breed." 
 
 "You think so!" his voice proving she had an 
 gered him, inflamed his passion. "Well, you bet 
 ter be more pleasant about it, or you may 
 discover your mistake. Mind that, Miss, for
 
 DEFIES DANGER 129 
 
 there is no one in this house to help you if I took 
 a whim to be ugly. Do you know who I am?" 
 
 "The jailor probably; one of Brandt s hired 
 men. Yes, I know you you were at the cafe, 
 and took part in that fake fight. But I do not 
 in the least care who you are. I want to know 
 what you are doing in this room?" 
 
 Franzen took a step aside, so as to get beyond 
 the barrier of a small table, giving me a glimpse 
 oi his face. It was red with liquor, and his eyes 
 were ugly. Whatever he might have expected, 
 this reception was not quite to his liking, and he 
 was already in quarrelsome mood. She never 
 moved from her position, her eyes on his face, one 
 hand held behind her. 
 
 "You remain where you are," she said quietly, 
 "unless you care to get hurt." 
 
 "To hell with your threats; Brandt searched 
 you, I saw him. Now look here, my lady, 
 there s no use fighting," and he held out his 
 hands. "I m stronger than three of you, and 
 could crush the life out of you if I took the no 
 tion. I m the boss here, and you are a blamed 
 fool if you make me mad." 
 
 "Where is Captain Brandt?"
 
 130 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 He chuckled grimly. 
 
 "He s gone; that s enough for you to know, 
 and I m in charge here. What s the use of 
 your being so ugly about it? Maybe I ain t 
 as damned handsome as that Frenchman you re 
 running after, but I m just as much of a man." 
 
 "What do you mean?" her face flaming. 
 "That I have been seeking Monsieur Dessaud?" 
 
 "Good Lord! haven t you? Isn t that what 
 brought you into this fix?" 
 
 "No!" and I could see her form straighten. 
 "Now pay attention to me, Franzen, and let this 
 affair end. I am not the kind of a woman for 
 such an insult; I am not in that class. If you 
 have come here tonight under that impression 
 you better go away at once. I do not threaten, 
 but I warn you that if you venture to so much 
 as lay hand on me, I 11 kill you. I mean that ! 
 So you thought I was running after Lieutenant 
 Dessaud, did you? That was why you dared un 
 lock this door, and force your way in here ? You 
 are the very kind of cur to put that construc 
 tion on it " 
 
 "Maybe I 11 teach you yet," he broke in 
 fiercely, "to keep a civil tongue in your head."
 
 DEFIES DANGER 131 
 
 "You can never teach me not to despise your 
 kind," she went on stoutly. "And first you 11 
 learn that I am not afraid of you. You are a 
 coward, Franzen, a sneaking coward. The only 
 thing that has given you courage enough to come 
 up here is whiskey. Don t deny ; I can smell the 
 stuff from here. Whiskey courage never made 
 any hit with me. Now, listen; I am not your 
 kind of a woman. Probably you are not even 
 acquainted with my kind, but you are going to 
 discover something new tonight. Do you know 
 how I chanced to be in Lieutenant Dessaud s 
 company last evening?" 
 
 "Sure I do you picked him up on the street." 
 "And therefore you jumped to conclusions. 
 Well, as it happens, there is more to the story 
 than that. I do not in the least care what you 
 think; nevertheless I am going to tell you the 
 circumstances. I am a newspaper woman, a re 
 porter on the Press. I am under orders just as 
 a soldier is, and must go where I am told. The 
 assignments given me are not always pleasant 
 ones but I have no choice in the matter. My 
 city editor decides that. Do you understand? 
 One can still remain a true woman in the news-
 
 132 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 paper life respecting herself, and respected by 
 others and yet be no prude, or slave to the con 
 ventions. She must obey orders." 
 
 He nodded sullenly, without moving. 
 
 "Very well; I was sent out by my city editor 
 to interview Lieutenant Dessaud. Others had 
 failed, and I was given specific instructions how 
 to succeed. The task was not a pleasant one; it 
 involved deceit; for the time at least, it placed 
 me in a false position. If he had not been a gen 
 tleman it might have proven most embarrassing. 
 However the moment I looked into his face I 
 knew I was safe. Moreover that same moment 
 I became his friend, anxious to be of service." 
 
 She stopped, breathing swiftly, waiting for 
 him to speak, but the man remained silent. 
 
 "I took this assignment exactly as I would any 
 other. There were circumstances connected with 
 it that seemed peculiar my instructions relative 
 to taking the Lieutenant to the Cafe Francois, 
 for instance, and the methods I should use to 
 gain his interest yet the newspaper game is 
 played in so many ways, that one is not easily 
 alarmed, and it was my duty to obey orders 
 as in any ordinary case."
 
 DEFIES DANGER 133 
 
 She clasped her hands in sudden gesture, and 
 Franzen laughed. 
 
 "That s where you gave yourself away, my 
 beauty." 
 
 "I! Explain yourself!" 
 
 "That hand you held behind you all the time; 
 I thought, maybe, you retained a gun Brandt 
 had n t found." 
 
 "Oh, so that was the cause of your politeness." 
 
 "Partly; for I don t care nothing about your 
 story why should I?" his tone growing 
 rougher, now he was again assured of her help 
 lessness. "Besides I have n t got time to hear 
 it. That s all you re telling it for hoping 
 someone will come up, and help you. Well, let 
 me tell you, Miss, plain; there ain t no one to 
 come. The care-taker and I are the only ones 
 in the house, and he s down in the basement 
 guarding the Frenchman. You could scream 
 your head off, and never be heard." 
 
 "Do you threaten to attack me?" 
 
 "I don t see no reason. You have n t fooled 
 me any by what you ve said. Of course I know 
 you are a reporter on the Press, but it s my no 
 tion old Schmitt never would have picked you
 
 134 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 out for this job if he had n t sized you up right. 
 You met the Frenchman on the street, did n t 
 you, and then went to dinner with him? Then 
 you steered him down to Francois, which is n t 
 exactly the place for a little Sunday school girl. 
 Come on, now, don t pretend to be so awfully 
 nice, and exclusive. I don t want any rough 
 house, but you can t throw any more dust in my 
 eyes." 
 
 "You pretend that my explanation is false?" 
 
 "Oh, you re not such a wonder, as to hold me 
 at arm s length. Come on, now ; I m no fool, 
 and don t propose being treated like one." 
 
 He stepped forward, and she drew back to 
 ward the farther wall. She was not afraid of 
 him, I could see that, for the expression on her 
 face was disgust and indignation, yet she was un 
 armed, while I was certain Franzen had a re 
 volver concealed somewhere. 
 
 "No!" she said clearly. "No; you shall not 
 touch me." 
 
 She slipped about the table, and he followed 
 her blindly, so assured of his final victory as to 
 become careless. With a swift movement she at 
 tained the door and grasped the knob. The
 
 DEFIES DANGER 135 
 
 same instant the fellow, uttering an oath, gripped 
 her sleeve, hurling her to one knee. But, even 
 as she fell, she flung open the door, and I leaped 
 through into the room. Her body was in the 
 way, permitting Franzen to straighten up before 
 I could reach him. Even then my one control 
 ling thought was to prevent his shooting. The 
 fellow was about my size and strength, yet my 
 only fear was of his weapon. If I could keep 
 him from drawing that I felt confident of the 
 result of the struggle. So astonished was he by 
 my unexpected appearance that I had my grip 
 before he could spring aside, or make any effort 
 at escape. In an instant we were locked in each 
 other s arms, crunched tightly together, and 
 swaying back and forth in mad effort at mastery 
 he striving to break free, and I to hold him 
 helpless. His very cowardice made him fiend 
 ish when once trapped, and those first fierce mo 
 ments of struggle brought to me a sensation of 
 defeat. He fought with tooth and nail, exhibit 
 ing a strength I had not supposed he possessed, 
 while the drink in him gave an insane cunning. 
 In spite of all I could do I was hurled back 
 against the table, which crashed to the floor bear-
 
 136 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 ing us both with it. Yet no effort on his part 
 loosened my grip, not even then, although like 
 a savage dog, he buried his teeth in my shoulder. 
 The pain infuriated me, and I managed to re 
 taliate by planting a knee in his stomach, loosen 
 ing the grip of his jaws by driving my head 
 against his chin. 
 
 Except that he swore once in German neither 
 uttered a sound, but he possessed the advantage 
 of knowing I was unarmed. Assured of this he 
 worked one arm free, and struck me again and 
 again, forcing my head back until I was obliged 
 to release my hold in self-defense. Instantly the 
 fellow was upon his feet, tugging at his revolver, 
 a malicious grin on his face. With all my force 
 I flung myself head first forward, striking him 
 like a catapult, with the full weight of my body. 
 He went over, crashing against the window ledge, 
 and dropped limp on the floor, the weapon fly 
 ing from his hand undischarged. Without wait 
 ing to see the result, half dazed myself by the 
 violence of the blow struck, I crept across, and 
 secured it; then struggled to my feet, reeling 
 dizzily from pain, everything blurred before me. 
 The girl was erect, grasping the knob of the
 
 He fought . . . exhibiting a strength I had not supposed 
 
 he possessed
 
 DEFIES DANGER 137 
 
 door, as though half inclined to flee, yet hesi 
 tating, and staring back at us both. I barely 
 glanced toward her, gripping a chair to keep me 
 erect, gazing at Franzen s motionless body 
 through a purple haze. I could not determine 
 that he did not move, and advanced slowly, the 
 weapon held ready to cover him. Aware that 
 she had moved toward me, I reached down and 
 turned his head so that his white face was up 
 ward. As my ringers touched him I realized the 
 man was dead.
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 
 FRESH COMPLICATIONS 
 
 THE shock of this discovery left me speech 
 less; I could only grope for the man s 
 heart with merciless fingers. It did not 
 seem possible that he could be actually dead. 
 Yet the fact was beyond dispute. Half aware 
 of her presence I looked up, and met her eyes. 
 
 "What is it? Tell me; has has he been 
 killed?" 
 
 "Yes," and I found strength to arise. "He 
 lie must have struck the sharp casing of the win 
 dow see, his skull is crushed. I I had no 
 thought" 
 
 "I know that," she interrupted quietly. "I 
 saw how it happened: you could not have done 
 otherwise. He deserved it all, but but," her 
 hands pressed to her face, "you do not realize 
 what this means to us to us both." 
 
 "What do you mean?" 
 
 "His death by by violence. Every power 
 
 138
 
 FRESH COMPLICATIONS 139 
 
 on earth will be invoked for vengeance. His 
 government will demand, and compel, arrest and 
 conviction. You do not understand ; you do not 
 even know who he was?" 
 
 "No, only that he was a tool employed by 
 Brandt. I heard him boast below how long they 
 had been together." 
 
 "They had yes," she explained, "but he was 
 not a tool, an employee. Brandt operated under 
 his orders. He is connected with the legation at 
 Washington. Schmitt told me that after we left 
 the Cafe Francois not what he was, not his of 
 fice, but he is Baron von Franzen, and no mere 
 spy to be shuffled out of sight and forgotten. 
 His death will be investigated, probed, not with 
 any attempt at justice, but in a determination to 
 convict. It will be made a government matter, 
 and your plea of self-defense laughed at." 
 
 "But you saw; you can testify." 
 
 "Do you suppose they would give me the 
 chance! Monsieur, I have been an American 
 newspaper woman too long not to know the 
 methods. It will be revenge, not justice sought, 
 and Brandt may be trusted to hush up the facts 
 in the case. His success depends on secrecy,
 
 140 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 and he will take no chance with the truth." 
 
 "That might be true in Germany; but not 
 here, in free America." 
 
 "No," scornfully; "you have a foreigner s 
 dream of the impossible. The difference is not 
 so great. This country is full of Germans, Mon 
 sieur, in every rank of life. They are good cit 
 izens, but there is a mystic tie connecting them 
 with the Fatherland which no oath of allegiance 
 to this country can wholly sever. Many of them 
 have been soldiers, and, like Schmitt, still re 
 spond to the call of discipline. They are not 
 unjust, but Germany means native land. Silent 
 as such influence is, it is nevertheless marvelously 
 strong. Nor is that all." 
 
 "You know more?" 
 
 "I know there is a network of spies in this 
 country, as well as in Europe. Perhaps they are 
 not so active, because there is less need; the jeal 
 ousy between nations is not so acute. But 
 Brandt knows who he can call upon in this city, 
 if he needs help; there are many who will obey 
 his orders, if he makes known his authority. Do 
 you suppose he will hesitate to act when he learns 
 of this man s death? He will never permit it
 
 FRESH COMPLICATIONS 141 
 
 to be made public; he will revenge it himself." 
 
 "With my life, Mademoiselle?" I questioned, 
 startled, but disbelieving. "That would be too 
 dangerous; I am as well known, my govern 
 ment " 
 
 "Would never know. There is no place like 
 a great city in which to hide crime. I beg of 
 you, Monsieur, do not treat my warning lightly. 
 Remember what these men have dared do al 
 ready to us both. Why should they hesitate to 
 venture still farther? You should know what the 
 spy system of Europe is ; men are not employed 
 in it who are unwilling to risk their lives. It is 
 no different here." She leaned toward me in 
 eagerness, touching my arm. "I did not know 
 all this until tonight, but you you are a French 
 officer, and have met foreign spies before 
 have n t you?" 
 
 "Yes," I admitted. "They are numerous 
 enough across the water." 
 
 "And if less numerous here, no less danger 
 ous. You even knew of Captain Brandt in Eu 
 rope?" 
 
 "He had been described to me; some of his 
 exploits."
 
 142 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "And do you suppose his ocean voyage across 
 has greatly changed his nature?" 
 
 I shook my head, my glance turning from her 
 to the dead face on the floor. Beyond doubt the 
 girl was right; the affair was far more serious 
 than I had at first conceived. 
 
 "But but how does it happen you know all 
 this?" I asked. "You have not lived abroad." 
 
 "No," promptly; "nor did I know until a few 
 hours ago. I had read of such things to be sure ; 
 they are in books of romance, but I had sup 
 posed the incidents largely drawn from the novel 
 ist s imagination. Tonight I was brought face 
 to face with the actual facts. I am a newspaper 
 woman, Monsieur, and we see much that is 
 strange in life. But this assignment was differ 
 ent; I suspected evil at once; I told you so, and 
 warned you of danger. You admit that?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "Yet even then I did not realize how far those 
 men might go the nature of their plot. What 
 occurred at the Cafe Francois was as great a 
 surprise to me as to you. But afterward, when 
 they had taken you away unconscious, I could not 
 rest without learning more. I thought you
 
 FRESH COMPLICATIONS 143 
 
 would deem me an accomplice; would believe I 
 had lured you there treacherously " 
 
 "I did not," I protested warmly. "I held you 
 innocent." 
 
 "I hoped you might, but could not have blamed 
 had it been otherwise. It all occurred so swiftly, 
 so surprisingly, that I was helpless. Before I 
 comprehended the plan, you had been spirited 
 away, and I was there alone, with Schmitt grasp 
 ing my arm. A small crowd gathered asking 
 questions, and a policeman hurried up. Schmitt 
 was anxious to get away, and I made no resist 
 ance for it would have been useless. I knew 
 nothing of where you had been taken, and my 
 first thought was to make Schmitt tell. He got 
 a cab, and took me to my home. I talked to him 
 on the way, carelessly, as though I took the even 
 ing s adventure as a joke. This deceived him, 
 and, as I already knew so much, he explained 
 Brandt s purpose. I think he told me all he 
 knew, for his idea was they merely intended to 
 gain possession of your papers, and then let you 
 go. He explained about the spy system, and 
 how he had been drawn into the affair. He was 
 frightened, and begged me to remain at home
 
 144 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 until sent for. I promised, and he left me 
 there." 
 
 I did not speak, and her lowered eyes again 
 sought mine questioningly. 
 
 "I did not feel bound by such a promise, Mon 
 sieur," she went on firmly. "I had betrayed 
 you, and knew I must make amends. Monsieur, 
 I did not believe all that he said; if those men 
 would strike you down thus in a public place, 
 there was nothing too desperate for them to at 
 tempt when they once had you in their power. 
 I could not rest, or refuse to help. I did not 
 know where they had taken you, but Schmitt 
 gave me a hint, and I found them. It was only 
 when you came out of the hotel that I was sure. 
 What happened after that you know. I I 
 tried to do what was right, but but now the 
 horror of it all," and she pointed at Franzen, 
 drawing her skirts closer. 
 
 "You did do what was right," I exclaimed, 
 "and not one in a thousand would have been 
 brave enough to venture it. You are afraid I 
 may think you unwomanly?" 
 
 ^he shot a quick glance into my eyes, the color 
 flooding her face.
 
 FRESH COMPLICATIONS 145 
 
 "You surely have every reason to doubt me." 
 
 "I confess to none, Mademoiselle; I recognize 
 none. I am not ungrateful." 
 
 "Oh, I would not care for that! Gratitude! 
 Why I have barely done my duty. Let us not 
 talk of gratitude, for, in truth, I have caused you 
 all this trouble. But for me you would never 
 have fallen into the hands of these men; but for 
 me this horrible affair could not have happened. 
 I am the cause of it all ; you you killed this man 
 to protect me from insult." 
 
 "I sought to protect you yes, but the death 
 was an accident." 
 
 She gave a swift gesture of impatience. 
 
 "Accident or not, Lieutenant Dessaud, I in 
 sist that you treat this incident seriously. It is 
 serious for both of us. Baron von Franzen has 
 been killed ; he met death at your hands, and your 
 only hope of escape from being charged with his 
 murder is to leave Chicago at once, is to get out 
 of the clutches of these men." 
 
 "But surely the law would protect me from 
 injustice." 
 
 "The law!" for the first time she laughed as 
 she had earlier in the evening. "What can the
 
 146 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 law have to do with the case? Has the law pre 
 vented your being held prisoner and robbed? 
 Has the law saved me the humiliation of being 
 here?" She glanced about at the walls of the 
 room. "You have escaped from the cell in 
 which you were confined, but we are still in this 
 unknown house under guard prisoners in 
 Brandt s power. He is the one to fear, not only 
 now, while we remain in his hands, but also his 
 influence outside. Have you any idea where he 
 has gone? How long he will be away?" 
 
 "I heard Franzen say he was attempting to se 
 cure my valises from the hotel." 
 
 "The Congress?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "You signed no order? Then he would be 
 compelled to forge one. No; perhaps not; he 
 took your keys? Was the room key among 
 them?" 
 
 I felt hastily through my pockets. 
 
 "I am not sure," I answered in doubt. "My 
 garments were all searched while I was uncon 
 scious, but later Brandt returned what had been 
 taken. The room key is not here, but I may 
 not have had it with me."
 
 FRESH COMPLICATIONS 147 
 
 She stood quiet thinking, a little wrinkle be 
 tween her eyes. Her glance sank to the body on 
 the floor, and she gave a slight shudder, turning 
 away. 
 
 " That makes little difference," she admitted 
 slowly. "For the man would discover some 
 means for achieving his purpose. Tell me what 
 you know about this house ; how you came to be 
 here." 
 
 I related the story swiftly, and she listened 
 without comment until I had finished. 
 
 "You, of course, have no knowledge of where 
 we are? What part of the city?" 
 
 "I thought I recognized Michigan Avenue, 
 and when we turned it was to the left." 
 
 "The South Side in the neighborhood of the 
 lake shore. I thought so, although I was 
 brought here with curtains tightly drawn. Then, 
 if you are right, Monsieur, only one of the gang 
 is left in the house the man Swigert?" 
 "Yes." 
 
 "And he is on guard in the basement." 
 "He was. I will creep down now, and dis 
 cover if the passage is clear." 
 
 "No," and she caught my arm. "We will go
 
 148 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 together. I I could not remain here alone." 
 
 At the door she drew her breath sharply, 
 glancing back into the lighted room. 
 
 "Shall we leave him lying there just just as 
 he is?" she asked, her lips quivering. "It seems 
 heathenish." 
 
 "We have ourselves to consider, not Franzen," 
 I returned not unkindly, but fully aroused now 
 to the situation, and drawing her with me out into 
 the hall. "It can make no difference to him 
 where he lies. Come, Mademoiselle." 
 
 I closed the door silently, feeling her press 
 more closely to me in the sudden darkness. For 
 a moment we stood there listening, but nothing 
 broke the intense stillness, except our own breath 
 ing. Once she shuddered, and I heard a half 
 suppressed sob. 
 
 "Do not break down," I whispered, almost 
 tenderly. "Surely, there is nothing so terrible 
 to fear." 
 
 "It is not that; I am not afraid, but but the 
 sight of that dead man, being there beside him so 
 long, has unnerved me," she explained. "I will 
 be all right when when we start to do some 
 thing."
 
 FRESH COMPLICATIONS 149 
 
 "Then let us feel our way to the head of the 
 stairs; there is a light burning below." 
 
 "Must we go that way? In a house like this 
 there must be a servant s staircase." 
 
 "I remember none, and if there is it could be 
 of little service. I told you the rear door was 
 locked, and all the lower windows boarded up. 
 The front entrance, under the area stairs, is the 
 only one unfastened." 
 
 Her hand tightened on mine, but she made no 
 further remonstrance, and I moved forward, 
 feeling my way cautiously along the wall. Had 
 I been alone I should have walked out boldly 
 enough, paying small heed to Swigert, for Fran- 
 zen s loaded revolver rested in my pocket, but 
 her presence was a restraint. For all I knew 
 Brandt might have returned, and it was to our 
 interest to avoid creating alarm. If that one 
 door was our sole means of escape the more 
 quietly we could attain it the better. Scarcely 
 realizing that I retained her hand closely clasped 
 in mine, I stole down the stairs toward the dim 
 reflection of light below. We had reached the 
 foot when we heard the chug of the automobile, 
 and came to a sudden pause, staring into each
 
 150 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 other s eyes. The frightened look in her face 
 served to steady me. 
 
 "We re too late; there is no time to bolt," I 
 muttered shortly. "Quick let s try this room 
 until he goes by." 
 
 I flung open the door and thrust her into the 
 dense darkness, crouching beside her, and noise 
 lessly fastening the latch. Almost with the clos 
 ing of the door we heard Brandt and the chauf 
 feur at the head of the area stairs, the former 
 calling for Franzen, as he peered into the lighted 
 room opposite. 
 
 "Not here," he exclaimed. "Wait there where 
 you are, Eisenbarth ; he s probably down in the 
 basement." 
 
 The thick hall carpet rendered footsteps noise 
 less, but a moment later his voice sounded again 
 as he called: 
 
 "Below there." 
 
 "Hullo." 
 
 "That you, Swigert? What has become of 
 Franzen?" 
 
 "He was there in the back-parlor the last I 
 knew, sir. He 11 be around there somewhere all 
 right."
 
 FRESH COMPLICATIONS 151 
 
 "Crawled off and gone to sleep," put in Eisen- 
 barth. "I m tired enough myself." 
 
 "Then we 11 wake him up," growled the leader. 
 "How s the prisoner?" 
 
 "Could n t be quieter if he was dead," returned 
 the voice below. "Was about half asleep my 
 self when you came in." 
 
 For a moment they all appeared quiet; then 
 the chauffeur spoke. 
 
 "No use hunting him in there, sir; that s where 
 we put the stiff." 
 
 "That s right; let s try the other rooms. 
 Give me some matches, will you; it is too risky 
 switching on the lights." 
 
 I drew the girl back behind the door, where 
 we would be partially sheltered from observa 
 tion. Without realizing I was doing so, or 
 rather thinking nothing of the action in the ex 
 citement, I kept a grasp on her hands, and held 
 her closely to me. 
 
 "Do not move," I whispered. "They may not 
 discover us here, even if they come in." 
 
 The returning pressure of her fingers an 
 swered; I could feel the warmth of her body, 
 hear her suppressed breathing. Outside, a
 
 152 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 match flared as it was scratched against wood, 
 but no hand touched the knob of our door. It 
 seemed to me the men were groping their way 
 along the back hall. Finally Eisenbarth spoke 
 again, his voice sounding some distance away: 
 
 "He is n t here, that s certain. Where did 
 you put the girl?" 
 
 "Up above; you don t suppose " 
 
 "Why not? That is his reputation, and she 
 was a peach, what little I saw of her. If that 
 is where he is we better let him alone." 
 
 Brandt laughed. 
 
 "I never thought of that," he admitted. "Oh, 
 I 11 let him alone on that proposition, never fear. 
 Best thing that could happen to keep her 
 tongue still. Just creep up the stairs and see if 
 there is a light burning." 
 
 There followed a few moments of silence ; then 
 the voices again, this time directly before our 
 door. 
 
