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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4731775 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #50217 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50217) diff --git a/old/50217-h.zip b/old/50217-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 0d69aa6..0000000 --- a/old/50217-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/50217-h/50217-h.htm b/old/50217-h/50217-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 67bcaea..0000000 --- a/old/50217-h/50217-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5807 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=us-ascii" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Dave Dawson With the Pacific Fleet, by R. Sidney Bowen. - </title> - - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; -} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -.caption {font-weight: bold;} - -/* Images */ -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -/* Footnotes */ -.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} - -.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} - -.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} - -.fnanchor { - vertical-align: super; - font-size: .8em; - text-decoration: - none; -} - -div.titlepage { - text-align: center; - page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; -} - -div.titlepage p { - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0em; - font-weight: bold; - line-height: 1.5; - margin-top: 3em; -} - -.ph1, .ph2, .ph3, .ph4 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; } -.ph1 { font-size: xx-large; margin: .67em auto; } -.ph2 { font-size: x-large; margin: .75em auto; } -.ph3 { font-size: large; margin: .83em auto; } -.ph4 { font-size: medium; margin: 1.12em auto; } - - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Dave Dawson with the Pacific Fleet, by -Robert Sidney Bowen - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Dave Dawson with the Pacific Fleet - -Author: Robert Sidney Bowen - -Release Date: October 14, 2015 [EBook #50217] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DAWSON WITH THE PACIFIC FLEET *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="353" height="500" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>DAVE DAWSON<br /> -WITH THE PACIFIC FLEET</h1> - -<p><i>by</i> R. SIDNEY BOWEN</p> - -<p><i>Author of</i>: "DAVE DAWSON AT DUNKIRK"<br /> -"DAVE DAWSON WITH THE R. A. F."<br /> -"DAVE DAWSON IN LIBYA"<br /> -"DAVE DAWSON ON CONVOY PATROL"<br /> -"DAVE DAWSON, FLIGHT LIEUTENANT"<br /> -"DAVE DAWSON AT SINGAPORE"</p> - - -<p>CROWN PUBLISHERS</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">New York</span></p> - - -<p>COPYRIGHT, 1942, BY CROWN PUBLISHERS<br /> -PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</p> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]</p> - -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CONTENTS</p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="contents"> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_ONE">CHAPTER ONE</a></td><td align="left">ORDER FOR EAGLES</td> <td align="right">9</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_TWO">CHAPTER TWO</a></td><td align="left">CENTER OF THE WORLD</td> <td align="right">21</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_THREE">CHAPTER THREE</a></td><td align="left">SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT</td> <td align="right">32</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_FOUR">CHAPTER FOUR</a></td><td align="left">DEATH IN THE PACIFIC</td> <td align="right">47</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_FIVE">CHAPTER FIVE</a></td><td align="left">SILENT WINGS</td> <td align="right">58</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_SIX">CHAPTER SIX</a></td><td align="left">MIDNIGHT MENACE</td> <td align="right">69</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_SEVEN">CHAPTER SEVEN</a></td><td align="left">PILOT'S LUCK</td> <td align="right">81</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_EIGHT">CHAPTER EIGHT</a></td><td align="left">NOBODY'S AIRPORT</td> <td align="right">94</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_NINE">CHAPTER NINE</a></td><td align="left">RESCUE WINGS</td> <td align="right">108</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_TEN">CHAPTER TEN</a></td><td align="left">VULTURE'S NEST</td> <td align="right">121</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_ELEVEN">CHAPTER ELEVEN</a></td><td align="left">A LITTLE BIT OF ENGLAND!</td> <td align="right">131</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_TWELVE">CHAPTER TWELVE</a></td><td align="left">WESTWARD TO WAR</td> <td align="right">149</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_THIRTEEN">CHAPTER THIRTEEN</a></td><td align="left">DEATH STRIKES OFTEN</td> <td align="right">161</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_FOURTEEN">CHAPTER FOURTEEN</a></td><td align="left">INVISIBLE WALLS</td> <td align="right">174</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_FIFTEEN">CHAPTER FIFTEEN</a></td><td align="left">BATTLE STATIONS</td> <td align="right">187</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_SIXTEEN">CHAPTER SIXTEEN</a></td><td align="left">WATER RATS</td> <td align="right">201</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_SEVENTEEN">CHAPTER SEVENTEEN</a></td><td align="left">EAGLE MADNESS</td> <td align="right">219</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_EIGHTEEN">CHAPTER EIGHTEEN</a></td><td align="left">DEATH HATES TO LOSE</td> <td align="right">233</td></tr> -</table></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h1>DAVE DAWSON -<br />WITH THE PACIFIC FLEET</h1> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_ONE" id="CHAPTER_ONE">CHAPTER ONE</a><br /> -<small><i>Order For Eagles</i></small></h2> - - -<p>Very much like a little boy who is seeing his first Christmas tree, -Freddy Farmer stared pop-eyed out the Clipper's lounge window and down -at the man-made magic that was New York City. For a full five minutes -he had been gaping at the sight, not moving a muscle, not making a -sound, and practically holding his breath all of the time. At his side -and with an arm thrown across the English-born R.A.F. ace's shoulders -was Dave Dawson, grinning from ear to ear, and getting the kick of his -life out of the spell that a first look at Gotham had cast upon his -bosom pal, and hard-hitting flying partner.</p> - -<p>Finally he couldn't wait any longer to hear what Freddy had to say.</p> - -<p>"Well?" he encouraged.</p> - -<p>"Well, what?" Freddy murmured in little more than a whisper.</p> - -<p>"What do you think of the old town, huh?" Dave asked with a happy -chuckle.</p> - -<p>The English youth blinked, swallowed hard, and gave a little uncertain -shake of his head.</p> - -<p>"Unbelievable, incredible!" he finally got out. "Are—are those really -buildings down there? The New York skyscrapers I've heard so much -about?"</p> - -<p>By way of making his question clear, Freddy pointed at the towering -heaps of stone that formed the Wall Street and midtown sections of the -city. Dave squinted down and grunted.</p> - -<p>"Those little shacks?" he echoed. "Why, those are just the little huts -where the poor people live. Wait until you see the real buildings. How -high are we, anyway? Hope the pilot of this thing stays over three -thousand feet. Be tough to smack into a skyscraper, you know."</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer snorted and dug an elbow into Dawson's ribs.</p> - -<p>"Oh, come off it, funny lad!" he snapped. "That one wasn't even worth -a quiet smile. Point out some of the buildings, will you? The Empire -State Building. Where is it, anyway?"</p> - -<p>Dawson pointed it out to his friend, and then went on to point out many -of the other buildings of Manhattan that were famous the world around.