The Detroit times., 1908-11-09

EV1E signalled to Langley to drop
I'LL down. and Langley brought
I'LL the Victor on level with the
decks OF the Aphrodite at
about 20 yards distance.
Strong called 10 him across the In
tervening space.
will II be safe to put her in the
water" he asked.
I'VE haven't tried 1t yet" shouted
Langley, "but think | may say mat
It is absolutely safe"
AS he spoke he let drop the victor 5
false keel.
Then he let her fall gently into the
water. and TO Strong's delight she
floated as easily and as lightly as the
"Di.'
For the next hour the whole OF the
yachts crew worked hard in transship-
ping the machinery which would be
absolutely necessary should anything
befall either Of the airships.
The engineer who had been chosen
10 assist Langley was an old WIN
chester boy. who. when II had oc-
Cured to Bellingham that he might
like the berth, had been doing MS
best TO work like a NAVY ana hVe
like a gentleman upon pittance al
lowed him by the motor firm.
He was a lithe-limbed, bright-eyed
Young fellow named Churston. and
strong. who had not set eyes on him
, before. took an instructive liking TO
MIN. IL seemed to him that he was
made Of the stun he wanted.
| When all things had been made
snug, Strong, Langley and the rest
went down into the saloon or the
Aphrodite, and Bellingham preached
ieroboam Of champagne.
He left the honor OF being toastmas-
ter TO Strong, who raised the first
glass and said: ITO the Princess Diana
and her cause!"
Bellingham raised his eyebrows.
Though Strong had sketched out
to him briefly the doings OF the past
few days, he had not quite realized
that. for a time at any rate, Strong
had relinquished his own plans and
was doing his best TO follow out the
ideal set for him by Diana.
| Then they went on board the air
ships. Strong and Bellingham taking
the "Di." while the other men manned
the Victor.
Strong. thoughtful of time as ever,
looked at his watch. II was about b
o'clock.
I'VE shall be back at Aero" he said,
"seyeral hours before the time limit
which gave Diana II We can get the
same speed out Of the 'Di that Lang.
lley can get out OF the Victor, we
should be In Aero by midnight"
Strong did his best, but the flight
of the "Di" was not so rapid as that
OF the larger airship. They made q
good progress over the same course
which they had taken on their pre-
vious Journey between Lagos and the
Ring of Nissa.
AT about IL o'clock they had been
able TO pick up Aero on the wireless
and Strong licked off to Diana sketch
of the doings OF the day. But there
were some things which he suppress
ed. He knew the trouble II would
cause Diana 20 learn OF the slaughter
at the Casino.
He knew that II was impossible for
him to pick up Vienna himself. and so
he asked Diana to get In touch with
Miss Hunt, begging her not to relin.
auish her post until he had returned
to Aero, because he had certain I'M
portant communications TO make TO
her.
IL was intensely udIk WneH tue al
ships reached the Ring OF Nissa. and
Langley was doubtful as TO the pos
sibiiity of descent. Strong. In his I'm
patience, however, would not hear OF
delay moreover. II was imperative
that he should speak to Miss Hunt.
Langley protested, seeing that II
would be the simplest matter in the
world TO wreck the Victor" among
the pines on the hillside Of the crater
They were, indeed, at so great q
height, and the air was SO thick with
mist that they could not even observe
the camp fire below them which
strong. before he left Aero, had or
dered wildney to keep going
Langley implored him to allow him
to remain up through the night in the
i"victor.v and 10 this Strong at last
consented. Langley had argued that
\ while he did not mind risks. he OBJ
jected to foolish ones. And Strong
was In some way convinced OF the