 "There is a light, all right, Captain, in the 
 front room, but I could n t hear any noise." 
 
 The other chuckled, as though it was all a good 
 
 So much the better for Franzen. He 11
 
 FRESH COMPLICATIONS 153 
 
 show up presently. Meanwhile I am hungry 
 enough to eat ; Swigert." 
 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 "There is nothing to remain down there for. 
 Come up, and see what kind of a lunch you can 
 spread. Any liquor in the house?" 
 
 The footsteps of the care-taker sounded 
 plainly enough. I could even distinguish when 
 he set his gun down against the wall. 
 
 "Plenty of that, but not so much to eat. 
 Franzen had a bottle already." 
 
 "Which accounts for his courage hey, Eisen- 
 barth? Well, hustle up what you have, and 
 bring in some whiskey." 
 
 We waited, pressed close together, listening, 
 barely able to distinguish the faint sounds reach 
 ing us from without. 
 
 "What shall we do?" she whispered. 
 
 "I cannot decide yet," I answered. "There 
 are three of them armed; we must wait for some 
 chance to slip out."
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 
 IN THE DEATH CHAMBER 
 
 WAITING there in the dark was hard 
 work. I drew a bit away; from her, 
 changing my position as silently as 
 possible, but she kept her clasp on my hand. 
 
 "Please do not leave me," she urged. "I I 
 actually believe I am afraid." 
 
 "This position is enough to make anyone 
 nervous; it seems quiet out there; I thought I 
 would see how it looked." 
 
 "Oh, don t venture yet! I can hear voices." 
 She leaned forward. "What was it Captain 
 Brandt meant when he laughed? Did he did 
 he actually believe I was with that man?" 
 
 "Undoubtedly; otherwise he wouldn t rest so 
 easily now. It is, in fact, a good thing for us he 
 
 did." 
 
 She gave a little sob. 
 
 "But why should he think that ! Why should 
 he speak speak like that of me?" her voice 
 
 154
 
 IN THE DEATH CHAMBER 155 
 
 trembling even in its whisper. "Have I acted 
 unwomanly?" 
 
 "You! Why it is nothing you have done at 
 all, Mademoiselle. There are men who think 
 evil of all women, because they are themselves 
 evil. Do not permit that fellow s words to trou 
 ble you." 
 
 "But you heard what he said, and you have far 
 more reason to doubt me than he. I have ap 
 peared under false colors, and acted as an ac 
 complice to these conspirators. Brandt s sneer 
 has caused me to realize, as I never have before, 
 the depth of my degradation. You are kind, 
 Monsieur, and you treat me with courtesy, yet 
 down in your heart there can be no respect for 
 any woman who would do what I have done." 
 
 Even in the darkness I felt the hand out 
 stretched in despairing gesture, and held it 
 firmly. 
 
 "I am sorry such a doubt has come to you," 
 I said soberly, "for it is not true. I cannot speak 
 here, for we are still in peril, and every moment 
 is of value, but I hold nothing against you. This 
 predicament in which we find ourselves is fate. 
 You were but an unconscious instrument. So
 
 156 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 far am I from blaming you that even now I feel 
 thankful you were involved in the affair." 
 
 "Thankful 1 you mock me!" 
 
 "Oh, no; not in months, even years, of ordi 
 nary intercourse could I have come to know you 
 as I do now. Had we ever met under other con 
 ditions I might have considered you a most com 
 monplace person to be forgotten in an hour." 
 
 "But I am." 
 
 "Of that let me be judge; at least the forget 
 ting will be impossible. Why should this not be 
 true with me as well as with you. Can you for- 
 get?" 
 
 "No; I have no desire to do so; but with you 
 it is different." 
 
 "Why, Mademoiselle? I am a man as you are 
 a woman the gulf between us is not so wide." 
 
 "Oh, but it is! You are a man of affairs, of 
 the world, an officer of your nation, distinguished, 
 honored, respected. You know the women of 
 the capitols of Europe; while what am I? A 
 mere newspaper scribbler, forced to do work of 
 which I am ashamed. No ! do not interrupt, for 
 I wish you to realize that I understand the truth. 
 I know what your class in Europe think of
 
 IN THE DEATH CHAMBER 157 
 
 women who write for the daily press. They are 
 held as unsexed. Is that not so?" 
 
 "There is a prejudice yes," I admitted. "I 
 was not free from it myself, for those of the pro 
 fession I have met in Paris were hardly of the 
 sort to inspire respect. If I had met you ordi 
 narily my European prejudice would have 
 blinded me; I would never have comprehended 
 the American difference." 
 
 "You think me an exception then?" 
 
 "An utter contradiction rather; although, of 
 course, I am not capable of passing judgment 
 on American newspaper women." 
 
 "They are of all kinds good and evil mixed. 
 The work is of a nature to develop whatever 
 tendency is uppermost at the start. But I am 
 not so deeply interested in your judgment of my 
 profession, as of your present faith in me indi 
 vidually. It is Helen Probyn who is on trial." 
 
 "Not in my court," I answered earnestly, "for 
 I have decided the issues already. I have for 
 gotten all else of the case except that the de 
 fendant is a most charming woman." 
 
 "Which, even if true, can be no possible ex 
 cuse for her actions, for the strange position in
 
 158 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 which she now finds herself. Monsieur, I ap 
 preciate your gallantry, but I ask more your 
 faith in me as a woman." 
 
 "It is yours, Mademoiselle," I said simply, and 
 lifted her hand to my lips. "Not as a courtier, 
 but as a man I speak. I am your friend always. 
 You believe me now?" 
 
 "Yes," the faintest hesitancy in the whispered 
 word. "I must believe ; it is in my heart to wish 
 it so. I I cannot tell you how deeply I have 
 been humiliated by my position. I did not care 
 at first, for when I started out to gain an inter 
 view with you it was apparently but a part of 
 my ordinary routine. Please let me explain ! I 
 want you to know you were nothing to me then 
 a mere name, a foreign name, in which I was 
 in no wise interested. Yet, when I met you, I 
 realized it was different: I regretted the part 
 I was cast to play. When we were at supper I 
 was planning how to escape; but you would not 
 let me. My story, half told, had aroused in you 
 a spirit of adventure, and I dare not warn you 
 of what I suspected, because it was merely sus 
 picion. There was nothing left me, but to ac 
 company you was there?"
 
 IN THE DEATH CHAMBER 159 
 
 "No; that was my fault, not yours." 
 
 "It is generous of you to say so. What I 
 wish you to understand is this it was a mere 
 newspaper reporter who met you at the Art 
 Building; but it was a woman who sat beside 
 you at the Cafe Fra^ois; it is a woman who is 
 here now. You know what I mean?" 
 
 "Fully you have changed, because I am no 
 longer a mere name, but an individual a friend." 
 
 "Yes, a friend," softly, the word lingering on 
 her lips. "That means much sometimes. I 
 have never had many friends; those to whom I 
 could speak frankly. But we have met so 
 strangely every barrier seems leveled. I 
 scarcely recognize myself sitting here in the dark 
 talking with you like this as though I had 
 known you always. It it is not natural. Why 
 should I care so much to retain your respect, your 
 friendship? jYesterday I did not know your 
 
 name." 
 
 "I am willing to let the mystery pass without 
 explanation," I answered, my pulses leaping, 
 "and rejoice in the acknowledgment. I want 
 you for a friend, Mademoiselle, not merely in the 
 darkness of tonight, but also in the glow of to-
 
 160 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 morrow. Let me make my confession as well. 
 It was merely an adventurer who met you last 
 evening, but it is a man who speaks now. The 
 change wrought by a few hours is not for you 
 alone. Helen Probyn is no longer a mere name 
 to me." 
 
 She did not speak, although I waited, listen 
 ing to her quick breathing. 
 
 "Do you care?" 
 
 "Yes of course I care," frankly, yet with 
 drawing her hand from mine, as though just 
 realizing they were clasped together. "I value 
 your friendship, and always shall. But how can 
 we sit here talking of such things? We have 
 forgotten where we are. I hear no noise out 
 side; are those men still there?" 
 
 "Someone passed along the hall a moment ago, 
 and voices spoke in the room opposite. Remain 
 where you are till I explore this apartment ; there 
 may be some other way out." 
 
 I arose to my feet, but she grasped my sleeve. 
 
 "Let me go with you! the the silence is on 
 my nerves." 
 
 We moved forward cautiously, groping our 
 way through the dark, fearful of making the
 
 IN THE DEATH CHAMBER 161 
 
 slightest noise to be heard without. Where 
 Brandt, and his assistants might be, was only a 
 matter of guess, and, at any moment, they might 
 learn something to awaken suspicion, and cause 
 them to commence search. With the loaded re 
 volver in my pocket I was no longer greatly 
 afraid of an encounter, in spite of the odds 
 against me, yet the presence of the girl prevented 
 my becoming reckless. Any revolver duel 
 might attract intervention from without, and 
 such public exposure would reflect upon her rep 
 utation. Innocent as her presence was, yet the 
 tongue of the world would not spare her name, 
 and I realized that we must depend upon our 
 own efforts at escape. The clinging pressure of 
 her fingers on my arm kept her constantly in my 
 memory, and I was conscious of a tenderness to 
 ward her most unusual. She was no longer 
 merely a woman I was bound to protect and 
 shield, but the woman whose safety meant more 
 than my own. My blood leaped at the slightest 
 pressure of her form against mine, the confident 
 clinging of her fingers. I, who for so long had 
 been indifferent to the sex, awoke suddenly now 
 surprised and startled to find myself a pris-
 
 162 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 oner to this strange girl. I scarcely compre 
 hended the truth, yet the net bound me, and my 
 heart throbbed at her presence. Even then my 
 one desire was to look into her eyes, and read 
 their message ; until I could do that I must crush 
 back the mad words on my lips. 
 
 I touched chairs upholstered in leather; a ta 
 ble; book-cases, protected by glass; felt the out 
 lines of a low window, protected by lace curtains, 
 and with outside blinds fastened. Then we en 
 countered a wide couch of soft plush resting 
 against the wall. Convinced we were in the li 
 brary I merely swept one hand over the plush 
 to assure myself of its nature, but came in 
 startled contact with a shoe, apparently encas 
 ing a human foot. Even in that first instant I 
 recognized it to be the coarse, rough shoe of a 
 workingman, caked with mud. What in the 
 name of God! was such as he doing, lying 
 there? Obeying my first impulse I drew her a 
 step backward. 
 
 "Do not be frightened," I whispered, "but re 
 main where you are; there is a man lying on the 
 couch." 
 
 "A man! Are you sure?"
 
 IN THE DEATH CHAMBER 163 
 
 "Yes; I felt his foot. You will wait here 
 quietly while I investigate? He cannot be 
 asleep, for there is no sound of breathing." 
 
 "Oh! you you think he is dead?" 
 
 "I suspect so at least, but must make certain." 
 
 She let me go, and I held the revolver in one 
 hand as I crept back through the darkness. The 
 man must be dead, and yet I dare not take the 
 chance of arousing a sleeper. It was with a 
 shrinking of horror I touched the motionless 
 form, fingering gingerly coarse trousers, and a 
 workman s shirt. Then my hand came in con 
 tact with flesh, cold, clammy. He was dead, 
 and I straightened up, breathing more freely, 
 and dropped the weapon back into my pocket. 
 There was nothing to fear from him. 
 
 "He is dead, Mademoiselle," I said gravely, 
 and with outstretched hand touched her again, 
 knowing my nearness would help her to regain 
 courage. "There is no danger." 
 
 "Dead! but who can it be?" 
 
 "I have no way of knowing, but from his 
 clothes he must have been a laborer. I wonder 
 if I dare strike a match?" 
 
 She did not answer, only I could feel her body
 
 164 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 tremble, and knew she was staring through the 
 dark in horror. 
 
 "I am going to risk it. There was no tran 
 som to that room opposite, and there probably 
 is none here. I must see his face." 
 
 The match burst into flame silently, and the 
 slight flare lit up the room dimly. I leaned for 
 ward, and held the blazing splinter closer. The 
 man s face was to the wall, and I was compelled 
 to bend far over to see his features. The match 
 fluttered as I stared down, flickered and went 
 out. 
 
 "Good God!" I muttered, staggering back, as 
 though dealt a blow. "It s Ramon." 
 
 "Who? Someone you know?" 
 
 "Yes, one of my men. I cannot be mistaken, 
 but will strike another match and make sure." 
 
 The yellow flame rendered the dead face 
 ghastly, but there was no doubt as to who the 
 dead man was. With shaking hand still holding 
 the burning stick I glanced up at her, the tiny 
 glow of light rendering every expression visible. 
 Then we were in darkness. 
 
 "Was it your man?" 
 
 "Yes ; but I saw no wound. Still he could not
 
 IN THE DEATH CHAMBER 165 
 
 have died from natural cause, for he was well 
 yesterday. Besides, why should he be here?" 
 
 There was silence between us ; then she spoke, 
 again clasping my arm, but with voice under con 
 trol. 
 
 "There is but one explanation only the one. 
 We must face the truth. This is the work of 
 those men. It is part of the conspiracy against 
 you. It proves to what desperate means Brandt 
 will resort to gain his ends. He will not hesitate 
 even at murder." 
 
 "But I am not sure this is murder." 
 
 "Perhaps not; they may not have actually 
 killed the man by violent means. But the result 
 is the same. They have got to conceal his death, 
 however it occurred. Rather than be discovered 
 now, they would would kill us. Why do you 
 think he was not murdered?" 
 
 "From a bit of conversation overheard. Ra 
 mon drank heavily at times, and Brandt s spies 
 discovered his weakness. One boasted of plying 
 him with liquor, and, I believe, his death was the 
 result. They gave him too much." 
 
 "Yes; yet the important fact is that he is 
 dead," she insisted, "and they cannot permit it
 
 166 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 to be known until they are safely away. In 
 volved as they are now, they would do any des 
 perate deed to escape discovery." 
 "You are afraid?" 
 
 "Yes, I am afraid," clinging to me, no longer 
 making any attempt at concealing her real feel 
 ings. "But it is for you, as much as for my 
 self. The danger which confronts us now is not 
 Brandt alone, but also the law; we must hide 
 from both." 
 
 "The law!" 
 
 "Ramon is not the only dead man in this hor 
 rible house, Monsieur. Have you forgotten von 
 Franzen? The moment his body is discovered 
 Brandt will be given the very weapon he needs 
 against you." 
 
 "I see, Mademoiselle, and also a method by 
 which he can escape. But would he dare call in 
 the police?" 
 
 "Dare! Why not? What has he to fear 
 from their investigation? He could prefer mur 
 der charges against you, substantiated by the 
 testimony of his men; have me detained as wit 
 ness, or accessory, and be perfectly free to ob 
 tain access to your machine before we could hope
 
 IN THE DEATH CHAMBER 167 
 
 for release on bond. There would be no one to 
 oppose him, except the single employee you have 
 left." 
 
 "True, but the trial?" 
 
 She laughed scornfully. 
 
 "The trial! Monsieur, why need there be a 
 trial? This is America, and not Europe; we do 
 things differently over here. I have known 
 cases not dissimilar to die on court calendars, 
 where sufficient influence was used to defeat jus 
 tice. Why should it not be so in this case, after 
 Brandt had secured all the information he de 
 sires, and has disappeared? The German Gov 
 ernment could convict you, or turn you loose, 
 whichever was desired. There are ways of do 
 ing these things." 
 
 The very earnestness with which she spoke con 
 vinced me this was all true. Moreover I was 
 sufficiently posted on intrigue to comprehend 
 how easily a rascal could carry forward such a 
 scheme to success. The cards were every one in 
 his hands ; all he had to do was play them boldly. 
 And Brandt would do that; everything I knew 
 of the man proved he possessed the necessary dar 
 ing. Besides he risked little in such a venture,
 
 168 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 for he could vanish utterly, confident of being 
 shielded by his government, while, even if the 
 French Consul came at once to my assistance, 
 and procured my release, the damage would al 
 ready be accomplished. As all this rushed 
 across my mind, it aroused thoroughly my fight 
 ing spirit. I had been through too much to lie 
 down now, and confess defeat. Yet it was not 
 so much the thought of the secret I was guard 
 ing for France, as of the trembling girl beside 
 me, which dominated my action. She was in 
 my care, under my protection, and I loved her. 
 I knew it in that instant of sudden revealment, 
 as well as I know it now. The secret of my in 
 vention was nothing; her reputation was every 
 thing. Whatever befell me in this unfortunate 
 affair, her name was not to be dragged into it. 
 I stood up, holding her closely, my mind cleared 
 by determination. 
 
 "Then there remains but one way out," I 
 said shortly. "We must escape from this house 
 unseen; you will do whatever I say?" 
 "Except to leave you do not ask that." 
 My pulses leaped at the impulsive words, yet 
 this was no time for dalliance.
 
 IN THE DEATH CHAMBER 169 
 
 "I do not wish you to say that. You are to 
 trust me my judgment. Say that you will." 
 
 There was a moment s hesitancy, in which I 
 could detect her quick breathing. 
 
 "Yes. I am not afraid to promise. What is 
 it you mean to do?" 
 
 "Spy out the hall first," I answered. "I am 
 convinced there is no way out except through the 
 area door. Wait here until I discover if the 
 passage is clear." 
 
 Exercising every caution I unlatched the door, 
 and peered forth through the narrow crack into 
 the dimly lit hallway.
 
 A DASH FOR FREEDOM 
 
 THE only light streamed out through the 
 open door of the room nearly opposite, 
 perhaps six feet distant. I could see 
 merely a bit of its wall, but that reflected the 
 shadow of an occupant, somewhat grotesque in 
 outlines, yet evidently that of a man. That it 
 was Brandt sitting there I had no doubt. What 
 troubled me most was to decide whether, or not, 
 he was alone, and if he faced the door, so as to 
 observe anyone passing along the corridor. The 
 vague shadow on the wall left this uncertain. No 
 one spoke, although I could see the shadow of an 
 arm on the wall, the movement suggesting that 
 the man had lifted a glass to his lips. 
 
 I leaned farther out thus to make certain as 
 to the emptiness of the hall. There was another 
 light visible at the rear, where I remembered the 
 kitchen to be located, and I could distinguish the 
 clatter of cooking utensils. The situation was 
 
 170
 
 A DASH FOR FREEDOM 171 
 
 fairly clear, except for the possible presence also 
 of the chauffeur. Yet moments were so precious 
 to us that I dared not risk further delay. The 
 passage to the area stairs was to all appearance 
 open. To be sure it was dark there, sufficiently 
 so to conceal a watcher, but I had no reason to 
 suspect any guard had been stationed. It was 
 evident enough, from his conversation, as well 
 as his actions, that Brandt, as yet, had no con 
 ception that his plans were not working per 
 fectly. To his mind I was safely incarcerated 
 in the cell below, and Mademoiselle as securely 
 locked in her upper room. It was his careless 
 assurance as to all this which gave us our present 
 opportunity. Yet any moment suspicion might 
 arise from the continued absence of Franzen, or 
 some discovery made by either Swigert, or Eisen- 
 barth. I grasped her arm. 
 
 "Come; we must endeavor to creep by that 
 open door unobserved; do not let your skirts 
 rustle." 
 
 She gathered them closely in one hand, stand 
 ing in the open, her eyes on my face. 
 
 "Is that Captain Brandt?" 
 
 "I think so, but I believe he is facing the table.
 
 172 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 If so, and we have luck, we can slip by. Keep 
 close to me." 
 
 I drew my revolver, fully determined to use it 
 if necessary, and advanced cautiously, rounding 
 the foot of the stairs, and pressed close against 
 the further wall. I was at the very edge of the 
 stream of light, the girl at my shoulder, when 
 Brandt spoke suddenly, the unexpected sound 
 of his voice so close, causing us both to shrink 
 back, and remain motionless. 
 
 "The more I think of that idea of yours, Eisen- 
 barth, the better I like it," he said heartily, and 
 arose to his feet, walking back and forth across 
 the room, his shadow outlined on the wall. "It 
 will give us all the time we need, and keep the 
 Frenchman where he cannot bother us. Some 
 joke on him too hey!" 
 
 The other laughed, evidently pleased at the 
 commendation of his chief, and inclined to glorify 
 himself. 
 
 "Thought it was rather clever. You see my 
 father-in-law is Captain of this Precinct. He 11 
 hush the matter up." 
 
 "Is he German?" 
 
 "Sure. Shall I get him on the wire?"
 
 A DASH FOR FREEDOM 173 
 
 Brandt stopped his walking, and stood still, 
 apparently staring out into the hall. I could 
 see his face clearly, but we were just beyond the 
 range of his vision. 
 
 "Yes," he replied finally. "The sooner that 
 is settled the better. Only be careful what you 
 say. Have him send two discreet men over here 
 at once." 
 
 "With an ambulance?" 
 
 "No; that might be noticed. We want this 
 pulled off quietly. The body can be taken away 
 in your machine. You can fix matters then so 
 there will be no give-away to the reporters?" 
 
 "Money talks." 
 
 "That will be all right. CaU him up." 
 
 The telephone in the alcove, behind heavy cur 
 tains, was so far away as to keep us from over 
 hearing much that was said. Detached words, 
 meaning little, reached us, but we could not even 
 guess at the real nature of the message being 
 sent. While I felt convinced that some near-by 
 police station was being communicated with in 
 relation to the death of Ramon, it was impossi 
 ble for me to discern the object. Of course they 
 would be anxious to be relieved of the presence
 
 174 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 of the dead man in the house ; probably had con 
 cocted some plan whereby they expected to prove 
 his death accidental. Otherwise they would hide 
 it, rather than call in outside aid. Yet what 
 could Brandt mean by his remark relative to a 
 joke being played on someone? 
 
 The man stood leaning against the wall just 
 inside the door of the room, listening to Eisen- 
 barth at the telephone. He was in plain view 
 from where we crouched in the shadow of the 
 staircase. We dared not move, even to advance 
 or draw back, for fear of attracting his attention, 
 and I could feel Mademoiselle tremble, as her 
 slender form pressed close against mine. Brandt 
 drew a cigar from his pocket, and struck a 
 match, shadowing the flame with his hands and 
 listening. 
 
 "That will be enough, Eisenbarth," he said 
 shortly. "Don t explain. Leave that to me 
 after they get here. Just say we have got them 
 both safe, and will hold them until the men get 
 here yes, the area door." 
 
 He moved forward slightly, applying the 
 flame to his cigar, his back now turned toward 
 us, after a moment asking:
 
 A DASH FOR FREEDOM 175 
 
 "What did he say?" 
 
 "He 11 send a sergeant and detective ; I know 
 them both." 
 
 "Good! How much will you need to fix it?" 
 
 "For how long?" 
 
 "Twenty-four hours ; after that they can go to 
 the devil for all I care." 
 
 I failed to catch the answer, but Brandt moved 
 out of sight, except for his shadow on the wall. 
 Eager as I was to get away, I was afraid to cross 
 that bar of light. As I hesitated the girl whis 
 pered : 
 
 "What is it they mean to do?" 
 
 "You heard all I did." 
 
 "No; they spoke German, and I could merely 
 catch words now and then something about the 
 dead man." 
 
 "They have sent for the police to take the body 
 away; they expect to show his death to be acci 
 dental." 
 
 There was a moment of silence, her breath 
 pulsing against my cheek. 
 
 "I I do not believe that is the purpose," she 
 murmured earnestly. "Did not Brandt tell the 
 other to say we have them both safe ?"
 
 176 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "Yes, but" 
 
 "That means you and I! It could refer to no 
 one else. They are going to have us arrested for 
 that murder!" 
 
 For an instant I hardly grasped her meaning. 
 It seemed impossible; the audacity of it beyond 
 belief. She must have understood my doubt, for 
 she continued hurriedly, without waiting for me 
 to protest. 
 
 "Cannot you see how easy that would be? All 
 it needs is sufficient money to keep the police 
 quiet for a few hours. These men do not ex 
 pect to press the charge, or convict. The only 
 purpose is to get us out of the way, while Brandt 
 gains the information he seeks, and escapes with 
 it. The dead body must be accounted for as 
 soon as possible." 
 
 "He would not dare," I protested. 
 
 "He risks nothing, for if the police captain 
 takes the money it seals his lips. The case will 
 never come to trial, or be made public. There 
 are ways to hush such matters up ; we learn that 
 in newspaper work. I am not afraid of the ar 
 rest it is only bluff, but there is the other." 
 "What other?"
 
 A DASH FOR FREEDOM 177 
 
 "Franzen!" and her voice trembled. "His 
 body will be found also, and and that will be 
 serious." 
 