</p> - -<p>"But the Empire State tops them all," he said at the end of his little -tourist guide speech. "Funny thing about it, though. The Empire State -is the tallest building in the world, but it's not the highest. Ever -realize that?"</p> - -<p>Freddy took his eyes off the view just long enough to give him a -quizzical stare.</p> - -<p>"The tallest, but not the highest?" he said. "What kind of rubbish is -that?"</p> - -<p>"It's a fact," Dawson said gravely. "Didn't you know you've got -buildings in England higher than the Empire State?"</p> - -<p>The English youth sighed and gave a little shrug of his shoulders.</p> - -<p>"I always felt there was something funny about America," he grunted. -"But I never knew that seeing your homeland affected you Yanks this -way. We have buildings in England taller than your Empire State? What -utter rubbish!"</p> - -<p>"I didn't say taller, I said <i>higher</i>!" Dawson chuckled. "Take the city -hall out in Denver, Colorado. Denver's a mile above sea level, but New -York is just about sea level. Catch on? The Denver City Hall is over -four thousand feet <i>higher</i> than the Empire State. Try that on your -friends when you get back to England."</p> - -<p>"Blasted likely I will!" Freddy snorted. "They'd have me locked up sure -for a balmy one. But don't talk about getting back to England. Good -grief! I've only just arrived in America. And speaking of coming to -America, I'd certainly like to know—"</p> - -<p>"Yeah, me too," Dave cut in, and suddenly leaned closer to the window -glass. "Hello, Sweetheart!" he cried, and threw a kiss. "Have you been -lonesome for me, Sweet? Well, here I am, Precious. And am I tickled -pink to see you!"</p> - -<p>As Dawson talked and went through the motions of throwing kisses, -Freddy Farmer paled slightly and glanced anxious-eyed about the -Clipper's lounge to see if any of the other passengers were watching. -They weren't, however. They were all too busy filling their own eyes -with New York. Finally Freddy turned back to Dave.</p> - -<p>"Are you all right, Dave?" he asked. "Not air sick, or anything? Then -for pity's sake, stop all this rot! Where in the world do you think you -are? On the stage? And what in heaven's name are you acting out?"</p> - -<p>"Acting nothing!" Dawson snapped. "The real thing, pal! I'm just saying -hello to my girl, my sweetheart. I haven't seen her for a couple of -years, you know. There she is down there. See her?"</p> - -<p>The English youth looked eagerly out the window again, but his -eagerness disappeared at once, and he groaned softly.</p> - -<p>"As though you could see anybody from this height!" he growled. "You've -just gone plain balmy with joy at being back in your own country. But -I'm telling you right now that if you keep it up, I'm going to quit you -and go back to England even if I have to swim it. Frankly, I think I -must have been a little balmy myself to have come over here with you in -the first place. See your girl waiting for you? Rot! Matter of fact, I -recall your telling me that you didn't have any girl."</p> - -<p>"I haven't," Dawson said with a grin. "Only this lady is very special. -She's the sweetheart of every returning American. Always waits in the -same place, holding up a torch so you can find your way in. There she -is, down there. See her? Over two million Yanks threw goodbye and hello -kisses at her in the last war. She was born in France, but she's been -Yank ever since the day she came over. Freddy, meet my very special -sweetheart. Isn't she something, though?"</p> - -<p>Pulling the English youth closer to the window, Dave Dawson pointed a -finger down at the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. Freddy stared -at it long and silently. Then presently he nodded and smiled at Dawson.</p> - -<p>"No, I guess you're not so balmy as I thought," he said. "I see what -you mean and I quite agree. She is, indeed, the sweetheart of all you -Yank chaps. She stands for the most cherished thing in all of your -great country: Liberty!"</p> - -<p>"Yes," Dave said gravely. "And I hope and pray that before long what -she stands for will extend around the world and to each of the Poles."</p> - -<p>"Amen!" Freddy Farmer breathed softly. Then, as his young face grew -hard and grim: "It will come, Dave. Maybe you, and I, and thousands of -chaps like us, may not live to see it. But it will come, just as sure -as there is a sun in the heavens by day, and stars by night. I'm not -one of those heavy-thinking blokes who can spill out wonderful words -by the yard, but ever since this blasted mess started I haven't once -had even the tiniest feeling that Hitler and his murderers would win in -the end. And now that the United States is in it, I simply feel that -victory will be ours just that much sooner."</p> - -<p>"Feel the same way," Dave murmured, and stared unseeing out the window. -"But it's going to be a scrap, and a tough one. Those dirty Japs got -the jump on us. And they're in high gear right now, while Uncle Sam is -still shifting into first. But it won't be long before the old guy with -the whiskers gets rolling. And when he does, Mr. Jap, and Adolf, and -Muzzy the Fuzzy, you're going to catch it from all sides—and plenty! -And—Hold everything! I sound like a Congressman dedicating a post -office, or something. Let's change the subject. Gosh, Freddy, but you -look funny in civilian clothes."</p> - -<p>"Oh, do I?" the English youth flared up and flushed. "Well, let me tell -you, my little man, you'd never take any prizes at a fashion show for -men. You'd—"</p> - -<p>"Get down off your ear, pal!" Dave stopped him with a chuckle. "I -didn't mean that the way you took it. I mean that I've been so used -to seeing you in uniform that it seems sort of cockeyed to see you in -civies. They're a swell fit, and you'll knock the ladies of Broadway -and Fifth Avenue for a loop. So don't get hot under the collar."</p> - -<p>"Well, that's a little better!" Freddy growled. Then, with a sheepish -grin: "To tell the truth, I feel just as strange as I must look. It's -really a very nice suit of clothes, but I feel all out of place wearing -it. That is—"</p> - -<p>"I know what you mean," Dave chuckled. "Feel that way, too. As if a -Wing Commander, or somebody, were liable to pop up out of nowhere and -bawl the pants off me for not being dressed for a rush take-off and a -scramble. Well, anyway, never a dull moment for us, hey, Freddy?"</p> - -<p>The English youth laughed and shook his head, then ran a fingertip -along the bottom of the window and furrowed his brows in a puzzled -scowl.</p> - -<p>"No, never a dull moment," he said. "But I wish that some of those -moments could be explained to us now and then. I—well, I don't mean -anything against America, Dave. And I'm certainly willing and anxious -to go wherever I'm ordered. But—well, you've got oodles and oodles of -pukka pilots over here. Why should we be sent over here to instruct? -After the Singapore business, why were we recalled to England and then -sent out here? Why not to some other Front? Russia, or Libya, or right -where we were in the Far East?"<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> - -<p>"<i>Instruct?</i>" Dave echoed sharply, and gave his pal a keen look. "What -do you mean, instruct? Were you told something I wasn't told? Holy -tripe! If they make a darned instructor out of me, I'll wreck every -ship until they realize I'm no good at that sort of thing. Instruct? -Why, doggone it, I—"</p> - -<p>"I say, don't go sailing off your topper!" Freddy cried in alarm. -"Nobody told me anything. I simply said instruct, because I'm blessed -if I can think of any other reason why the Air Ministry should send us -over here."</p> - -<p>"Instruct!" Dave groaned and made a face. "Gosh! Have you spoiled my -homecoming by bringing that up. But, heck, Freddy! You must be all -wet on that idea. Why ship us halfway around the world to teach Yank -fledglings how to fly? That doesn't make sense. Why not at least send -us straight to Canada?"