Air Wonder Stories, August 1929 — page 71: what you’re looking at

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

Sp ee pase « THE PLANET'S AIR MASTER 165 papers?” Wallace asked. “Just to prove to you that they are able to hear us as well as see us, There is no doubt but what we'll be brought down, and to prove my words you'll find that the raiders will look under the cushion of my chair, before searching my case, although we will not put the papers under the chair cushions, But you haven't answered my last question yet. I want to know how successful your radio alarm is,” “So far it hasn’t been very successful,” admitted the air-line official. “In fact only two pilots made use of it at all during robberies and those times were after the raiders had thoroughly robbed the liners and left.” “And on another occasion one of your police plane escorts left the liner and flew. off on a false-chase of the: raiders, while the ship was brought down and robbed?” “Yes,” Wallace nodded. “Of course we can hardly blame the police, if they seera chance to chase the taiders. But there is one instance where the bandits used two planes, one as a decoy to lead the police away and the other:to rob the ship.” “No; you are wrong, Wallace, for I know that they are using but: one ship.” “Impossible!” insisted the official indignantly, “for the police chased the raider over one hundred miles, and as soon as they lost sight of it they returned to the cruiser, That plane could not have got back and com- mitted the robbery before the police returned.” “Now listen,” Riel bent over towards his companion, “Yd like to tell you all I know about this case and explain some of these things for you; but to do so would most positively spoil my. plans, but later you will: know. Now watch your indicator close, and warn me by a cough if the ray comes on. I'm going to hide these papers and I don’t want you to know where I put them. Turn your back this way. There now, remember, watch that-indicator closely.” Riel quickly unbuckled the brief case, removed the papers, and going to the other end:of the room, slipped them behind a safety-first cabinet on the wall, and quickly. returned to his seat. “What are you up to now?” his. friend. inquired. “Just this, I thought when I first took up this case, that the vision ray and the means of detecting voice waves were the most powerful instruments our raider had, But: later I found that he was using some mys- terious force that we are yet unfamiliar with. If Jam right, then, this wizard is merely playing with your cruisers, perhaps to introduce himself in a mild way to the world, and that-he has power enough to whirl every man of this earth around his thumb. Unless I am'wrong, he can make governments do what he wants them to do. In a few minutes he can start one-half of the world fighting against the other half and can make bank presidents bring their loads of gold to his door without knowing that he exists.” Frank was by this time staring at the other in amazement, “You mean that he can create all this havoc and not give himself away ?” “His vision ray might give him. away, but the other power will keep anyone from using the clue to trace him down,” continued the sleuth. “I’m warning you, “We're going down,” Wallace exclaimed, his voice shaking with excitement, as he felt the nose of the ship. tip-downwards, “Sit still,” cautioned his coo) friend, “leave it all to me and don’t talk.” The faint hum of the motors had ceased and the cruiser was gradually losing altitude and speed, de- scending at about the same angle as when dropping to the landing beams. Down through the heavy banks of clouds it came, until, with a rocking motion, it settled to a stop on the surface of the ocean. CHAPTER III A Polite Visitor ALLACE was indignant. He—one of the:high- est officials of the International Air Lines— robbed on one-of his own liners. He vividly imagined the Jaugh the newspapers would have at his expense, His thoughts were interrupted by the roar of the wireless announcer built in the ceiling: “Just be patient, gentlemen, and I will soon. be with you. I will also acquaint you with the fact that re- sistance will only mean your death, for I am protected.” A side glance: at his watch showed that the ray was on. He heard the air being released as the doors of the lower deck were opened, and a moment later the small elevator was rising to the upper floor, “We may as well give in,” thought Frank, as the elevator door opened a moment later and a well-dressed intelligent-looking man of about thirty stepped into view. “We'd better give the man the papers and let him be gone. It won't pay to resist.” Riel’s face was a mystery. It was as expressionless as it could be; but as the man advanced down the aisle, his expression changed and showed more interest in events, “Well, gentlemen, I hope you will not keep me wait- ing for the papers, but to save you the trouble I will help myself.” He lifted the cushions of the two chairs and a baffled look stole over: his face, but he quickly recovered his former expression and turning man, and with all the ease and: politeness of a host, remarked : “T trust you will speed my departure by assisting me in the search for the papers.” “Till get them for you,” the detective replied, and walking over to the hiding place, drew the papers out. Wallace, meanwhile, was searching the brief case in a vain attempt to comply: with the request of the caller. “T thank you gentlemen for your assistance,” the gay caller addressed them, as he put.the papers in his pocket and_stepped onto the elevator. ‘Perhaps I will call again-in the near future and stay. longer.” The two men remained standing, gazing at the spot where-the elevator had disappeared. They heard: him cross the lower deck, and Riel, suddenly returned to action, looked out of the window and saw-a small white plane below close to the baggage room door. A moment later it was cutting-across the water and, rising swiftly, soon: disappeared among the clouds. “Well?” Riel regarded his friend with a quiet smile. “We gave them the papers, but the raid was of more benefit to us than to them.” “But what is his purpose? Because he hears of us bringing some papers over he grabs them.” “This is something I cannot tell you until we get to London, but now we'll go down to the- operating room and talk with the pilot.” : “Well our bandit will have a warm time of it this time,” Wallace commented as they shot down to the - toward the English-- NN Oe ee ee ee ae ee ey, Se ee eee ae cComicbooks-com_