Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-12-10
"S0w. hold Your little hands up

| SlAnceu III the uiltctioh iioht
which the voice proceeded. and saw
the menacing muzzle OF rifle barrel
pointed at me from the nearest win
dow. Without further ado | held up
my hands.
Il come from Miguel Casserta,' |
said He and Miss Provan have
had an accident, and have been badly
hurt
whats that? The voice almost
barked its query.
"Casserta has been badly hurt" i
repeated. ale has sent me 10 take
his place"
heard the hum of low conversation
in the hut, and, thinking that / had
established my right to be there,
lowered my hands.
"Just asminute, stranger" the deep
voice snapped Keep them hands
UP while"
Again the low hum began in the
hut. Then | heard door on the other
side slam shut, and tall, finely built
man came walking toward me with
stride that suggested military train
ing.
Three PAGES in front of me he
stopped. and his piercing black eyes
searched me from head to foot, But
I had fully prepared myself TO act my
part in spite of suspicion, and met
his gaze quite calmly.
Il am not armed" | said. 1T
would be much more comfortable for
me II you would have that gun'barrel
DETECTED so that | can aower my
hands
He shot me another piercing glance,
and then, stepping forward, felt OF
nv clothes all over my body to satisfy
himself that | had no weapon.
"Very we'll" he said, and, raising
his voice, said: "All reht-in there
Come OUT
He turned 10 me again.
"You say Casserta IL hur?" he
asked, the sharp edge Of suspicion
making his voice cut like a knife.
Yes" | returned. "IIe and Miss
proyan had fall just after starting
( from the field. His rudderwire snap
ped in the air, and they smashed Lad
/ ly."
! He was about to speak again. when
| he stopped, thought a moment, and,
! eyeing me carefully, said:
Il take il that you are Cassertas
good friend, Mr.. Linderman, of
whom he has 50 often spoken TO u.s."
It was a cleverly worded trap, and,
had | not known as much as | did,
should probably have fallen into it.
But, realizing at once its intention, |
smiled at him in a way that showed
him that / understood.
"No,' replied, "Casserta's friend,
! Mr.. I.indernan, will never fly again.
saw him try to quench the fierce
! fire OF satisfaction that flashed all in
slant in his eyes in spite of him.
"Ah!" he exclaimed.
Yes" continued, "Miss pioyans
identification Was complete Sanolas
did his work we'll"
Again his searching gaze appraised
RE s.om head to foot but this time
there was the flicker OF a friendly
smile in the corner of his eyes
The little angel OF the fiery
tongue spoke to Lindeiman," went
on She spoke when he was two
thousand feet high" shrugged
expressively. There Is nothing left
but a mass of splintered wood. OF
twisted metal and OF fabric torn to
shreds. No one can ever know"
Good little Sanojas" he muir
INJURED.
The door of the hut slammed shut
again. and another man strobe toward
US carrying rifle in the crool; OF his
arm and scowling blackly at me with
every step he took.
It's all right. Sam" said The man
who was with me. "Casserta has
sent MI Mr." He looked 1t ne
Questioningly.
I'VE will avoid names until we
reach an understanding, il YOU
please" said, apparently suspicious
in my turn.
He raised his brows in,erosatiye
ly.
Understanding? he repeated
Certainly. ! reached Casserta's
side only few moments before tho
others, and he had time for no expIa
nations other than TO urge me 70 come
over here at once and take his place
tonight promised him would dc
anything In reason, but--again
shrugsed-" time is worth some
thing, and | do not risk my skin and
my liberty without a chance TO make
It worth my while"
He turned to sam as though TO ask
his opinion but that ugly worthy only
spat upon the sand.
IT'S your funeral. Lacey" he said
In surly tones, IF had my way Id
give him what Linderman got, and I'd
do it now"
"Oh no, you Wouldn't" | sneered
with as good a show OF nerve as
could muster Before left the field
had a talk with Sanojas. and he
warned me there were two men here
who were big bluffs. and whom was
to call down at the first opportunity
sam and Manoel." -
s-..-l 49,. --s7 ,,'-'--.-, -s- ,.--- -..