</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer pursed his lips and looked thoughtful. But there was a -very impish look in his eyes that Dave missed completely.</p> - -<p>"Well, of course you're very famous," Farmer murmured. "You have quite -a record for bringing down Nazi planes. British ones, too. Crashes, -and rotten landings, you know. Come to think of it, perhaps it's -because of those crashes."</p> - -<p>"Crashes!" Dawson cried as his eyes flashed. "Listen, you little wing -crumpler! For every crate I've busted up, you've—"</p> - -<p>"No doubt Churchill got in touch with your President," the English -youth went on as though he hadn't been interrupted. "They often -talk with each other by trans-oceanic phone, I understand. Perhaps -right after Pearl Harbor, Churchill called up and said, 'I say, Mr. -President! That chap, Dave Dawson—he's one of you Yanks, you know.' -And your President said, 'Oh, yes, Dawson. Has that blighter crashed -again, Mr. Prime Minister?' To which Churchill replied, 'Can't say, Mr. -President. Haven't looked over the R.A.F. flight reports for the day -yet. It's quite likely, though. But what I called about, Mr. President: -Now that you're in this war, do you think you could take the little -beggar off our hands? Our aircraft production is on the rise, but—'"</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer cut off the last as he suddenly realized that he was only -talking to the Clipper's window. He swung around on his heel, gulped, -and blushed to the roots of his hair. Dave Dawson and some dozen other -passengers of the Clipper were standing there in a group smiling at him.</p> - -<p>"It's the altitude, ladies and gentlemen," Dave said loudly. "On the -ground he's really quite a nice guy. But go on, Freddy. I didn't mean -to interrupt. Sorry."</p> - -<p>His whole face on fire, Freddy Farmer took a step forward, fists -bunched. Then he quickly relaxed, and grinned.</p> - -<p>"Fancy I asked for it," he said. Then, with a grave bow at the other -passengers, he added, "It's undoubtedly the truth, though. He has -crashed more than any other pilot in the R.A.F. Just look at his face. -Nothing but countless crashes could make it look like that. I ask you!"</p> - -<p>"Okay, that evens up!" Dave cried, as everybody joined in the laugh. -"But you sounded as if you were set for hours."</p> - -<p>At that moment the steward came into the lounge and requested the -passengers to take their seats while the landing was being made. As -Dave dropped into his seat next to Freddy, a tingle of excitement -quivered through his body, and his heart started whanging around in his -chest like a broken piston rod. Back home! Back home to the good old -U.S.A. He still could hardly believe that it was true. It was more like -living out a dream—a wonderful, joy-filled dream. He was afraid that -almost any second he would wake up and find himself back in his hut at -some Royal Air Force Fighter Squadron in England, or Egypt, or India, -or the Far East.</p> - -<p>"But it's not a dream, it's true!" he heard his own voice mutter -softly. "And that's just <i>why</i> it doesn't make sense! Why <i>should</i> it -be true? Why <i>did</i> the Air Ministry send Freddy and me over here?"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_TWO" id="CHAPTER_TWO">CHAPTER TWO</a><br /> -<small><i>Center Of The World</i></small></h2> - - -<p>As the giant Pan-American Clipper went sliding down toward the landing -basin off LaGuardia Field, that question sounded again and again in -Dave's brain like a tolling bell. But each time he could think of no -answer that seemed reasonable or logical. And each time he groped for -the answer, he mentally kicked himself for not having taken the bull by -the horns and found out a few things when he had the chance.</p> - -<p>That chance had come just a few days ago; two days after he and Freddy -had returned from their special assignment in the Singapore area of -the war. They hadn't been appointed to any squadron upon their arrival -in London. Fact was, they had been given a week's leave to enjoy -themselves in the war-torn but still very much chin-up city. They did -have fun for two days. Then came the order to report to a certain -room at the Air Ministry. It turned out to be the office of Air -Vice-Marshal Stoneham, in charge of Active Service Personnel.</p> - -<p>For the first few minutes the high ranking Air Ministry official had -inquired about their health, how they liked being back in London, and a -lot of other things that were of equal "value" in waging a winning war. -Then suddenly he had informed them that they were leaving the next day -for the United States. It was with great difficulty that they kept from -toppling right out of their chairs. And while each struggled to catch -his breath and gain control of his tongue, the Air Vice-Marshal had -gone on to say that they would fly to Lisbon by British Airways, and -from Lisbon to New York by Pan-American Clipper. Upon arriving at New -York they would be met by a member of the British Embassy at Washington -who would escort them to the Nation's Capital.</p> - -<p>"So there you are, Flight Lieutenants," the Air Vice-Marshal had -finished up with a smile while they still tried to get their feet back -on the ground. "You can pick up traveling vouchers and what-not on the -way out. Good luck, and happy landings, and all that sort of thing. -Certainly wish I were going along with you. Wonderful country, America. -Of course it isn't England, but it's still quite all right, no end."</p> - -<p>Perhaps fifteen seconds after that, Dave and Freddy found themselves -accepting travel vouchers and other papers from a junior officer. And -another couple of minutes after that they found themselves out on -the street and headed back toward their hotel. Gosh, yes! He should -have asked a few questions of that Air Vice-Marshal when he had the -chance. But that had been the trouble. He hadn't had the chance. Things -had happened with such startling suddenness and rapidity that—well, -<i>bingo</i>, he and Freddy were on the Clipper flying west.</p> - -<p>"I wish I hadn't even said it!"</p> - -<p>Dave snapped out of his old thought trance and glanced at Freddy Farmer.</p> - -<p>"Wish you hadn't said what?" he demanded.</p> - -<p>The English youth sighed, made a face, and gestured with one hand.</p> - -<p>"That bit about us coming over here to instruct American fledglings," -he said. "The more I think of it, the more I'm afraid that it just -might be true. That would be terrible, Dave. Not that I don't want to -do everything possible to help, you understand. But instruct? I'd be -perfectly rotten at that game. I'm sure of it!"</p> - -<p>"Me too!" Dawson groaned as his heart started sinking again. "And it -would just be my luck to get some student who didn't know a flat spin -from a three dollar hat. But I'm sure it can't be that. Heck! Let's -look at the bright side. Maybe they've sent us over here to take charge -of American war flying."</p> - -<p>"Hardly!" Freddy said with a chuckle. "After all, the United Nations -really are very keen to <i>win</i> the war, you know. And with you—"</p> - -<p>"Skip it!" Dave cut in. "I was only trying to make conversation."</p> - -<p>"Don't bother," Freddy murmured, and looked out the window. "It's quite -interesting enough to watch one of these big ladies come down and land. -Phew! That LaGuardia Field is certainly a big place, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"Fair, just fair," Dave grunted. "It's really just one of our emergency -fields, you know. Why, we've got airports over here that are so big -that they serve breakfast at the start of the take-off and lunch when -the transport passes over the far end of the field. And—"</p> - -<p>"And glide from there to a landing on the next airport, eh?" Freddy -Farmer grunted.</p> - -<p>"You're learning too fast," Dave said with a grin. "I wonder who'll -meet us."</p> - -<p>"<i>I</i> wonder if he'll be able to tell us anything!" Freddy added. "For -two pennies I'd refuse to budge an inch until I'm told what this is all -about."