 The whole situation flashed upon me, but only 
 to arouse my faculties. She was right ; she must 
 be right. At least I was sure of this the police 
 had been sent for, and whatever might be 
 Brandt s real purpose in thus invoking their aid, 
 their arrival would inevitably discover the two 
 tragedies of the night. The result of such dis 
 covery would render our position desperate in 
 deed. At whatever cost we must attain the open 
 before the police arrived. 
 
 "Go first!" I said, "and wait for me in the dark 
 beyond. Don t hesitate ; we must take the risk." 
 
 Her eyes flashed into mine an instant question- 
 ingly. 
 
 "You will follow at once?" 
 
 "Of course; I merely stay to protect you, in 
 case either of those fellows happens to see any 
 thing. Be quick, the way is clear." 
 
 She slipped along the wall like a shadow, bend 
 ing slightly, one hand grasping her skirt. As 
 the light streamed over her for a second I saw 
 her face turned toward the open door. Then she
 
 178 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 vanished silently into the gloom beyond. There 
 was no sound from within ; no evidence of alarm. 
 Someone was idly sliding a drinking glass back 
 and forth across the surface of a table. A voice 
 spoke bruskly: 
 
 "What s keeping Swigert so long? Tell the 
 lazy lout to bring on whatever he has." 
 
 Eisenbarth passed hurriedly within less than a 
 yard of me, blinded by the darkness, and guiding 
 himself with one hand on the wall. Before he 
 had taken a dozen steps down the hall I had 
 slipped through the bar of light, and stood be 
 side her. An instant we waited, listening, her 
 fingers grasping my arm. 
 
 "Did you see anything?" 
 
 "Just a glimpse. Brandt is sitting at the 
 table; I could see the back of his head. Please 
 let s hurry!" 
 
 She started down the stairs, groping her way 
 step by step noiselessly, and I followed closely. 
 At the foot we came together. 
 
 "The the door is locked, but oh! yes! the 
 key is here!" 
 
 It turned with a faint click, and, as the door 
 opened slightly, the gleam of an electric light
 
 A DASH FOR FREEDOM 179 
 
 some distance away revealed two men outside, 
 one wearing the police uniform. We both stood 
 motionless ; then I felt her hand grip mine which 
 held the revolver. 
 
 "No, not that!" she murmured swiftly. 
 "Keep it out of sight." -Then she stood straight 
 before them. 
 
 "You are the officers sent from the station?" 
 she asked, her voice clear and low. 
 
 "Yes, madam," respectfully enough. 
 
 "You will find Mr. Brandt in the library 
 the first door to your left up the stairs." 
 
 "Who, madam?" 
 
 "Captain Brandt, of the German Secret Po 
 lice; the man who sent for you." 
 
 The sergeant glanced uneasily at the silent de 
 tective, who stepped forward. 
 
 "This is news to us," he said in rougher tone. 
 "It was Issy Eisenbarth who telephoned the sta 
 tion." 
 
 "Yes, at Captain Brandt s request," coolly. 
 "You did n t suppose Eisenbarth had any money, 
 did you?" 
 
 The detective grinned. 
 
 "Never knew him to have," he admitted, "but
 
 180 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 he has got some pull. What s the case, anyhow, 
 sister suicide?" 
 
 "Murder." 
 
 "No! and they ve got the ones who did it? 
 Say, what is the game?" 
 
 She leaned forward confidentially, her face re 
 vealed in the light. 
 
 "It may need to be hushed up for a few hours," 
 she whispered. "Captain Brandt will explain in 
 side. He can afford to pay well." 
 
 The two men exchanged glances, and then both 
 stared at the girl. 
 
 "You re a wise one, all right," admitted the 
 plain clothes admiringly, "but I m not so sure 
 your tip is straight. Where are you two go- 
 ing?" 
 
 "We re newspaper reporters," she answered 
 promptly. "I am on the Press; you know me, 
 Snyder. Now wait until I explain ; this is a City 
 Associated News man. We got onto this by ac 
 cident, but are going to keep mum. There is 
 other graft besides the police variety." 
 
 The sergeant scratched his head. 
 
 "Maybe she s right, Foley," he said, tapping 
 the other s sleeve. "It s Miss Probyn. I know
 
 A DASH FOR FREEDOM 181 
 
 that. I Ve seen her at the City Hall more than 
 once. You meant to get safely out of the way 
 before we got here?" 
 
 ^ " Yes, and you might as well forget you have 
 ever seen us." 
 
 "Well, maybe all you say is straight," broke 
 in the detective roughly, "but it looks damn queer 
 to me. You wait a minute while I see this man 
 Brandt. Stay here with them, Snyder, and don t 
 let either one go till I tell you; watch out now!" 
 
 He pushed past us into the narrow entry, 
 shouldering me roughly in getting by. Snyder 
 stood just outside, one foot on the step, his hands 
 gripping his night-stick. The girl leaned back 
 against the brick wall, her face white in the 
 gleam of the electric, breathing heavily. My 
 eyes caught the glimmer of dull metal in her 
 hand nearest me it was the key, the key of the 
 door. Desperation drove me to action; the de 
 lay of an instant meant certain exposure and ar 
 rest. The detective must be already at the head 
 of the stairs. There was a chance -one! With 
 a single step I had Snyder by the throat, hurled 
 him about, and drove my fist to his chin. He 
 went staggering backward, stumbled over the
 
 182 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 step, and sprawled full length against the stairs. 
 I jammed the door shut. 
 
 "Quick, Mademoiselle ; the key 1" 
 
 She held it out, and I thrust it into the lock. 
 Even as the bolt shot home the heavy body of the 
 enraged sergeant crashed against the strong 
 wood. His hands fumbled for the knob. 
 
 "Foley!" he yelled savagely, the muffled voice 
 evidencing his injured feelings. "They ve got 
 away. Damn them! They slugged me!" 
 
 My eyes met those of Miss Probyn, and she 
 laughed almost hysterically, dazed still with the 
 suddenness of the affair. 
 
 "Oh! oh! What shaU we do? I I am all 
 confused." 
 
 "You 11 get your senses in a minute. No one 
 is hurt, except that policeman may have a sore 
 head. Come, let s get out of this the door will 
 not hold them long. Which path leads to the 
 gate?" 
 
 "The roadway is yonder," she gasped, "around 
 the corner of the house. See! there where the 
 car stands." She drew in her breath sharply. 
 "Can you operate a machine, Monsieur?" 
 
 "I know the French and German cars."
 
 A DASH FOR FREEDOM 183 
 
 "This is a Mercedes; I heard someone say 
 yes, see! oh, such luck!" 
 
 There was not so much noise from within; 
 doubtless Brandt had counseled less uproar, be 
 ing more anxious to escape notice than to recap 
 ture us. Indeed our violent disappearance even 
 served him in a way. Yet the two policemen 
 would not remain quiet for long. I took a hasty 
 glance at the machine, and cranked the engine. 
 
 "Get in, Mademoiselle," I said, taking her 
 hand in mine, and feeling quite content. "It is 
 nothing to add another crime to our night s cata 
 logue. What is it you say in America, one can 
 hang as well for sheep as lamb. I have it 
 right?" 
 
 "Practically so, yes but I seriously object to 
 hanging for either. There; they have begun on 
 the door again. Let us get out of here." 
 
 It was a new car, and a powerful one. My 
 experience with its make was not extensive, and 
 I ran somewhat slowly down the rounded drive 
 way. Someone fired a single shot in our rear, 
 which must have been a signal, for two men 
 stepped out of the shrubbery into the open gate 
 way. I saw them even as Mademoiselle clutched
 
 184 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 my arm, and obeying my first swift instinct, 
 turned on full power. They sprang back to es 
 cape the flying wheels, one falling headlong; the 
 other, shielded by a stone post, fired three shots, 
 one of which crashed into the tonneau. The 
 same instant we whirled into the street, dashed 
 past an intersection, and plunged into the shad 
 ows beyond the arc light. As we took the turn, 
 almost running on two wheels, I saw a policeman 
 racing for the corner, his star gleaming, but we 
 were already past and gone. Two blocks, three 
 blocks, sped by; we leaped a street car track, 
 and then took another turn into a quiet avenue. 
 I slowed down until the machine was almost 
 noiseless, and glanced aside at my companion. 
 Her eyes were like stars, and her hair flying 
 wildly. 
 
 "Wasn t it great!" she panted. "I I never 
 rode so fast before." 
 
 "Some sport yes," my own blood pulsing 
 with excitement, "but, Mademoiselle, where are 
 we to go?"
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 
 A MAN AND A MAID 
 
 SHE glanced behind, down the dark street, 
 her face sobering instantly. 
 "Why, I I hardly know," she con 
 fessed, as though the full seriousness of the situa 
 tion had just dawned upon her again. "We 
 we are fugitives thieves! We have stolen this 
 automobile, and and they can even charge us 
 with murder. Oh! Monsieur, this has been such 
 a horrid night!" 
 
 "It certainly has, but through no fault of ours. 
 Whatever we have done has been in self-defense, 
 You must n t lose heart now. We are free for 
 the moment at least, and must plan to remain 
 free. Where are we? Do you know?" 
 
 She stared around at the rows of black houses. 
 
 "There are no lights to display the numbers. 
 Yes, there is one. I do not recognize this street, 
 but we are on the Thirty-third Street block on 
 the south side. Where is your aeroplane?" 
 
 185
 
 186 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 I told her, waiting to learn what she would say, 
 unable to decide for myself even in which direc 
 tion to drive. 
 
 "If we only knew what Brandt what the po 
 lice will do," she said, struggling with the prob 
 lem. "Keep on as you are, only a little faster, 
 while I think." 
 
 "We are headed south?" 
 
 "Yes; the direction does not greatly matter, 
 so we get safely out of this neighborhood." 
 
 We made two or three blocks before she spoke 
 again ; I busy guiding the machine over a rather 
 rough roadway, but glancing aside into her face 
 as we passed under the street lights. No passer 
 by appeared on the sidewalks. 
 
 "What time is it, Monsieur?" 
 
 "Nearly two o clock." 
 
 "About three hours more of darkness then. 
 I I do not know what to say what to decide," 
 and I could distinguish the tremor in her voice. 
 "You see I I have never been a fugitive from 
 justice before," with a little hysterical laugh. 
 "Even as a newspaper reporter my life has been 
 rather uneventful, and this is a problem not so 
 easily solved. What do you think, Monsieur?"
 
 A MAN AND A MAID 187 
 
 "My thought is they will make every effort to 
 recapture us," I answered soberly. "Those two 
 dead men will have to be accounted for in some 
 way. To save himself, and gain time to get out 
 of the country, Brandt will certainly^ endeavor to 
 shift the whole affair onto us. The very fact 
 that we have run away, after resisting the police, 
 will lend probability to his story." 
 
 "So I believe. With influence and money it 
 could be hushed up later. Such things are done 
 every day ; but we might remain incarcerated for 
 months. But how is it possible for us to es 
 cape? Every policeman in the city will be no 
 tified within an hour; the railroad depots, the 
 boat landings will all be watched. They have 
 our descriptions, our names, the license number 
 of this machine. Even if we drive furiously into 
 the country the telephone will warn every near-by 
 town. There is not a loop-hole which will not 
 be promptly closed. Even if those men do not 
 succeed in breaking out of the house immediately, 
 they can telephone the alarm to police headquar 
 ters. In all probability this has already been 
 done. We are like rats in a trap." 
 
 She dropped her head into her hands with a
 
 188 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 gesture of despair, her voice breaking into a sob. 
 I touched her gently, my other hand gripping 
 the wheel. 
 
 "There is a way out, if we can only make it in 
 time," I said. 
 
 "A wayl" and I could see the glitter of tears 
 in her eyes, as she glanced up quickly. "You 
 have thought of something?" 
 
 "Yes ; a wild thought, perhaps, and yet possi 
 ble, if we only have the nerve to carry the plan 
 out. There are no police patroling the skies." 
 
 "The skies!" and she sat upright, facing me. 
 "Do you mean your monoplane? Can that 
 really be done? Would you dare venture upon 
 such a trip in the dark?" 
 
 "I have flown in the night more than once," 
 I answered a bit proudly, "and everything is 
 ready, or was last evening. Without doubt De 
 Vigne is there still, and the two of us would have 
 no trouble in getting the machine out of the han 
 gar. Starting it would be more difficult, but 
 I believe it can be managed." 
 
 She remained gazing straight at me, as if fas 
 cinated. 
 
 "You would not be afraid?"
 
 A MAN AND A MAID 189 
 
 "Afraid!" I laughed. "Of what, Made 
 moiselle? It is my life; I have already made 
 over a hundred ascensions one more is nothing. 
 It is you who must consider fear." 
 
 "Am I to go with you?" 
 
 "Did you imagine I would leave you behind? 
 It hurts me to have you intimate that. I am not 
 a coward; if I was alone involved in this matter 
 I am not even sure I would endeavor to escape its 
 consequences. I believe I could fight clear of 
 these charges, even if Brandt dared to press them, 
 and as to the secret of my monoplane, it is noth 
 ing to sacrifice greatly over. The world will 
 know it all in a few months. I have not guarded 
 it so much because of its value, but out of a sense 
 of honor to my government, and because I could 
 not yield to a German spy. So, unless you go 
 with me, there will be no flight." 
 
 "I can stay and face it all " 
 
 "No; not with my permission," and I grasped 
 her hand, holding it firmly in mine at the rim of 
 the wheel. "You are a woman; you cannot be 
 come involved in the publicity of such an esca 
 pade; you cannot be imprisoned under such 
 charges, however false. Your reputation, your
 
 190 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 womanhood is at stake. I have drawn you into 
 this affair; now I must extricate you without 
 publicity. So far as I can see there is no other 
 way possible. If we escape, if we vanish, not a 
 word of this night s work will ever be made pub 
 lic. It will be hidden, hushed up; both Brandt 
 and the police will see the necessity." 
 
 "But why do you care for me?" she asked 
 suddenly. "I have been the cause of it all; but 
 for my interference you would be quietly sleep 
 ing at the hotel. I deserve punishment, Mon 
 sieur, and and it cannot hurt so awfully. I 
 am only a newspaper woman." 
 
 "You are far more than that to me; don t be 
 little yourself. I am not prejudiced, merely be 
 cause you have been compelled to earn a living. 
 I am a man, you a woman nothing else matters 
 now. You will come?" 
 
 "I cannot," pleadingly. "You should not 
 ask ; it would only make matters worse. Cannot 
 you see it would?" 
 
 "I do not see, Mademoiselle. You are in as 
 great danger here as I even more from my 
 point of view. You would be exposed to every 
 indignity, to insult, to probable arrest. Am I
 
 A MAN AND A MAID 191 
 
 to escape, and leave you to such a fate ? I would 
 forever despise myself. If you remain, I stay 
 here with you." 
 
 "But, Monsieur" 
 
 "No, wait listen. You think I do not care; 
 that I merely urge this out of courtesy. That is 
 not true it is because I do care. I respect, ad 
 mire, love you! I have told it all." 
 
 The words were swift, impetuous. I had not 
 meant to speak then, yet once started, could not 
 be checked. She drew back, clinging to the seat, 
 her eyes wide open, searching my face. 
 
 "You you jest, Monsieur." 
 
 "No; look into my eyes, and see." 
 
 "Then you must be crazy, or," she laughed bit 
 terly, "you presume on my unfortunate posi 
 tion. You think me of a class to whom such 
 words can be spoken lightly?" 
 
 "You are angry?" 
 
 "No, not that. I am hurt, mortified, Mon 
 sieur. I I have trusted you too much; it it 
 is all my fault. You do not understand Ameri 
 can girls. I I never once dreamed you would 
 think that of me." 
 
 "I think nothing wrong, Mademoiselle; noth-
 
 192 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 ing lightly," I protested warmly. "There was 
 no disrespect in my words. I should not have 
 spoken so suddenly, I admit, but the words could 
 not be restrained. You believe me?" 
 
 "No, Monsieur, I do not. It is impossible that 
 you can be in earnest. You are an officer of 
 France, a man of high rank socially, of distin 
 guished family. I am a girl you have met on 
 the streets, unknown, obliged to toil for a liveli 
 hood. We have been thrown together in a pe 
 culiar manner, and, in some mysterious way, I 
 have proven attractive to you. I understand 
 what has occurred; I do not blame you. You 
 have your European conception of such a situa 
 tion. You feel at perfect liberty to make love 
 to such as I. It is an honor done me; you are 
 incapable of comprehending my indignation." 
 
 "You mistake, Mademoiselle." 
 
 "Do not protest it is useless, perfectly use 
 less! You have your world, Monsieur; I have 
 mine. There is nothing in common between 
 them. I might have gone with you, but for this. 
 Now it is over." Her eyes deserted my face, 
 and glanced ahead, searching the street; the ex 
 pression of her voice changed. "I know where
 
 A MAN AND A MAID 193 
 
 we are now, and it will be safer for us to leave 
 the car. The police will be searching for that, 
 and will know its number. You will do as I 
 say?" 
 
 Certainly." 
 
 She pointed forward to the left. 
 
 "There is an open court yonder, surrounded 
 by houses, a small, private park. You can see 
 the open gate under that electric light. Drive 
 the machine in there, and turn to the right, so it 
 will be concealed by the wall. Yes, this is the 
 place ; now turn off the power. No one will dis 
 cover it here until after daylight." 
 
 She sprang to the ground, without waiting for 
 assistance, and I followed ; determined not to per 
 mit her to escape without further explanation, 
 yet embarrassed by her prompt action. It was 
 very still, the sky slightly overcast, the street 
 beyond the wall deserted. The light over the 
 gateway streamed around us, and I could clearly 
 distinguish her face. 
 
 "Mademoiselle, you will listen, you will hear 
 me," I began eagerly. "Surely you have found 
 me a gentleman." 
 
 "According to your standards yes," she re-
 
 194 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 turned frankly. "I have already said I did not 
 blame you. The indiscretion has been mine ; you 
 have every reason to think lightly of me. But 
 now I must protect myself." She held out her 
 hand. "Let us be friends, Monsieur, and speak 
 of this no longer. Do I have your promise to 
 respect my wish?" 
 
 I took the hand in both of mine, but my lips 
 failed to respond. There was something in the 
 uplifted face I failed to understand. 
 
 "Why do you hesitate? Must I be more ex 
 plicit?" 
 
 "Your meaning is not altogether clear," I man 
 aged to say. "I am your friend always, but can 
 not surrender the hope of being more." 
 
 "The future is a wide sea, and we sail for dif 
 ferent ports. T is not likely our ships will ever 
 meet again, but it is better to part with pleasant 
 rather than unpleasant memories. Why should 
 you insist on thus thus insulting me?" 
 
 "Insult !" the harsh word stung me like a whip. 
 "Is the love of a man insult?" 
 
 "Sometimes yes. What else can it be now? 
 You know nothing of me, except my name. 
 Twelve hours ago you were not even aware of
 
 A MAN AND A MAID 195 
 
 my existence. Twelve hours more, and I will 
 remain but a vague memory. It is mockery for 
 you to talk of love ; you play with what to me is 
 sacred. Please spare me from more. I I ap 
 peal to you, Monsieur, as a gentleman." 
 
 I bowed, releasing her hand. 
 
 "I cannot refuse, Mademoiselle; yet you are 
 wrong I have known you all my life." 
 
 "How absurd!" 
 
 "But it is not. You are the realization of a 
 dream. I knew last evening, as we sat at table 
 together, this was so. Time has nothing to do 
 with love, unless to strengthen it. These few 
 hours have done more to reveal your nature to 
 me, my nature to you, than would years in a 
 drawing room. At least know that I am in ear 
 nest ; that I speak from the heart." 
 
 She stood motionless, looking straight at me, 
 her breath quickening. 
 
 "But who am I?" she asked. "You do not 
 even know." 
 
 "Fortunately," with a smile, "I do not even 
 care. You are yourself, which is enough." 
 
 She laughed, breaking the tenseness of her at 
 titude by a little gesture of dismissal.
 
 196 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "How foolish this all is, Monsieur! I cannot 
 afford to dream such dreams. Life has always 
 been most practical to me. Nor can you now. 
 We forget where we are, the conditions surround 
 ing us, the peril of delay. The coming of day 
 light will mean the arrest of both." 
 
 "Very true, yet if arrest is to be the portion 
 of either, I prefer to be the one," I said quietly. 
 "You speak as though you wished me to get away 
 free, and desert you to the police?" 
 
 "No; I have friends who will shelter me. I 
 am not alarmed about myself in the least. It 
 will be unpleasant, perhaps, and I may have to 
 leave the city later. But with you it is different. 
 You are a stranger and helpless. There is a 
 chance for you to escape if you act promptly 
 at least you have encouraged me to think so 
 and I am simply imploring you to accept it be 
 fore it is too late. If you will not for your own 
 sake, then do this for me, Monsieur. You 
 speak of my safety, my reputation; do you not 
 realize what your arrest would mean to me? It 
 would inevitably lead to exposure ; no matter how 
 closely your lips were sealed, Brandt and those 
 policemen would have to tell the story. I ap-
 
 A MAN AND A MAID 197 
 
 peal to your generosity, your friendship: yes, 
 even your protestation of love." 
 
 "And you will not accompany me?" 
 
 "Assuredly not." 
 
 "What will you do? I must know, Made 
 moiselle; I cannot desert you to any uncer 
 tainty." 
 
 "But I have told you already. Oh! why waste 
 all this time! I will go to friends who will con 
 ceal me until it is safe for me to leave Chicago 
 friends, whom the police will never suspect of 
 harboring me. The place I mean is not far 
 away." 
 
 "And I am never to see you again? or hear 
 from you? You are willing to drop thus com 
 pletely out of my life?" 
 
 The long lashes drooped over her eyes, her 
 face turned away. 
 
 "I I have no expectation of anything else," 
 she said finally, "although it would be pleasant 
 to be assured you had met with no accident." 
 
 I caught her hand again. 
 
 "You will give me an address?" I exclaimed 
 eagerly, "some place where a letter will surely 
 reach you?"
 
 198 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 She laughed, lifting her face again to the light. 
 
 "Why, of course, I will do that. How per 
 sistent you are ; one would almost believe you ac 
 tually in earnest. Care of Miss Sadler, the 
 Press, will reach me safely. Now that I have 
 paid the price, will you go?" 
 
 "Yes ; you leave me no choice. Do I part with 
 you here?" 
 
 "No, we will go together to the corner three 
 blocks south. There is an all-night drug store 
 there where I can phone for a cab. Then you 
 can take a car going directly past where your 
 monoplane is. Let us go." 
 
 We walked in the glare of light down the 
 graveled driveway, leaving the silenced motor 
 behind, securely concealed by the shadow of the 
 high wall. Late as the hour was, in the still 
 night, we advanced without thought of any im 
 mediate danger. Indeed the occurrence of the 
 past few hours was more like a dream than a 
 reality to our minds. The very swiftness of 
 events had left us dazed; my own thoughts were 
 more concerned with her than with our pursuers, 
 near as they might be. 
 
 Once she asked:
 
 A MAN AND A MAID 199 
 
 "Do you suppose Brandt will go there to 
 night?" 
 
 "Where? to the hangar?" 
 
 "Yes; it would be disastrous if they arrived 
 there first." 
 
 I shrugged my shoulders. 
 
 "The fortunes of war, Mademoiselle," I re 
 plied rather indifferently, "but I imagine they 
 will seek for me at the hotel first. An attempt 
 to get away by air would scarcely occur to any 
 of them as possible." 
 
 "I presume not," she agreed softly. "That is 
 why it may succeed, but but someway the very 
 thought frightens me." 
 
 We came out upon the street, rounding the 
 corner post of stone, and confronted a policeman, 
 who stepped forth from the shadow, with a gest 
 ure of his night-stick in command to halt.
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 
 HIGH SPEED FORWARD 
 
 THE fellow stared suspiciously into our 
 faces, and I felt the girl s fingers clasp 
 my arm as if in signal for me to restrain 
 myself. The scrutiny was over in a moment, 
 neither of us stirring, waiting for his first word 
 to disclose whether or not he knew we were 
 wanted by his superiors. My own brain was a 
 blur; I could think of no way to reasonably ex 
 plain our presence there at such an hour. That 
 the policeman was also puzzled was evident by 
 the expression on his face. Our appearance was 
 not that of night prowlers, of street waifs. 
 
 "Whut s ther two ov yer doing, dodgin 
 round here in ther dark?" he questioned shortly. 
 "I niver saw nuthin ov yer till just now. Come 
 now, whut s it mane?" 
 
 His eyes were upon me, but it was the woman 
 who, with quick wit, answered: 
 
 "That is all right, officer," and she opened her 
 
 200
 
 HIGH SPEED FORWARD 201 
 
 small hand-bag, and extracted a card. "This 
 will explain." 
 
