Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1912-01-26

In short, my father was kidnapped"
But the motive?" | i~nterjected.
THAT, Captain Adams, is known to
us. The instrument is none other
than the mysterious German machine
which has been frightening all Eng
land at night by its mysterious jour-
neyings. The German government un
doubtedly obtained information Of our
plans in connection with them, and re-
solved, by kidnapping our sovereign,
to hold him as a hostage for peace"
And you have heard nothing
more?" I asked.
con the contrary" answered Prince
George, though, fortunately, the pub
lie believes that his majesty las de-
parted for Biarritz, confidential re-
quests for information as to the
whereabouts Of the balloon have been
sen out to all the counties and to
ships at sea. The miscreant was seen
above the town of Ipswich, late last
evening, flying low and burning red
lights-doubtless as a signal to Ger
man vessels at sea. Now 1t is moral
ly certain that he is making for the
German coast, and yet, had he crossed
the North sea, he would have been
sighted by our patrol boats, which are
strung out all along the English coast,
from the Tyne to Southend, while the
whole heavens are lit up by search
lights. No, the German seems to
have disappeared into space. And yet,
had he come to earth, he would have
been discovered. l cannot make 1t
out
81 can tell you why he has not yet
crossed the North sea-" I i~nterposed.
DOUBTLESS his gas bag will not need
replenishing for several days-with
the new material almost all leakage
can be prevented. And so he is sailing
in the upper air, waiting for a chance
to cross to Germany"
"A chance?" he cried.
Eyes. No dirigible made could face
the easterly gale that has been blow
ing this last "a hours"
True" cried the prince, leaping to
his feet. Then what can we do?"
I'VE can go in pursuit of him." I an
swered. "If we had but an a~eroplane,
which could be free from restraints of
wind, we could run him to earth with
in a day. Reports will be coming n
but has the government no machine"
The prince touched a bell. ASK Mr..
Haldane to come here Immediately"
he told the page who answered.
Mr.. Haldane, the war minister, had
been in attendance at the palace for
the past week. He came in promptly,
rubbing his hands ~nervously, a nerv-
Gus look upon his sleek, comfortable
features. He nodded to me frigidly;
since l had been attached to his majes-
ty relations between us had bee but
frigid. He deemed me to be a COM
mon spy, l believe.
where is the army war aeroplane? ?"
asked the prince.
"In care of the aero expert at Alder
shot," the war secretary answered.
Captain Adams" said the prince,
turning to me, ." place you in charge
Of this affair. Do anything you think
fit. The balloon is at YOU disposal"
Pardon me-" i~nterposed the war
minister, not too suavely, but I
think"
"Haldane, give Captain Adams your
authorization" interrupted the prince.
Il cannot" said the war minister
doggedly. II am responsible to parlia-
ment-"
Good Cod! Is this a time to talk
of parliament" cried the prince,
losing his temper. Then he sprang
toward me. by heaven, I'll go with
you," he cried. I'll see if they'll re-
fuse to carry out my orders! Knowles!
Knowles! Wake up, man. Please
have my touring car brought round to
the front of the palace in Is minutes.
I want a portmanteau packed. Hurry!
Hurry"
Principally a quarter of an hour
later we were spinning out of the pal
ace yard, amid the cheers of the few
who had assembled around the gates,
and were taking the quickest cut for
Aldershot, the chief military encamp-
ment. Mounted police sprang for
ward and drew back d~iscreetly at
sight of the princes arms upon the
vehicle. In ten minutes we were
speeding through the heart of leafy
Surrey. In less than an hour and a
half we came in sight of the military
encampment and were s~lackening
speed before the headquarters of Gen
eral French, the commandments,
who had been advised by telegraph of
our approach. He was waiting to vel
come us and, having greeted the
prince, put a telegram into his hands.
1t was from Chester. h balloon had
been seen, apparently blown out of
her course before the strong wind, but
now the gale was slackening and she
was beating up eastward.
1--WE can catch him yet If the aero,
plane is working" said Prince George.
General French was acquainted with
the facts. He nodded.
"If," he said. But can you steer
it? Captain Cody, the American who
has it in care, is on leave. He Is hur-
rying back from the continent, but
cannot return until tomorrow. Who
can drive it?"
His assistant" cried the prince.
Hes had none since Peake left last
week"
who the devils Peake?" cried the
prince.
"a damned Yankee" cried the gen,
eraI, nettled. "A Yankee assistant OF
Captain Cody, and the only Other
man who could drive the thing. He
pestered us for six months to buy a
new machine Of his invention, When