</p> - -<p>"Do that and you'll <i>be told</i>!" Dave said with a chuckle. "But not the -way you think, sweetheart. Ah, nice! A sweet landing, that one. These -Clipper captains sure know their onions when it comes to over-water -flying. Well, there's the dock, and customs shed. And I wonder who -in that crowd is our welcoming committee. Gee! I hope we can spend a -little while in New York so I can show you off to the natives."</p> - -<p>"Never mind the natives," Freddy said as the huge Clipper was mushed -through the water toward the landing dock. "I'll be perfectly content -to see the sights."</p> - -<p>"And I'm just the guy who can show them to you," Dave said. "Right from -the Battery up to the Bronx Zoo. No. Nix on the Bronx Zoo. Can't take -chances."</p> - -<p>"Chances on what?" Freddy said as he walked into it with both eyes shut.</p> - -<p>"The chances of coming out with the wrong baboon," Dave replied -instantly.</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer swung but missed by a mile. Dave had caught up his -bag and was out of his seat and heading forward. Five minutes later -they had cleared customs and were standing on American soil. They -stood there for a minute wondering if the party who was supposed to -meet them had missed connections, and if they should go on into the -Administration Building waiting room and kill time until he showed up. -However, they had hardly started wondering when a neatly dressed man -approached them with a smile. One look and you practically saw the map -of England stamped on his ruddy face. He wore civilian clothes, but it -was easy to see that he was more accustomed to a uniform.</p> - -<p>"Flight Lieutenants Dawson and Farmer, eh?" he said, and extended -his hand. Then, before they could do no more than nod: "I'm Captain -Smith-Standers, attached to the military mission at Washington. The -welcoming committee, and all that sort of thing. Have a nice trip, -what?"</p> - -<p>"A swell one, thanks, Captain," Dave said. "Sure seems good to get -back. Of course, Farmer, here, was a little worried coming across. Not -used to flying, you know. But we've got a million questions to ask you, -Captain. And the first is—"</p> - -<p>Dave stopped as the British officer shook his head and raised a -restraining hand.</p> - -<p>"Don't even bother to ask the first one, you chaps," he said with a -laugh. "I'm blessed if I know what the answer is. I was simply ordered -to pop up here and pop you two back to Washington. But I say, you mean -you don't know why you're here, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Quite!" Freddy spoke up. "We haven't the faintest idea. And I can -tell you it's been driving us balmy wondering on the way across. Air -Vice-Marshal Stoneham simply gave us our traveling vouchers and shooed -us out of Air Ministry."</p> - -<p>"Well, that's the way they do things these days," the Captain said with -a shrug. "Very hush-hush, you know. But you'll find out everything -presently, I fancy. I say, do you want something to eat before we push -along? We've forty minutes or so before the plane leaves."</p> - -<p>"Hey!" Dave yelped. "What do you mean, push along? Farmer, here, isn't -going to have a look at New York?"</p> - -<p>"Only from the air," the other said with a smile. "I'm to take you to -Washington on the very next plane. Perhaps some other time, though. -Let's get along, shall we?"</p> - -<p>Dave looked at Freddy and shook his head sadly.</p> - -<p>"We're either a couple of very important guys," he grunted, "or else -somebody doesn't trust you on Fifth Avenue, even under my watchful eye."</p> - -<p>"Or else it's to be a court martial, and I'm here as a witness -<i>against</i> you!" Freddy snapped. "Which I sincerely hope!"</p> - -<p>"Well, you two can carry on with that rot aboard the plane," the -Captain said. "Come along. But tell me, how are things in London? -Marvelous place, America, but how I wish I were back there. Feel -just like I'd run away from the home chaps. Have the Jerries really -been letting London alone? The War Office communiques are so blasted -uninforming, you know."</p> - -<p>That started the two R.A.F. youths off, and by the time they woke up -to realize they hadn't asked Captain Smith-Standers a single other -question about their status, they had landed at Washington, and -were on their way by car to the British Embassy. There they met the -Ambassador, and even had lunch with him and his subordinates. It was a -very wonderful luncheon, and the conversation was highly interesting -to them both. They were treated almost like returning heroes—rather, -visiting ones. However, not one word was dropped that gave them so much -as an inkling as to why they were in Washington. And although they were -both fairly exploding inside with questions, they had sense enough to -keep their mouths shut, and wait.</p> - -<p>They had to wait until late in the afternoon. Then Captain -Smith-Standers escorted them out of the Embassy and into a waiting -car. It whizzed them halfway across Washington to a building that was -perhaps the most unimposing of all the heaps of Government marble and -stone in the whole city. He got out of the car with them, and walked -with them up the flight of stone steps as far as the door. There he -stopped, and extended his hand.</p> - -<p>"Well, I fancy we part for good now, chaps," he said, and smiled at -them out of eyes that held just a trace of awe and admiration. "Been -wonderful meeting you, and all that sort of thing. Good luck, and -worlds of it to you both."</p> - -<p>"Sure, thanks," Dave gulped. "And the same to you. But look—what's -this place, anyway? And what do we do now? I've seen better jails than -this."</p> - -<p>"Quite!" Freddy Farmer breathed. "Did we do something wrong at the -Embassy? I say, can't you tell us anything?"</p> - -<p>"Sorry," the British captain said with a smile and a shake of his head. -"Fact is, there isn't anything I could tell you. I've been here before, -though, and it's no jail. Wish the devil I was in your shoes. Well, I -must trot. Go inside. You're expected. And—and good luck!"</p> - -<p>Captain Smith-Standers shook hands with them again, saluted, though he -still wore civies, turned on his heel and went down the steps to the -car. Dave and Freddy watched the car drive away, then turned and stared -at each other.</p> - -<p>"Have you ever been cockeyed drunk, Freddy?" Dave suddenly blurted out.</p> - -<p>"No, never," the English youth replied. "Have you?"</p> - -<p>"No," Dave grunted.</p> - -<p>"Then why do you ask?" Freddy demanded.</p> - -<p>"Just wondering," Dave murmured, and reached for the handle of the -door. "Just wondering if it makes you feel the way I do now. In sixteen -million pieces, and every doggone thing upside down. Well, I suppose -this is our next move, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Fancy it is," Freddy replied with a shrug and a frown. "So open the -blasted door, and let's go in."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_THREE" id="CHAPTER_THREE">CHAPTER THREE</a><br /> -<small><i>Special Assignment</i></small></h2> - - -<p>The first thing the two R.A.F. aces saw as they opened the door and -stepped inside was a long badly lighted corridor. It was more of a -lobby; the lobby of an office building that hadn't been used for -quite some time. The second thing they saw was the figure of a man in -civilian clothes who seemed to pop out of nowhere and advance toward -them. He was a nice enough looking man, about middle age, and with just -the faintest hint of the military about him. He fixed them both with a -keen searching stare, then seemed to relax a bit, and smiled.</p> - -<p>"Dawson and Farmer?" he murmured. And without waiting for either of -them to so much as nod: "Come along with me."