 He took it rather doubtfully, and held it up 
 to the light, studying out the letters slowly. 
 
 "Is it a raporter ye are! So thet s it; Oi Ve 
 heard ov famale raporters many a toime, but yez 
 th furst specimen thet iver floated my way. 
 Th Press was it ye workin on? Not much av 
 a papper ter my thinkin . An th other wan 
 was he a raporter too?" 
 
 She nodded pleasantly, but I could feel her 
 form trembling with excitement. 
 
 "Whut s th matter with th man then? Sure 
 has he lost his voice?" 
 
 She drew a quick breath, still holding tight to 
 my arm. 
 
 "He is a German, connected with the Zeitung; 
 he speaks English very imperfectly." 
 
 The officer s eyes swept our faces, as though 
 not entirely satisfied with this explanation, yet 
 one thing was clear, we were unrecognized; he 
 had received no orders regarding our arrest. 
 
 "What was the two av yez doing out here at 
 this toime o night?" 
 
 "Interviewing the German Ambassador. He
 
 202 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 is spending the night at the Senator s home in 
 the park, and we were sent out to talk with him. 
 That is why this gentleman accompanied me, be 
 cause he speaks the language. It is late, officer, 
 and we are in a hurry to get in our copy. Can 
 you tell me where the nearest public phone sta 
 tion is?" 
 
 He jerked his thumb back over his shoulder, 
 returning the menacing night-stick to his belt. 
 
 "It s two blocks thet way, Miss," more cour 
 tesy in his tones, "where yer see the red light. 
 Oi m travelin that direction meself ter call 
 up th station." 
 
 We started off together, and I caught the 
 questioning flash of her eyes. The same thought, 
 and fear was in both our minds. We had walked 
 a block, the officer slightly in advance, before she 
 spoke again. 
 
 "How often do you report to your station?" 
 
 Bout ivery hour; Oi m a bit late this toime, 
 wid a plain drunk ter take home, over on Prairie 
 Avenoo." 
 
 "You receive instructions then, I suppose?" 
 
 "Plenty o em, Miss," and he shot back a 
 glance at her that closed the conversation, "the
 
 HIGH SPEED FORWARD 203 
 
 sargint gives up information with grate free 
 dom." 
 
 The situation was a ticklish one. Her eyes 
 were grave and thoughtful in the gleam of the 
 street lights, but I could venture no suggestion 
 because of the strangeness of the locality. One 
 or two daring plans for evading the officer 
 flashed through my mind, but I could not ven 
 ture putting either into operation without first 
 consulting my lady. This was a case for her 
 quick, feminine wit, rather than my bungling 
 methods. Yet that we both feared the same 
 thing was apparent. The officer had not com 
 municated with his station for an hour. We had 
 not been absent from the house that length of 
 time. If an alarm had been made; if we were 
 wanted, the information would be given him at 
 once, as soon as he pulled the box, and reported. 
 That he would instantly recognize us as being 
 the parties sought was beyond question. The 
 description Brandt could furnish of us both 
 would be conclusive and accurate. The dullest 
 cop on the force could not mistake our identity. 
 Besides it was clear this fellow was not entirely 
 satisfied even now as to the truth of the story
 
 204 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 Miss Probyn had told the extreme lateness of 
 the hour, our sudden appearance on foot, was 
 calculated to arouse suspicion. In all probabil 
 ity he would not entirely lose sight of us until 
 more thoroughly convinced. Violence was im 
 possible, as he was evidently a powerful fellow, 
 well armed, and besides we were approaching a 
 street car line, and a corner, where, even at this 
 early hour, men were awake and stirring. 
 
 As we drew nearer the change was very ap 
 parent. There was a news-stand on the curb, the 
 Italian boy in charge already busily arranging 
 his first supply of morning papers in glare of 
 the arc light. Behind him was an all-night drug 
 store open for business, and two doors away a 
 restaurant, one of its tables occupied by three 
 men who had evidently been making a night of 
 it. Out in front was a taxi-cab, the chauffeur 
 nodding sleepily in one corner of his seat. Be 
 yond a few stores exhibited lighted windows, al 
 though the doors were closed. A street car jan 
 gled past, containing a few passengers, pausing 
 at the corner to let off a fellow in bedraggled 
 evening dress, half seas over, and then went nois 
 ily on again. The policeman watched the belated
 
 HIGH SPEED FORWARD 205 
 
 one s uncertain progress up a side street with 
 professional solicitude. 
 
 "Lives in the third house," he explained 
 gravely. "He 11 make it all right. Your phone 
 is there in th drug-store, lady. It s th other 
 corner for me." 
 
 He started across, but I noticed glanced back 
 to be sure of what we were doing. There was 
 no car in sight approaching the corner, and we 
 could not vanish on foot in the brief time required 
 to pull his box. Besides he merely vaguely sus- 
 picioned us, without any thought that we were 
 actually wanted. I turned with her into the 
 drug-store door, dimly wondering what possible 
 means of escape from this predicament had oc 
 curred to her. I had no scheme, no plan. The 
 thought of that policeman approaching the box 
 dominated my brain. Would he come rushing 
 back to put us under arrest? 
 
 "Stay here," she murmured, without ventur 
 ing to glance aside. "I 11 step within, so he can 
 feel safe. Be ready to crank that taxi, and han 
 dle the chauffeur. You understand?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "It will all have to be done in a minute. Run
 
 206 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 the instant the officer turns to insert his key in 
 the box." 
 
 She slipped away, and I stood there, every 
 nerve strained, watching. The burly figure was 
 plainly visible, and I could discern each move 
 ment. On the opposite curb he stopped and 
 stared back through the gloom toward the lights. 
 What he saw was sufficiently reassuring, for she 
 was within bending over the telephone book, and 
 I was leaning carelessly against the frame of 
 the window, apparently idly waiting for the lady 
 to reappear. No doubt with that glance the fel 
 low dismissed his last vague suspicion of us to 
 all appearance we were exactly what we had 
 claimed to be. He turned to the box, and 
 dragged out his key, his broad back toward the 
 drug-store; then bent forward to fit the key into 
 the lock. I poised myself for the rush, my heart 
 beginning to throb, my muscles tense in eager 
 ness of action. I waited a second, fearful he 
 might venture one more glance, then leaped si 
 lently across to the curb, and gripped the crank 
 of the machine. 
 
 It had to be accomplished with one whirl, and 
 it was. At the sudden reverberation the slumber-
 
 HIGH SPEED FORWARD 207. 
 
 ing chauffeur came to life, ripping out a volley 
 of oaths before he fairly had his eyes open. 
 
 "Here you!" I ordered sternly, shoving the 
 muzzle of a revolver into his face. "Stay where 
 you are." She was at the side door and had 
 opened it. With one step I slipped in beside 
 her, and thrust the barrel hard against the fel 
 low s neck. "Straight ahead! and drive fast." 
 
 He shot one frightened glance back at me, 
 caught the gleam of steel, and turned on the 
 power. The taxi shot forward, flinging us both 
 back against the cushions. I caught one glimpse 
 of the men in the restaurant springing to their 
 feet, and the startled face of the newsboy as we 
 whirled madly past his stand. I could not see 
 the policeman, but heard his revolver bark twice, 
 mingled with a command to halt. Then we were 
 out of the light, plunging recklessly along be 
 side the car track. 
 
 "Which way?" I asked the figure beside me. 
 
 "First turn to the left," she replied breath 
 lessly. "They cannot catch us; have the man 
 drive slower." 
 
 I gave the order, and the fellow obeyed, screw 
 ing his head around in an effort to look behind.
 
 208 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 Evidently the sound of a woman s voice had 
 slightly revived his courage. 
 
 "Say, Miss," he implored, "have that fellow 
 take his gun away. I ain t goin to play no trick 
 on you." 
 
 "You will drive just as we say?" she asked. 
 "I know the city." 
 
 "Sure; we git used to all sorts o rum affairs 
 running night cabs. I don t care where you go, 
 so I git paid, only," his voice sorrowful, "I lost a 
 matter o seven dollars leavin those guys back 
 there." 
 
 "I 11 pay their bill, as well as my own," I said 
 convincingly. "It will be worth your while to 
 drive as we tell you, and keep quiet about it. 
 Only don t forget the revolver is here, and I 
 know how to use it. Tell him where you wish 
 to go, Mademoiselle." 
 
 She leaned forward, her face to the single 
 opened window, speaking rapidly. I heard her 
 name a number of to me unfamiliar streets, but 
 failed to distinguish clearly all she said. The 
 chauffeur asked no questions, nodding his head, 
 and saying "Yes, mum," his eyes on the street 
 ahead.
 
 HIGH SPEED FORWARD 209 
 
 "Keep within the speed limits ; we do not care 
 to stir up any more policemen." 
 
 He grinned knowingly, and she settled back 
 into the darkness beside me. 
 
 "Your orders sounded rather complicated," I 
 ventured in a whisper. "Are you sure he under 
 stands?" 
 
 "Oh, yes ; to one knowing the streets they were 
 simple enough. It is necessary to confuse our 
 pursuers, or they might guess where we were go- 
 ing." 
 
 "Do you mind telling me where that is? I 
 cannot help feeling an interest in knowing." 
 
 She laughed, somewhat nervously. 
 
 "Why, of course; I have assumed absolute 
 command, haven t I? You mustn t be angry, 
 Monsieur, because I knew the way, and you did 
 not. That was my reason for being so forward." 
 
 "I understood that, and am most grateful. I 
 was unable to perceive any means of escape. 
 You are a wonderful woman." 
 
 "I? Oh, no! no! I am so frightened it 
 is remarkable that I can think at all. The see 
 ing this taxi at the curb was an inspiration. I 
 hardly dared hope we could make it quickly
 
 210 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 enough, but but it was our only chance. The 
 whole credit is yours for handling the chauffeur. 
 All I had to do was to open the door, and get in 
 with a rush," she laughed. 
 
 "You originated the plan; the possibility never 
 occurred to me." 
 
 "I grant that; merely a flash of intuition with 
 which they say my sex is endowed," she admitted. 
 "But I contend the execution was far the more 
 important." 
 
 There was a moment of silence, and, in the 
 flashing past of a street light, I caught a glimpse 
 of her face, a swift, tantalizing glimpse. 
 
 "But you have not told me, Mademoiselle?" 
 
 "Told you what? If there be any secret I 
 know it not." 
 
 "Our destination." 
 
 "But you heard what I said to the chauffeur?" 
 
 "Only a part a mere jumble of street 
 names." 
 
 She drew a quick breath, leaning slightly for 
 ward, one hand grasping the window frame in 
 front. 
 
 "We are going to where your machine is 
 stored," she answered, in low voice, not alto-
 
 HIGH SPEED FORWARD 211 
 
 gether steady. "When we get there you must 
 assume command." 
 
 "To the hangar!" and I could not restrain an 
 accent of exultation. "You will go with me, 
 Mademoiselle?" 
 
 "What else is there I could do?" she asked 
 gravely. "I could not leave you to wander 
 about alone. I I had no choice left, but to 
 trust you." 
 
 "I am cruel enough to rejoice," I said, and 
 placed my hand upon hers. 
 
 "Monsieur; that is not nice. I said trust 
 you ; I meant your courtesy, your consideration. 
 Please understand I am not afraid physically; 
 that is not it at all. Under ordinary condi 
 tions I would welcome the excitement of such 
 an experience; I enjoy taking chances. In one 
 sense I have enjoyed our adventures tonight. 
 Perhaps I am of a strange nature, altogether 
 too unconventional, but I am what I am. This 
 is not an apology, only an explanation." She 
 laughed again, her eyes flashing across to mine in 
 a passing gleam of light. "So that is not my 
 fear at all," she went on, giving me no opportu 
 nity to interrupt, or protest. "The physical dan-
 
 212 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 ger involved gives me no concern. You are an 
 expert aviator, Monsieur, and I can trust you 
 fully on that score. It is something vastly dif 
 ferent which makes me hesitate. Do you realize 
 what I risk, Monsieur, by such an indiscretion? 
 I may even forfeit your own respect." 
 
 "How can you say that? or even dream such a 
 thing?" 
 
 "Because I know something of human nature," 
 she returned regretfully. "No, listen; you have 
 ventured already much farther than you would 
 have dared had our first meeting been a conven 
 tional one. You may like me, it is true I cer 
 tainly hope you do but nevertheless I am not 
 on the same plane in your estimation with the 
 ladies of your own world. Oh, but I am not; 
 your words cannot deceive me. They go into 
 one ear, and out the other as they should for I 
 know." 
 
 "That I am insincere? untrustworthy?" 
 
 "Oh, no! not nearly so bad as that. If that 
 was my conception, Monsieur, I would leave you 
 at the next corner. See! we are almost there, 
 yet I do not order the chauffeur to stop. Why? 
 Because I am going to trust you trust you to
 
 HIGH SPEED FORWARD 213 
 
 be a gentleman. Is that sufficiently explicit, 
 Monsieur?" 
 
 I bent my head, comprehending fully her 
 meaning and purpose. The clear insistence of 
 her words brought conviction instantly. I could 
 not pretend to any misunderstanding. 
 
 "I yield to your interpretation of human na 
 ture," I agreed, seeking to dismiss the matter 
 lightly. "But please remember the exception to 
 all rules." 
 
 "I remain just a little hopeful," she responded, 
 apparently in the same spirit, "but must leave 
 you to demonstrate that under other conditions." 
 
 "Then you are not so indifferent?" 
 
 "I have never expressed indifference, Mon 
 sieur; all of life is of interest to me. I merely 
 strive to guard against mistakes." 
 
 I stared forth into the night, silenced for the 
 moment; then sought to distinguish her face. 
 She was looking out at the houses whirling past. 
 
 "Do you know where we are?" 
 
 "Nearing Fifty-ninth Street; we shall turn 
 east in a moment toward the lake. Your hangar 
 is not far from the shore?" 
 
 "No; I could see water in the distance yester-
 
 214 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 day ; a block, perhaps two, away ; I did not ask." 
 "It is where I supposed. I remember the va 
 cant lot there. We have a few moments more; 
 will you not tell me about your machine? I I 
 know so little, and and surely I ought to know 
 something."
 
 CHAPTER XVI 
 
 MISS PROBYN CHOOSES 
 
 * * X^""^ LADL Y," I said, "if I only under- 
 I _ stood what it was you desired to 
 ^^-^ learn ; to me it is most simple." 
 "You have no fear? no doubt but what this 
 flight you contemplate can be safely made?" 
 
 "None whatever, Mademoiselle," smilingly. 
 "With me it is but one of many." 
 
 "Yes, but not under such conditions; in the 
 dark, without the assistance of your men, travers 
 ing a strange country. Is it not reckless to at 
 tempt such a thing?" 
 
 "Of course I would prefer it otherwise," I 
 answered, appreciating her doubt. "But where 
 is the choice, Mademoiselle? You say it offers 
 the only free egress from this city; the only 
 safety from arrest. I do not recall whether it 
 was originally your suggestion, or mine, but I 
 perceive nothing particularly dangerous in the 
 venture." 
 
 215
 
 216 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "Not even if you transport a passenger? * 
 
 "The machine was constructed with that in 
 view; it was built for military use, to carry an 
 observer as well as an operator. I have had a 
 companion with me in all my long-distance 
 flights." 
 
 "Is the monoplane very large, Monsieur?" 
 
 "Not extraordinary; the weight, with all sup 
 plies aboard, is about twelve hundred pounds, 
 and the aerofoils have a spread of thirty-two 
 feet." 
 
 "The aerofoils?" 
 
 "The wings I mean; surely you have seen 
 aerial demonstrations ?" 
 
 "Only at a distance, when high in the air," 
 she explained. "I possess only a vague idea of 
 the machines used." 
 
 "Well, mine does not differ in general appear 
 ance from those others. I steer by foot levers, 
 and use small wing tips ailerons with which 
 to secure stability. This is the latest French 
 type, but the one peculiarity, which I am seeking 
 to guard from publicity, is the motor; it is of 
 great power, and practically noiseless. That 
 is what gives it such value from a military stand-
 
 MISS PROBYN CHOOSES 217 
 
 point. It is almost inaudible a hundred feet 
 away when at full speed." 
 
 "What is full speed?" 
 
 "With a passenger I have made ninety miles 
 an hour." 
 
 She looked at the face of her watch in the 
 gleam of a passing light, the cab slowing down 
 as it rounded a corner. 
 
 "And we have two hours yet until daylight 
 one hundred and eighty miles." 
 
 "Far too much to expect," I explained quickly. 
 "The air conditions may not be right, and many 
 things might occur to cause delay. Yet even 
 if we attained half that speed we should be be 
 yond danger. Once safely in the air, and we 
 can laugh at pursuit." 
 
 "You fear trouble before then?" anxiously. 
 
 "Yes, I do, Mademoiselle; I do not believe 
 Brandt will be foiled so easily. He is the very 
 one to suspect this plan of ours, and will hasten 
 here to get ahead. Besides it is the secret of 
 my motor which he is so eager to learn. He 
 cares little for me, or you what becomes of us 
 so long as he can shift the suspicions of the po 
 lice in our direction, and thus be free himself.
 
 218 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 Wherever he sends the others in search, he him 
 self will come here, assured that if we are not 
 present, he will discover a clear field for investi 
 gation. But I do not imagine he will come 
 alone he is hardly that kind." 
 
 "What will you do?" 
 
 "Discover first just what we must meet. Are 
 we really there?" 
 
 "Yes, I think so." 
 
 I touched the shoulder of the chauffeur, and 
 he glanced around startled. 
 
 "Stop a block this side of where the lady told 
 you," I said shortly. "Turn into a side street 
 first, and be quiet about it." 
 
 "Yes, sir," evidently relieved. 
 
 We rounded into a dark opening, and came to 
 a stop against the curb. Before us was a block 
 of unlighted houses, almost alike in general ap 
 pearance, while the deserted walk was over 
 shadowed by trees. I stepped out, and assisted 
 Miss Probyn to follow, noting how anxiously she 
 surveyed the shadows. I handed the chauffeur 
 a bill. 
 
 "That will make up your loss." 
 
 "Yes, sir, thank you. Shall I wait here?"
 
 MISS PROBYN CHOOSES 219 
 
 "No; disappear; go a block south before you 
 turn. Good night." 
 
 He touched his cap, and, in a moment more, 
 we were alone. I felt her hand clasp my arm, 
 and looked down into her face. Now that I 
 was upon my feet once more, and in command 
 of the affair, my natural coolness reasserted it 
 self ; I felt a confidence that we were destined to 
 succeed. I could only rejoice at the sequence of 
 events which had conspired to compel her to re 
 main with me. 
 
 "You are frightened now, Mademoiselle," I 
 whispered, "just as I begin to enjoy myself." 
 
 "I am a little yes," she admitted, glancing 
 up into my eyes, as though endeavoring to in 
 terpret my meaning. "You have made me fear 
 that Captain Brandt is here before us." 
 
 "That was only a guess; but even if he is I 
 feel perfectly confident of handling the situa 
 tion. We have won so far against the man, and 
 I do not believe the god of luck has deserted us." 
 
 I spoke lightly, but the expression of her face 
 did not change. 
 
 "It is the police I am afraid of." 
 
 "And it is my faith that Brandt will hesitate
 
 220 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 to make use of those allies. He would prefer 
 that we be sought, and not found, just at pres 
 ent. I did suggest that he might suspect our 
 plan of escape, and come here to intercept us, 
 but I do not, in the least, believe that true. He 
 would not deem such an attempt possible. He 
 does not understand the nature of my machine, 
 its readiness for service, or the ease with which 
 it can be launched. The ordinary monoplane re 
 quires a crew of men, and hours of preparation. 
 I suspect he may be here ahead of us, and with 
 assistance, but they will not be police. He will 
 take this opportunity, believing I am fleeing 
 from arrest, to break into the hangar, and in 
 vestigate my discoveries. Our appearance will 
 be a surprise. * 
 
 She did not answer, but her eyes were upon 
 my face questioningly, and I went on explaining. 
 
 "His confidence of safety is what I count on 
 to bring us success. This is really the very last 
 place where he would expect me to appear. He 
 knows by this time of the death of Franzen, and 
 your disappearance with me. He will take it 
 for granted that I killed the man, and have for 
 gotten everything else in an eagerness to escape
 
 MISS PROBYN CHOOSES 221 
 
 arrest. He will come here unprepared for seri 
 ous resistance, expecting to meet De Vigne 
 alone. One of the Pinkerton guard, at least, is 
 in his pay, and he would not expect my man to 
 put up much of a fight single-handed. It is our 
 audacity which gives us a chance to win out." 
 
 "But what can I do?" 
 
 "Nothing, except to remain quiet, and out of 
 danger. You have a pistol?" 
 
 "No, certainly not." 
 
 "I thought you threatened Franzen. You 
 will stay where I tell you? You will wait for 
 me?" 
 
 She looked directly into my eyes. 
 
 "I I do not see what else I can do," she said 
 soberly. "But but, Monsieur, am I doing 
 right?" 
 
 "You are simply trusting me, showing faith 
 in me; I think that is right." 
 
 "But it is all so strange, so unusual; I feel as 
 though I was in a dream, and must awaken. I 
 cannot even think clearly, and decide for my 
 self." 
 
 "Then let me decide for you," and I clasped 
 the hand pressing my sleeve. "Listen, Made-
 
 222 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 moiselle. You are involved in all this so tightly 
 that you cannot possibly escape the coils in any 
 other way can you? Even if Brandt does not 
 name you as an accomplice of mine, that detect 
 ive recognized you at the door, and later you 
 gave your business card to the patrolman. They 
 will search every place where you are known to 
 go; will interview your friends. In all this city 
 you could find no spot in which to hide, nor any 
 means of getting out." 
 
 "But but," her fingers clung to me, and I 
 could feel the trembling of her form, "that means 
 my reputation, my good name " 
 
 "Yes, I know it does; either way they are in 
 volved. Yet it seems to me an arrest, a trial in 
 the police court, would result the more disas 
 trously; the evidence is strong. However if 
 you choose the only other course, you have noth 
 ing to rely upon but myself my word, my 
 honor. Can you trust these, Mademoiselle?" 
 
 I could hear the leaves rustling in the branches 
 overhead, the distant clangor of a passing street 
 car. Her eyes were downcast, then uplifted 
 again to mine. 
 
 "It means," she said slowly, thoughtfully,
 
 MISS PROBYN CHOOSES 223 
 
 "that if we fail, if any accident happens, we shall 
 both be captured, and have to face these horrible 
 charges together?" 
 
 "Yes, Mademoiselle." 
 
 "And will my going add to your danger? les 
 sen your chances to escape?" 
 
 "Not in the least," eagerly. "I told you be 
 fore the monoplane was built to bear two per 
 sons; it will ride steadier." 
 
 She drew a deep breath, but her hand remained 
 in mine. 
 
 "And it means," she went on, as though there 
 had been no interruption on my part, "if we do 
 succeed in getting safely out of the city, I shall 
 have to disappear, utterly vanish." 
 
 "Merely from Chicago for the present," I as 
 sured her hastily. "No one will ever press this 
 case. Once Brandt fails in gaming what he is 
 seeking after, he will be only too glad to hush 
 the whole matter up. The German Embassy 
 will realize that a court trial would reveal their 
 entire system of secret service in this country, and 
 will devise means for concealing the whole affair. 
 The police have no special incentive to hunt us 
 down, and will doubtless find it convenient to do
 
 224 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 otherwise. I believe, Mademoiselle, that if we 
 can once make the escape there will be no pur 
 suit." 
 
 "Then I merely disappear? simply drop out of 
 sight?" 
 
 "Yes, your friends will wonder, but " 
 
 "Oh, it is not so much friends. I have ac 
 quaintances, of course, but none who will be 
 greatly alarmed. I was not thinking of others, 
 but myself, Monsieur my life." 
 
 "Your life? You mean your future?" 
 
 "Yes; it is such a reckless thing to do, a leap 
 into the dark. You do not realize the conse 
 quences; I am not even sure that I do but 
 but it frightens me a little. I sprang into the 
 cab, because I was impelled to by the conditions ; 
 it was the impulse of a moment. But now I 
 hesitate to go on, to do what I half promised 
 you I would. It means I must risk everything." 
 
 "You have no reference to danger physical 
 danger?" 
 
 Her quick gesture was scornful. 
 
 "Not for a moment. I could laugh at that. 
 Nor do I fear others, what the world might say, 
 the scandal of tongues. What I am afraid of,
 
 MISS PROBYN CHOOSES 225 
 
 Monsieur, is myself, my own self-respect, my 
 own judgment of right and wrong. For I am 
 my own judge, and abide by my judgment. 
 You believe in me, Monsieur?" 
 
