Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-12-05

Flyer
BY HENRY M. Nicely
&c., Copyright.
The Frank A. Munsey Co.
BY HENRY M. Nicely
The Frank A. Munsey Co.

"Sure I remember him. he cried,
strengthening up from under the
plane, his eyes flashing with apparent
pleasure. "Where did you see him.
ION Broadway just after lunch.
was going up 10 matinee when
bumped square into him II Id known
where you were should have phonod
YOU"
II was in the city, too" said Tad,
Spent the afternoon with a girl
know there
He went to the tail of the machine,
hoisted the fuselage to his shoulder
and began to push the Bleriot out of
the shed. ! saw the shadow disappear
from the knothole.
We had established an albi. II my
ruse succeeded, Casserta would eiimi.
nate me as one Of the monoplane.fli-
efs who might have landed on the
point the day before.
The Mexicans shed was vacant
when | walked by and glanced in.
take 1t out and get ready, Tad"
Issid. You know what to do
He wheeled the Bleriot upon the
field and l stroled along the enclos.
ure in front of the sheds. stopping at
each TO exchange a word or two with
q friend.
Ii Thomas's shed | saw Sanoi1s
talking sh.ewly with the Arler.cal. Is
mechanician. Thomas also flew a
Bl4aot---a monoplane, Farther along
I saw Casserta Just taking leave OF
GaNderson and walking away.
anderson flew Nieuport -also a
m08optane,
rfollowed the Mexican slowly. He
apbeared to have no definite object In
vte1. but paused in his walk to shake
hands with Faubre. little French
man. and the two entered into an ami
mated conversation. Faubre flew a
Observation-Disclosures monoplane.
The Mexican's search was on.
He paid no attention to the biplanes
And l was the only monoplane flier
whom he had ignored In HIS stroll
down the line. Evidently the watcher
at the knot.hole had been completely
deceived into believing that both Tad
and had been In the city the previous
day.
f1Aary,,op jpct IaCpapAipD in
his Bleriot as walked out upon the
field.
Joined the clamoring group tina;
gathered about him, confident that
Casserta would soon be there, for LIN
derman was another OF the moroplane
fliers whom the Mexican would want
TO question. 1t took only a few min
utes to prove that was right in my
surmises.
The Night Filler approached us
with every appearance OF noncha
lance, stopping to exchange some
laughing words with girl in the
crowd, shaking hands with one or two
others. and gradually working his wa!
to where Linderman and | stood b,
the fuselage.
1T was a beautiful flight, senior,
he said to the aviator with every show
OF cordiality. "Ah' That | could fly
with such certainty and skill"
Linderman laughed goodna turedly
why" he exclaimed, they tel
me that YOU 90 wonders out here a
night"
"Pouil" Casserta shrugged his
contempt Tor his own efforts. Mere
little hops. senior, 10 try my youns
wings At nigh. the whole worlt
sleeps in safety under strong roofs
and no man need fear that shall
smashup him in the air as tumble
drunkenly about
"And how 10 the automatic stabilit,
device coming on"
SLOWLY. senior, slowly. work or
him still. for need him sadly, tea.
shall neyel achieve stability withou'
him for these clumsy hands OF mine
refuse to learn
you ought 70 NY during the day.
suggested Linderman. "You could
see better and It would be safer Such
q day as yesterday would be just right
for you. There was not breath Of
air."
saw a sudden CLEAN come into the
Mexioan's eyes
Sol" he purred. WAS Senor
Linderman out here then, yesterday
Eyes," said the American. 81 ran
ont In my automobile. but there was
no one about so went back again."
without flying?"
Casserta's tone was apparently dis
Interested, but saw the muscles OF
his Jaw close tensely AZ he waited for