The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-04-20

dim one near the farther extremity
Of the shed, obscured by the frame OF
the monoplane Against the faint
radiance | could trace the spreading
wings of the machine, and the network
Of wires. Just beyond the propeller
the men were grouped, one fellow hold
ing the electric lamp, the others crowd
ing about, in an endeavor to see what
the light revealed. Intent upon the
one thing sought all else was forgotten,
and their voices rumbled in German.
cound not see the face of the fellow
who held the lamp, but Eisenf arth
stood at his right, holding back q
piece of canvas with which the pro-
pellor had been wrapped, whole Brandt
had his back to us, and was leaning
forward, one hand on the steel rod.
The fourth man appeared indlstinct
beneath the shadow of an aerofoil
intentlX listening to the conversation.
Assured that their attention was
concentrated elsewhere, | slipped in
through the narrow opening, STOPPING
under the wire wings, until ! found a
secure hiding place behind the rudder.
De Vigne followed me like a shadow,
without making the slightest noise,
and we crouched down together beyond
the radius of light, Anxious as |
wns by this time to come to hand grips
with the fellows, before daylight could
thwart my plans of escape, ! yet
desired to learn what it really was they
were so determined to discover, and
to be certain of success before COM
mencing attack. We were two against
four, and the first blow struck would
likely decide the battle The very
knowledge that Mademoselle waited
alone in the shed robbed me of reckless
ness, for | realized what our defeat
would necessarily mean to her, The
secret of the monoplane had become
of small value, now it was being tested
against her safety. | determined to
protect her at any cost 1t was
Brandts voice | distinguished first
in low, half-inarticulate growl.
What do you make of it," he asked,
lifting his head. Same propeller as
in the Morane, isn't it?"
Heavier, that's all, returned Eisen-
harth slowly. "OnIy difference ! see
is in the motor, and the ailerons."
You mean those things they balance
WITH The wing tips?"
Sure; they look as if they'd work
all right, but it's the motor that gets
me- I'd have to try that out to dis
cover what IL would 90.
"Wherein does it differ from others?"
The chauffeur moved back, notion
ing the man with the lamp to follow,
and the four disappeared from our direct
view
"In several ways, Captain" he
said, at last, evidently demonstrating.
"This is an improvement on the
Gnome revolving engine. 1t is lighter
and fully as powerful, and is water
cooled. This is a combination never
achieved before to my knowledge.
can grasp all this just as it stands,
for the mechanics are simple enough,
but this contrivance in connection
with the exhaust is new invention.
| should have to test its work to learn
its exact purpose. "
But you must have some theory"
"Well, yes; it is undoubtedly in
tended as slencer, and, if it does the
business, will revolutionize the aero
plane for use in war. That is just what
this machine has been reported to do,
isn't it?"
Yes; but no one believed it true.
And you say this is the thing2"
ut must be. Seems simple enough,
but / couldn't figure out just how it
works unless | took it apart, or else
tried it in action"
| saw Brandt straighten up, and
glance about into the darkness.