 "I do." 
 
 "Yet you have known me only through the 
 darkness of this night. Why, if it was not so 
 serious, it would be ridiculous. I I cannot 
 laugh, and yet I am half inclined. Can you 
 conceive of such a condition? You barely know 
 my name, my business; you cannot by any pos 
 sibility read my character, or be acquainted with 
 my associates. ,Yet you urge me to fly with you 
 in the night to some unknown spot; ask me to 
 leave all and trust you, a stranger. Monsieur, 
 why do you do this? how can you venture to ask 
 it of me? Is it because you think me of a lower 
 order? of a class to care little for consequences? 
 Is it your foreign conception of women who 
 work, who earn their own living, which gives you 
 courage to make such a proposal? Do you 
 realize what it may cost me to say yes?" 
 
 "I think I do, Mademoiselle," I replied ear 
 nestly, moved by the intensity of her manner, 
 "yet your words are unjust. The choice has be-
 
 226 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 come restricted to one of two things to remain 
 here, and face the certainty of arrest, or trust 
 yourself to my skill and my manhood. I can 
 not believe you lack confidence in either." 
 
 Her hand clasp tightened. 
 
 "I do not," she said firmly. "If I did I should 
 not even hesitate." 
 
 "Then why do you? What is it you fear?" 
 
 "Myself; my own judgment. But I am go 
 ing to trust it, Monsieur; I am going with you, 
 wherever you go." 
 
 "You are strange, Mademoiselle," gazing 
 down into her face. "You will not let me say 
 what I wish, yet you trust me in everything?" 
 
 "Yes, in everything. It must be that, or noth 
 ing. I have, as you say, only the one choice be 
 tween two. Very well, I have chosen; it is to 
 trust you. You understand, Monsieur?" 
 
 "That you go where I go." 
 
 "And do whatever you say."
 
 CHAPTER XVII 
 
 AT THE HANGAR 
 
 SOMEWAY, as never before in all my ex 
 perience with the sex, this woman held me 
 from her. Even as she voiced her trust, 
 there remained a reserve between us unbroken. 
 She accepted my protection, yielded to my sug 
 gestion, and yet I could not determine safely the 
 state of mind which impelled her to this action. 
 There were words of love trembling upon my 
 lips, but they remained unspoken. I longed to 
 pour forth protestation and promise, but was re 
 strained by fear lest such language would drive 
 her away. I had no thought that she actually 
 cared for me, other than a friendship born of 
 the night s adventures. There was nothing in 
 either words or actions to yield me greater hope. 
 She had simply chosen the part which seemed to 
 her best. It had no direct reference to me; the 
 choice would have been the same had it involved 
 any other man in whom she reposed confidence. 
 
 227
 
 228 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 I seemed to read all this in her uplifted eyes, as 
 I held her hands tightly clasped in mine, and 
 the tease was fully aware of my predicament, 
 her smile breaking into soft laughter. 
 
 "You are glad!" 
 
 "Certainly I am; now I can go forward in con 
 fidence." 
 
 "But I will only burden you." 
 
 "Impossible, Mademoiselle; rather you in 
 spire." 
 
 "Compliments, Monsieur, compliments," and 
 she drew herself gently away. "To listen only 
 wastes time, and we need the moments. You 
 know how to proceed?" 
 
 "Yes, we will go now. If anyone heard the 
 sound of the motor car, they will believe it merely 
 turned this corner, and passed on." 
 
 There was a high brick wall, surrounding 
 some institution, and we kept along in its shadow, 
 walking noiselessly. This being in the residence 
 district no one was upon the street at so early 
 an hour. A policeman appeared under a dis 
 tant light, a mere dark shadow, and we waited 
 silently until he disappeared up a side street. 
 Then we hurried forward to the edge of the va-
 
 AT THE HANGAR 229 
 
 cant lot. In the darkness nothing appeared 
 familiar, yet I knew the hangar was not far 
 away, as it had been erected not far from the 
 street running north and south. I stared out 
 into the open space, hoping to see some gleam of 
 light which would act as a guide, but all was 
 black silence. In her nervousness the girl 
 pressed close to my side, and I could hear her 
 swift breathing. 
 
 "Is this the place, Monsieur?" 
 
 "It must be; it is situated the same, although 
 there is nothing I recognize. The hangar should 
 be there," pointing, "but I perceive no light." 
 
 She looked in the direction indicated, shading 
 her eyes with one hand. 
 
 "There is something to the left; just a shape 
 less something, it might be a shed." 
 
 We groped our way forward cautiously, 
 across a slight ditch, edged with weeds, and then 
 over the irregular land, covered with long grass. 
 Our feet sank into this silently, but the depres 
 sions caused me to stumble, and I again caught 
 her hand. Every step took us farther from the 
 street lamps, and I could no longer distinguish 
 her face; ahead the gloom was almost impene-
 
 230 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 trable. Suddenly she stopped, holding me 
 tightly. 
 
 "Wait! be still," she whispered swiftly. "I 
 can see now; kneel down here look where I 
 point." 
 
 I made out the outlines, but they were vague, 
 indistinct. Her eyes must have been better than 
 mine, for as I continued to stare at the object, 
 she spoke again. 
 
 "Do you see? It is an automobile. Did your 
 men have one?" 
 
 "No," instantly realizing what this must mean. 
 "Brandt is ahead of us. That is why there is no 
 light; he is up to mischief already. If I only 
 knew exactly where the hangar was! I am lost 
 in this darkness." 
 
 "It is there, Monsieur, I am sure beyond the 
 machine. I can see something there darker than 
 the sky. What will you do?" 
 
 "Examine the car first. We must be sure it 
 is empty. Keep behind me now, but not so far 
 as to lose sight of me." 
 
 Without waiting to hear any protest I moved 
 forward, revolver in hand, assured she would 
 never remain far away, yet anxious to be free
 
 AT THE HANGAR 231 
 
 to face alone any danger that might confront us. 
 That this automobile had been used to transport 
 Brandt, and some of his party, I had no doubt. 
 It could be no one else, for they alone had an 
 object to be accomplished there in the small hours 
 of the night. And I must win out against them 
 at whatever cost; yet I was alone worse than 
 alone, handicapped by the presence of the girl, 
 and pitted against I knew not how many. My 
 strength lay in the darkness of the night, and 
 the fact that Brandt would naturally think this 
 the most unlikely place for me to come. If, by 
 any chance, he had grown careless had become 
 reckless in the apparent success of his scheme to 
 be rid of me then there was still hope I might 
 checkmate the fellow even single-handed. It 
 was worth the trying, and I had far more to gain 
 than lose in the venture. 
 
 In this spirit I approached the black shadow 
 of the machine from the rear, studying its out 
 lines as best I could in the gloom, becoming more 
 and more convinced that it stood there deserted. 
 A moment later this was verified, as I crept 
 along the side, and felt within, to assure myself 
 no one slept in the seats. As I straightened up
 
 232 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 again, satisfied on this point, I perceived her 
 shadow already at the rear wheels. 
 
 "There is no one there?" 
 
 "No, and the power is off. A seven-passenger 
 car, so it is hard to judge how many are pres 
 ent." 
 
 "You believe it brought Captain Brandt?" 
 
 "Yes, and others. It could be no one else 
 here at such an hour, and he would not be alone 
 in a car of this size. At first I imagined he 
 might expect me to come here, but I have 
 changed my mind. He believes we are fright 
 ened by the police, and have found some hiding 
 place. Otherwise he would have guards out 
 watching for me to appear ; he would never leave 
 this car unprotected. Do you think he would?" 
 
 She stood thinking, staring about into the 
 darkness, hesitating to answer. 
 
 "I I should not suppose so, unless unless 
 it is a trap, Monsieur; but you are a soldier, you 
 can judge better than I." 
 
 "And I shall take no unnecessary risks. I 
 might be reckless without you to protect, but 
 could not be with you here. Can you see the 
 shed?"
 
 AT THE HANGAR 233 
 
 "Yes, it is almost straight ahead, a long, low 
 building, but it is all dark." 
 
 "If there was a light," I explained, "it would 
 not show from this side, as the only opening is 
 to the east. There is a small workshop at the 
 north end, built on to the original, but with a 
 door between, and a separate entrance. We 
 will try to attain that." 
 
 "Am I to go with you?" 
 
 "Will not that be better than remaining here 
 alone? This is a gloomy spot, and someone 
 might come out. Once in the shop safely, and 
 the chances of discovery are lessened." 
 
 "I can do as you say. I am not going to be 
 afraid but Monsieur " 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "You you will be careful! You realize what 
 it will mean to me if anything happens to you?" 
 
 "I do, Mademoiselle; the situation would be 
 distressing. I will do my best." 
 
 "But that is not it," she insisted, speaking 
 without restraint. "I was not considering my 
 danger so much as yours. These men could have 
 no object in injuring me, but would gladly^ do 
 you harm. I I could not bear that."
 
 234 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "You do care then! I am something to you?" 
 
 "Of course I care; I should be a strange girl 
 if I did not. -You are much to me; so much 
 you must guard yourself." 
 
 "For your sake?" 
 
 She did not hesitate. 
 
 "Yes for my sake. You promise me?" 
 
 In the dark I bent down and pressed my cKeelc 
 to her own, and, to my surprise, she made no 
 effort to draw away. 
 
 "That is a custom in my country," I said 
 gravely, half fearing she might be offended, 
 "the symbol of a pledge." 
 
 "I understand," and she stood very straight 
 facing me. "This night has broken down every 
 conventional barrier. It has changed me ; I can 
 not feel or think as I could yesterday. I do not 
 know what legerdemain has been resorted to, 
 Monsieur, but I am not the same girl you first 
 met; all of life looks different. Perhaps you 
 can tell me sometime how such a miraculous 
 change could occur in a single night. So I ac 
 cept your pledge," and she gave me both hands, 
 "just as you offer it. Now we are pardners, as 
 they say out West. Is not that it, Monsieur."
 
 AT THE HANGAR 235 
 
 "Pardners ? perhaps I do not comprehend that 
 term; you mean friends?" 
 
 "Even more than friends; associated together 
 for a purpose; trusting each other. You know 
 now?" 
 
 "Yes, and we will go at once, and learn our 
 fate as as pardners." 
 
 It may have heen a hundred feet to the han 
 gar, grass-covered, but somewhat rough. I 
 could not help thinking how difficult it would 
 be to start the monoplane if the field beyond 
 was equally irregular, yet surely it would not 
 be; the mechanics would have chosen better, and 
 besides, as I remembered from my brief visit in 
 the afternoon, there was nothing to criticise. 
 We saw nothing, heard nothing, as we drew 
 closer to the black bulk of building, and groped 
 our way along its side, endeavoring to locate the 
 shed to the north. The door, as I vaguely re 
 called, was to the east, and I left her at the cor 
 ner, concealed by the dense shadow, and crept 
 cautiously forward alone, feeling along the 
 rough boards for the latch. It opened noise 
 lessly enough, but the darkness within was in 
 tense. So dim was my recollection of the place
 
 236 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 that I was almost afraid to stir lest I might dis 
 turb something and create an alarm. In the 
 silence I became aware of someone stirring not 
 far away, and waited anxiously, seeking to lo 
 cate the sound. In the silence I could distin 
 guish heavy breathing, and then a noise which 
 made me think of a body rolling on the floor. 
 I stepped within, feeling with both hands and 
 feet, but encountered nothing until I touched a 
 work-bench against the opposite wall. As I 
 stood there, facing about, staring into the black 
 void, I could locate the breathing to my right. 
 
 "Who is here? answer!" I exclaimed, bend 
 ing forward. 
 
 There was no reply, only a recurrence of strug 
 gle, and, after a moment of indecision, I felt my 
 way along the bench, and came in contact with 
 the figure of a man lying on the floor. Again 
 I spoke sternly, gripping his shoulder in my fin 
 gers, but received no reply. Suspecting that, 
 whoever the fellow might be, he was gagged and 
 helpless, for my hand already discovered a strand 
 of rope about his arm, I felt for his face. There 
 was a cloth in his mouth, bound tightly into 
 place by a handkerchief knotted behind his head.
 
 AT THE HANGAR 237 
 
 Whoever the man might be, he was evidently no 
 ally of Brandt s to receive such treatment, and 
 I slashed the linen with the aid of his pocket 
 knife. He gasped painfully, gulping down 
 great draughts of air. 
 
 "Who are you?" 
 
 "De Vigne," he gasped. "Is this you, Mon 
 sieur?" 
 
 "Yes here let me cut these ropes first of all. 
 I understand what has happened without expla 
 nation at present. How long have you been ly 
 ing here?" 
 
 "Maybe fifteen minutes, but it seems longer; 
 I cannot tell. There was a fight." 
 
 "Of course. The fellows found you asleep?" 
 
 "Yes, Monsieur. There was a watch outside, 
 and I did not expect trouble. Ramon was away, 
 and I sat up late waiting for him to return. 
 Then I became sleepy and lay down, perhaps 
 about midnight. But first I went out, and saw 
 the guard was all right. There were no orders, 
 Monsieur, for me to remain on watch." 
 
 "I do not blame you, De Vigne ; the happenings 
 of tliis night could not have been anticipated by 
 any of us. Can you sit up? Good; now rise to
 
 238 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 your feet, and exercise your limbs a little. Don t 
 make any noise. How are you? all right?" 
 
 "Only a little stiff, Monsieur, and my head 
 hurts where I was clubbed. I don t remember 
 what happened after that blow, until I woke up 
 in here." 
 
 "Do you know how many attacked you?" 
 
 "There were four, Monsieur one big fellow 
 who spoke in German, but did not touch me; he 
 just gave orders. One man had a cap on like a 
 chauffeur, a leather cap ; he was short, but strong 
 like a bull ; he had my throat like this, Monsieur, 
 and it hurt me to breathe; and the man who hit 
 me was the guard I knew his face." 
 
 "There was a light then?" 
 
 "Always; it burn all night long." 
 
 "I could see none from outside when I came 
 up. Have those men gone?" 
 
 "No, Monsieur; I heard voices just before you 
 came in there, not far from the door. Maybe 
 they put out the light, so it will not be seen. 
 The big man he carry an electric bulb perhaps 
 they use that. You know them, Monsieur? 
 You know why they come here?" 
 
 "Do I, De Vigne! They have led me a merry
 
 AT THE HANGAR 239 
 
 chase since yesterday, but we have broken even 
 so far. The big man is named Brandt, a mem 
 ber of the German Secret Service." 
 
 "Captain Brandt, Monsieur?" 
 
 "You have heard of him then? Yes, that s 
 the fellow; the others are fellows in his pay. 
 You can guess what they are after." 
 
 "The monoplane; the secret of the engine, 
 Monsieur. Sacre, yes !" 
 
 "And that they are in earnest about it even 
 to murder." 
 
 "You mean they kill?" 
 
 "I mean they have killed. Ramon is dead; I 
 saw his body." 
 
 "Mon Dieu! Why they not kill me?" 
 
 "Probably they did not intend killing him. 
 He was tied as you were, but was drunk, and 
 may have suffocated. These men know he is 
 dead, however, and realize the desperate situa 
 tion they are in. They will not hesitate now at 
 any crime to attain their purpose and escape. 
 They even sought to have me arrested for the 
 murder." 
 
 "You, Monsieur?" 
 
 "Yes ; I want you to understand the exact sit-
 
 240 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 uation. I am here fleeing from the police, un 
 der charges concocted by Brandt to save himself. 
 He believes I am hidden somewhere, waiting a 
 chance to get out of the city. That is why he 
 came here with his gang, knowing you were 
 alone. It looked easy, for the watchman was in 
 his pay, Ramon dead, and I fleeing from the 
 police. You were all he had left to oppose him. 
 Now he has got you, he will feel safe, and grow 
 careless. The fact that he did not even have 
 a man stationed outside, or left to guard the 
 auto, proves how confident he is. He never 
 dreams that I dare come here." 
 
 De Vigne breathed heavily, and swore. 
 
 "You would fight, Monsieur?" 
 
 "Yes, two against four; not such bad odds, 
 with the surprise in our favor. You like that?" 
 
 "It will be good sport," and the soldier rubbed 
 his hands together. "When we begin?" 
 
 "Presently; there is a bit to do first. Is the 
 monoplane ready to fly?" 
 
 "Oui } Monsieur." 
 
 "Plenty of gasoline? Provisions packed 
 away? Oiled and tested?" 
 
 "Oui, Monsieur. Yesterday I saw to it all."
 
 AT THE HANGAR 241 
 
 "And the ground in front is it level and 
 smooth? Have you been over it?" 
 
 "It is as a board, Monsieur, maybe four hun 
 dred feet yes," with enthusiasm. "They play 
 ze game baseball here, and it all hard like rock. 
 The wheels run fine." 
 
 "Good enough. That was the way I recalled 
 it. Now listen. We have n t got much time 
 before daylight. As soon as we locate those 
 fellows we will go for them swift and hard. 
 Have you a revolver?" 
 
 "There is one in the drawer behind you, Mon 
 
 sieur." 
 
 "Put it in your pocket; I have one of my 
 own. Now remember this there is to be no 
 killing, no shooting, if it can be possibly avoided, 
 The more quietly we can accomplish this business 
 the better. What I want to do is to drive the 
 whole four back into that southwest corner, and 
 make them prisoners. You get the idea?" 
 
 "Oui, Monsieur." 
 
 "If we get between them and the front, there 
 is no way for them to get out, unless they rush 
 us. They are probably armed, but if we get 
 the drop on them first, I do not think they will
 
 242 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 fight. Brandt is the dangerous one you leave 
 him to me, and keep your gun on the others. 
 Beyond that, obey orders." 
 
 He stood very straight in the dark, and his 
 hand came up in salute. 
 
 ef Oui, Monsieur." 
 
 "As soon as they are secured we will run out 
 the machine; if we cannot do it ourselves, we 
 will compel that Pinkerton man to help." 
 
 "You will fly? now, in the dark?" 
 
 "Yes; it is the only way I can prevent being 
 arrested, as the police watch all railway sta 
 tions; and if I take the machine away Brandt 
 cannot study its mechanism." 
 
 "And I go with you?" 
 
 "No, De Vigne, I have a passenger. You re 
 main here; release the prisoners as soon as it is 
 daylight. Then go direct to the French Consul, 
 and make a report. He will tell you what to 
 do." 
 
 He stood silent, shaking his head, clearly dis 
 satisfied. 
 
 "You are a soldier?" 
 
 "Oui, Monsieur." 
 
 "Then do as I say. I cannot take you; there
 
 AT THE HANGAR 243 
 
 is a lady here who will make the trip with me." 
 
 "A lady, Monsieur!" the surprise in his voice 
 making me smile. 
 
 "Exactly; she is outside now, and I am going 
 to bring her in here. Do not forget again, De 
 Vigne, that you are under my orders." 
 
 "Non, Monsieur." 
 
 "Very good; now stand where you are until 
 I come back."
 
 CHAPTER XVIII 
 
 THE FIGHT IN THE DARK 
 
 1 FOUND her without difficulty, and has 
 tily whispered into her ear the story of my 
 meeting with De Vigne. In response she 
 said there were men in the big shed; she had 
 seen gleams of light showing through the crack 
 of the big door, and had even crept up close 
 enough to hear movement within. Once the 
 muffled sound of a voice reached her ears, and, 
 although it was impossible to distinguish words, 
 she was convinced the language employed was 
 German. 
 
 "You have seen no one outside?" I asked, "no 
 sign of any guard?" 
 
 "No; I have told you all. Is it not strange 
 they should be so reckless?" 
 
 "Brandt believes I am frightened away by the 
 police. He thinks my only present purpose is 
 to escape arrest, and it has never occurred to 
 him that I might utilize the monoplane. He is 
 
 244
 
 THE FIGHT IN THE DARK 245 
 
 not an aeronaut, and will not understand the pos 
 sibility. I am the only person they have any 
 cause to fear now that Ramon is dead and De 
 Vigne a prisoner. Come with me inside." 
 
 She accompanied me without hesitancy into 
 the blackness of the shed, but I kept my hand 
 on her arm, guiding her across until we reached 
 the work-bench at the opposite side. Dark as it 
 was without, yet the open door gave us a bit of 
 starlight to relieve the gloom. 
 
 "Where are you, De Vigne?" I questioned, in 
 a whisper, unable to distinguish his form. 
 
 "Here, Monsieur, waiting your orders." 
 
 "Your revolver; it is loaded?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "And the door into the hangar; how is it se 
 cured?" 
 
 "With a wooden latch, Monsieur; it can be 
 opened without noise." 
 
 "Very good; now, Mademoiselle, you will re 
 main here, in this corner, where the work-bench 
 will protect you until I come back. You will 
 obey?" 
 
 "Surely yes," she answered. "I have prom 
 ised,"
 
 246 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "I know, and trust you. There may be a 
 fight, but we shall have the advantage. All I 
 ask is, do not expose yourself." 
 
 "But, Monsieur, what about yourself? Think 
 what it would mean to me if you were hurt who 
 can tell how badly." 
 
 "I will be as careful as I can," I answered 
 stoutly, "but this is a risk not to be avoided. I 
 only wish you were not concerned in it." 
 
 "And I am glad I am. There must be a 
 strain of wild blood in me, Monsieur, to rejoice 
 at adventure. I even wish I could go with you." 
 
 "Yet you will not attempt such a mad freak? 
 You will remain here?" 
 
 "I will keep my promise; you may trust me." 
 
 She was at the end of the bench, a mere black 
 shadow, although our forms touched. As she 
 whispered these words I could feel her breath 
 on my cheek. My veins throbbed with a wild 
 rush of blood, and, before I realized what I was 
 doing, I had her in my arms, and found her lips 
 with my own. An instant, helpless from sur 
 prise, she remained inert, then freed herself, 
 pressing me back. 
 
 "Monsieur!" indignantly. "What right"
 
 THE FIGHT IN THE DARK 247 
 
 "None; I implore pardon. The temptation 
 was too much. You will forgive?" 
 
 "But you frighten me! You are not fair, 
 Monsieur," she protested, holding herself away. 
 "I I cannot go with you now ! I I will not." 
 
 "But I meant nothing; it was only the impulse 
 of an instant; cannot you understand?" 
 
 "It is because I understand that I resolve," 
 she said firmly. "Had you respected me you 
 would not have dared. I cannot trust you, Mon 
 sieur." 
 
 "You mean you will not go?" 
 
 She hesitated, and I waited, breathing hard, 
 thoroughly ashamed of myself. 
 
 "Tell me, Mademoiselle ? It was not what you 
 think I love you!" 
 
 "How easily you say that; they must be fa 
 miliar words." 
 
 Her tone angered me, and I grasped her 
 hand. 
 
 "Do not laugh," I whispered swiftly, "for I 
 am not in that mood. I have told you no lie, 
 paid you no idle compliment. Those words were 
 forced from me; I spoke them in self-defense. 
 Will you not believe me to be in earnest?"
 
 248 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "Oh, yes! You are in earnest now. It is 
 tomorrow I must consider the many tomor 
 rows. Please let me go, Monsieur. I promise 
 to remain here." 
 
 "But not to take the flight." 
 
 "No; you have broken your pledge." 
 
 "I thought you cared." 
 
 "I did, Monsieur; I do still. I want you to 
 get away safely, and to keep your secret from 
 those men. I led you into all this trouble, and 
 will do all in my power to help you. That is 
 all; you must remain satisfied with that. You 
 have no right to expect more." 
 
 "Then my love is nothing to you?" 
 
 "It might be everything, and yet not justify 
 my yielding to your request. I am an Ameri 
 can, not a French girl, and I have my code. 
 You have made it impossible for me to go fur 
 ther." 
 
 "Monsieur," spoke De Vigne from the other 
 side, "they have a light now; should we not 
 hurry?" 
 
 "Yes ; in a minute," and I turned back to her. 
 "I must go now, but shall come back here. Will 
 I find you?"
 
 THE FIGHT IN THE DARK 249 
 
 "Yes ; I I am not indifferent, not angry. It 
 it is all deeper than that. Only, please go 
 now, and do not plead any more. This is too 
 serious for words." 
 
 She gave me both her hands, and I lifted them 
 to my lips. Then she drew them gently away, 
 and stood erect. Someone struck a blow in the 
 hangar, and I stepped back listening. I felt the 
 necessity for action. 
 
 "The fight first," I said shortly, "and then you, 
 my lady." 
 
 I felt my way along the edge of the bench to 
 the door. De Vigne stood there, his eyes at a 
 crack, through which a narrow gleam of light 
 stole, but drew back at my approach. I felt for 
 the wooden latch, and found it. 
 
