The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1942-11-06
CHAPTER XIX

Collins job was to assemble the
bombs and release all mechanical
restraints so that impact on the
noses would explode them. He start
ed to wind the vanes.
Meanwhile, Curt and McInnis put
saws to use. They cut half through
all the ground supports which held
the heavy wall firm, then sheered
through the ceiling ties. So much
wasn't necessary, perhaps, but it
helped. Thus, an explosion OF dyna-
mite outside this wall would force
it back against the noses OF the
bombs.
They then planted the dynamite,
dragged the two motors to the spot,
measured the fuse. Against the
chance that Collins might not proba-
bly, set the bombs-for they were,
after all, foreign to him-a can Of
black powder was planted in the
cockpit of each machine. At length
the three charges were set, with
fuses that would allow Collins time
to get away.
Curt grumbled. collins wants
pictures. But we can't risk lighting
up the window strip by the flash so
early. He'll have to take them
when he's ready to light the fuses"
They looked in on Collins. In the
dead air of the tight-closed room
he'd sweated through all his clothes,
his face was shiny wet. No picnic,
this. He knew what his chances
were if he guessed wrong on these
bombs.
"Okay," he told them,y '.I'm about
set. Only three noses left to screw
in, then all pins to remove"
cts late" worried Curt. "Close
to one-thirty! Took us longer than
we'd expected. Stats will be phon-
ing them any minute now"
"Yeh. You two get going"
Nights WELL" But Curt was re-
luctant. Then, you've no watch,
Collins, take mine. It's synchro-
nized with Monahan's."
Curt and McInnis snatched up
punches Of tinder-dry grass from
sheltered spots as they ran to the
front of the hangers. Curt was get
ting anxious.
His worry was short-livedl Curt
and McInnis were brought up short
as they rounded the end of the hang
ars. The tennis court at the other
end of the field was now ablaze with
lights!
Even as they stared, a small band
Of men was emerging from behind
the office building headed this way.
'sSix of them, Jerry! The two of us
can't count on holding off that gang
with pistol fret"
ssBlaze the grass, Curt! All the
way to the fence and around the 9TH
er side of the hangers to the rear
fencel" @4 .sa,va
Curt and McInnis raced across
the black fields, stumbling constant
ly but making ground. There were
shouts behind them.
Then came the furious chugging
of a motorcar, headed from the up-
per end of the field.
"They expect to get behind us.
Jerry, head us off! Wen have to
stop that before they reach our
carl"
They were close to the airfield
branch. They turned, running at top
speed toward the car, which hadn't
yet rounded the curve of mountain
side. There were half-rotted logs
left from clearing the field. Curt and
McInnis had perhaps a minute and
a half-a minute. They tugged and
hauled at one of the logs. Rains had
sunk it into the ground, set it. They
pried it loose and slung it across the
tracks. The driver would see it.
but not in time to stop.
Then came the car. Around the
curve of mountainside it sped. II
hit the log, bounced fEpn the rails,
turned over. But not before a fig-
ure had snapped open the door and
shot from it. A man rolled over
and over, then scrambled to his feet.
s'Toenjes!" shouted Curt joyfully.
Toenjes it was-a wild man in the
fare of the cars headlights which
still worked, curiously enough, one
of them slanting skyward. He had q
gun in his hand but was helpless
from both the glare of lights and the
loss of his glasses.
Curt coolly put bullet into the
mans shoulder. Explain that
away, my fine FRIEND" he grunted,
"when the investigation breaks
Between them Curt and McInnis
seized the raging, helpless man and
hustled him along the tracks toward
their car
They kept glancing up toward the
radio sation high above. No lights