Air
Pilot
I la
V
" ,::' ' 1 ft
By Randall Parrish
Author of "Keith of the Border," "When Wilderness was King," Etc.
FTXOPSIfl. In (he smoking room of the Cedrlr, Hadlry, an amatenr aviator, tell of the mterlona disappearance of the Draaaud monoplane advertised to appear at the Chicago
Aviation Meet. It Hffnii that rhilllp lcaud. a French army officer, had made a nrw discovery in balancing anil a silent engine, which the secret agents of other nation were
after. Ho registered at the ( onirmn Hotel, km aaatgned j0 jwim and that was the iaat heard of him. After Hadlry ceased sneaking one of the gentlemen offered his card and
aid! Messieurs, I am I'hiliip Hcssaud. and smiling tell the atnryt He reached Chicago In the afternoon, drove with the French Consul to the Aviation grounds, found everything In
perfect condition, went back to the Congress Hotel, and while sitting In his mom the phono suddenly ran- and a lady's voice says, "I that yon, Phillip" Ho protested he did not
know Madrmemolselle. Khe replied. "Are yon not I'hiliip Hemtand, unite 1 M f Yea. Then meet me In front of the Art Htillding at dnk." A darkness fell he left the hotel, rarer
to learn what wa to befall him at the rendeivons. He went down Michigan avenue to the Art Building, where ho oon recognised the I.ady of the Violets. Hhe showed no aim
of recognition, and when spoken to she replied, "Von are not 1'hllip Houscr? "Yon called me I'hlllp I am 1'hlllp Ilnmaud." After dlsctaaslng their mistake, she told him She was
Helen ITohyn, a working girl, or reporter. They go off to some cafe, and when seated at the table she tells her stnrytl am a special writer on the lrcas and since meeting yon,
am sure there Is some conspiracy against yonr (internment. Yesterday a man came to the office and I took In the card of Johann llrandt to Mr. Hchmltt, the editor. They were
together for half an hoar and when he left the editor called me In and assigned me on the case. When there 1 saw a draft on Berlin Bank to Emll gchmltt, for one thousand dollars.
"Now I am on your side,' she said gravely. "That
is if you will accept of such an ally. You nerd not
hesitate," she added swiftly, "because I am & woman,
for I enn be of assistance, I know. You are a stranger
here, while I am acquainted with every street and
alley."
I Kneed into her face, unconsciously noting Its youth
ful rntliuism, and then about the room crowded with
guests. I could hardly comprehend the
seriousness of the situation, yet my mind
was busy with details. There was no
reason why I should not accept her state
ment, or share In her suspicions. I had
been warned before I left France, and
was fully aware of the precautions taken
at our military aviation meets to prevent
discoveries by English and flerman
agents. Beyond doubt I had been fol
lowed across the water, and the Im
portance of the quest was evidenced by
Hrnndt's being detailed to this service. He
was a trusted agent of his government,
with high rank in the secret service, and
it was not likrly he was alone. Indeed,
I already had proof of their careful
espionage in the fact that they knew all
my plans, and had arranged this trap.
What should I do now I was fore
warned? Should I Ignore the conspir
acy, or boldly confront the conspirators?
It was the soldier in me that responded,
for I was never a diplomat.
"This was not the place, then, where
you were to take me?"
"No, Monsieur; that was the Cafe
Francois."
"A French restaurant?" in surprise.
"In name, and pretense, only. Schmltt
probably believed you would be more
easily induced to go there. The placets
not of high repute, and Is conducted by
an Italian with a French chef. I have
never been there, but am told the other
employees are a motley set. What do
you think is best to do?"
"You are willing to trust yourself with
me?"
"Absolutely," and her eyes
met mine. "I know a man
when I meet one."
"Then," and I smiled genially,
"we will visit the Cafe Francois.
May I be permitted to smoke. Mademoiselle?"
. .V- ft' ' I
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the j
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ri k t N I JPT J ' - i I.-. .,iC- Hit A i
f , A --"SW -7-iff i
;,-'.'iH.,"fH
I heard an oath and the
sound of a blow.
HE told me about your machine, where
hangar was, and how it was guarded,
gave me the number of your suite at
hotel, and knew all about the orders of the
Consul. It was plain that ordinary newspaper methods
of approach would be vain, and he suggested and out
lined the plan I followed in making your acquaintance.
To me, at the time, it was merely a professional mat
ter, Monsieur I was sent out by the Press to gain
Information of interest to its readers. You under
stand?" "Perfectly," and I held out my hand to her across
the table. "However, your tale is of interest."
Her face lighted up, and there was greater confi
dence in the tone of her voice.
"I am glad you can say that, and show you mean
it," she said eagerly, and her fingers clasped mine just
for an Instant. "I I was actually afraid you might
think me a sneak, a spy. I am not, but did my part
Innocently. Yet, Monsieur, I began to doubt the fair
ness of this assignment the moment I came out of that
office. There were three things so peculiar as to at-
wm
Wt&f
war: ,
tract my attention the German draft, the fact that I
was not told to write a line for the paer regarding
my discoveries, and that all I was required to do was
to form your acquaintance, and then induce you to ac
company me to a designated place."
"There was to be no interview, no questioning?"
"Not by me. My understanding was Schniitt pro
posed attending to that himself. All he expected of
me was to induce you to appear where he was. I
was to le the stool-pigeon; that was what made me
rebellious and suspicious of the whole affair . It was
only womanly curiosity which led me to go this far,
and newspaer instinct, perhaps. I wanted to uncover
the story, and incidentally, discover what sort of man
you are."
"And now, Mademoiselle?"
She was the one to extend her hand frankly.
CHAPTER V
AT THK CAFK FRANCOIS
We walked, as the distance was not great, and neither
of us had any desire to attract attention, both realising
that the result of our adventure might prove unpleasant.
Indeed I rather regretted my decision, but lacked cour
age to confess as much while my companion remained
silent. I do not know the streets traversed, but as I
remember we proceeded for a block away from the lake
front, and then turned south. The lady spoke but once
of her own volition, and made very brief replies to my
efforts at being entertaining. It was after we had
walked south some distance, and pedestrians had be
come fewer, that she asked suddenly!