 "Ready?" 
 
 "Oui, Monsieur." 
 
 "Then do exactly as I do." 
 
 I lifted the latch silently, and opened the door 
 just far enough so as to look into the interior. 
 The light was a dim one near the farther ex 
 tremity of the shed, obscured by the frame of 
 the monoplane. Against the faint radiance I 
 could trace the spreading wings of the machine,
 
 250 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 and the network of wires. Just beyond the pro 
 peller the men were grouped, one fellow holding 
 the electric lamp, the others crowding about, in 
 an endeavor to see what the light revealed. In 
 tent upon the one thing sought all else was for 
 gotten, and their voices rumbled in German. I 
 could not see the face of the fellow who held the 
 lamp, but Eisenbarth stood at his right, holding 
 back a piece of canvas with which the propeller 
 had been wrapped, while Brandt had his back 
 to us, and was leaning forward, one hand on the 
 steel rod. The fourth man appeared indistinct 
 beneath the shadow of an aerofoil intently listen 
 ing to the conversation. 
 
 Assured that their attention was concentrated 
 elsewhere, I slipped in through the narrow open 
 ing, stooping under the wing wires, until I 
 found a secure hiding place behind the rudder. 
 De Vigne followed me like a shadow, without 
 making the slightest noise, and we crouched 
 down together beyond the radius of light. Anx 
 ious as I was by this time to come to hand grips 
 with the fellows, before daylight could thwart 
 my plans of escape, I yet desired to learn what 
 it really was they were so determined to dis-
 
 THE FIGHT IN THE DARK 251 
 
 cover, and to be certain of success before com 
 mencing attack. We were two against four, and 
 the first blow struck would likely decide the bat 
 tle. The very knowledge that Mademoiselle 
 waited alone in the shed robbed me of reckless 
 ness, for I realized what our defeat would neces 
 sarily mean to her. The secret of the monoplane 
 had become of small value, now it was being 
 tested against her safety. I determined to pro 
 tect her at any cost. It was Brandt s voice I 
 distinguished first in a low, half-inarticulate 
 growl. 
 
 "What do you make of it?" he asked, lifting 
 his head. "Same propeller as in the Morane, 
 is n t it?" 
 
 "Heavier, that s all," returned Eisenbarth 
 slowly. "Only difference I see is in the motor, 
 and the ailerons." 
 
 "You mean those things they balance with? 
 The wing tips?" 
 
 "Sure; they look as if they d work all right, 
 but it s the motor that gets me. I d have to 
 try that out to discover what it would do." 
 
 "Wherein does it differ from others?" 
 
 The chauffeur moved back, motioning the man
 
 252 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 with the lamp to follow, and the four disappeared 
 from our direct view. 
 
 "In several ways, Captain," he said, at last, 
 evidently demonstrating. "This is an improve 
 ment on the Gnome revolving engine. It is 
 lighter, and fully as powerful, and is water- 
 cooled. This is a combination never achieved 
 before to my knowledge. I can grasp all this 
 just as it stands, for the mechanics are simple 
 enough, but this contrivance in connection with 
 the exhaust is a new invention. I should have 
 to test its work to learn its exact purpose." 
 
 "But you must have some theory?" 
 
 "Well, yes; it is undoubtedly intended as a 
 silencer, and, if it does the business, will revolu 
 tionize the aeroplane for use in war. That is 
 just what this machine has been reported to do, 
 is n t it?" 
 
 "Yes; but no one believed it true. And you 
 say this is the thing?" 
 
 "It must be. Seems simple enough, but I 
 could n t figure out just how it works unless I 
 took it apart, or else tried it in action." 
 
 I saw Brandt straighten up, and glance about 
 into the darkness.
 
 THE FIGHT IN THE DARK 253 
 
 "Why not set the engine going?" he asked. 
 "It s aU ready, isn t it?" 
 
 "Yes, but there is a risk that the silencer may 
 not be properly adjusted, and the noise create 
 an alarm." 
 
 "But there is no one about to hear; if there 
 were it would only be supposed that Dessaud s 
 mechanics were trying it out. Go on, and see 
 how the thing works ; if it makes too much racket 
 shut it off." 
 
 Eisenbarth, still wearing his long chauffeur 
 gloves, came around behind the man with the 
 lamp, fumbled a moment, grumbling to himself, 
 and then climbed up into the operating seat. 
 The others drew back. 
 
 "Here you, bring that light this way," he or 
 dered gruffly. "It is all done by the feet, and I 
 can t see the connections." 
 
 The man thrust the lamp in through the light 
 framework, the gleam concentrated on the foot 
 board, leaving all else shrouded in darkness. I 
 could see Eisenbarth s face as though in a spot 
 light, as he bent forward studying the mechan 
 ism, before venturing to turn on the power. 
 With my knowledge of the peculiar arrange-
 
 254 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 ment I had to smile at his bewilderment, yet 
 dared delay no longer. Mechanic though he was 
 an expert possibly, employed for this very pur 
 pose yet he might decide wrong, and by a sin 
 gle movement wreck the delicate machinery. 
 Too much depended on all being right for me 
 to risk his handling of throttle and lever. I 
 gripped De Vigne s arm, and we both arose to 
 our feet. 
 
 "Now," I whispered, "you take the left, and 
 I will go the other way. Leave the big fellow 
 to me, but cover that man up above. I don t 
 think there is much fight in the other two; you 
 understand?" 
 
 <( Oul, Monsieur I am not to fire?" 
 
 "Only as a last resort, to save our lives. Some 
 of those fellows are probably armed. Don t let 
 them draw. Brandt will make the most trouble, 
 but I 11 take care of him." 
 
 "I do just as you say." 
 
 "Then listen; get as near as you can without 
 being seen; creep up under the propeller. At 
 tack as soon as I cover Brandt, and not before. 
 Make that fellow climb down, and, if it comes 
 to blows, use the butt of your gun. Drive them
 
 THE FIGHT IN THE DARK 255 
 
 all back into that corner. Don t forget to hit 
 first. Are you ready?" 
 
 "Oui, Monsieur." 
 
 We separated, and stole forward, crouching 
 in the black shadows, each gripping his revolver 
 with nervous fingers. We might fail; I realized 
 that, but only as a dim possibility, for I felt a 
 grim determination which assured me of suc 
 cess. The night s adventures had left me on 
 edge; little by little there had grown up in my 
 heart a hatred for these men, and a desire for 
 vengeance. The prospect of a fight was almost 
 joyful; I longed to strike, and hear the crunch 
 of the blow. The defense of my machine was 
 no longer the dominant factor; nor even the de 
 fense of the girl. The struggle had become per 
 sonal. Those fellows had hounded me for hours, 
 had beaten me cruelly, and held me captive. 
 They had been brutes, stooping even to murder 
 to accomplish their end. The same spirit had 
 come into my own blood. I hoped they would 
 fight; I longed for an excuse to do them phys 
 ical injury, to batter them, to even kill if neces 
 sary. I experienced no sense of fear, only the 
 exhilaration of battle, yet I think my brain was
 
 256 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 never clearer, or my judgment cooler, than in 
 that moment. I had the advantage now, and 
 meant to hold it. I knew what I desired to ac 
 complish, and how. 
 
 I approached Brandt from the rear, seeing 
 his burly figure clearly outlined against the 
 light. Before he even sensed danger I had my 
 fingers gripped in his collar, the barrel of my 
 revolver between his eyes. As he whirled about, 
 jerked erect by my arm, he caught sight of my 
 face in the gleam, and, for an instant, stared 
 at me, dazed and inert. Then there flashed into 
 his eyes malignant recognition. 
 
 "You! Dessaud! how did you get here?" 
 
 "We will discuss that later. Not a movement 
 now! Come; hands up, and back away!" 
 
 He did as I ordered, mechanically, forced by 
 the black muzzle, yet watching me like a hawk, 
 ready to spring. Across his shoulder, but with 
 out removing my eyes from him, I caught 
 glimpses of the others. Attracted by my at 
 tack on their leader the three men, seeking to 
 discover the cause of disturbance, had been hope 
 lessly trapped. De Vigne, grinning pleas 
 antly, held them under two revolvers though
 
 THE FIGHT IN THE DARK 257 
 
 where he got the second weapon I never knew 
 the deadly barrels glinting in the light. I saw 
 the chauffeur drop to the floor, still clinging to 
 a wire with one hand, the other flung up as 
 though to ward a blow. Swigert leaped back, 
 but was held helpless against the framework of 
 the machine, his face ghastly in the light; while 
 the fellow with the lamp straightened up, staring 
 with startled eyes at the apparition confronting 
 him. It was all the revelation of an instant 
 a swift flash of sight to be retained by mem 
 ory, yet as quickly blotted. Even as it photo 
 graphed itself upon the brain, the electric glow 
 vanished, and we were plunged into the dark. 
 There was an oath gutteral, German the thud 
 of a blow; another, a French exclamation of 
 anger, and then Brandt, suddenly realizing his 
 opportunity, swung me half around in an effort 
 to wrench free. I hung on desperately, saved 
 from a fall by contact with the rudder post, feel 
 ing him claw for my throat. Someone ran by 
 us blindly in the darkness, crashed into a rear 
 guy, and fell headlong, yelping like a dog as he 
 came down. I ducked forward, beneath the 
 groping hands, and struck Brandt with my
 
 258 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 head. As he staggered back, with one hand 
 grabbing my hair in an effort to save himself, 
 I struck with my revolver butt. The blind blow 
 reached him; I heard the sickening crunch of 
 it, and the fellow went down as though smitten 
 by an ax, dragging me with him by his savage 
 grip on my hair. I fell partly across his body, 
 the gun dropping from my fingers as I sought 
 to regain hold on the man s throat. But he 
 never moved except for a relaxation of the mus 
 cles, and I tore his hand loose from its grasp on 
 my hair, and got to my knees. Someone was 
 fighting to my left; I could see nothing, but 
 heard blows, cursing, and the incessant shuffle 
 of feet. It sounded as though more than two 
 were engaged, but there was no voice I recog 
 nized. Then a body fell, plunging completely 
 over me, and I lit a match, holding the tiny flame 
 high up so as to get a glimpse of the scene.
 
 CHAPTER XIX 
 
 HOW THE FIGHT ENDED 
 
 THE flare lit up a very small radius, yet 
 revealed two men locked tightly in 
 each other s arms beneath the fusilage 
 frame, fighting like wild cats, shaking the ma 
 chine above them as their bodies struck the for 
 ward wheels. De Vigne was beneath, his face 
 bleeding from what looked to be an ugly cut. 
 By his cap I judged his antagonist to be the 
 chauffeur. Swigert was the fellow who had 
 plunged over me, and now lay motionless, hav 
 ing cracked his head against the after frame. 
 Of the fourth man I saw nothing. 
 
 The match flared into cinder, scorching my 
 fingers, but I had seen enough. Stumbling for 
 ward, recklessly feeling my way through the 
 dark, I gripped Eisenbarth, and dragged him 
 from off his victim, whirling the fellow ever, and 
 jamming my knee down into his breast. 
 
 "Lie still, you fool!" I commanded, the words 
 
 259
 
 260 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 panting from me. "Strike at me again, and 
 you 11 remember it ! Very well take that 
 then! Now do you know you are whipped? De 
 Vigne." 
 
 "Qui, Monsieur," the response scarcely more 
 than a sob. 
 
 "Are you badly hurt? Can you creep 
 around ?" 
 
 He did not reply at once, but I could hear 
 him making the effort to move. From the shak 
 ing of the monoplane I judged he had grasped 
 hold of the frame, and was attempting by its aid 
 to attain his feet. Once he swore as though the 
 effort pained him. 
 
 "Well, are you making it?" 
 
 "It was all right, Monsieur, only the head reel, 
 an I feel sick. The fellow kick me in the stom 
 ach. What you want me to do?" 
 
 "Find that electric lamp. It will be lying 
 under the machine there somewhere. We must 
 have light to clean up this raffle, and I cannot 
 desert our friend here." 
 
 He fumbled around for some time, breathing 
 heavily, and occasionally giving vent to some 
 exclamation.
 
 HOW THE FIGHT ENDED 261 
 
 "Here was a revolver, Monsieur. * 
 "Hold on to it. You don t feel the lamp?" 
 "Not yet, Monsieur, but it must be somewhere 
 about here. It is what I was struck with, and 
 it fell down; maybe we kicked it farther away. 
 Ahl" in sudden triumph, "I have it now; how 
 you work it, Monsieur?" 
 
 "By a press-button; feel along the side with 
 your finger." 
 
 He was a while finding it, yet finally suc 
 ceeded, the thin wedge of light flashing directly 
 across the face of the man beneath me, and re 
 vealing the skeleton frame of the monoplane 
 overhead. The second revolver lay on the floor 
 within easy reach, and I picked it up, and arose 
 to my feet. Gasping for breath, but with all 
 desire to fight squeezed completely out of him, 
 Eisenbarth succeeded in lifting himself on one 
 elbow, and stared about. 
 
 "Sure you have had enough?" I asked, jug 
 gling the pistol in my hand. He nodded sul 
 lenly. 
 
 "Is that Brandt lying over there?" 
 "Yes; throw your light more around the han 
 gar, De Vigne; I want to locate the whole gang."
 
 262 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 He turned about slowly, and the bar of light 
 crept searchingly along the floor and walls. 
 Brandt lay flat on his back, his temples stained 
 with blood, his hands flung backward over his 
 head ; beyond him, lying prone on his face, rested 
 Swigert, groaning, and clutching at the smooth 
 rudder. He was probably only stunned by his 
 fall, but the big German had all the appearance 
 of a dead man. My eyes followed the light 
 searching for the fourth scamp he was at the 
 door leading into the workshop, still tugging 
 at the latch, but with frightened face turned back 
 toward us. We had left the door open; I was 
 certain of that. Then the girl must have closed 
 it after us, and then held it from the other side. 
 I felt my blood leap in acknowledgment of her 
 quick wit, and courage. Instantly I covered the 
 fellow with my revolver. 
 
 "Come back here! Yes, I mean you. More 
 lively; hold the light so that I can see him, De 
 Vigne." 
 
 He was a medium-sized man, with thin, 
 freckled face, and red mustache. 
 
 "What s your name?" 
 
 "Kelly, sor."
 
 HOW THE FIGHT ENDED 263 
 
 "Not a German, hey! Then how did you 
 come to get mixed up in this affair?" 
 
 He looked at me shame-faced, and tried to an 
 swer, but could only swallow. 
 
 "Speak up, man! You are the fellow who 
 held the light, ain t you?" 
 
 "Oi am, sor ; th big fellow thar made me." 
 
 "Made you ! by the promise of a ten dollar bill 
 likely. Come, spit out the truth." 
 
 "He s the watchman, Monsieur," broke in De 
 Vigne. "The same who hit me with the lamp," 
 feeling his head tenderly. "The bloody pirate; 
 nobody ever made him do it." 
 
 "I am of the same opinion. Is there any rope 
 around here, De Vigne?" 
 
 "Plenty in the workroom." 
 
 "Go and get it ; give me the lamp. Now you 
 two stay just where you are. Wait a minute, De 
 Vigne; go through these fellows pockets first." 
 
 He did the work expeditiously, but the only 
 weapon found was a knife on Eisenbarth, which 
 I flung into one corner. The Irishman wore a 
 belt with a sheath, but his revolver had disap 
 peared, probably dropped when he fell in his 
 wild effort at escape. I flashed the light about
 
 264 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 over the floor in a circle, but failed to perceive 
 any sign of it. On a lapel of the man s vest was 
 a detective s shield; De Vigne jerked it off, and 
 stamped it with his heel. 
 
 "And I J d like to do the same with you," he 
 growled, shaking a fist in the fellow s face, "you 
 Irish blackguard." 
 
 "Never mind that now," I broke in hastily. 
 "Get the rope." 
 
 He came back with it, and Mademoiselle fol 
 lowed, picking her way cautiously through the 
 maze, guided by the light. She appeared almost 
 like a ghost in her gray dress, the gleam illu 
 mining her face as she advanced toward me be 
 neath the spreading wings. Beside Brandt s 
 body she stopped suddenly in horror, staring 
 down at the ghastly upturned face. 
 
 "Is is he dead, Monsieur?" 
 
 "I hope not, but have n t had time yet to find 
 out. I struck him in the dark with a revolver 
 butt, and he has n t moved since. It was either 
 he or I, you know." 
 
 She lifted her eyes to my face. 
 
 "Yes, I know; I could hear the struggle. I 
 did not mean to blame you, but but I hope you
 
 HOW THE FIGHT ENDED 265 
 
 have n t killed him ; that would be terrible for 
 all of us. You were not hurt?" 
 
 "Oh, no," essaying a laugh, "my luck held, 
 and I am fit to play out the game. Yes, tie the 
 three, De Vigne, and do a good job. Begin with 
 Eisenbarth here ; he s the biggest villain. Swi- 
 gert yonder is getting up. Better remain where 
 you are, my man yes, I mean you. Never 
 mind talking about it ; we know the whole story. 
 Now, Miss Probyn " 
 
 I turned toward her, but she was already 
 kneeling beside Brandt, holding one of his 
 wrists in her hand. I stepped over beside them, 
 but kept the light of the lamp turned on the 
 others. She glanced up quickly. 
 
 "He is alive, Monsieur; there is plenty of 
 pulse, very rapid, and the skull was not frac 
 tured I am sure." 
 
 "I am indeed thankful for that," I assured her. 
 "I did not know how hard I struck, it all oc 
 curred so swiftly. The fellow, no doubt, de 
 serves to be killed, but I feel no special bitter 
 ness toward him. Almost I am grateful." 
 
 "That is strange." 
 
 "Not at all; but for him I should never have
 
 266 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 known you. That is the part of tonight I shall 
 always prefer to remember." 
 
 "Your words are foolish, Monsieur." 
 
 "I refuse to admit the charge; instead they 
 
 are quite rational. No, Mademoiselle, I will 
 
 not remain still. Once you could control me, 
 
 but now no longer. I read your eyes as you 
 
 came in." 
 
 "My eyes! in the dark?" 
 
 "No, in the light; full in the glow of this elec 
 tric lamp. It was because you thought them ob 
 scured that I saw what I saw." 
 
 "I cannot imagine, Monsieur " 
 
 "Nor can you deny. I was the one you 
 sought; I was the one in your thoughts. You 
 looked at no one else; cared nothing how the 
 others might have fared, until you were sure as 
 to me. Is that not true?" 
 
 "What more natural? The others were either 
 unknown, or enemies." 
 
 "You parry well, but I wield the stronger 
 blade. Your eyes have laughed at, and played 
 with me, all this night long. Not until then have 
 I seen into their depths, surprised their secret. 
 Just for that one instant you forgot, and gave
 
 HOW THE FIGHT ENDED 267 
 
 me glimpse of your heart. It is now, Made 
 moiselle, I hold you prisoner." 
 
 She arose to her feet, looking frankly at me, 
 her hands clasped. 
 
 "I regret my eyes have unconsciously played 
 me such a trick, Monsieur," she said soberly. 
 "They have been guilty of treachery before, so 
 you must not presume upon them. But is this a 
 time to stop for such gallant speech? There 
 are already signs of coming day in the sky, and 
 that means hurry. Haven t you much to do?" 
 
 "It will not take long, unless those tinkerers 
 have flung something out of gear. And I am 
 going to trust to your eyes, Mademoiselle not 
 your words your eyes. Never mind what I 
 mean you will learn all that soon enough. You 
 held the door fast?" 
 
 "Yes; I stood there trying to see, and heard 
 the man running. I did not know who he was, 
 but thought you would want him stopped." 
 
 "The service was well rendered; his escape 
 would have spoiled all. Now there is nothing 
 left to be done, but get away. What is it, De 
 Vigne?" 
 
 "I Ve got the three all right over there," he
 
 268 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 said, pointing toward a dark corner, but with 
 his eyes on the girl. "I had to be rough with 
 that chauffeur, Monsieur; the devil bit me 
 see," and he held up his hand which was bleed 
 ing. 
 
 "He is a vicious cur, fit to be associated with 
 this kind of a leader," touching Brandt with my 
 foot. 
 
 "Shall I tie him, too?" 
 
 "No; drag him back out of the way of the 
 rudder, and let him lie there. He 11 come too 
 all right if only let alone ; his kind don t die easy, 
 more the pity." 
 
 I stood aside as he lugged Brandt s heavy 
 body out of the way, holding the lamp aloft. 
 She remained close beside me, but without 
 speaking, until De Vigne came back. I could 
 see the contour of her face, clear cut as a cameo 
 in the bright gleam, but her eyes were averted. 
 The silhouette fascinated me, yet I was aroused 
 now to the swift passage of time, and the very 
 moment De Vigne dropped his burden, I flashed 
 the light about upon the monoplane, anxious to 
 learn its condition. My own resolve was made, 
 but I must be certain we would run no unneces-
 
 HOW THE FIGHT ENDED 269 
 
 sary risk. The mechanic joined me, one hand 
 grasping the frame. 
 
 "Did those fellows work any injury tinkering 
 around?" 
 
 "Not unless they loosened something about 
 the motor, Monsieur. The chauffeur had a 
 small monkey wrench in his hand, but I don t 
 think he found any chance to use it. Let me 
 have the light, and I 11 see." 
 
 He was scarcely three minutes at it, for he 
 knew every bolt and brace; then he took hasty 
 survey of radiator, and propeller, flashing the 
 sharp ray of light into each intricate part, and 
 testing them with trained fingers. I watched 
 his face anxiously, pleased to see it lit up with a 
 smile, as he finally stepped back fully satisfied 
 with his scrutiny. 
 
 "Fine as a watch, Monsieur," he reported 
 proudly. 
 
 "Ready for flight at this minute?" 
 
 "Everything yes," and he gesticulated with 
 both hands. "Those were your orders yester 
 day, Monsieur. You were to try it this morn 
 ing if the weather was by chance clear. So it 
 was I looked over the machinery, while Ramon
 
 270 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 saw to the supplies. It is well, perfect; I took 
 great care." 
 
 "Gasoline, oil, tool hamper, water, food?" 
 
 I ran over the various items swiftly, in spite 
 of his former assurances. 
 
 "Qui, Monsieur." 
 
 "And you tested the gear carefully ? the levers, 
 chains and wires?" 
 
 "All, Monsieur; twice yesterday, and again 
 last night when I oiled." 
 
 "Can you start the machine off alone?" 
 
 "You mean run it out? I do not know, Mon 
 sieur, for I have never tried. Perhaps I could 
 for I am sure there are no depressions in the 
 ground even as I said, and the vacant space is 
 perhaps four hundred feet." 
 
 "But we cannot run any chances and shall 
 have to use one of our prisoners to help you; 
 release the Pinkerton man, he is the safer, and 
 bring him here." 
 
 He disappeared, returning scarcely a moment 
 later, gripping the fellow firmly by the collar, 
 and thrusting him forward into the light of the 
 lamp. 
 
 "Kelly," I said sternly, "pay strict attention
 
 HOW THE FIGHT ENDED 271 
 
 to what I say. You don t care anything for 
 this gang of outlaws. You re with them be 
 cause you thought you saw a chance for a little 
 easy money. That s the truth, isn t it?" 
 
 He grinned, yet not altogether with good hu 
 mor, but held silent. 
 
 "I thought so. Now my money is just as good 
 as theirs. This night s work is going to cost 
 you your job likely, and a little additional cash, 
 together with a chance to get away safely, is 
 worth considering." 
 
 "It was, sor." 
 
 "Sensible decision, Kelly. You are going to 
 help run this machine out of the hangar, and 
 give it a start for flying. De Vigne here will tell 
 you exactly what to do, and he 11 put a bullet 
 in you if you don t do it. If you play fair he 11 
 give you this roll of bills, and turn you loose as 
 soon as we are off. Do you agree to this?" 
 
 "Wid all me heart, sor." 
 
 De Vigne thrust the roll displayed into his 
 own pocket, taking care to flourish a revolver 
 as he did so, and the eyes of the Irishman blinked 
 in the light as I watched him narrowly. He 
 was a treacherous scoundrel, but he could not
 
 272 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 afford to play us false. However it might be 
 well to make him realize what his chances were. 
 I laid a hand on De Vigne s shoulder. 
 
 "Now, Kelly, mark my words. This is a case 
 of either life or death with you. This man here 
 is a soldier, under my orders. He will do ex 
 actly as I tell him. If you try to run, or show 
 any sign of treachery, he 11 shoot you down as 
 he would a dog. You understand that?" 
 
 The man s shifting eyes were upon the girl, 
 but in the silence, they left her face and sought 
 mine. 
 
