Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1940-09-06
CHAPTER THIRTEEN


A LITTLE way beyond the vii
lage, if one could dignity Belthorn
as SUCH Gun suddenly came to a
broad, well-metaled and evidently
comparatively newly made road,
with a sign-post on the corner
bearing the legend: ITO the r. A. F.
Station"
A uniformed picket was on
guard at the end of the road, but
made no attempt to stop him as he
went by.
A little farther along, however,
he came to bar-gate, painted
gray, with a sergeant and four
men in charge. The bar was closed,
and he was waved to stop as he
approached.
The sergeant was very polite.
Sorry to bother you, sir, but
are you going to the Air Station?"
Yes"
Can 1 have your nam and bust
ness, sir?"
Certainly. My name is Cotton,
and I am going to see Squadron
Leader Hazeldeane. on private
business"
The sergc>>,,:::t danced at a slip
of paper in his hand and nodded.
That's all in order, sir. Thank
you very much"
He made a sign, and one Of his
men swung back the bar. 1t was
evident they were taking no
chances here. thought Gun, as he
drove on. He passed another picket
before he reached the gates of the
station, and there were more SEN
tries there.
Gun once more stated his name
and business, and then was per-
mitted to pass through the gates,
where he was ushered into a wait
ing room-a hut, consisting of
single long room, with benches
along the sides, and walls painted
dull brown half way up, and the
rest white.
Here, presently, Squadron Lead
er Hazeldeane came to him-a
lean, brown-faced man with a hui
morous mouth and pale blue eyes
that could, on occasion, become
very hard and keen.
He and Gun had been to school
together, and they had many old
memories to revive. The time
passed pleasantly enough in chat
ting of old times, and being shown
around ne less secret parts of the
station.
Dinner in the mess was jolly,
too, bringing back 20 Gun old war
time recollections. These young
sters, ne found, excepting entirely
superficial differences, were much
the same type as he had known
and loved in the old war days.
Dinner over, Tommy Hazeldeane
sail quietly to Gun:
Il suppose you've heard that I'm
to make an experimental night
flight?"
II did hear some rumors about
it." was the casual reply. Some
special machine, isn't it?"
Tommy nodded.
Eyes, very special-and a dead
secret at the moment. Would you
care to come down and see me
off,"
I'D like to, thanks!"
"Right-o! I'm just going up to
the old bunk for moment, to get
some things. Then I'll pick you
up here"
Right you are!"
Tommy was back in a few mo-
ments, and he and Gun. left the
mess together. The weather had
cleared a little, and stars were
shining in the sky as they crossed
the square and made thci4' way to-
ward the hangers. But the air was
still damp, and the wind cold.
The secret plane had q ham
gar to itself, with an armed guard
at the locked doors, Tommy had a
word with the guard, and then I'M
locked the doors with a key which
he took from his pocket, switch
ing on the light as they went in.
The plane STOOD my itself in
the center of the hangar, and
Guns professional and critical eye
noticed one or two unusual fea-
lures about the wings and fuse
lage which did not seem to him to
be very important. 1t was a two
scatter fighter, fitted with two
Vickers guns ard a Lewis gun.