Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-14

headed triumphRntly for the airpiane,
now miles ahend.
! Had he waited to make sure OF the
success OF his bombing no would have
seen tho man he thought dead crawl
out OF the debris unscratched. The
executioner examined tho body OF the
owner OF the car and walked away.
With true Oriental fatalism he ac-
copied the will Of Allah. and CHANGING
At tho reced!ng airship he walked
rapidly down the road AS unconcerned
as though he had Just returned from n
fishing trip.
Perry Mason with his knowledge of
| aviation calculated that the captain
OF the aeroplane had probably run
short OF gas and was cndeavoring to
conserve his resources by tightening
his load. This would account for the
daring leap OF tho cNecutioner.
The murderer laid his plans accord
insly. lie would keep at a safe dis
tancc from the plane and use his rife
to kill the captain and the passenger.
These enemies out of the way. the
rest OF the scheme would be easy Of ac-
cemplishment. lima he could deal with
as he saw at. and the secret OF his
brothers death would be safe forever.
For he had no idea of allowing the
negro 10 live.
Far ahead was the balloon. follow
ing II was the aeroplane. Tho wind
had risen and was now blowing half n
gale, moving tho balloon with increased
speed Tho captain looked anxlously
ut the sky. The moon was slowly
sinking. Can we reach her?" asked
the anxious Harry.
I'VE can reach her, but how can we
get the girl abonrd?" was the captains
reply.
Harry remained silent; the task
seemed impossible. So intent were the
two men in watching the balloon that
not until the pursuing hydro aeroplane
was within striking distance did they
realize the fact that they were to have
new enemy.
Look. Look!' cried Harry, pointing
to the approaching plane.
Someone else to the rescue; good"
said the captain.
shot clipped past. leaving mex
in one OF the uprghts.
IT'S Perry Mason himself" shouted
Harry. Hes got wind OF our attempt
TO save lima. Can't You put on more
speed?"
There's only one chance" shouted
the captain above the roar OF the en-
CINE; you'll have to make dive for the
balloon, slash the .silk, and trust
TO God"
I'm your man." said Harry. hastily
divesting himself of his heavy ulster
and cap and making himself ready for
the leap. The aeroplane, under create.
pressing, sped toward the balloon; with
equal swftness the exulting Perry pur-
sued. lima, hanging almost uncon-
scious. heard the whirring Of the ma
chimes and turned her eyes away from
the blaokened rope now nearly eaten
through by the acid.
lima! Ilma," shouted Harry. max.
ing a mesaphone of his hands. lie
thought he heard an answering cry
Make ready" yelled the captain. as
second shot wizzed past his cap.
The young man watched the amazing
scene Above marshy country dotted
with little inlets the balloon swept
like living thing. Above it, circlins
for position, whiried the aeroplanc;
coming from the rear the. hydro-a aero
plane. under the practiced guidance of
Perry Mason. leaped forward. seeking .
vantage point of attack.
Bat the tactics OF Harry were wholly
unexpected by the murderer. AS the
acceptance leapt past the balloon the
captain shut off the power TO enable
his passenger to try to reach the net
work that supported the basket He
was successful. The young man stood
ready. For moment the realization OF
what the result of failure would be
sickened him. but the thought OF lima
speedily restored his courage Az the
big car passed close to the balloon
Harry sprang out and clutching the
network hung dangling. The aero
plane, relieved OF his weight, sped on.
while the maglignant Perry, on see
ing the incredible act of the daring
passenger, prepared to finish the BATH,
with his rife.
Eut Harry had already slashcd the
SILK. The balloon began to drop first
slowly, then faster and faster-and
al! the while the young man was let.
ting himself nearer and nearer to
lima by the simple etpedient of seiz-
ing one strand after the other of the
netting
lima. hope again alive. almost stun
hsd by this unexpected and daring
attempt TO save her, managed to cry
out her cncoura cement. Meanwhile
the captain. seeing that his rival was
rapidly approaching the balloon. turned
his plane as though TO crash into the
enemy. Perry Mason, engaged in an
Intricate problem OF steering. had no
idea Of risking his own life. lie was
obliged 10 defect his course. and in
that brief time the balloon plunged
downward with increased velocity.
Gould Harry reach the rope which
held lima TO the basket? a lone fish
erman staring upward with bulgn
eyes. WAS the only one who could an
swer that question. He saw the young
man descend, reach the large rope
now 80 badly fraycd by the acid that
only strand or two remained.
Suddenly lima became aware OF his
peril. Look OUT" she cried; "the
rope"
]; was too late; the remaining siranda