The Lamar register., 1915-05-19

THE very mani"
I recognized Revell. had not seer
him for years but l recalled him as q
former partner OF my father.
II am in on a great new trend,
he advised me. THE balloon has had
its day-now comes the airship. Heard
of the big international .--eet at the
aero grounds here? Well, I've got the
latest in the biplane line and I'm an
entrant for the great $4,000 prize.
Your name. Bertram. is worth some
thing. for your father is not forgot
ten. Come up to my hangar and I'll
open your eyes to a fine business
proposition"
| drifted into aviation with this
fascinating optimistic airman gradual
ly. | could not resist his hopefulness
and eloquence
Revell had superb biplane, the
latest model in its line. Then there
was a small monopEne for practice
stunts He initiated me into It's pos
sibiities In week / was a fair
birdman
| doubted our ability to compete
successfully with experts from all
over the world and indeed. in the
end all We won was nth place and
twenty per cent interest in $4,000
minor prize pool However. at dusk
one evening that happened which led
to my abandonment OF the perilous
field OF aviation
Revell had arranged for a night
flight he in the big machine and my
self with the little mOnoplane. l
had got into the pilot seat and started
up, expecting him from the hangar
at once Just as the tail OF my ma
chine left the ground man, a strang
er dashed up to the spot, He was
in frantic state OF excitement
He ended a sharp run In a daring
spring that carried him clear over the
wings and into the pit Just back OF
the pilot post The delicate mocha
nism of the monopllne shiyered at the
unusual shock. | was about to shut
of the control when he leaned to-
wards me. pressed the cold muZzle
OF a revolver to my temple and Kissed
out:
was conscious OF shouts below. a
blurred sense Of Nevell rushing out
of the hangar. OF uniformed men
rushing to the spot Then. fairly
alarmed let the monoplane shoot up
into space.
Then there happened a series of
starts and thrills A steady level at
tanned, my grim passenger never low
cred his weapon lie ordered me to
proceed due north Less than five
miles accomplished. he let out wild
yell OF dismay and rage.
Suddenly a great white glare shot
up, down narrowed In steady circle
to a direct focus. and as In a spot
light picture We were nailed by the
powerful headlight OF the big biplane.
the loyal. Intelligent Reyell at the
pilot post in hot pursuit
Drop drop" painted my passenger.
They're after me. Drop. ! tell youi"
In that forest of trees?" ! objected,
glancing below Impossible!
Get lower. or l will shoot" yelled
my companion. and l volplaned till
we were skidding twenty feet above
the thlck grove OF trees.
My blood ran cold as the man
jumped. | saw his outspread form
strike the top OF a towering titan of
the forest lie crashed through the
branches. The headlight followed his
downward plunge Then It focused
the monoplane At clearing de-
scended. The big biplane landed be-
side me
"Hurt?" inquired Revell. spring
ing out Of his machine. No? Good!
Hurry. we must find that man-it's
important"
We came across him under the tree,
crushed. mutilated. stone dead AS
we carried him to the biplane a long
metal box fell out of his inner coat
pocket. We placed him in the big
machine and were soon back at the
exhibition grounds. Half dozen
policemen and an excited bustling old
man who looked like a millionaire ex-
citedly awaited us.
He was what he suggested. 1t
seemed. and the dead fugitive had
robbed him OF papers of inestimable
value to him. AS | handed him the
metal box he cried out with vivid de-
light He glanced eagerly over the
papers 1t contained.
'All safe!" he gloated. 1T means
half my fortune. Young man. have