Evening star., 1925-01-01
CHAPTER y
The Air Fight on MogadOr.

In the new Merlin l took up two
crack pilots and a designer. while
Milliken. in the original machine,
carried the President, Miss Torrance
and a bunch of experts. We few al
top speed until we were east or Della
ware Bay. and there I fooled with the
new bus, doing all the maddest stunts
conceiv able until even the pilots with
me were | believe. 2 bit scared. Tire
speed of the machine had amazed the
experts, but her quick climb. thai
lowering flight of hers, and her as
tonishing qualities in maneuver as
tonished them still more. Long be
fore We were back on the bank of the
Potomac and heard the enthusiastic
verdict of the authorities il was
fairly evident that the Merlin design
would pass to the Government at my
own price.
I spent the afternoon in the offices
of the Air Board, going over the
drawings of the machine and into
costs with the designers there. Mean
time, Milliken and two mechanics had
gone by rail to Gardiner Bay to
bring back the other two machines
which were to be purchased by the
Government. When l rejoined the
President and Miss Torrance that
evening for dinner at the White
draft for the handsome price which
was paid for the Merlin design and
the three new busses The quick
settling of the deal was due to the
President and when he and Miss
Torrance and myself were alone after
dinner, ] tried to thank him. He put
a hand on my shoulder in a kindly
way, shaking me, and tried to stop
me saying anything.
hp
need for thanks. You brought along
your design just when il was most
needed and we'd have been fools TO
let what Kirsteen calls red taps
hinder the concluding of the bargain
We ought to thank you publicly for
giving US such a wonderful plane.
But 1 have something for YOU"
He produced an envelope and
handed ii to me. In it was a letter
appointing me for special service
with the air police and mentioning
Dan Lamont and Aflliken as my
assistants.
Turn back the front Of your
jacket" said Mr.. Whitcomb, and
when / did so he pinned a little
silver badge to the lining. 1t was
the badge of the Secret Service
''Therer' said he. Now, in the
morning at 10 o'clock you will go TO
this address" He handed me a card
on which a direction was penciled
You have only to give your name to
the doorman and he will take you
right to the man who nominally will
be your chief Don't bother to ask
his name. 1t is seldom the same two
days running. [ want you to see
him because there may arise an oc-
casion when it will be impossible for
you to report direct to me and in
that case you will report to him.
Ordinarily, you are responsible to
nobody but Ben Whltcomb. Get
that?"
Yes, sir; ~,
VERY we'll, then. Burn that card
when you have memorized the ad-
dress"
1T can do that now, sir" said
and dropped the card into the open
fire.
GOOD" said the President. Take
Lamont and Milliken with you to-
morrow"
"I shall have to get Dan Lamont
on the phone right away, then"
you'll find Dan Lamont at your
hotel when you get back there to-
night said the President with
smile.
why. he's in New York; /
blurted.
"Not at ALL he laughed He's on
his way to Washington. We phoned
him TO come right off and fixed q
room for him at your hotel. At least,
my secretary did"
CONTINUED In Tomorrow'S HfaFy