The Washington times., 1911-08-22
CHAPTER XVIII (continued).


The days that interviewed were inter
mnable: but the 10th of September
l came. and we embarked with hearts full
of hope, alternating with sickening
| doubts. for the future.
The delay at Bombay vas maddening.
Much cargo had to be discharged and
much taken on; but beyond this there
was a ship of the Marisini line, bound
for the Persian gulf. that was given
preference, and for which we were
Obliged to wait.
BY the end of the fourth day in port
tt was evident that We Should not reach
Aden by the LIST of October. and prob
blv not for some days later. That the
FL was lost seemed inevitable. From
ere on it would be a race with the
Eship over the Red sea, the Suez
Anal. and the Mediterranean, across
aly. France, and the channel. 1t would
e race unprecedented in history.
~ Could we do L.?
We were seven days crossing the Ara
pian sea. and it was the 5th Of October
before we werc able to land at Alden
y Another day was consumed in getting
out the airship and rigging her. making
st the evening of the 9th before we
again. swung aloft upon the home
There was no more time for rest. We
must run for it. We must travel night
and day. Through moonlight, fog, or
covered, an1 in nine lays.
Twenty miles an hour. day and night.
would do it and to spare. But could we
hope for such an unimpeded rate of
JI:tvel' 1t was unreasonable to expect
that there would be no delays.
! BY the terms Of the bet We were al
loved until midnight of the 18th TO re-
port t. the Ganders. At one minute al
EttCr l., if We failed to show UP, the
money was TO become Ferraugh's.
Late in the afternoon of the 18th OF
kOctGher we were forty miles from Lon
: don and travelling at the rate of mile
a minute. Could we do it? Night
would soon he upon us. and the air was
already thick with fog that came 2weep-
tug in from the seq.
It had been a Wild race-a mad race
a race through darkness, light. heat.
cold clouds, snow. and rain. 1t had
feen Il race that had tested the powers
/. of the airship 20 the uttermost, and she
LhId stood II.
r air current had charged her course.
he was a marVel-a reVelatiOn-she
clipscd her builders highest ambition,
S loftiest expectation.
HShat was a thousand pounds, after
over the great city cur speed was re-
ced. We were cropping our way
rcugh increasing fog and darkness A
DlJIr of lamD-lit streets, sea of life,
was just below.
II was o'clock. but slower and slow
er Vet we drif,ed as Gwynne gradually
shut off the power and stared out into
anxious look. Had he forgotten the
. hour? Where did he intend 10 land?
I'm looking for Burleigh Terrace,
Frond's road" he said.
surely. YOU don't expect
Il m going to land on the roof. as
usUaI. he answered.
And friyhten your landlady 10
DEATH"
I31t q .bo+ r,,iprta Sor,etbipr bunned
and I felt that we had reached our des-
citation. When we had helped the ladies
ON and secured the airship. Gwynne
was hard ct work with something else.
in a minute his whole appearance had
changed.
You mustn't forget I'm going down
Rs Won Rntter0ach."
The wig and cloak were already
pr, ket. he lifted the hatch A fright
ful shrek came up from below; hut the
Germans voice was reassurinS. and, de-
sDite the large increase in his family,
Hc were admitted.
Some hurried explanations followed.
and a little later we We're sitting down
20 4 haStY meal.
e The night of the 18th Of October was
always held sacred as a reunion of
tlIc Gamblers Whoever had been away
+whoevar was absent at ether times
VS. expected to meet them then.
There was much iollity. much food
am drink much smoIIe-and-wSs Sssail.
TC he absent from the club on club
nGht was to announce oneself as an
indifferent member.
It was 10 o'clock. and the rooms were
already row ded.thc huge bowl of
punch alreadS in its place. Members
hai been arriving from far and near,
and they still came.
TerrauEh glanced complaCently at Mr..
Watterson. Mr.. Watterson smiled back.
Il think the money as good as mine"
I Ferraugh observed. The last train
FROM the Continent has been in for
bv"r an hour. He would have been
here surely f he could"
Hes got two hours and a minute
yet said Watterson, glanclng at his
SWatch; Il admit the chances are all IN
L largely So" Mr.. Ferraugh return
Put the smoke grew thicker, the crowd
'AhenSer. Men who had never met before
kwere there. Others who came SO sell
dom that few could recall their faces.
hand others who were now making their
hnUal visit.
AS the time wore on. Mr. Ferraugh
rev more tense. and looked more fire.
bhPntly at his watch. At half after
b he was distinctly nervous-at quar-
1cr to y he was walking up and down,
S%atrh in hand.
Ten minutes more and the money is
mine" said Ferraugh.
I'm ten minutes" replied the treas
Eurcr.
Nine minutes Sdlu
The treasurer nodded.
Eight minutes.
Mr.. Watterson smiled.
= Seven minutes
There was pause / had been walt
ne to get the clubs attention. At last
shouted.
Hear! Hear I've won that bet
Ferra ugh-Watters YOU hear me?'
| rappcd loudly upon the table with
b heavy walking stick. was late
NConling in, and in the crowd had been
unable to finl any one who knew about
2 .Srve won chat money. old man., I
yelled. finally jumping on top of the
r. IlC and waving my cane over the
|heads OF the others Here 1 am, Feter
&GaIlGmcade. Dye see me?''
There was a hush. Then Ferraugh
Ha lied out wildly:
81 deny II. Your mans not mere.
Where's R)e1ler?"
The GanIcIs were cosmopolitan. Men
N all nations were eligible for men,
. bership, and club night was often dis
RnGuisned by a generous sprinkling of
Foreigners.
fhc sha ggy-lolkinC German, much be-
ES-l,iskered and sbespeCtacled. who cried
Bout ir my defense bsfore I had time to
answer.
Hes here Hes here he yelled. 81
seen him not one minute ago."
I added nv affidavit to the state
ment. shouting that 1 also had just
Then bring him out! Bring him OUT