Air Stories, April 1936 — page 61: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE WASP STINGS there one still? ’’ he inquired blandly. ‘I was under the impression that they’d all rammed one another.’’ ‘‘ The sort of remark I’d expect from a half-wit Air Force bloke.’’ James’ calm had been ruffled at last. Spalding was generally ready for a wordy scrap, but at that moment he was anxious for peace. He turned the conversation. ‘‘ The Wasp is due down here from Farnborough to-day ; wonder ‘if she’s arrived yet.”’ ‘‘ She’s the wireless-controlled ’plane, isn’t she? ’’ James queried. ‘‘ The successor to the old Queen Bee.’’ ‘* That’s right, only instead of being a light aeroplane, she’s a damned great torpedo-bus. She’s supposed to be able to fire her guns and release a torpedo accurately. The idea for to-morrow’s show is that she will shoot-up and torpedo a dummy battleship. The said battleship will not sink because she’s empty, or, to be more accurate, she’s filled with airtight tanks. Then the unfortunate ’plane is to be brought down by combined fire from ‘ Nelson,’ ‘Rodney,’ and ‘Hood.’ And there’s a peach of a story about her end, too. Rumour hath it that if the gallant Navy doesn’t manage to hit her within two minutes of opening fire, the Wasp will set herself alight and fall in flames. So your people are vindicated, whatever happens. But I give full marks to the designer of the ’plane. A brain like his makes us feel pretty small fry.”’ ‘“You say the Wasp should be here to-day,’’? commented James, presently. ‘‘In that case she may be in the dock- yard at this moment.”’ Pat Spalding became suddenly excited. ‘*That’s a brainwave, if you like |! Why didn’t I think of it before? If we can get into the experimental dockyard, I can get to ‘Uproarious’ with the Wasp !’”’ ‘‘T can get you into the dockyard easily enough,’’ said James, ‘‘ but we shall need a taxi. .. .’’ ‘*Excuse me, gentlemen,’’ said Maraschi, who entered at that moment, ** will you not have one little drink with me?”’ ‘*Qne’s no good to us, old sport,’’ replied Pat on the instant, ‘‘ but make it two doubles, and snappy, and we’re your friends for life.’’ ‘*A pleasure, gentlemen, and if you want a taxi, the hotel car is at your service, and my man, Ravati, will drive you.’’ ‘“D’you know, I believe that little devil’s been listening !’’ exclaimed James, when the man had left. ‘“Nonsense,’’ said Pat. ‘‘ You were shouting the odds when the fellow came in. Anyway he probably can’t understand what we were talking about, and if he can, what does it matter P ...» Here’s your drink. Skin off your nose, and let’s be off.’’ CHAPTER II Disappearance of a Chauffeur FTER a word to the guard, James got permission for the car and its occupants to pass into the Gamma dockyard, and a few moments later the two officers were getting out in front of a huge hangar, the entrance to which stood open. Inside could be seen a large biplane of an unfamiliar type. A ladder stood against the~ cockpit, and a man was descending to join a little group nearby. ‘‘ Everything is in perfect order, sir,’’ he said to a white-haired and bespec- tacled member of the group. ‘‘I only had to make one adjustment, which is pretty good after the journey.’’ The elderly gentleman raised a hand toanear. ‘‘Eh? What’s that? Speak Up, man... .”” A man in the uniform of a commander, R.N., at that moment detached himself from the group. There was indignation on his face as he approached Spalding and James. ‘‘ Who are you?’’ The question was snapped abruptly, chal- lengingly. A few words from James, however, and the whole atmosphere was changed. ‘‘Duncan’s my name,’’ the com- mander vouchsafed. ‘‘So you want to get aboard ‘Uproarious’... well, I suppose it’s all in order, but you’re 347 GOMIGIOO SJ (C(C)