New-York tribune., 1922-10-22


own price. | want to take her back with mo D
Back where?"
canada, Ottawa. We're in this thing from
,he start and were going in right. Men, guns,
horses and planes. Shouldn't be surprised If
we mad half dozen or more planes over there
before the things finished, and we want YOUR
ooat TO be the first Sir Sam Hughes sent me
down. My instructions are to take your plane
back to Canada with me tonight and here are
my credentials" He tumbled a set of official
documents from blue linen envelope OF the
desk
That was how the war arrived in Boston.
three years before it's official birthday in this
country.
The credentials established the strangers
authority beyond any possibility of question
Beneath the seal of the Dominion of Canada
appeared the signature of the Minister of
Militia of the Prime Minister and of the
Governor General. There was also the wink
ing blue barrel Of the army automatic, testify
ing 1mpressvely to the seriousness of the oc-
cason.
Inc designer considered the matter. Five
thousand dollars was fair price for the boat
as she rode at her anchorage His personal
sympathy was with France, and, therefore.
Canada, particularly, was a neighbor, and
good neighbor. He knew many Canadians in
Boston There had been Canadians in his class
at Harvard. He had friends in the Dominion.
in Montreal in Halifax in Vancouver. But
this was war, and war was an international
matter above individual preference, and the
United States was neutral
Suppose 1 agree,' he said "How do YOU
propose to get her to Ottawa?n
We'll get her there" the emissary of the
Canadian government assured him.
'We?"
certainly, we. We want you to come alonv
and see that she's safely landed. We're bit
green on flying up there yet, and we'll need
you Remember, this boat, as I understand it.
IS new thing altogether. 1t wouldn't be fair
to just turn her loose without 'wisine' us up
to her construction and her handling. Take
day or two Oft and come up--at our expense, Of
course. Well take care of you."
The designer looked at his visitor closely
lie was youngster, barely more than twenty
by appearance, slim and blond and with blue
gray eyes, which smiled with the supreme as
surance of youth and enthusiasm in a good
cause
can't see how you are going to ship her."
he objected. "The United States government
gard to the war; but it is understood that we
are neutral We may get tangled with Wash
lngton. That prospect doesn't please me,
confess"
Wen have to take chance on that There
won't be any trouble about the actual shipping.
I'll look after that and you may accept INV
assurances that it will be properly looked
after. AS for Washingtons attitude, there is
he to CTR
selling their products to combatant nations.
Germany has the same right to buy war ma
terials in this country as we have; and it's
YOUR right to sell to either market. Until the
United States government definitely forbids
such sale there is nothing in the world to
stop it. Personally, / don't think the United
States government will do any such thing;
but 1T is a possibility, and that is why want
to arrange to ship this boat to-day We
can't chance delays. We've got to work fast
Now you know all about it. Let's CO. Put
the money in your safe, and show me where
this new Canadian flying boat is anchored
'Wait. She's hardly finished yet. Her trials
are not complete. 1t will take at least week
to put her into commission for flying as a
regular thing"
Not a day. Well ship her tonight Wen
have her in Canada day after tomorrow. You
can finish your trials up there. Let's CO."
He had positive personality, this young
man. The designer, keen for adventure, de-
clded the matter right there. 1t would be
something after all to have his beautiful boat
lying over France against those on-pouring
gray hordes; fitting baptism for his great
achievement. He rose from his chair and ex-
tended his hand to the firm grip of the
youngster.
'I'll do it," he said. "We'll go down now
and look her over'
Good egg," said the Canadian II knew
you'd be with u.s." He handed the designer
the pistol.
Put that jigger in your safe. I'll get it
when we are ready to start back. It's too
darn heavy to lug around"
III
THERE was no fault to be found with the
boat. Her appearance, her trim and her
behavior during brief ffteen-minute flight