Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1937-01-08

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he said deliberately. GAS usual in
flying matters, you're quite wrong-I
had nothing to do with our coming
out alive. l was completely helpless.
You or Carnforth here could have done
as well. We were just enormously
/ fortunate"
Liette Lincoln had not even deigned
to glance out of the flying boats win
dows, but her great eyes flaming in
the perfect oval of her face, she whirl-
ed on Carnforth. "You-" she cried
fare you going to stand there and
let this big idiot cost you good mon
ey?" She swiftly picked up her
smart little black suede purse, open
ed it and contemptuously unfolded
thick roll of yellow-backed bills.
''There," she said briskly, sis three
thousand dollars. It's yours-take it,"
Struthers in growing dismay heard
the mechanics jaw click as he start
ed forward, then halted, for the Lin
coin girl was still talking. Besides
this therell be as much more for you
at Havana" she announced, and treat
ed the silent pilot to a defiant stare.
'Now, Mr.. Man, just get this ship in
the air right away. I've wasted all
the time I'm going to-"
A feeling of pity gripped Struthers
as he watched Carnforth, trembling
with eagerness, almost snatch the bills
from the black-clad girls slender
white fingers. It was on him, never
theless, that she fixed her eyes when
he stood hands on hips and quite OBJ
viously amused at her dangerous STRAIT
egg.
Carnforth in desperate effort to
conquer his own sense of inferiority
to this quiet, unselfish man with whom
he had flown for almost year, adj
vanced red-faced and clustering down
the passageway.
"Now, look here, Struthers," STAN
mered the mechanic awkwardly, "Miss
Lincoln is in hurry-she's offered
us lot o. money! need it and you
need it even more-if We'll get the
ship in the air again soon's we find
the trouble and get some gas from
these old wrecks"
Struthers never took his eyes from
that pale breath-taking beauty of the
Lincoln girls face. "No, jack" he
said evenly. "I'm sorry but you're
quite mistaken. You're going to give
that money back to Miss Lincoln
there's not chance of your earning
it, so you might as well do it now"
The big mechanic hesitated, and
Struthers could read the struggle in
the mans soul. The whole problem
was exemplified in the way he almost
lovingly caressed the bills between
strong blunt fingers and gradually a
glare was kindled in his pale brown
eyes.
"Think again!" he snarled. 81 amt
goin' to give 'em back-you've got to
do what Miss Lincoln says. Amt she
chartered this ship?"
On Liette Lincoln's face appeared a
contemptuously triumphant smile-a
direct challenge to Struthers' author
ity. The pilot turned his gaze for the
first time to the threatening mechanic.
"Do as say, Carnforth," he snapped,
"or you'll find yourself in real trouble.
Use your head--this plane can't go
up till tomorrow at the earliest-you
know what's got to be done before it's
safe to take off-don't be fool"
Carnforth's eyes shifted unhapily
and he obviously wavered. Then from
behind came the cold incisive voice of
the passenger. Don't forget you're
going to get five thousand dollars"
she reminded. "You might even get !
more if you do your duty and follow
my wishes"
"Look here, Miss Lincoln" interrupt
ed Struthers, "try to be fair about
this. You are only passenger. This
plane"-he spoke slowly and distinct
ly never taking his eyes from the
small dominant figure only half seen
behind the big mechanic-"is under
contract by the United States Govern
ment to carry it's mails. Now you
may as we'll understand once and for
all-I'm not going to move finger
that will in any way jeopardize safe
delivery of the mail in my trust. This
plane is not going to take off until
Pm satisfied that the motors and fuse
lage are in perfect condition"
Again the soft and infinitely persua
sive voice of Liette Lincoln broke in.
"Mr. Carnforth," she said, 'are you