</p> - -<p>They followed him over to an elevator bank, and into the nearest car. -Without speaking a word, or even so much as looking at them, the man -took them up six floors. Dave studied the man hard, and the result of -his study netted him just one thing. The man wore a shoulder holster, -and there was a gun in it.</p> - -<p>At the sixth floor he stopped the car, opened the doors, and stepped -out, crooking his finger. They went down a hall halfway to the rear -wall of the building, and stopped before a door. The man pressed a -button three times, then twice more, and then looked at them as the -latch made a clicking sound.</p> - -<p>"Go on in," he said. "They're waiting for you. Good luck!"</p> - -<p>"Same to you," Dave grunted. "What is it, a new slogan for the war? -Everybody's been wishing us good luck. But for what, for cat's sake? Do -you—?"</p> - -<p>"Inside," the man cut him off, but grinned. "I only work here. -Good—No, make it 'happy landings,' for you two."</p> - -<p>For a brief instant Dave had the wild impulse to stand his ground and -get a few explanations before he took another step in this seemingly -screwball journey that had begun outside Air Vice-Marshal Stoneham's -Air Ministry Office. However, he killed the desire even as it was born, -and after a quick side glance at Freddy, twisted the door handle and -stepped inside.</p> - -<p>He had no idea what he expected to find inside, and what he did find -had all the effect of a bucket of ice water dumped down over jangling -nerves. In short, inside was just a rather dusty room, a desk, a chair, -and another man in civilian clothes sitting in the chair. Oh yes, there -were some cleaning mops, and a couple of pails in one corner. And on -the left wall was a calendar of the year before, torn off only as far -as the month of April. There was a door on the right, and the man -behind the desk pointed at it.</p> - -<p>"Through there, Gentlemen," he said, and immediately returned to a book -he was reading.</p> - -<p>Dave hesitated, clenched his fists, and groaned inwardly.</p> - -<p>"Am I getting tired of doors!" he grated. "What in thunder gives around -here, anyway?"</p> - -<p>The man reading the book looked up and pointed again.</p> - -<p>"Through there," he said, and went back to his book.</p> - -<p>Dave and Freddy walked over to the door, but when he reached it, Dave -stepped to one side.</p> - -<p>"Your turn," he said, and stabbed a thumb at the knob. "Maybe you'll -have better luck."</p> - -<p>Freddy shrugged, cast a quick apprehensive look back over his shoulder -at the man reading the book, and then turned the knob and pushed open -the door. And he did have better luck. The room they entered was huge -in size, and it contained so much stuff, and so many things, that it -was impossible for either Dave or Freddy to concentrate on anything -for several seconds. But by that time a tall, thin-faced man in shirt -sleeves had risen from a desk and come over.</p> - -<p>"Glad to meet you, Dawson and Farmer," he said in a quiet but warm -voice. "I'm Colonel Welsh. Come in. We've been waiting for you."</p> - -<p>If the man had introduced himself as Santa Claus Dave couldn't have -been more dumbfounded. Colonel Welsh was the man who made U. S. Army -and Navy Intelligence click. He was in charge of the intelligence work -of both services, and—in a vastly different way, of course—he had as -much power in the United States as Himmler had in Nazi Germany. Perhaps -no more than a dozen people knew what he was, for he acted as a colonel -of infantry as well. But that job was simply a cover for his real work. -He was seen and known as Colonel Welsh, of infantry, but few people -knew that he was the same mysterious Colonel Welsh who was in charge -of all U. S. Intelligence.</p> - -<p>But it wasn't so much meeting the man that caused Dave to gasp and -stare hard as it was the man's looks. His thin face had a nice smile, -but beyond that you somehow didn't expect him even to know the time of -day. The eyes had a dreamy, almost vacant look in their depths, the -lips of the mouth had a dopey downward droop, and the chin was too -pointed, and sort of too country parson looking.</p> - -<p>"That's all right," the man suddenly said with a chuckle. "I've had -this face all my life, so I'm used to it. Don't worry, I won't bite -you."</p> - -<p>Dave flushed to the roots of his hair and heartily wished there were a -hole in the floor into which he could jump.</p> - -<p>"I'm sorry, sir," he managed to stammer. "You see—well, Farmer and -I have been going around in circles ever since we left England. -And—well, it's sort of caught us off balance, if you know what I mean."</p> - -<p>"I understand perfectly," the U. S. Intelligence chief said kindly. -"Coming here must make a fellow feel he is acting out one of those -crazy pulp paper thrillers. You know: secret doors, and special -code-words. Well, we're not as bad as that. However, we find it -does help to play just a little on the mysterious side. These are -the offices we use when we have work to do. Those over in the War -Department Building are just for show. Fact is, I personally would go -crazy with all the silly trimmings they have over there. But pardon me. -I want you to meet my comrades in this daffy business."</p> - -<p>Colonel Welsh turned and led them over to a desk so big that it could -have easily been cut up into five desks of the usual size. Three men -were seated at the desk, and they pushed up from their chairs as the -Colonel and the two youths approached.</p> - -<p>"Captain Lamb," the Colonel said, pointing to a chunky redhead. -"Next to him, Captain Stacey. And that chap who's as thin as I am is -Lieutenant Caldwell, our coding expert. Gentlemen, Flight Lieutenants -Dawson and Farmer."</p> - -<p>Dave and Freddy shook hands with the other officers, and then dropped -into chairs the Colonel pulled up. It was not until then that Dave -had an opportunity to take a good look about him, and what he saw set -his blood to tingling through his veins, and his heart to pounding -against his ribs. He had often been inside the inner offices of -British Intelligence, and on each occasion he had been stunned by the -number of gadgets of all sorts, and the vast array of equipment they -were used to operate. But the stuff he stared at now put the British -equipment in the shade. There was every conceivable piece of equipment -from ultra-ray flashlights to giant X-ray machines. One whole wall -was lined with telephones and short wave radios for both sending and -receiving. And along another wall was a row of file cabinets that -operated electrically. One had only to push a file button, and the -correct drawer slid open and the exact file folder shot up out of -its clamps. In truth, Dave believed that Colonel Welsh had at his -fingertips complete information of everyone of importance in the war, -and that within a matter of seconds he could establish contact with any -one of his agents, no matter in what part of the globe he might be. -And those two items were but two of the many, many things that could -be made possible with the equipment in that huge room. It was like the -mechanical wizardry of Scotland Yard and the F.B.I. all set up in the -same room.</p> - -<p>"Interesting stuff, isn't it, Dawson?"</p> - -<p>Dave turned his head to see Colonel Welsh grinning at him. He blushed -slightly, and nodded.</p> - -<p>"It certainly is, sir," he said politely. "A fellow could have some fun -in this place."</p> - -<p>"Depends on what you call fun," the Intelligence officer said with a -grimace. "There's been more than one death warrant issued from this -place. However, you're not here to be taught how to handle this stuff. -Matter of fact, though, I suppose you're wondering just why you are -here, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Decidedly, sir!" Freddy Farmer fairly exploded the words.</p> - -<p>"And how!" Dave echoed. "If I don't find out something, and soon, I'm -going to dive right out a window, and end it all. For three days, sir, -Farmer and I have been living a crazy, cockeyed dream. Maybe it's a -nightmare, I don't know. But if you can possibly give us an inkling -what it's all about, then consider me down on my knees and begging you -to do just that! Honest! I don't know whether I'm coming or going."