Air Wonder Stories, December 1929 — page 79: what you’re looking at

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

AIR WONDER STORIES Freedom of the Skies (Continued from page 529) “You have learned how many of these to each plane willi make it capable of destroying a city?” he asked. Fred nodded: ‘Issue each pilot-five of those tablets,” he directed; The Grand Master. nodded to the orderly, who hurriedly seized the carton which had contained the gold, and departed on his mission. The Grand Master continued to smile. “Now,” said he, “‘the other package is for your own use on the Great Mission. Let me ‘see its contents.” Brettner openeda smaller package, and revealed a layer of white tablets each about the size of a pea, lying amid wrappers of cotton wool, “You will retain these for your own tse,” the Grand Master said: “You will rest for two hours; after which you are to depart in our fastest plane to the-capital of the greatest nation-in the world’”—he spoke ironically— “and destroy it.” Fred winced: “Does that constitute the Great Mis- sion?” he asked. The Grand Master: nodded: “Indeed !. And-until- you have. destroyed Washington completely and -returned here you shall not see your. Nawlia,. She is safe now}; but, unless: you carry out this mission-in good faith and return here, you shall never see her again, and—and she shall die a horrible death!” Fred parleyed for time: “Is there no way out of this —cannot we take this city. without -destroymg not only the government-of the United_States, but all:the people who live there?” The Grand Master's eyes blazed: “None!” he said firmly. “It is your mission to end«their lives. The leaders. of the nation must be killed, to demoralize it. Blow-the-city to the four winds, and make yourself one of the ‘greatest conquerors: of all time!” Fred bowed his head obediently. “Go, then!” said-the: ruler. “Before I go,” Fred: whispered, “I have some infor- mation for you-which I can give you only in the utmost privacy.” He looked significantly toward the brawny bodyguard of the Grand Master, standing at the door through which Brettner had:come. The Grand Master looked surprised. He pondered for a moment, then— “Granted,” he snapped. He turned to his guard. “See that we are not disturbed-until-I ring for you,” said the Grand Master. The guard bowed and-walked out. When they were alone the Grand Master turned to Fred. What he saw made his face turn-a ghastly white, Brettner held the Radium-Ray pistol in his hand pointed toward the potentate. His hand went out for the bell- button, but Fred’s voice stayed him. “One move means death, Mr, Grand Master. I will-teach you that one man cannot control the world. If that can be done, I’m the man! Prom-:now on you are to do as I say!” “You may die any minute,” said the Grand Master, his face pale, but still smiling. “No bluff!” Fred barked. “You will die first. One overt move and you die instantly !” “Well?” “Call in an orderly and tell him to release Miss Nadia Deneen and bring her here, If she is already dead, God help you.” The Grand Master pushed the button on the desk, Fred was watching him carefully, his keen eyes alert. Tue Enp As the orderly came in, Fred stood in a position which concealed- the gun, while the Grand Master ordered the man to bring-Nadia to the office. When he had gone Fred gave further- orders. There was a tense ten minutes of waiting before she came, her face terror-stricken. She stood staring be- tween the two men. With a-smile Brettner waited for the Grand Master to give his other orders to the henchman, “Have all planes take off with the explosives and cover all the cities,” the Mastersaid. “Then return to accompany this lady to a plane, and see that it is one airworthy for a cruise ashore.” Nadia’s eyes leaped with understanding. With a loving look at Fred, she ran toward him. When the orderly had disappeared Brettner snapped at the Grand Master, “Get over there in the corner, traitor to hu- manity! Stand where I can keep my eyes upon you and still kiss this young lady !”” Nadia then saw what had happened. She flew into Fred’s arms. “You wort suffer- any longer, darling,” he assured -her< “I’ve just conquered the Conquerors of the World!” She. held him:close, while -he kept free his right hand holding the Radium-Ray-~pistol pointed at the Grand Master. ‘The latter-at last realizing his. position, de- manded, “What are you going to do now, Captain?” Fred grinned and- walked’ closer. “T am-going to send Miss Nadia ashore for the help of the air service who shall hand you over to the arms of justice. True justice for you would mean the torttire of waiting days until-you should enter a disintegration room, such as you invented for the destruction of inno- cent men! But as itis; you will-get your deserts. Then I shall retire from the air and become-+-maybe a grower of flowers which I shall use to brighten the Light and Love-of my Life!” The Grand Master-interrupted: “Have you thought of all-those planes of destruction, Captain, which you just dispatched to the:greatest cities in the world!” he said, laughing madly, Nadia gave a°start. Fred smiled-as he told her of the terrific explosives and how he had sent those planes of destruction out to deal their worst. Nadia was amazedand terrified that this could be true, But-now she trusted him. “Have they—have they departed?” she asked breath- lessly. Fred's face suddenly became solemn. The Grand Master continued to laugh madly. ‘“‘Aha! Splendid, Captain!” he said. “You-are also an outlaw. I could not have done better myself: Your best move at present is to remain here and take over-my great program!” Nadia was persistent, “Have they: gone—to—to kill people—all over the country?” she asked. Fred’s face was solemn. “Yes, they’ve gone,” he said: “They've gone to fly over the greatest cities in the world.” He turned to the Grand Master, then, and his face broke into a smile. “But just think of all your planes dropping aspirin tablets over the country like a fleet of advertisers, and no one with the sign of a headache! You're a fine Con- queror. You have the whole world in your power, eh!” He would have gone on, but Nadia was kissing him. ~ comicbooks.com a eee ee ee : = : s ’