The Detroit times., 1908-05-07
By W. HOLT WHITE.

! threatened on the bright ivory but
tons
Nov for the world he said. and
burglary"
The "Di" sank softly down: the
hawk OF the air had lowered long
enough. Now she swooped toward her
prey. but the swoop was stayed 100
feet or SO above the pine wood behind
the bungalow.
Strong turned the "Di" round and
headed slowly across the river. north
east and so made for ST. Nicholas
church.
All below them was very still and
silent. The mist was thick.
The tower OF the church rose up
against them quietly out OF the dark
ness
Now. we will See" said Strong,
how we can steer her" And he put
the "Di" gently In against the belfry.
AS they were getting alongside the
parapet OF the tower Strong took his
coat on and hung II over the star
board OF the gunwale OF the airship..
Don't want 10 scrape her" he said.
With soft bump the "Di" came 10
standstill alongside OF the tower. the
propellers purring above her.
What on earth are you going TO
do?" asked Langley.
Strong, still coatless, rolled up his
shirt sleeves and put his hands on the
parapet.
II am going To unship bell, he
said. "and put il on the handlest tomb
stone In the graveyard. Tomorrow
! they will find IL there, and tomorrow
night London will be ringing with the
news or the bell that is not ringing.
! ST. Nicholas church is about TO afford
Il mystery that probably never will be
explained at all Just think how you
and | would feel IL we had any inter
est or any pride in any particular
church, and were to wake up In the
morning and find one OF its cherished
bells reposing In the graveyard, while
the locks OF the church were intact,
and there was no evidence OF any kind
OF entry-burglarious or otherwise"
But what Is the purpose OF the
| joke" asked Langley.
III isn't a joke. my dear chap said
Strong. 1T is a test: IL is a test OF
the DIS efficiency and test OF our
own daring. II we can do little thing
| like this. We can do much better
one later. simply want 10 see how
we can steer your ship before | pro
coed 10 more desperate deeds tonight.
| Langley. looking little puzzled.
peered AT Strong in the darkness, but
he said nothing
Strong stepped on TO the platform
OF the tower and began 10 proge in
the darkness. He did not make much
sound. and presently Langley heard
hatcher being scraped somewhere
within the spire. The matches went
out and all was silent. A few min
utes later Strong thrust his head and
shoulders over the parapet. and his
! face wore broad grin.
1T is only little 'un." he said, but
as much as | can carry" He drew
back. and with heave OF his shout
ders hoisted a brazen bell to the para.
pet.
Langley looked at the bell little
doubtfully. 1T is a bit OF weight.
he said. Il will give her an extra
touch-only be quick"
The, propellers overhead purred a
little more loudly. while Strong strad-
died the parapet, squeezing the shell
OF the Dir between his leg and the
wall OF the tower. With a grunt and
swift jerk of his whole frame. he
lifted the bell and placed il quare on
the deck OF the "Di" A second later
hew sa on board himself. and they
were sailing slowly downward
Now for another test" he said.
I'VE Will have TO see IL the 'DP will
stand, just as one sees that a horse
can stand. Let's fetch her up on the
patch there"
Down and down went the "Di" TIL
she hung just above the path. Strong
played on button. and four steel legs,
shaped in telescope fashion. ran out