</p> - -<p>The Colonel and the others joined in a loud laugh, and then presently -the senior officer's face grew serious.</p> - -<p>"You're here at my request, frankly," he said. "Here because I feel -that you're just the men we need to help us crack a few tough nuts. -Among those who came over with Prime Minister Churchill last December -was General Sir John Gately, chief of all British Intelligence. Perhaps -you know him?"</p> - -<p>"Only of him, sir," Dave replied. "I never had the pleasure of meeting -him. A wonderful man, though."</p> - -<p>"The very best England has," Freddy Farmer added. "I've never had the -chance to meet him, either."</p> - -<p>"Yes, Sir John is just about the best in England," Colonel Welsh said -with a firm nod. "We had several talks together, and he struck me as -being just about the most brilliant man I ever met. He has certainly -made it hot more than once for Herr Himmler's Gestapo boys. Well, to -get to the point, I talked over with him a plan I had in mind. After -a moment's thought he stated that you two were the type of men that -I need. Fact is, he said you were <i>the</i> two I needed. So there's a -mighty fine compliment for you. And let me hasten to add that it's a -compliment well deserved, in my opinion. This is the first time I've -met you, but your accomplishments in England and Libya and in the Far -East are no secrets to this office."</p> - -<p>Dave laughed embarrassedly and glanced at Freddy Farmer.</p> - -<p>"It was mostly Farmer, sir!" he said. "I usually went along just for -the ride."</p> - -<p>"Rot!" Freddy snorted, red-faced. "More often than not it was I who -blundered us right up a tree, and you got us out of the mess. Stop -being modest, my lad. You're in your own country, you know."</p> - -<p>"I'm pretty sure it was fifty-fifty," Colonel Welsh settled the -argument with a chuckle. "Anyway, you're the two lads I need, and here -you are. When Sir John and I reached an agreement about you, he simply -started the ball rolling, and without your knowing it you were released -from the R.A.F., and sent over to me. Right now you haven't any rank, -and you don't belong to any branch of service of any country. What do -you think of that?"</p> - -<p>Dave gulped and gave a little confused shake of his head.</p> - -<p>"What do I think of it?" he echoed. "I—well—well, it sounds as if we -were headed for a firing squad, or something."</p> - -<p>"Good grief, yes!" Freddy Farmer said in a hushed tone. "At least -that!"</p> - -<p>"Well, you can relax; there's no firing squad," Colonel Welsh chuckled. -Then as his chuckle died, and his face became grim: "At least not a -United Nations firing squad. But let's not think of it as even a remote -possibility. I mean, some Axis crowd putting you against a wall. Now, -here's the reason I had you sent over to me, and the plan I have in -mind."</p> - -<p>The chief of all U. S. Intelligence paused, and frowned off into space -for a moment as though deliberately choosing the words he would speak -next. Finally he brought his gaze back to Dave's and Freddy's faces.</p> - -<p>"There are over one hundred and thirty million people in this country," -he began slowly. "Over one hundred and thirty million men, women, and -children, who have the Constitutional right to be regarded as loyal -Americans—until proved otherwise. That for the moment is my biggest, -and toughest task: to find out who in our Army and Navy <i>isn't</i> a loyal -American. In short, to find out who is working for Berlin, and Rome, -and Tokio, instead of for Washington and Uncle Sam."</p> - -<p>The Colonel paused, clenched one fist, and a hard agate look came into -his dreamy eyes.</p> - -<p>"And we're starting off by not kidding ourselves about a single thing," -he said. "We know perfectly well that Hitler has some of his spies -planted right in our armed forces. Some are buck privates; some are -seamen, third class; and others hold commissions. It's not been made -known, and I hope it never will be, but only the other day we nailed -a Nazi spy who had actually graduated from West Point. So we're not -starting off on this gigantic spy hunt by kidding ourselves that the -Axis rats are all civilians living near munitions factories, or camps, -and that they only go slinking around corners, and down dark alleys. -No, none of that! We're going after this job just as though some of -them were in the White House, and in the Army and Navy Departments!"</p> - -<p>The Colonel paused again for breath and to make a little explanatory -gesture with his hands.</p> - -<p>"Don't misunderstand me," he continued presently. "Our idea isn't to -pull any of this Himmler stuff. I mean, fill the service branches with -Gestapo spies ready to cut some poor devil's throat because he gripes -at the way Hitler runs things. That isn't our idea at all. We're simply -going to try and ferret out the rats Hitler put in our Army and our -Navy. Now before you throw a fit wondering how just the two of you -could possibly handle a job that size, let me say that you're only -going to be given part of the job to do, a little at a time. And your -first assignment will be with the Pacific Fleet."</p> - -<p>The chief of U. S. Intelligence emphasized the last with a nod, and -then fell silent. Dave looked at the man, chewed his lower lip for a -moment, then started to speak, but thought better of it and closed his -mouth.</p> - -<p>"Go ahead, say it, Dawson," the Colonel encouraged. "I'm not through -yet, just pausing for breath. Go ahead. What's on your mind?"</p> - -<p>"I guess my mind's sort of spinning, but hard, if you want the truth," -Dave said. "Things are coming at me sort of in bunches. Naturally, -Farmer and I are eager and willing to take a good crack at any job -handed out to us. But—well, maybe Sir John blew us up to you too much. -I mean, we've done some Intelligence work on the other side, sure. And -we were lucky. But I don't rate us as experts. At least, I certainly -don't rate myself as an expert. I should think you'd have dozens of men -right in your own command who could do that sort of a job a darn sight -better than we could."</p> - -<p>"Quite! And definitely so!" Freddy Farmer echoed, and shifted nervously -in his chair.</p> - -<p>"Maybe," Colonel Welsh grunted. "Maybe not. The point is, I think not. -Certainly I've got some good men under my command. Mighty fine agents, -as far as that goes. But you two have something that unfortunately they -all lack. That's youth. Then there is another item, and it's probably -the most important item of all: the matter of whether or not Axis -agents <i>know who they are</i>. One of the inside stories of Pearl Harbor, -that may come out some day, is that Jap agents and Fifth Columnists -knew several of our Intelligence agents stationed in the Islands. -That's no reflection on our agents. The Japs just knew who they were, -that's all—and walked easy.</p> - -<p>"But your youth is important, too. Don't get sore, but looking at -you two, no one would suspect you were connected with Intelligence. -Frankly, you look like a couple of red-blooded kids who skipped away -and joined up before your parents could stop you. Holy smoke! Just -sitting here looking at you for the first time, it's mighty hard to -realize that you two youngsters pulled off all those wonderful stunts -on the other side. No, you can stop right there with that kind of -an argument. You're <i>just</i> the two I need for a job with the Pacific -Fleet. I'm completely convinced, and satisfied."</p> - -<p>Dave gave a little laugh and shrug.</p> - -<p>"Then I guess that's that," he said. "We're all for it, if you really -want us. What next? What exactly do you want us to do?"