The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-01-25

IAIOy WSAO pd1dlyZcu Will d5IOuAou-
ment; then they heard the kings
voice and ran to his aid. AS they
neared the spot the balloon ros sud-
denly into the air, carrying with it the
king, whose form and features were
plainly visible. The other man in the
basket vas seen to be OBTAINING him;
the balloon shot upward into the skies
and, before anything could be done,
was nothing but a blur in the distance.
In short, my father was kidnapped"
But the motive?" I i~nterjected.
THAT, Captain Adams, is known to
than the mysterious German machine
which has been frightening all Eng
land at night by its mysterious jour
neyings. The German government IN
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?" l asked.
ION the contrary" answered Prince
George, though, fortunately, the pub
lie believes that his majesty has de-
parted for Biarritz, confidential re-
quests for Information as to the
whereabouts of the balloon have been
sent out to all the counties and to
ships at e a The m%iscreant 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 it 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. I cannot make it
out"
Il a tell you why he has not yet
crossed the North sea-" I interposed.
Doubtless his gas bag will not need
replenishing for several days-with
the new material almost all leakage
a 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." l an
swered. IF we had but an %aeroplane,
which could be free from restraints Of
wind, W. could run him to earth with
in a day. Reports will be coming in
but has the government no machine?"
The prince touched a bell. "Ask Mr..
Haldane to ONE here Immediately"
he told the page who answered.
MI. 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-
u look upon his sleek, comfortable
features. He nodded to me frigidly;
since I had been attached to his majes-
ty relations between us had been but
frtgid. He deemed me to be a COM
mon spy, I believe.
Where is the army war aeroplane? %
asked the prince.
I'm are Of the aero expert at Alder,
shot," the wal secretary answered.
Captain Adams said the prince,
turning to me, 9" place you in charge
of this affair. Do anything you think
fit. The balloon is at your disposal"
Pardon me-" %interposed the war
minister, not too suavely, but l
think"
"Haldane, give Captain Adams your
authorization" interrupted the prince.
II cannot" said the war minister
doggedly. II am responsible to parlia-
ment-"
Good God! 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. "IIl 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!"
Punctually 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 discreetly 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 slackening
speed before the headquarters Of Cen
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.
It was from Chester. The balloon had
been seen, apparently blown out Of
her course before the strong wind, but
now the gale was slackening and she