The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1915-01-26

g deep yellow light There was little
doubt, to Adrian's way of thinking,
that he was showing his colors to
watchers among the army. for the
flashes had the system and continu-
ity of a code
1t was a moonless night. AS the
machine got beyond the soldier-guard-
ed district, no more signals we're
shown. II sailed forward swiftly and
noiselessly. Once, in a cloud of mist,
they caught the whirring sound Of the
propeller of some other airship near
to them. but passed on their way un-
challenged and apparently unseen.
Once, too, of a sudden, as they we're
taking a lower level to skim a valley
between two lofty ranges, there sud
denly blazed out from below a fusil-
lade from some thieket. No missiles
reached the dirigible. however, and it's
operator put on speed with a derisive
laugh.
Adrian experienced some curiosity
as to the sacks hat Uttered the bot
tom of the balloon.
You seem to have quite a load
here" he observed.
"Yes-egg plants" was the brief
reply. accompanied by a dry chucklo.
Adrian knew better, but said moth
ing. The easy flight of the machine
was soothing. They had proceeded
about twenty miles and Adrian was
about to question his companion as
to location and the chances Of a land
ing. when a sudden brilliancy envel-
oped them.
A giant searchlight somewhat be-
hind them had been suddenly set in
operation. It swept the sky, it TO
cused them. With a swift, daring
movement the intrepid airman vol
planed to a lower level. Coming nearer
to earth below the fog drifts, Adrian
could make out lights. towns, encamp-
ments.
Abruptly the operator steadied his
machine. Then hurriedly he CROPPED
into one of the sacks It was to draw
out one Of the egg plants" He took
an automatic light from his pocket.
"A bomb" breathed Adrian, athrill.
Il understand now!"
A quick series Of reports below, a
scream ensued. Just about to light
the fuse, the airship operator received
a bullet ia some vital part. He went
over the edge of the machine and
headlong through space
The airplane. left without a guide,
began drifting o. a dangerous slant.
Adrian sprang over the back of the
operators seat He sprang to the
wheel, but he did not know how to
manipulate it. He had to hold to an
upright to prevent losing his balance
and falling overheard
More shots followed. Several
struck the machine. 1t drifted just
above a group of trees. Adrian was in
desperation. He made a leap and
landed among a network of branches.
Scratched and breathless, he saw
the airship drift free of the trees and
descend straight into the embers Of
a campfire. Then a thousand thun-
ders seemed to break loose. The ig-
hlted DomDs scattered flame and fury
far and wide and the airship was shat
tered TO a million fragments
An hour later Adrian North de-
scended, to near a sentry. whose chal-
lenge he answered by an explanation
OF his mission and adventures. In a
friendly district. he was received with
confidence and before midnight his
scoop" was flashing along the wires
to London.
Two messages reached him a day
later. One was from his chief. com-
mending his journalistic enterprise
The other was from Lora-loyaI,
peerless Lora, and it gave him hopel
Copyright. 1914. by w @. Chapman)