</p> - -<p>"I could say, the impossible, and I don't think I'd be very far wrong," -Colonel Welsh said gravely. "However, I'm going to hope for the -best—even believe in miracles, if I have to. And if there ever was a -miracle pulled off, it was that little stunt of yours in Belgium just -after the Dunkirk business."<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> - -<p>The Intelligence chief paused to nod for emphasis. Then he looked -across the huge desk at Captain Lamb.</p> - -<p>"Fish out that X-Four-Six-B case photo, will you?" he said. "I think as -a starter it would be good for Dawson and Farmer to have a good look at -it."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FOUR" id="CHAPTER_FOUR">CHAPTER FOUR</a><br /> -<small><i>Death In The Pacific</i></small></h2> - - -<p>The redheaded Captain nodded, and got up and walked over to the row of -files. Dave watched him and got a big kick as the officer jabbed one -of a row of buttons and then went back a step. There was a series of -clicks, then the file drawer slid noiselessly open, and a folder inside -popped up to Captain Lamb's outstretched hand. The instant he pulled it -out there were more clicks and the door slid silently shut again.</p> - -<p>"Good grief, magic!" Freddy Farmer gasped. "Just as though there were a -bloke inside waiting to hand it to him."</p> - -<p>"Just about that, yes," Colonel Welsh chuckled. "Now if we can only -work out some way for the file folders simply to <i>tell</i> us what they -contain, then we'll have something. That would save a lot of time."</p> - -<p>"But what would you do with all the time you saved?" Freddy asked -innocently.</p> - -<p>Colonel Welsh looked at Dave and winked.</p> - -<p>"Figure up something that would save us more time, I guess," he said. -"We Americans are all crazy, you know. Ah, thanks, Lamb."</p> - -<p>The Intelligence chief took the folder the redheaded captain handed -him, and thumbed through it for a moment. Then he pulled out a -photograph and placed it face up on the desk between Dave and Freddy.</p> - -<p>"Take a good look at it," he said in a grim voice. "That picture was -taken ten days ago."</p> - -<p>Dave and Freddy bent forward eagerly, but what they saw sobered them -instantly. It was a picture of the flight hangar aboard an aircraft -carrier. It showed several folded-wing Vought-Sikorsky "Corsair" -fighter planes parked so that they could be trundled onto the elevator -and raised to the flight deck in fast time. Right in front, though, -was a Corsair that was blackened and charred by fire. And on the floor -were the figures of two men in flying gear. They, too, were blackened -by flames, and it didn't take a second look to see that they were dead. -To the left and right was portable fire equipment that had been used to -put out the fire.</p> - -<p>"Poor devils," Dave murmured, and looked up at Colonel Welsh.</p> - -<p>"How in the world did they get so close to the flames?" Freddy Farmer -murmured as though talking to himself.</p> - -<p>"They were murdered!" Colonel Welsh said bluntly. "We didn't know it -when this picture was taken. We found that out later. They had both -been shot through the head. And it's quite definite that the murderer -tried to burn up the plane so that it would look like an accident. -Fortunately the fire squad got to it and put the flames out before -everything was destroyed. Thank God, everything wasn't destroyed. If it -had been, we should never have learned the real truth."</p> - -<p>"You mean that the two pilots had been murdered, sir?" Dave asked as -the senior paused.</p> - -<p>Colonel Welsh shook his head.</p> - -<p>"No," he said. Then, reaching out, he almost reverently touched the -picture of the two dead men with a fingertip. "One of those officers -was Commander Jackson, executive Flight Officer of the Aircraft Carrier -Indian. The other was Lieutenant Commander Pollard, senior Section -Leader, and one of the best air tactical men in Naval Aviation. They -were murdered and then robbed. Had they been burned to a crisp we would -not know the killer had stolen the operation plans of the part the -Carrier Indian is to play in a Navy attack on the Jap-mandated islands -of the Marshall group."</p> - -<p>Dave whistled softly, then stared hard at the Intelligence chief.</p> - -<p>"But is that such a big loss, sir?" he asked. "Those plans, I mean. -Can't they be changed, so that even if the Japs have them it won't make -any difference?"</p> - -<p>Colonel Welsh sighed heavily and shook his head.</p> - -<p>"I certainly wish they could be changed," he said presently. "I wish it -were as easy as that. But, unfortunately, it isn't. The Indian's plans -are just part of a huge plan to knock a good big hole in the Jap naval -and air forces in that part of the Southwest Pacific. And an attack on -that scale can't be thought up overnight, and put into execution the -next morning. It's not simply a question of rushing ships and planes to -a certain spot and banging away until you're out of shells and bombs. -There's much, much more than that. Your forces must be split up. Your -operation timetable must be worked out so that the slower ships will -arrive at the same time as the fast ones. Worked out so that certain -groups will have mine sweeping and destroyer protection. Worked out -so that there will be a covering force in case parts of any unit are -forced out of action and must retire. No, Dawson, it's not that simple. -There are a hundred and one things to be worked out, so that you stand -the maximum chance of the entire operation being carried out like -clockwork. So it follows that if one unit is off whack, other units are -bound to suffer. The effectiveness of the striking force is reduced. -For that matter, effectiveness is reduced all down the line. And at the -snap of the fingers you can barge bow-on straight into serious trouble. -No, to change the Indian's plans would mean that we'd have to change -and alter the entire plan as a whole. And there is the chance that in -doing that we would discover that it would be best to give up the whole -project."</p> - -<p>"Phew, I never dreamed a navy show was that complicated!" Freddy -Farmer breathed. "But I say, sir! If the blasted Japs know the part -the Indian's unit is to play, what can you do about it <i>but</i> change -everything, or else give it up entirely."</p> - -<p>"I didn't say the Japs had the plans for the Indian's unit," the -Intelligence chief said. "Maybe I misled you. I said that the plans -are lost. They were stolen from Commander Jackson and Lieutenant -Commander Pollard. They had the only copies of the plans, as they were -to be in complete charge of the Indian's fighters and bombers in this -action. Those plans they carried on their person at all times. And when -they were last seen they were on their way below to the hangar deck to -check a new gun sight that is to be tried in this coming engagement. -They were seen to reach the hangar deck by the Watch Officer. The next -time they were seen, they were dead and about to be burned beyond -recognition by flaming high test gasoline. But for a machinist's mate -who happened to pass that part of the hangar deck, they would have been -burned beyond recognition. And we would never have known that their -copies of the plans were stolen. True, we would have discovered that -they were murdered, shot, just as we did discover. And we might have -suspected that the killer had stolen the plans. But now we know that -somebody aboard the Indian has those plans."</p> - -<p>"Huh?" Dave gulped. "Somebody aboard her? You mean, right now?"</p> - -<p>"I mean right now," the chief of U. S. Intelligence said grimly. "The -Indian was at anchor in San Diego Harbor. She's still there. However, -the instant it was realized what had happened, the Indian became an -isolated ship. Not a man, not even her captain, was allowed to go -ashore. I radioed those orders myself. And not a boat of any type was -permitted to come so much as within hailing distance. An order was -issued to shoot anybody who attempted to leave the Indian, and to shoot -anybody who attempted to approach the Indian. That order still stands. -Mighty hard on the chaps who were due shore leave—she hadn't been in -port more than a day. But we're not taking chances."