Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-12-05
CHAPTER VI.
Trailing the NIGHT FIiers.

~ di''HY ttS N'9'k FHV'S.s
Tad was waiting for me beside my
own machine, with everything ready
to start. told him az briefly as pos
sible what had seen and heard
you must get Linderman aside
and warn him. said. Tell him
that | will explain fully when return,
but that he must believe now that it is
a matter of life and death He had
better not come out TO the field again
until he has seen me. Make an APP
pointment for him to meet me at the
hotel tomorrow, and insist on abso
lutte secrecy"
you will have to tell him every.
thing" suggested Tad.
Ipondercd moment.
Yes" | said Il believe ! WILL I
know of no one whom l would rather
confide in than Linderman, and it
might be as well to have an aviator of
his ability and courage working with
us"
"All right" Tad answered. "Tll
tip him off"
The Bleriot rose easily and steadily
in the moderate wind that was blow
ing | circlcd over the field until had
reached two thousand feet, and then,
waving farewell to the white specks
that marked the upturned faces below.
l cut southwest and headed for thesn-
t national field.
There were, perhaps. dozen mcl
about as | landed.
They came running over to mo, aud
| felt that luck was with me when |
saw that the class was in charge Of
Eakns, man toward whom had a
genuine liking. and for whom | had
been able to do mum Der of fayors in
the past.
The pupils wheeled my machine in
to an empty hangar for me and | led
Eakins aside Without going into too
many details told him what wanted
to do.
III you will be SO good" said, Il
should like you to stay out here with
mo tonight. shall need a light to
'land by. II is necessary that absolute
secrecy be maintained, SO if you can,
wish you would see that there is no
one else on the field after dark,
He nodded his head kindly.
USrra Carripap hA soid 'tpv
thing you say goes with me, and I'll
not ask any questions. | know you
too well to think that you're trying to
put across anything on he school. so
YOU just tell ME what you want done
and you needn't bother to explain
Why
During the heat of the day lay on
the cot in the hangar trying to make
up for the sleep | had lost the night
before.
Eakns brought. his automobile out
late in the afternoon and took me to a
hotel for dinner and we returned for
the evening flying. One by one the
machines were put away. the hangers
locked. and the ayiators and their
friends departed.
Finally, Eakns and | were left
alone.
Twelve miles to the northeast
knew Tad Spencer was hidden in my
dark she'd Linderman, l hoped, had
been warned of his danger, and there
remained nothing but to wait the
ringing OF the phone bell to tell me it
was time to start on my pursuit Of the
mystery of Miguel Casserta and my
girl with the hazel eyes.
As we waited debated over and
over the ACCESSIBILITY OF making a con.
fident of Eakins.
Every extra man let into the secret
Increased the chances of betrayal, but
on the other hand, events might so
shape themselves that it would be
well to have two such able fliers as
Linderman and Eakins within a few
minutes call.
SO, finally. told him the whole
story from the beginning. just as | had
told 1t to Tad, and as intended to
tell 1t to Linderman--only this time
held my self well in hand in describ
ing Miss Provan, and | said nothing
about the impression she had made
upon me.
Eakins listened soberly, his only
comment an occasional grunt OF sur
prise or indignation.
III any one else told me that story
I'd have a commission in iunacy APP
pointed" was his comment when !
had finished. But know you, CART.
gan, and know you're level.headed
and not inclined to be emotional--be.
yond reason.
AS , see II. the best you can do to