 "Oi do sor ; sure an* Oi m no crazy fool. 
 Whut fer would oi be tryin ter skip out?" He 
 spat on the ground contemptuously. "Ter hell 
 wid the Dutch." 
 
 I could not but notice the expression of disgust 
 on Miss Probyn s face. 
 
 "Then we are ready. De Vigne, bring the 
 coats and caps here my own, and the suit for the 
 lady." 
 
 tc Oui, Monsieur." 
 
 "But," she gasped, stepping forward and 
 clasping my arm. "You forget! I I said I 
 would not "
 
 HOW THE FIGHT ENDED 273 
 
 "And did you ever suppose I would abide by 
 that decision?" I interrupted, meeting her gaze 
 fairly. "That I would leave you here, and de 
 part alone? Do you not know me better than 
 that?" 
 
 "I fear I do not know you at all. Do you 
 actually mean you will force me to go?" 
 
 "No, Mademoiselle; only to make a choice. 
 We either both go, or we both stay; the decision 
 is entirely your own. Here is De Vigne now, 
 with the suits. Will you accept yours?" and I 
 held the garment out toward her. 
 
 There was a moment of silence, her eyes rest 
 ing on mine, her breath coming quickly. I 
 know there was both firmness and pleading in 
 my face, but what else it may have also revealed 
 to her questioning gaze I cannot tell. It seemed 
 to me a long while before she moved, as though 
 my heart had actually stopped beating in fear 
 of her decision. Then her eyes sank, shaded by 
 long lashes, and she held out her hands.
 
 CHAPTER XX 
 
 "ON UPWARD WINGS" 
 
 WITHOUT a word, but with pulse 
 throbbing madly, I helped her don 
 the long coat, and fastened it se 
 curely about the neck. She endeavored to but 
 ton the lower flap, but her trembling fingers 
 made of it quite a task. 
 
 "You are surely not afraid," I whispered, aid 
 ing her. "I cannot believe that." 
 
 "No, not of the flight," and she glanced at 
 me reproachfully. "I I am nervous, that is 
 all; I I thought I could refuse you, but but 
 I cannot. You are forcing me to do wrong." 
 
 Perhaps I was too happy over my victory; at 
 least I felt no inclination toward mercy, for 
 down in my heart I believed she was glad at 
 my insistence, and that I was fully justified. 
 
 "You are going to learn better, Made 
 moiselle," I said gravely, and drew the cap 
 down over her hair, fastening it firmly. "I have 
 
 274
 
 "ON UPWARD WINGS" 275 
 
 no thought now but for your welfare. Trust 
 me, and give me your hand in evidence." 
 
 She permitted me to take it in my own, but 
 there was no responsive clasp. At last she 
 looked up. 
 
 "I do trust you; I must, and and I believe 
 you think this is right. But let us not talk about 
 it any longer! I have consented; I am going 
 just as you wish. Please do not argue any 
 more." 
 
 Realizing what she meant, and fearing lest 
 her resolution might give way under further 
 strain, I guided her back to the skeleton body of 
 the machine. 
 
 "Throw your light here, De Vigne, so the lady 
 can see," I ordered. "Now, Mademoiselle, 
 place your foot on this cross-piece; now on the 
 other. Yes, that is right, you can support your 
 self with the guy-wire. This is the hardest part 
 getting on board. There is only one step 
 more; take the seat to the left; now you are all 
 right. Wrap your coat tightly about your 
 knees, and press the edge down under your feet 
 so the wind cannot get underneath; the air will 
 be chill outside."
 
 276 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 I struggled into my own coat, and pulled on 
 my gloves, looking up to where she was perched, 
 her face plainly visible in the light. 
 
 "You are comfortable?" I asked, feeling my 
 voice would encourage. 
 
 "Yes, but are you not coming?" 
 
 "In a moment; there are a few things to be 
 attended to below first. You better put on your 
 gloves; they are in the coat pocket. Now, De 
 Vigne, douse that light, and we 11 throw open the 
 doors. Kelly, take hold here." 
 
 They were heavy enough to require the 
 strength of all three of us to roll them back, yet 
 made little noise. The cool night air poured in 
 through the wide opening, and there was a dull 
 gray haze visible along the eastern sky, the first 
 faint glimmer of approaching dawn. The stars 
 were paling, and there was already sufficient re 
 flection of light so as to reveal a row of houses 
 between us and the horizon, although the wide 
 field in our front remained dark with shadow. 
 I endeavored to study the surface, but could see 
 clearly only for a few feet, yet the depth of 
 open space was amply sufficient, and the land 
 appeared level, and reasonably smooth. But
 
 "ON UPWARD WINGS" 277 
 
 for my passenger I should have felt no restraint, 
 but with her still in mind, I walked forward a 
 hundred feet, perhaps, testing the ground for 
 possible pitfalls, and returned satisfied. The 
 two men lingered at the door, De Vigne testing 
 the propeller. 
 
 "Now, boys, get in here, and roll her out. 
 Take hold of the frame opposite me, Kelly. 
 Carefully now, so as not to jar things going over 
 the sill. Hold tight to both arms of your seat, 
 Mademoiselle; now all together easy there! a 
 little more to the right, De Vigne. She clears; 
 that is enough." 
 
 We were safely outside, the sky above dark 
 but clearing, the pale stars still gleaming fit 
 fully, the only sound recognizable the rattle of a 
 far-off street car. Behind us was the black 
 shadow of the hangar, its wide door yawning, 
 and the monoplane, with light framework, deli 
 cate tracery of wires, and wide-spread wings 
 resting there on spindle wheels, in that spectral 
 light, appeared phantom-like and unreal. I laid 
 hand on it almost dreaming, as I gazed up at 
 the girl s indistinct form perched in the seat 
 above. I could not see her face, yet knew she
 
 278 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 would be staring down at us in anxious fear lest 
 something occur to send her away alone. 
 
 "So far so good," I said cheerily, to hearten 
 her. "Now, Kelly, you do exactly as De Vigne 
 says nothing more, or less. You understand 
 what you are to do afterward, De Vigne." 
 
 "Oui, Monsieur." 
 
 "There is to be no talking, only to the con 
 sul." 
 
 "Oui, Monsieur." 
 
 I shook hands with him, and climbed up 
 through the light framework to my seat at the 
 right, fastening the strap across my body, and 
 then leaning over and securely buckling hers. 
 De Vigne was already at the propeller prepared 
 to set its blades in motion, and I took time to 
 touch her gloved hand with my own, observant 
 to the whiteness of her face beneath the shade 
 of the cap visor. 
 
 "Do do you always strap yourself in like 
 this?" she asked. "Is there danger of falling?" 
 
 "There are pockets in the air," I explained, 
 "and occasionally the drop is considerable. It is 
 safer, that is all, and permits freer use of the 
 hands. You will not mind at all after we once
 
 "ON UPWARD WINGS" 279 
 
 get away from the earth. This is the greatest 
 sport in the world ; you are going to like it." 
 
 Whatever she answered. was lost in the sudden 
 whirl of the propeller, and then I heard De 
 Vigne s voice: 
 
 "Ready, Monsieur?" 
 
 I straightened up, my feet firm on the levers, 
 hands gripping the wheel, every nerve tense, my 
 eyes on the dim glow of light ahead. This was 
 the real test, the next few moments, and I must 
 be alert, prepared to meet any emergency. 
 After we once took the air, and had safely cleared 
 that row of houses, I could afford to think of 
 other things, but not now. 
 
 "Yes, all right let her go!" 
 
 I felt the swift leap of the delicate framework 
 under us; the throb of the motor, silent, but no 
 less powerful, thrilling through the taut wires; 
 the jar of the rubber-tired wheels as they 
 gripped the earth. I heard De Vigne shouting 
 orders to his companion, the increasing hum of 
 the more rapidly revolving propeller blade; the 
 slight creaking of the wings. Then we seemed 
 to leap from off the ground, careening slightly, 
 but as instantly straightening as I touched the
 
 280 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 controlling lever, and headed away into the gray 
 east. I was cool enough now, while feeling all 
 the exhilaration of the moment. The dark 
 earth shadow slipped away beneath, seeming 
 rather to fall from us ; there was no sensation of 
 flight, except for the rush of cold air against 
 our faces, or a swift leap of the blood, when the 
 machine swerved slightly as it mounted steadily 
 higher. One of the men below cried out some 
 thing, but the words were indistinguishable; 
 looking down I could perceive nothing except 
 black shadows, distorted and grotesque. The 
 whirl of the propeller became less noticeable, and 
 the motor worked almost noiselessly, emitting 
 just enough sound to assure me it was in power 
 ful action. We cleared the row of houses by a 
 hundred feet, ever mounting higher into the 
 gloomy, gray sky. In front of us now, a 
 grim, magnificent picture in the wan light of 
 the early dawn, spread the waters of the lake. 
 I could perceive bursts of white where waves 
 dashed against the breakwater, and beyond a 
 gray shimmer, disappearing into mist. Below, 
 on land, it was yet night, and the myriads of 
 street lamps blazed gorgeously through the
 
 "ON UPWARD WINGS" 281 
 
 gloom, marking the vast extent of the city. Far 
 away to the left the lighthouse on a distant pier 
 shot forth rays of alternating white and red 
 into the enveloping haze. It was a fairy pic 
 ture of neither night nor day, full of spectral 
 shadows, and the gleam of strange lights, blend 
 ing into the ghastly gray of the dawning, with 
 the somber waters dashing against the shore, and 
 the earth a shapeless gloom, yet aglow with color. 
 Just beneath us an engine passed, a burst of red 
 flame showing through the open furnace door, 
 painting a weird picture on the black screen for 
 an instant, and as quickly blotted. Noises un 
 recognizable, rose to us out of the dark void, 
 blending into a dull roar, which grew fainter as 
 we swept onward, out over the silent water. 
 
 From the height we had now attained we could 
 perceive a faint tinge of red far to the eastward, 
 with purple streamers piercing the low-hanging 
 mist which still obscured the horizon. Beneath 
 this upper light the fog floated, a dun-colored 
 cloud, its higher undulating waves violet tinted, 
 and assuming fanciful shapes. With careful 
 pressure I brought the monoplane to a straight 
 course, and took a long, sweeping turn toward
 
 282 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 the left, gradually opening the engine throttle. 
 The dim light failed to reveal the figures of the 
 register, but there was no necessity for read 
 ing these to know that we were traveling at high 
 speed. The mad whirl of the propeller, the 
 swift chug of the almost noiseless motor, the 
 sweep of wind lashing against our faces, and 
 singing through the taut wires, the quick re 
 sponse of the delicate machine to the slightest 
 deviation of the rudder, the trembling of the 
 light framework, all combined to tell the story. 
 I felt to the full the deep exhilaration of rapid 
 movement, the consciousness of power. This 
 was indeed life, an experience wherein an hour 
 was well worth a year of ordinary existence. 
 We swept swiftly past the great city, blazing 
 with lights along its water front, still sleeping 
 in its night shadow, as though we were a wild 
 bird breasting its way northward in search of 
 solitude. We glimpsed the curving line of 
 shore, the blacker outlines of piers, the dim 
 tracery of vessels, still illumined by harbor lights ; 
 watching them all disappear as though some 
 mysterious power had swept them from exist 
 ence. Every instant, every throb of the motor,
 
 "ON UPWARD WINGS" 283 
 
 brought with it a new vista, a fresh revelation, an 
 unexpected marvel. We were on wing, buoy 
 ant, free, sweeping through the gray sky, the 
 paling stars still visible in the west, the sweet 
 morning air fresh on our faces. All that was 
 sordid and mean had been left far below; about 
 us, uncharted, a vast expanse, was the clear, pure 
 atmosphere of the heights. We were alone in 
 another world, isolated from our race, and all 
 its hatred and strifes, the masters of a new 
 realm, the bold navigators of a new sea. 
 
 Once, way down below, a tiny thing to our 
 eyes as we swept breathlessly past, a vessel 
 showed dimly, steaming southward, a great 
 white passenger boat, no doubt, heading for the 
 harbor. A glimpse, and we were gone. Once 
 we encountered a "pocket," and glided down, 
 swift as a falling arrow, until we saw the white- 
 caps cresting the waves, only to mount again, 
 like some frightened bird into the higher levels, 
 our great wings swooping to the renewed pres 
 sure of air. Then I pointed our course into the 
 northeast, my eyes on the compass screwed into 
 the arm of my seat. The shore line disappeared, 
 and we swept forward into the increasing mist,
 
 284 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 now golden tinged all about us by the first pene 
 trating rays of the sun, but below a dull gray 
 cloud, hiding the distant waters. We were 
 alone alone; a mere atom, winging silent pas 
 sage through the sky, in a world of our own. 
 
 For the first time I turned my head and looked 
 at her, my heart throbbing to the sudden recol 
 lection of her presence. This was not all new 
 to me; I had felt the rare exhilaration of such 
 flight often before, but how would the strange 
 experience appeal to her? Her silence, her 
 strained attitude, the shapeless figure, muffled in 
 the great coat, told nothing. I could see the 
 contour of her face beneath the cap shadow, and 
 it appeared white in the spectral glare, her eyes 
 staring straight ahead into the gray smother. 
 I touched the gloved hand, where it still grasped 
 the arm of the seat, and she glanced around 
 quickly, smiling bravely as her eyes met mine. 
 
 "You are not frightened then, Mademoiselle," 
 I said, relieved instantly by their expression. 
 "The height does not trouble you?" 
 
 "No," she answered, shading her mouth with 
 one hand, so as to speak freely. "I I do not 
 seem to have had time; it has been so swift, so
 
 "ON UPWARD WINGS" 285 
 
 unexpected, so marvelous. I hardly knew when 
 we left the earth; there was no sensation what 
 ever." 
 
 "You expected to be dizzy? to experience the 
 same feeling as when gazing down from a great 
 height?" 
 
 "Yes, of course! I could never bear that, and 
 the very thought sickened me. But I have not 
 felt so in the least ; it has been more like a dream 
 than a reality only only when we dropped 
 back there; then I thought it was all over with." 
 
 "I confess to having been startled myself for 
 a second," I replied frankly, "for I was afraid 
 we were not high enough. We ran into a 
 pocket, where the air was too thin to yield suf 
 ficient support. This is one of the mysteries of 
 the atmosphere not yet sufficiently understood 
 to be guarded against. I am flying much higher 
 now." 
 
 "How high?" 
 
 I glanced at the gauge. 
 
 "About fifteen hundred feet." 
 
 "And you know where you are going?" 
 
 "Only vaguely," and I drew out the map 
 drawer below my seat, showing her the chart be-
 
 286 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 neatli the glass. "This all occurred so suddenly 
 I had no time to study the matter out. You 
 must know better than I where we can land 
 safely. My thought was the Michigan shore; 
 about here, perhaps, where there seems to be 
 few towns," and I pointed to the spot. 
 
 "Why, that would take us entirely across the 
 lake!" 
 
 "Well, what of it?" laughingly. "There is no 
 more danger in flying above water than land, and 
 we are already well on our way. Besides when 
 the sun drives this mist aside, we are far less 
 likely to be noticed by anyone below." 
 
 "But it seems more perilous," she insisted, 
 staring down into the swirling cloud with wide- 
 opened eyes. "Of course it is foolish, but it 
 startles me to know there is nothing but water 
 down there. I suppose that you feel differently, 
 Monsieur." 
 
 "I have crossed the channel from France to 
 England," I replied quietly, "in a less trust 
 worthy machine by far ; with one of my aerofoils 
 mended by wire, and an engine that skipped its 
 stroke. Now everything is working finely; lis 
 ten to the steadiness of the motor, and note how
 
 "ON UPWARD WINGS" 287 
 
 slight the jar of the frame yet we are traveling 
 at high speed." 
 
 "How fast, Monsieur?" 
 
 I bent forward and deciphered the indicator 
 with difficulty, unwilling to guess at the rate. 
 
 "Sixty-three miles an hour; seventy is the best 
 I have ever done with this motor. It is hard to 
 talk, and explain against this rush of air, but we 
 must be in midlake already. I think the mist is 
 rising, and we shall soon be able to see what is be 
 neath. I hope so," shivering, "for I am actually 
 cold, and this gray, spectral light is depressing." 
 
 She did not answer, except to draw her coat 
 tighter, shrinking back into her seat. I stared 
 down into the folds of vapor, trying to assure 
 myself they were actually thinning. All at once 
 they seemed to roll aside, like two curtains 
 drawn by invisible hands, and I could see through 
 the slowly widening opening. The vista broad 
 ened, and I touched her arm again eagerly. 
 
 "Look there !" I said. "Is n t that sight worth 
 the danger?"
 
 CHAPTER XXI 
 
 LOVE AMONG THE CLOUDS 
 
 I WATCHED her bend forward and look 
 down, so fascinated by the view thus sud 
 denly revealed, as to be instantly forgetful 
 of the great height at which we soared. In the 
 clearer light her cheeks appeared flushed, and 
 I marked the firm grip of her hands on the rail. 
 Whatever of fear had partially unnerved her 
 during our swift flight through the dark, had ap 
 parently vanished in the ecstasy of this supreme 
 moment. She felt the thrill, the happiness of 
 air mastery, the delight of conquering space, of 
 looking down on the little earth as though she 
 dwelt in a higher realm. Such joy is not the 
 gift of all mortals the weak, and craven of heart 
 can never know it but to this girl of courage 
 and character, it belonged as an inheritance. I 
 felt that I knew her before; now I rejoiced in 
 the certainty of such knowledge, the words of 
 love trembling on my lips. She glanced aside 
 at me, her eyes glowing.
 
 LOVE AMONG THE CLOUDS 289 
 
 "It is indeed glorious, Monsieur!" she managed 
 to exclaim against the rush of air. "It is as if 
 God Himself was drawing aside those curtains of 
 fog see, away out yonder I" 
 
 I was myself enthralled by the spectacle 
 gazing where she pointed through the widening 
 rift, yet never forgetful of my duty, or of the 
 frail craft under us. Often as I have flown 
 among the clouds above the fair fields of France, 
 never before did any scene unroll itself below 
 me to equal that which was now revealed so 
 variegated, so combined of beauty and grandeur, 
 so gorgeous in coloring. I could but gaze 
 silently, reverently, my eyes wandering from ob 
 ject to object in the ever-changing panorama, 
 hushed into speechlessness by awe of the sublim 
 ity of the vast scene. We were so little, so in 
 significant, hovering a mere speck in the sky, high 
 above this marvelous transformation, this new 
 revealment of nature. The very conception 
 dazed the mind, even as it sent the hot blood 
 leaping through the veins. 
 
 How can I reflect that picture to the imagina 
 tion of others? I can see it yet, not in detail, 
 but in stupendous whole, yet words are useless,
 
 290 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 colorless, inane, as I seek them in the vocabulary 
 of men. They do not picture, or reflect what the 
 eye saw. Below were the misty clouds of early 
 morning drifted slowly asunder, billowing like 
 great waves of smoke as they swept to north and 
 south, while through their fleecy whiteness shot 
 the golden red rays of the sun. Through this 
 widening rent in the curtain we gazed down onto 
 the restless waters of Lake Michigan, blue and 
 green, except for the creaming of crested waves, 
 but in the distance sparkling with myriad colors 
 as the morning light played across their surface, 
 tingeing it with crimson and gold, silver and pur 
 ple, melting away finally into dull gray. This 
 riot of tints intermingled in dazzling profusion, 
 fading out, or brightening with every instant, 
 yet ever circling to a wider horizon. Not for a 
 moment did they appear the same. Here and 
 there in that wide expanse of sea were vessels 
 mere toy boats at that distance some of them 
 shapeless blots on the dazzling surface, others 
 outlined in clear perspective, with even their ta 
 pering masts silhouetted in the bright light, and 
 volumes of black smoke hanging in clouds above
 
 LOVE AMONG THE CLOUDS 291 
 
 their stacks. To north and south and west all 
 was water, restless, heaving, churned into crested 
 waves by some wind of the past night which had 
 ceased with the dawn. But to the east stretched 
 a far-away shore-line, a blotch of dark blue, 
 so dimly revealed as to be shapeless; some 
 thing to be imagined rather than seen. Above 
 all we flew, cleaving the air like some gigantic 
 bird, our propeller whirling with steady insist 
 ence, the motor barely audible above the rush 
 of the wind, the great rudder astern moving 
 gently to the pressure of my foot, and the wide 
 spread wings motionless. Strapped securely to 
 our seats, awed by the wondrous spectacle thus 
 outspread beneath, all fear banished, we stared 
 down through the silence, unable to find words 
 worthy of utterance. I recall clasping her un 
 resisting hand in mine, and saw the sudden ques 
 tioning glance of her eyes as she lifted her head 
 to gaze aside at me, but neither spoke. I know 
 not how long it was we sat there, but slowly the 
 glow of light, with all its kaleidoscopic colors, 
 blended into a yellow sheen, as though the sea 
 was gold, and the swift flight of the monoplane
 
 292 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 had so reduced the distance that my eyes could 
 detect the irregularities of the Michigan shore, 
 could even distinguish the glint of sand, the dark 
 outline of trees fringing the edge of the bluff. 
 With perfect control I "banked" the machine in 
 wide curve, slowing the motor for safety, and 
 headed due north, skirting the shore too far out 
 to be easily seen, yet sufficiently close so as to 
 enable us to study its formation. Slightly ahead 
 was an indentation, and out jutting piers, on one 
 of which stood a light-house, dazzling white. 
 Beyond, under the shadow of the bluff, appeared 
 the belching smoke stacks of a city. Half con 
 cealed by the friendly folds of a gray cloud we 
 swept past, the motor increasing its silent stroke, 
 as I gave it more power. Through the cloud 
 rifts, as soon as the monoplane had settled on its 
 new course, I pointed out the distant town to her. 
 
 "What city is it? Do you know, Monsieur?" 
 her voice a silver thread of sound. 
 
 "I can only guess by reference to the map and 
 indicator," I replied, "for I know nothing of 
 these shores. I hoped you might recognize 
 something familiar. You have crossed the 
 lake?"
 
 LOVE AMONG THE CLOUDS 293 
 
 "Often, but it all looks strange from up here." 
 She gazed earnestly at the swiftly vanishing har 
 bor. "It is not Grand Haven I am sure; the 
 long pier and lighthouse remind me of Muske- 
 gon, and that deep indentation in the coast; yet 
 surely we cannot have traveled so far?" 
 
 "How far?" 
 
 "More than a hundred miles as I remember. 
 It may be more." 
 
 I laughed, with my eyes on the speed indica 
 tor. 
 
 "Then it is not so impossible. You do not 
 realize our speed, because there are no motion 
 less objects along the way. The sting of the 
 air alone gives us the sense of motion, and we 
 have been flying with the wind. Can you see 
 the gauge, Mademoiselle? No! Well it regis 
 ters a trifle over sixty miles, and we have been in 
 the air*two hours, flying steadily, with scarcely 
 a variation of the compass. The only time I 
 have been compelled to slow down was when we 
 took the dip, and were obliged to circle upward. 
 The delay then was very brief. It would be my 
 impression the town yonder was Muskegon; at 
 least I have determined to act upon that belief."
 
 294 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 She turned and faced me, sitting back in her 
 seat. 
 
 "You think of going ashore? of landing? Is 
 that it, Monsieur?" 
 
 "From my map there is no better place, or 
 one where we are less likely to be observed. See, 
 Mademoiselle here is what you call a county; 
 am I not right? named Oceana. There are 
 woods here all along the shore, with only a few 
 small towns farther back on a railroad that runs 
 south to Muskegon. But there are clearings in 
 behind the bluffs where we can come down in 
 safety. Who will know? maybe a few farmers. 
 They will suspect nothing, and, for a few dollars, 
 will help store away the monoplane." 
 
 "But they will hear; the story will be in the 
 papers." 
 
 "No; why should it? you are a reporter yes; 
 but no other knows, and for that reason I am 
 safe." 
 
 "You brought me along for that? to stifle the 
 press?" 
 
 "Let us imagine so. It is the result I would 
 consider. We have disappeared; no one knows 
 how except Brandt, and those other men we left
 
 LOVE AMONG THE CLOUDS 295 
 
 at the hangar. Brandt dare not tell, and may 
 be trusted to hush his men. Their only desire 
 will be to keep out of sight while the police in 
 vestigate the death of Ramon. Moreover there 
 are two great nations anxious to have this affair 
 kept secret Germany and France. De Vigne 
 will explain to my Consul, and Brandt will report 
 to his Ambassador. Both, no doubt, know the 
 truth, already, and have blocked all inquiry." 
 
 "But, Monsieur, you forget Schmitt, and the 
 police?" 
 
