Evening star., 1933-05-07

only two planes were siM there. One WAs an
open cockpit tvo-seater, used mainly for tEa1n.
ing purposes. and the other vas the four-pas-
senser sebin job on which he and Bob Gore,
before.
The momsnt Indy entered the ONCE Mr..
Hagen. manager Of the airport shouted ct him.
'Ilndyl" he ordered. Hop over TO Hangar
Nine and help Bob get that ship ready to take
on. IT'S got to 60 out at $780,"
Indy was on on the run And vhne 10
helped Bob Gore check over the ship and get
It on the line. he heard the story OF the morn
ings excitement
Every available ship and every pilot had
already left for the scene of the Beaver Basin
catastrophe. Whether or not they had all got
there was another story, for flying conditions
were terrible, and the landing field at Beaver
Basin was poor one at best. The only plane
left to 60 out. the four passenger Job, was
going to be piloted by Mr. Hagen himself. and
It had been reserved for Mr. Swift, head Of
the local Red Cross and a representative of
each Of Connaught Citys two newspapers the
Messenger and the Express. Bob Gore would
remain at the airport to service any ships that
came IN. together with other members Of the
stan who had not already gone to Beaver
Basin
| INDY felt . flicker Of disappointment that
he had not been called upon 10 1ay one Of
the ships 10 the scene OF the disaster. But he
pushed it aside. After all, he was ouly .
novice. and there had been veteran pilots svail-
able Moreover. . mere boy could hardy be
reAed upon 10 take q plane out On such q
dangerous hop. and under such bad Ayang
conditions
At S:3S the cabin plane was ready to 70.
It stood on the line. its single powerful motor
purrine. and ct that moment Mr.. Hagen hur-
ried up. accompanied by Mr.. Swift Of tlAe Red
Gross. They glanced back impatiently, looking
at their watches.
A moment later . car swung into tl,e de3d
and two men came running up to the plane
One Of them was Sgd Gray Of the Messenger.
Tho other man was unknown to Indy, bot
Gray introduced him as MI. Jones. . reposter
for the Express.
well guess we're all Set" said Gray nef-
vously. Lets get started"
The four men climbed into the cabin, and
With . wave Of farewell. Mr.. Hagen taxied the
ship down the muddy field. He had . little
trouble hitting her, but finally he was In the
air. and the drone Of the motor became DINNER
and DINNER as the plane headed for the dis
tant hil,s. gray and forbidding in the rain.
T HE ship was not yet out Of sight when Bob
Gore and Indy, hurrying back to the office,
suddenly heard the squeal of automobile brakes.
Lndy recognized Betty Kerr's coupe as 1t came
to sliding stop beside the Office
Betty 1eaped from the car and raced toward
them. her eyes wild.
where's the ship?" she cried where's
the plane that's to take me to Beaver Basin?
I've got q place in her along with the Red
Cross man and reporter from the Messen-
ger"
Lndy's mouth dropped open. In q bewil-
dered voice he explained that the plane had
- 0y,d fhof fpovSS has
was aboard.
HE wasn't from my paper!" Betty cried
frantically. "Ive been double crossed. I came
out Of the Office and found two fiat tires ON
my Car, and had to stop for air. I'll bet this
Il sgd Gray's work. He's trying to keep mo
from getting this story, and it looks as though
he had succeeded"
CCn BE Continued Next SllndAYl