Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-01-26

nn pacing in the little office.
W. Hal suddenly got up from
4 4 his chair and crossed the
room to Q map that hung on the OPP
posite wall. He scanned it closely,
and Mr.. Stafford swung about and
Joined him.
Eddie was talking to me about
Shades disappearance just before he
took OF this afternoon" Hal said
thoushtfully. "He was trying to figure
out some place where Shade might
have come down safely"
Mr.. Stafford shot him a startled
glance. But if Shade came down
safely, why hasn't he got in touch
with us?"
Eddie didn't say" Hal replied.
"But he spoke about a field, some 80
miles from South Branch, which
would make a good spot for an emer-
gency landing if row of trees across
the middle Of it were removed. The
only trouble is, Eddie was sure the
trees are still there. But I've been
wondering if he might have tried the
experiment of landing there anyway,
and cracked up"
Mr.. Stfford stared ct him. "Thats
an idea," he snapped. "Tell you what
I'm going to do. Hal. If you'll meet
me here first thing in the morning
and have the Swallow fueled and
serviced. I'll fly over there first thing
and investigate. I don't want the
news of Eddie's disappearance to get
out any sooner than necessary, be-
cause it's going to ruin us with Nor
beck and Associated when it does"
III be here" Hal promised. "Of
course, Eddie may come in yet to-
night"
HE may" Mr. Stafford admitted.
s'But don't bet on it."
HAL left the airport then. and went
home for the few hours sleep that
were possible before he had to be up
again. It was still dark when he
reached the hangers the next morn
ing, but by the time Mr.. Stafford got
there, the Swallow was almost ready.
The Swallow was q small cabin
monoplane. Mr.. Stafford checked 1t
carefully, and when he removed his
coat, Hal saw that he had revolver
in q holster under his armpit. Then
Mr.. Stafford turned to him a moment
before taking OIL. -.~-~s
Tell Jonesy and the others what
has happened when they get here"
he instructed. "Ill be back before
noon"
Hal spoke quickly. II wish you'd
take me with you. Mr.. Stafford. I
could help look. or handle the plane
In an emergency"
Mr.. Stafford hesitated. IAN right"
he said finally. Come along. But
leave q note for Jonesy in the shop"
Hal daahed to the shop on dead
run, scribble q note for the me-
chanic, and tore back to the plane.
He climbed into the cabin. took the
seat beside Mr.. Stafford, and was
barely settled in it when the plane
moved along the ground. gathered
speed quickly, and took the air.
"I1l keep as low as possible" said
Mr.. Stafford above the roar OF the
motor. Keep your eyes on the
ground for any trace of the Oriole.
That yellow plane should be easy to
see if it's down somewhere In the
open"
HAL agreed, and kept his eyes glued
on the ground below him as
they flew on a bee line toward South
Branch, 800 miles away. Two hours
later his eyes were weary from the
constant searching, and he had seen
no trace Of Eddie Moores ship.
1--WE should be getting close to
that field Eddie spoke about yester-
day." he called to Mr.. Stafford.
YES" the owner of the airline re-
Piled. II think know where 1t is.
Well fiy over it and have a look"
The country had been rugged and
mountainous almost constantly since
they had left Pembroke. Now they
passed over a high ridge, and Mr..
Stafford banked slightly to the left,
watching the ground carefully.
There it is, I think" he said.
pointing to long, narrow patch Of
brown beyond the ridge. Hal gazed
down and ahead. That was the field.
all right, and squarely across the mid
die Of it were the five patches Of
green against the brown Of the field,
marking the trees that made land
ing impossible.
He scanned every inch Of the field
carefully for some trace Of the Oriole,
but without success. Mr.. Stafford
roared directly over the tield, shook
his head in disappointment. and
started to climb. with the nose Of the
ship pointed once more toward South
Branch.
put Hal was sitting, still gazing
down 1T tho field, his brow
wrinkled In puzzled thought. Sud.
denly he uttered . startled exclama-
ton.
"Mr. Stafford! Those trees in the
middle of that deld-they aren't turn
ing color, like al the other trees
around herel Look-they're still per.
fectly green, and the leaves Of the
0LI1ST tEcCS aAC cU0I tS1S8 w 8Cv OAOWA
and red and yellow!"
Probably they're evergreen" Mr..
Stafford replied shortly.
"But they aren't! The color Isn't
right!" Eddie was excited now. mr..
Stafford, don't think those are trees
1T al! Look-as we get farther away
from them. they fiatten out. They
don't look like trees, except when
you are almost directly over them"
Mr.. Stafford peered through the
glass Of the cabin, stared for Q mo-
ment unbeiievingly, then banked the
ship sharply for . turn.
you're right. Hall" he cried.
"Those aren't trees-they're fakes.
And we're going down and find out
why"
Hal was gripping the edge Of his
seat with excitement now. Mr.. Stat
ford swung the ship IN wide circle,
losing altitude steadily and preparing