 "The one dare not tell, and the other possesses 
 only a suspicion; with the disappearance of 
 Brandt they will have no witness. I know how 
 these affairs are kept dark in Europe, Made 
 moiselle, and, without doubt the same methods 
 are pursued here in America when occasion 
 arises. If we had actually been placed under 
 arrest, the detention would have been only tem 
 porary." 
 
 "The witnesses would have disappeared?" 
 
 "Yes ; and other means resorted to effectually 
 to hush the matter up. Brandt called in the 
 police for two reasons to divert suspicion from 
 himself, and to get me safely out of his way. But
 
 296 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 he is too shrewd a rascal to ever permit a trial 
 to do so would uncover the whole spy system 
 of Europe." 
 
 "Then you are not afraid, Monsieur? You 
 knew the arrest was all a bluff? that you could 
 have taken a train from the city?" 
 
 "I have not said all that. We had performed 
 acts which warranted our arrest. Beyond doubt 
 the police were seeking us. Yet, as you say, I 
 was not afraid of the final result. I chose this 
 means of escape because of you." 
 "Of me ! To protect me, you mean !" 
 "To save you from the ignominy of arrest." 
 "And by doing so have placed me in a far 
 more incriminating position ; one infinitely harder 
 to explain. You did not think of that, Mon 
 sieur. You urged me to come with you; almost 
 forced me to do so. You led me to believe your 
 life was in danger if you remained in Chicago, 
 yet refused to leave without me. You gave me 
 that one choice, of coming with you, or compelling 
 you to remain. In a moment of weakness I 
 yielded ; I fled with you. For your sake I have 
 sacrificed my reputation, my good name. And 
 now you tell me coolly, there was no cause, no
 
 297 
 
 occasion. Can I have heard aright, Monsieur?" 
 
 She had forgotten where we were, those hun 
 dreds of feet of air between us and the water 
 below. Her eyes were dark with indignation; 
 her hands grasped my arm, and her lips trembled. 
 With pressure of my foot I slowed down the 
 motor, and we floated, barely moving, the pro 
 peller scarcely audible. 
 
 "If I plead guilty," I asked quietly, "will you 
 take into consideration some extenuating circum 
 stances?" 
 
 "Are there any? Could anything excuse such 
 an act?" indignantly. 
 
 "That will depend upon yourself, Made 
 moiselle. In my own heart I am justified. 
 There is an adage that all is fair in love and war ; 
 then surely the two combined excuse unusual 
 methods. However I am willing to rest my case 
 on the first love !" 
 
 She drew back from me scornfully, but with 
 no lowering of her eyes. 
 
 "Love! Are you sure you do riot profane the 
 word? Is compromising a girl your idea of 
 love? You think they will not learn the truth 
 back there in Chicago? that my friends will not
 
 298 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 hear? But they will; Schmitt will whisper it; 
 that detective will not remain dumb. The gos 
 sip of it will creep from lip to lip, accompanied 
 by many a sly smile. You can conceal crime by 
 influence possibly, but all your consuls and am 
 bassadors cannot curb scandal. Once in the air, 
 it spreads. That is what your love has done for 
 me, Monsieur." 
 
 I caught the upraised hand, and held it, in spite 
 of her effort to draw away. 
 
 "That is enough; now listen to me," in a tone 
 which quieted her. "You have played with me 
 all night, but this is my turn to be heard. I am 
 no boy, not to know my own mind. You insist 
 love is not born in a night, but I doubt if it is 
 ever born in any other way. No ! you shall listen 
 to every word I have to say. Mademoiselle, I 
 have loved you ever since we sat in that restaurant 
 alone together. I know not what made me your 
 captive; that is mystery; but I confess the truth. 
 Your doubt does not change the fact. I am a 
 man, and have seen much of life; I have known 
 many women of charm and beauty; I have pre 
 tended love, even while my heart scoffed at the 
 possibility. I had reached a stage where I al-
 
 LOVE AMONG THE CLOUDS 299 
 
 most believed there was no such reality that the 
 conception of love was a mere dream, a boyish 
 delusion, almost an insanity. Then I met you, 
 looked into your face, listened to your voice, your 
 laughter, gazed into the depths of your eyes 
 and awoke! I found your presence meant life 
 to me new life. It did not require a month, or 
 a year, for me to learn this; it was the gift of a 
 moment. From then until now I have had but 
 one thought you!" 
 
 She stared at me, fascinated by my earnestness, 
 with lips parted, and cheeks flushed. 
 
 "But I told you" 
 
 "Yes, you told me ; you insisted I did not know 
 my own mind; that because I was a Frenchman 
 I possessed no stability. You laughed at me 
 then, and I supposed that laughter represented 
 your own feeling. It checked my audacity, but 
 did not kill my love. I could not tell you all; 
 you would not let me. Almost I thought you did 
 not care. Then I saw your eyes in the glow of 
 the lamp caught glimpse of them when you 
 were unconscious of their betrayal and in their 
 depths read my fate. You were not indifferent, 
 not heartless you cared for me ! Don t protest,
 
 300 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 Mademoiselle; I know. The night had worked 
 two miracles. I cared no longer for the foil of 
 your lips, for I had had a glimpse at your heart. 
 It was then I resolved you should go with me 
 not to dishonor, but to peace. I could not wait ; 
 I had not the patience; I would bear you away 
 as warriors did of old. I had found my mate, 
 and I took you." 
 
 "But I I am nothing," she urged, the tears 
 in her eyes, "only an American working girl! 
 Monsieur, you cannot mean " 
 
 "Yet I do," I interrupted. "I have met 
 queens, Mademoiselle, and princesses, but no 
 pulse throbbed because of their presence. They 
 were women, but nothing to me. You came to 
 me out of the night; yesterday you did not even 
 exist; yet here in the dawn you are the world. 
 Whatever your name, your station even 
 though you have none matters not at all. It 
 is you, Mademoiselle, you I love; you whom I 
 would call wife, and bear away with me across 
 the seas to France. And you will come? Ah, 
 surely, you will come." 
 
 "Will I? You are so sure?" 
 
 I looked long into her eyes, misty with unshed
 
 LOVE AMONG THE CLOUDS 301 
 
 tears dewing their lashes, yet frankly meeting 
 mine. 
 
 "Yes, I am sure," I said slowly. 
 
 Her eyes fell, but her hand remained in mine, 
 warm and throbbing. That was a strange place 
 for love to speak, and I could not reach out my 
 arms to draw her to me ; I could only gaze at the 
 flushed, averted face, wondering what she would 
 say. Down below was the curving line of shore, 
 rocky and desolate, the high bluff fringed with 
 trees. With fingers grasping the wheels I 
 swung the monoplane in wide circle to the right, 
 and then permitted it to glide toward the earth 
 with motor stopped, poising the frail craft just 
 above the higher branches in slow flight. 
 
 "Do we land here, Monsieur?" 
 
 "Beyond, in the open field," I answered, too 
 busy even to glance about. "Look behind, and 
 see if there are any vessels within viewing dis 
 tance." 
 
 She turned partially in her seat, held firm by 
 the strap, and gazed back under the shadow of 
 an uplifted hand. There was an instant of si 
 lence; then a startled exclamation. 
 
 "It it is a man! Look, Monsieur!"
 
 CHAPTER XXII 
 
 FACE TO FACE IN MID-AIE 
 
 IT was a delicate moment for interruption, yet 
 I could not ignore that cry, nor her sudden 
 grasp on my arm. My heart leaped into 
 my throat, yet I retained sufficient presence of 
 mind to turn on the power, and by twist of the 
 wheel sent the monoplane mounting into the sky. 
 An instant we dipped perilously, ere the planes 
 adjusted themselves, and I dare glance about. 
 
 "There," she sobbed in excitement. "It is a 
 man! How did he ever get there?" 
 
 I could plainly see the form lying outstretched 
 upon the steel wire, the hands gripping the light 
 bamboo framework, the face hidden. The fel 
 low was safe enough unless he deliberately thrust 
 his body through the openings, yet the posture 
 was sufficiently uncomfortable, and it was his 
 weight, no doubt, which had made the monoplane 
 so unmanageable. But how had he got there? 
 Was he dead or alive? I shouted back at him, 
 
 302
 
 FACE TO FACE IN MID-AIR 303 
 
 my voice carried by the wind, and in response 
 to my second call, he lifted his head, revealing a 
 face blackened by dried blood, but otherwise 
 ghastly in its whiteness. I caught her quick gasp 
 at my shoulder : 
 
 "Why! Why! it s Captain Brandt!" 
 I recognized him then, a peculiar feeling of re 
 vulsion seeming to choke me, as my hands 
 gripped hard on the steering wheel. What was 
 he doing there? How did he ever dare such a 
 mad feat? Was it accident, or design that had 
 made him a passenger? I was in no way sur 
 prised at not having discovered his presence be 
 fore. I had felt the odd drag of the over 
 weighted machine, the sodden slowness with 
 which it responded to the rudder. I realized 
 something must be wrong that De Vigne had 
 possibly overloaded it and had glanced back 
 more than once during our earlier flight. Yet 
 in the darkness, and the gray deceptive dawn, 
 I had perceived nothing. Lying as he did, out 
 stretched between the frames, he might easily 
 have passed unnoticed. All these considerations 
 flashed instantly across my mind, yet I pos 
 sessed just then brief space for thought, as even
 
 304 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 his slight movement in the effort to uplift his 
 head, so affected the equipoise of the plane as 
 to send us careening in perilous fashion. Had 
 we been equipped with warping gear instead of 
 the more quickly manipulated ailerons, I doubt 
 if I could have righted the frail craft, but as it 
 was, with a shudder, the great wings settled into 
 stability, and we circled like a huge bird seeking 
 to alight. 
 
 "Lie down, you fool!" I roared back over my 
 shoulder. "Don t move again, if you value your 
 life!" 
 
 I do not even know if he heard me, but Made 
 moiselle did, and I caught the thread of her voice 
 calling to him also, and saw the motion of her 
 hands. As for me I was far too busily occupied 
 with levers and wheels to pay heed to anything 
 else. We had already swept past the open field 
 I had chosen for a landing place, yet I was ob 
 sessed now with an eagerness to attain solid earth. 
 The very knowledge that the fellow half mad 
 with fright from the expression of his face was 
 clinging to the precarious support of that open 
 framework, gave me a feeling of terror. What 
 he might do, or attempt, in his desperation, could
 
 FACE TO FACE IN MID-AIR 305 
 
 not be guessed at, yet any effort on his part to 
 change his position, to even rise to his knees, 
 might hurl us headlong. The very secret of the 
 plane, its stability in the air, its power of bal 
 ancing, and swift response to the rudder, de 
 pended on the equal distribution of weight, the 
 absence of any conflicting element. During the 
 two hours of flight the man must have remained 
 motionless and inert, perhaps unconscious but 
 now! Aroused, frightened, possibly insane at 
 sudden discovery of his perilous position, there 
 was no knowing what he might attempt. Our 
 very lives hung in the balance, and the beads of 
 perspiration clung to my forehead, and the blood 
 seemed to stagnate in my veins. 
 
 "For God s sake keep him quiet!" I cried out 
 to her, "until I can find a landing place. You 
 hear?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 I knew she answered ; knew dimly that she un 
 fastened the strap holding her firm in the seat, 
 and turned her body so as to face him. It was 
 in my mind to protest, to restrap her; I even 
 reached out one hand for the buckle, but a sudden 
 dip of the machine brought it instantly back to
 
 306 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 the steering wheel. I glanced down, desperate 
 enough to accept any chance, my eyes survey 
 ing the scene below. We were above a country 
 of woods and hills, interspersed by small lakes, 
 connected by narrow streams, scarcely visible. I 
 saw but one town, a mere hamlet, far-away to 
 the right, nestled beside a body of shimmering 
 water. Here and there amid the forest growth 
 appeared small clearings, many of them covered 
 by stumps of trees, but, a mile away, was an open 
 field, an oasis in the wide stretch of forest, green 
 with some vegetable growth. It beckoned me 
 like some mystic hand. I was cool now, deter 
 mined, my nerves like steel; every instinct alert. 
 
 "Hold tight, Mademoiselle ; we re going 
 down!" I warned her, and shut off my motor. 
 
 With a great swoop the monoplane glided for 
 ward, and then dipped ; swung sharply to the left 
 under the influence of some air wave, then righted 
 itself again, and swooped downward toward the 
 advancing earth. With feet braced I held the 
 sharp nose straight, barely grazing the trees of 
 a high ridge, as we swirled level, steering for the 
 open field. At that instant something hap 
 pened, something which flung the speeding ma-
 
 FACE TO FACE IN MID-AIR 307 
 
 chine careering sharply to one side. I tugged 
 at the wheel, but there was no time, no distance, 
 left in which to recover. It was all in a second, 
 a swift mad fall. I know we struck the branch 
 of a tree, breaking it; then another, and went 
 crashing down, turning almost completely over 
 as we fell. I know not how it was done, but I 
 jerked the strap from off me, and gripped her 
 in my arms. I heard the crash, a scream and 
 then we were flung forward, clear of the debris, 
 into the tangled underbrush. 
 
 I could not have lost consciousness, for I real 
 ized it all; that she was within my arms, resting 
 on me ; then that she was alive, and was upon her 
 knees, one arm lifting my head. I heard her 
 voice, but it sounded a long ways off, and I could 
 not answer, or move my body. Someone 
 groaned, and I could see her face, white but un- 
 scarred, looking down into mine. I tried to smile 
 at her, but failed. Then she lifted me higher, 
 until my head found rest on her shoulder, and 
 the mist seemed to drift away, and my brain be 
 gan to comprehend. I endeavored to speak, 
 gulping with dry throat, managing at last to ar 
 ticulate :
 
 308 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "You you are not hurt?" 
 
 "No; only jarred and bruised; you were be 
 neath when we fell," her voice sobbing. "Are 
 you better now? My God, at first I thought you 
 were dead!" 
 
 "I must have been stunned, partially at least," 
 finding voice easier. "I seemed paralyzed, but 
 now I can move my limbs. Yes, I can sit up, 
 but am as weak as a kitten. I suppose the ma 
 chine has gone to smash?" 
 
 She nodded, unable to speak, and I sat there 
 breathing heavily, and stared across her shoulder 
 at the wreck. It was complete; nothing re 
 mained but a mass of twisted wire and charred 
 bamboo. The engine was blown into fragments, 
 although I had no recollection of hearing the ex 
 plosion ; the blades of the propeller were impaled 
 on the spike of a limb, and the rudder remained 
 but a splinter. Beside it lay the motionless body 
 of Brandt, his head hidden behind a small bush. 
 The sight made me shudder. 
 
 "I must try to get up," I said; "we cannot re 
 main here." 
 
 "Oh, not yet," and she restrained me with her 
 hands. "There is nothing you can do, and you
 
 FACE TO FACE IN MID-AIR 309 
 
 are too dizzy to stand the machine is beyond re 
 pair." 
 
 "I see that; a complete smash-up. Well, the 
 secret of the motor is safe enough now. Is 
 Brandt killed?" 
 
 "I do not know," and she glanced over toward 
 him. "He was groaning, but I could not leave 
 you. Shall I go now?" 
 
 "Just a moment first; there is brandy in the 
 inside pocket of this coat, if the flask has not 
 broken. We shall both be better for a sip of it. 
 Can you get it out? My fingers seem useless." 
 
 She fumbled at the buttons, and brought forth 
 the flask. It was half full, and I compelled her 
 to take a swallow before drinking myself. The 
 liquor sent a warmth through my veins instantly, 
 and I began to exercise my numbed limbs, as 
 suring myself no bones were broken. High 
 above us was the tree we had struck, two of the 
 upper limbs dangling. I stared up at them, 
 measuring the distance of our fall. 
 
 "Fully sixty feet," I said unconsciously aloud. 
 "We might have all been killed." 
 
 She shuddered, covering her eyes, after one 
 glance upward.
 
 310 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "I I think we struck that large branch, where 
 all those smaller limbs are broken," she explained. 
 "That, and this underbrush were what saved us 
 from greater injury. I I hardly knew what 
 happened." 
 
 "The machine swerved, and I lost control; it 
 overbalanced. Did you see what Brandt was do- 
 
 ing?" 
 
 "He got to his knees, his head thrust through 
 the wires. I cried out to him, but he did not 
 seem to hear. Then we went over, and you 
 caught me. That is all I knew, until I found 
 myself lying here on you. There was an awful 
 sound as the monoplane struck, and a report like 
 a cannon." 
 
 "When the motor blew up." 
 
 "Yes, a piece hurtled through the air just over 
 us; it is there now in those bushes. I was so 
 frightened, and shocked, I lay there across you, 
 and and prayed. Then I saw your face, and 
 I knew I must do something or we would all 
 die." 
 
 She was trembling like a leaf at the remem 
 brance, her words barely audible. This would 
 never do ; action alone would serve to restore her
 
 FACE TO FACE IN MID-AIR 311 
 
 nerves, bring back her shattered courage. Help 
 ing myself by grasp on her shoulder I managed 
 to attain my feet, and stood erect, my head throb 
 bing with a dull ache, swaying at first like a 
 drunken man. But the dizziness passed, and I 
 was able to balance myself, and even essay a few 
 steps, still holding to her arm for partial sup 
 port. The woods were all about us, but through 
 the underbrush I could perceive not far away the 
 edge of that green field, where I sought to land. 
 
 "We will go over and see the fellow," I said 
 slowly, "and then find some way out of here. I 
 think there is a wood road yonder." 
 
 We walked the hundred feet in silence, for I 
 found I needed all my strength, although the ex 
 ercise increased my power noticeably. I ap 
 proached Brandt, wondering whether the man 
 was dead or alive, and with little feeling of 
 special bitterness toward him. Above all I was 
 curious as to how he got there ; how he ever found 
 place on the frame of the monoplane. He re 
 mained motionless, and I hauled him forth from 
 the bush, convinced he was beyond our help, only 
 to discover his eyes wide open. 
 
 "So you re not dead, my man!" I began, half
 
 312 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 angry at his play acting. "What s the matter 
 then? Can t you sit up?" 
 
 He pressed one hand against his side, and 
 groaned ; then, using the other as a support, lifted 
 himself into sitting posture. 
 
 "I fell on my head," he responded finally, "and 
 was tangled up in that bush. My side hurts 
 badly." 
 
 I looked at it, finding his clothing slashed, and 
 a rather ugly looking wound extending from hip 
 to shoulder. From all appearance the flesh had 
 been gouged by a sharp piece of wood ; the wound 
 had bled considerably, and must have been pain 
 ful, but was scarcely more than skin deep. 
 
 "That s nothing, Brandt," I announced, half 
 inclined to laugh at the pitiful expression on his 
 face. "You are due to live a long while yet. 
 Mademoiselle, would you take my cap, and bring 
 me some water from the stream yonder." 
 
 She hurried away in the direction indicated, 
 returning at once to hold back the clothing, while 
 I washed and bandaged the gash. Then I gave 
 him a drink of brandy, and helped him to his 
 feet. 
 
 "Now, Monsieur," I said cheerfully, "the cut
 
 FACE TO FACE IN MID-AIR 313 
 
 will likely hurt some, but you are in no danger. 
 A surgeon over there in the village will make 
 you more comfortable, but I beg you forgo that 
 look of suffering. It is my thought you are a 
 lucky dog." 
 
 He looked at me, and then at Mademoiselle, 
 as though he doubted our pretense of geniality. 
 
 "What are you going to do with me?" he asked 
 at last soberly. 
 
 "Do with you !" I echoed. "We shall only be 
 too glad to see the last of you, Monsieur. You 
 overestimate your importance. Back beyond 
 that big oak there is a wood road ; you are to go 
 to it, and then turn to the right. It will lead 
 you to a town unless you eare to examine the 
 monoplane further?" 
 
 He glanced toward the wreck in uncertainty; 
 then back into my face. 
 
 "You mean I am to go without without 
 trouble?" 
 
 "Certainly; you are helpless to injure us in 
 any way." I paused, thinking. "Yet first, 
 Monsieur, I will ask you a question how came 
 you there on the machine?" 
 
 He answered slowly, as though still dazed,
 
 314 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 lapsing into German for better expression. 
 "I cannot tell, not altogether; it was strange, 
 how it happened as it did. I was hit, Monsieur 
 you know that. I knew nothing, until I woke 
 in the dark, but I could see a little against the 
 sky, where the door was open. They were push 
 ing out the monoplane, and there were the out 
 lines of your forms up above, I could not think 
 at first, only feel. The one conception which 
 gripped me was that you were going away, were 
 escaping. My brain seemed to grasp only the 
 one thought that I must stop you. I was dazed, 
 weak, yet I staggered out of the hangar. I 
 heard the voice of your man shouting orders at 
 the right of the rudder, and I turned the other 
 way, so as not to be seen. The little Irish de 
 tective was there, and I pushed him aside. He 
 was afraid of me. By this time the machine 
 was moving fast, but I did not realize the dan 
 ger; only retained the one thought of stopping 
 you before it was too late. I climbed onto the 
 frame and crawled up. I had no knowledge we 
 had left the ground ; it seemed as if I was crazed. 
 Then all at once, I noticed the lights away down 
 below. After that, Monsieur, I hardly know
 
 FACE TO FACE IN MID-AIK 315 
 
 what happened. It seemed to me I had no mind 
 left. I just lay there gripping the rods, and felt 
 sick. I was on my face looking down, and my 
 brain reeled so I could not lift my head. I 
 heard your voices, and twice I called out, but 
 the wind blew the sound away. I think I 
 fainted from terror, for there was a time when 
 I knew nothing, although I held my grip." 
 
 He stopped speaking, his face buried in his 
 hands, unable even then to shake off the horror 
 of his experience. I could not help but feel 
 sympathy, yet had no desire to let him realize 
 the fact. 
 
 "You were in no real danger, Brandt," I said 
 quietly, "but I guess you suffered enough. Now 
 you had better go." 
 
 He looked at us both questioningly, and 
 turned away. We stood and watched him pick 
 his way through the underbrush until he came to 
 the road. Without glancing back, he turned to 
 the right and disappeared. I walked over, and 
 looked again at the wrecked monoplane, wonder 
 ing how, by the mercy of God, we had all come 
 out alive from such a crash. Then I came back 
 to where she waited.
 
 316 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 "It is our turn now, Mademoiselle," I said, 
 <c to take to the road." 
 
 "Is the town far away?" 
 
 "A mile, perhaps two. I merely caught a 
 glimpse of it just before we fell." 
 
 Her long lashes lifted, and her eyes met mine, 
 in their depths the glimmer of a smile. 
 
 "We are upon the solid earth now, Monsieur," 
 she said softly. 
 
 "Yes why do you say that?" 
 
 The lashes fell, her cheeks crimson. 
 
 "When we were up there I I thought you 
 wished to to kiss me," her lips faltered, "only 
 you you did not dare." 
 
 And I did.
 
 CHAPTER XXIII 
 
 MME. HELEN DESSAUD 
 
 THE group about the table in the smok 
 ing room of the Cedric remained mo 
 tionless, silent, waiting for the narrator 
 to continue. We were intensely interested, our 
 cigars out, all our eyes upon him. One of the 
 ship s officers stood, just inside the door leaning 
 against the bulkhead. The swinging light re 
 vealed expectant faces. It was the little man 
 whose curiosity broke the silence. 
 
 "Is that all, Monsieur?" he asked eagerly. 
 
 The Lieutenant smiled, glancing about the 
 circle, and touching a flaming match to his cigar. 
 
 "I have completed the story, Messieurs," he 
 returned pleasantly. "These were the adven 
 tures of a night, but the end I know not. I 
 merely wished you to understand that the Des- 
 saud monoplane was no fake. Have I demon 
 strated that?" 
 
 "You certainly have," answered a strange 
 
 3J7
 
 318 THE AIR PILOT 
 
 voice heartily, "and also the existence of romance 
 even in this prosaic age. iYet you leave us in 
 uncertainty." 
 
 The Frenchman s eyes were looking across my 
 shoulder toward the open door, smiling pleas 
 antly. Then he arose to his feet. 
 
 "I understand, I think," he said, bowing to 
 us, "and will endeavor to supply the deficiency. 
 Messieurs, my wife Mme. Helen Dessaud." 
 
 She stood there in the open doorway, and the 
 light made her appear a picture in a frame 
 a dark-haired, bright-eyed woman, gazing at us 
 in surprise. 
 
 He stepped forward, and took her hand, and 
 thus they faced us. 
 
 "I have been telling them my adventures in 
 America," he said simply. "That is all." 
 
 There was an instant of silence; then Hadley 
 spoke : 
 
 "The health of Lieutenant and Mme. Des 
 saud." 
 
 We drank it standing. 
 
 THE END
 
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