Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-21


& spectator of the scene. Perry's ma
chine. gliding along the water. engaged
(. all the aviator's attention. He hat
: started to rise before he became aware
OF the approach OF the aeroplant
which had pursued the balloon
With the trained eye OF the airman
Perry knew AT once from the peculiar
motion of the plane that something
was wrong. He surm;sed that one OF
his shots had wounded thc captain. and
thus made the handling of the levers
difficult
Therefore. he slowed down. landed
and waited developments. BY this
s time his machine had reached the far
side of the inlet. not a great distance
from the spot where the aerop!ane
LAS slowly moving 20 earth.
In the plane the wounded captain
who had bullet hole through his
shoulaer. was we'll aware Of :hc pres
cnce of the man who had maliciously
shot him. He unanswered his ma
chine now as Il It he could to avoid
any further attack.
While these two were thus preparing
for battle. the fisherman. who had re-
covered his wits, was rowing as fast AS
he could to the place where he had seen
the girl and man drop into the water.
Harry and lima. with the great mo-
mentum acquired from the fall, had
plunged far beneath the surface, so
that when the big machine dived over
them they had escaped unhurt.
Perry Mason had miscalculated; in
stead OF killing his victims he had
turned away Just a momcut before
they rose to the surface. exhausted
and struggling for breath
Their heads appearing above the sur
face he failed to see, but the fisher
man was more fortunate. lie reached
them in record time, and, assisting
both into his boat. rowcd to the shore
with all his might. inspired by the fear
that the man in the hydroplane might
observe him.
Perry, his attention taken up with
his new enemy. heard the chuEging
of small car. He saw this car out
of the corner OF his eye making its
way along the rcci-lincd road. and.
though he could not sec the occupants.
he surmiscd that his efforts had been
in vain.
Furious n being thus baked. he shot
at the captain, and the latter. con-
serving his strength. did his best to
keep out of sight.
The fratricidc now believed that the
captain was At his mercy, when he was
startled by another shot which
seemed to come from the reeds. Who
this new foe was he had no idea. for
he could not see him. a second sho,
followed the first, and the saturnine
face OF the cxecutioncr relaxed into a
smile as he beheld the surprise on the
features Of Perry Mason.
Unwilling TO remain longer a target
for unseen enemy. the latter hastily
started his engine. and. soaring rapid
ly aloft- soon disappeared. The cxecu-
toner. emerging from his retreat.
FASTENED toward the spot where the
helpless sirPlane had landed But
Harry and lima were before him: even
In their distress they realized the pre-
carious condition OF the captain. who
was now shouting for aid
Nor were they slow in helpiny him
The fisherman assisted him into the
car, and the four. two o! them wet
and weary wrapped in a great coat.
and the third faint from loss OF blood.
were soon being whir!ed TO the CITY.
which owing 10 the. circuitOus flight
OF The balloon. was not far away
mere was NTH passenger whose
presence was unknown TO tho other
occupants OF the car perchcd on the
tire rack the executioner made the
Journey with them. and not until Just
before The fisherman had reached
llma's apartment house did he sill, away
unseen.
Poor lima. Overcome with the terror
Of her expcricnt., do2cd most OF the
way TO the city, while Harry. though
regretting bitterly the impulse that
made him climb to her window in the
Constantinopie street. We; took soma
comfort in the fact that his deed had
brought nearer TO him the girl of his
heart
He ho!pca her out solic!tously and
thanking the fisherman ana promising
him still further reward than In.
large one he was then able to give.
swore him 10 secrecy and said good Inv
The captain made light Of his wound.
III get our friend 10 take me 10 =
doctors" he said checrfully. and mi
soon be all right"
so intent were they in wishing the
captain well and thanking their rescucr
that they failed To observe tho execu
.;oner slip into the house ahead OF
them.
! When lima reached her apartment
Harry could not resist the Impulse TO
1 tell her anew OF his love.
But though she Was almost spem,
with her cXertions and the horrors of
/ the experience through which she had
! passed. lima was sun thinking of tho
+ pearl that Stayne had left with Perry
Mason.
To Harry's surprise, instead of com
planning OF fatigue. she spoke what
( was on her mind
That pearl she said we must get
4 IT to- night before Perry Mason learns
Z we are alive"
But you can't do it." protested
Harry"
oh! yes. can; all / want is a little
! rest. change Of clothes and a good
meal. We must go--we VIII meet later,
8 and believe we can secure the
j pearl"
Carried away with admiration for
lima, Harry tenderiy put his arm
about her; for the FRS, time she
! seemed not arerse 10 allowing him to
h NJ 10,