Air Wonder Stories, May 1930 — page 78: what you’re looking at

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

7 L AIR WONDER STORIES The Sky Ruler : , (Continued from page 1025) “But don’t fire upon her unless-it is to save our lives. If I had the plans in my possession I’d say ‘give her hell!’ But if we destroy the ship we destroy the plans. I must have one or the other!” The officers saluted and turned away. Lined on the deck on, both ends of the towering Magnetic Ray Projector, mounted’ anti-aircraft guns were ready for imstant action. CHAPTER VII An Astonishing Answer PEMHERE was something pitiful in the appearance of the | Sky Urchin-as it was drawn irresistably down toward the projection tower, tail fore-most, It seemed like a great, indomitable.monster that had given up a struggle in total exhaustion, like-a-sword-fish, tired out, rolling over -on its back and being drawn forward on a taut line. But the Sky Urchin had not rolled over in utter despair. It remained on even keel, though its tail pointed downward at a slight angle. uddenly possessed with-a growing fear that the Sky Ruler might destroy the great airship rather than submit to inevit- able apprehension, Professor Markleson groaned aloud. And there was no way in the world to prevent such a disaster should the adventurous pirate feel the urge-to release its gravity re- pellent and. crash it to earth or explode: its fuel stores! But, strangely, nothing like that occurred, ‘Not a sign of life existed upon the huge craft as the scientist studied her transparent bands with his-binoculars, The control cabin and the observa- tion compartments seemed utterly deserted. Slowly but surely the ship was being drawn down, as Jack Reeves. retracted the magnetic beam. Now she lay hardly more than a half mile away, glistening brilliantly in the rays of a westering sun. Then, to the astonishment of all who beheld the ship, a black dot appeared in the air directly under her. Almost instantly the dot. was swaying in the skies like a great pendulum, suspended mder a bulging parachute! Professor Markleson watched it through his glass. A man had left the Sky Urchin! Then another dot appeared, and another, each becoming suspended as their parachutes bulged open. .At once three high-powered police cars opened their deep-throated ex- hatists and roared away in the direction of the floating pirates. Hardly: had they disappeared from the isolated area than from the Sky Urchin came pouring a steady stream of machine gun slugs, They whined around the scientist like so. many bees. Then, as suddenly as they had come, the muffled throb of the guns ceased as a.row of dots appeared under the craft's belly, Mare parachutes bulged; but they carried their cargoes down to eager, waiting hands! The guus roared again, and the professor. stood calm-in a rain. of singing shells. They hummed melodies of death about his ears and spattered dirt everywhere as they plopped into the ground, only: fifty yards away, An anti-aircraft gum suddenly roared. A shell cracked fifty feet beyond the Sky Urchin. Markleson saw two more parachutes open under atmospheric resistance, Then another man leapt-from the Sky Urchin, The scientist watched him through his. glass. The man wore no, parachute! He thought that the man wore a tight-fitting fly- ing outfit of black—but he was not-sure. He could not: be~ lieve that the Sky Ruler would. elect to take his own life by suicide, The man could easily have destroyed himself instantly had he. elected to explode the Sky Urchin! A long time to think about death—falling. 2000 feet! The man tumbled, head over heels through the ait to vanish behind a bank of foliage a quarter of a mile away. Professor Markleson shuddered, imagining that he heard the dull thud of the body as it smashed. ee ee N hour Jater, tnerring steps drew. Professor Markleson to the Police morgue in Washington. Despite the fact that his brain pounded in protest, an irresistible something drew hint on with a foreé comparable to the magnetic beam that brought the Sky Urchin to rest its nose against Jack Reeves’ anchor- ing-projection tower. Was it the magnetism that exists be- tween two very dear friends that caused him to respond to the urge to visit the morgue? Or was it just morbid’ curiosity to learn if Doctor Mars Jorgstedt had died or was suffering the mortal agony of fatal injuries? Whatever it was, it attracted him, protestingly, to the forbidding gray building off the wide, traffic-jammed avenues, . He entered without a pause and was met by 2 blue-coated minion of the law. - “I am Professor. Markleson, Captain,” he said, his lips- trembling. “J want to see the man who killed himself by jumping out of the Sky Urchin today, I have a feeling that I might know him personally |” “Certainly, Professor!” the captain replied at once. “Go right in—first door to the left. But there’s another gent in there. He's a dead ringer for the poor devil!” “A dead ringer—do they have a close resemblance?” the scientist asked ‘strangely. He felt suddenly sick at heart, The captain grinned at him curiously. “Tf they’d been cast in the ‘same mold they couldn’t look more alike, Professor!” he replied. “Go on in!” Quietly the scientist swung open the door and entered. the first. room to the left. He paused-just inside, his hand still on the door knob, and stared from one ‘face to: another—the dead and the living! Then with a light step he strode to the side of his friend, Dr. Jorgstedt. “Will you ever forgive me, Doctor?” be said softly, ‘his face sad and forlorn, He placed an arm about the other’s shoulders and peered into the deep-set features of the: dead, broken man on the slab. He-wore neatly-trimmed whiskers, Van Dyke style. The scientist scrutinized the deep-set- features of his friend. A tear was streaming down the latter’s:tanned cheek. “Who is he, Doctor?” asked Markleson, “Do you know him?” The famous astronomer peered into his friend’s forlorn face. “Few people knew that I hada brother—a twin brother,” he replied, erasing the stinging tear with a shaking finger. “He was taken away from me about a year before you and I be- came acquainted, to be -placed in a house of correction until he was 21. Evil influences had got hold of him, and as he grew older he mired himself deep in crime, I have seen him but five times in fifteen years. The last time was two years — ago in Arizona, He swore to go straight, but on learning somehow of ydur wonderful ship, he must have succumbed again to an urgé for adventure. Consequently he lies here— on the last frontier—Death !” “Then you knew all along who had taken the Sky Urchin?” _ “No, not «til you explained your case of mistaken identity in: the lounge of the Scientists’ Club, my friend,” the astronomer replied. From sheer love for this brother I-could not tell you my secret then!” “You are to be admired: for your loyalty, Doctor, just for that!” Professor Markleson reached down and grasped his hand. “I’m sorry that it was I who caused his death.” “He did not blame-you! Nor did I! It was his own due reward!” said Dr. Jorgstedt sternly. ‘They found on him a letter addressed to me which told where the packet of papers holding your plans was to be fewnd. In his letter, he asked that you do not judge him teo harshly !” Professor Markleson nodded and grasped his friend warmly by the arm. They strode out of the room together and into the street amid the shrill-cries of the newsboys and the roar of traffic, hearing nothing, each was lost in his own thoughts! Tue Enp