</p> - -<p>Colonel Welsh paused for breath, and Dave nodded his head slowly.</p> - -<p>"I get it," he said. "So far no darn Jap has got his hands on those -plans. No real Jap, I mean."</p> - -<p>"What's that?" Freddy Farmer spoke up. "What do you mean, no real Jap?"</p> - -<p>"A Nazi can pass for an Englishman, or a Yank, or 'most any nationality -under the sun," Dave said. "But that's barring the yellow races, of -course. And that's just what I mean. A Jap aboard an American ship -can't pass for a Yank. He's out and out of the yellow race. And you -haven't any Americanized Japs on the Indian, have you, sir?"</p> - -<p>Dave directed the last at Colonel Welsh, who instantly shook his head.</p> - -<p>"None," the senior officer said. "Not a one. And you've got the -right idea, Dawson. It couldn't have been a Jap who killed Jackson -and Pollard. So it must have been one of Hitler's men, or maybe one -of Mussolini's. I doubt that, though. Italians just haven't got the -brains to be that clever. So a Hitlerite is our man. Naturally he's -cooperating with the Japs, and will pass on what he has the first -instant he can. That's our job, though: to nail him, and nail him good, -before he has that chance."</p> - -<p>"I suppose you've checked the Indian's list of officers and lesser -ratings, haven't you, sir?" Dave asked.</p> - -<p>"Backwards and forwards!" the Colonel said savagely. "And up and down -as well. We've dug into every man's life with pick and shovel, you -might say, and didn't come up with so much as a single suspicion. -That's the devilish part of this kind of a thing. It's quite possible -that this particular rat, or rats, has served in our navy for years. -The whole civilized world is learning more and more each new day, to -its sorrow, how thoroughly Germany and Japan planned for this thing -long, long ago. When Hitler was somebody we just laughed at and made -jokes about, he was sending his confounded spies to the four ends of -the earth, and getting them all set to do their part when <i>Der Tag</i> -arrived. But I don't have to tell this to you. You two have no doubt -seen countless examples of that sort of thing."</p> - -<p>The chief of Intelligence paused for a moment and slowly closed his -long tapering fingers into rock hard fists.</p> - -<p>"I'm a spy myself," he said eventually, "so I think I have a good -idea of both sides of the picture in this kind of business. A spy is -regarded as the lowest form of worm in wartime, and he's usually shot -five minutes after he is caught. But there have been a lot of spies -who were brave and gallant men, and they took the job of going behind -the enemy lines because that was the best way they could serve their -country. But the type of spy such as we're dealing with now—the -slinking rat who in peace-time becomes the citizen of another country, -enjoys all of its advantages, and then turns on that country when his -former country goes to war—well—he is in my opinion the rottenest -form of vermin that ever existed. He doesn't rate the privilege of -being shot when caught. He should be strung up by the thumbs, and -skinned alive."</p> - -<p>"And even that's too good for him!" Captain Lamb echoed viciously. -"Those who bite the hand that's feeding them deserve the worst of the -worst. And man! Would I give my life just to get my hands on that skunk -aboard the Indian, whoever he is!"</p> - -<p>Dave was slightly startled by the almost berserk rage in the redheaded -Captain's voice. He glanced at Colonel Welsh and saw a look of pity and -sympathy flit across the chief of U. S. Intelligence officer's face. -That expression told much to Dave, and he glanced at Captain Lamb again.</p> - -<p>"You knew Jackson and Pollard, Captain?" he asked quietly.</p> - -<p>The Captain nodded and licked his lower lip.</p> - -<p>"I knew them both well," he said in a low voice. "Pollard was my -dearest friend. We came from the same town. Played football together at -Dartmouth before he changed over to the Naval Academy. They don't make -them better than Jake Pollard was."</p> - -<p>"If it helps any," Dave said quietly, "I'll be thinking of you, -Captain, <i>if</i> and <i>when</i> Farmer and I catch up with that dirty rat -aboard the Indian."</p> - -<p>"Thanks," the redhead mumbled, and lapsed into brooding silence.</p> - -<p>Dave started to say something else to him, changed his mind, and turned -back to Colonel Welsh.</p> - -<p>"I suppose you've got a plan of operation you want Farmer and me to -follow, sir?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"I have the <i>start</i> of a plan of operation," the senior officer replied -gravely. Then with a helpless shrug: "But from there on you two will be -on your own."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FIVE" id="CHAPTER_FIVE">CHAPTER FIVE</a><br /> -<small><i>Silent Wings</i></small></h2> - - -<p>Dave waited for the man to continue, and when he didn't he put another -question to him.</p> - -<p>"We start from scratch, sir, you mean?" he asked. "There isn't any kind -of a clue for us to work on? You're stationing us aboard the Indian, of -course?"</p> - -<p>"That's right," the chief of U. S. Intelligence replied with a nod. -"The Indian is shy two flying lieutenants, and you two are going -to fill the vacancies. Matter of fact, the Indian is also shy two -machinists' mates, and they'll be put aboard too before she weighs -anchor sometime the day after tomorrow."</p> - -<p>"Two of your men, sir?" Freddy Farmer spoke up, giving the Colonel a -keen stare.</p> - -<p>"Right," the senior officer said briskly. "But, I'm not going to tell -you who they are, any more than I'm going to tell them who you are. -That may sound strange, but it's been my experience that agents working -in pairs accomplish more than agents working in a group. As officers -you two will have the run of the ship, you might say. At the same -time, though, you might tip your hand if you went poking around in the -non-com and enlisted men's quarters. It works the other way around, -too. So I'm planting men in both departments of the ship. You won't -know who the other two are, and they won't know who you two are. But -here's a very important point to remember. This Intelligence work I'm -counting on your doing is, in a way, over and above the call of duty.</p> - -<p>"I mean by that that you two will be aboard ship as flying lieutenants. -That will be your main job, and you'll take orders from your Section -Leader, or higher ranks, just as though we'd never had this talk at -all. You'll have no special privileges any more than anybody else -aboard ship will have. You won't because not a living soul aboard will -know the real reason why you are there. Not even the Indian's captain -will know. As they say in England, this is going to be a strictly -hush-hush job. Yes, you'll be starting from scratch. All I can arrange -is for you to be assigned to the Indian to fill the two flying officer -vacancies. What happens after that is up to you. A tough one, eh?"</p> - -<p>"The odds aren't so good," Dave said with a faint grin. "But I see your -point, sir, and its advantage. If nobody knows why we're there, then -there's no chance of the truth leaking out."</p> - -<p>"I say, one point, though," Freddy Farmer spoke up with a worried -expression on his face. "What about me? My accent, I mean. Won't it -seem a bit odd for me to be put aboard an American aircraft carrier?"</p> - -<p>"Not a bit, so stop worrying about that," Colonel Welsh said with a -smile. "A month or two ago, yes, but not now. You have only to pick -up the papers to see that both American and British airmen are being -trained in this country. We're not keeping things separate any more. -Take Java, for example. There are Yanks, British, and Dutch over there -all fighting together, and under the Dutch Command. We're the United -Nations now. And we'll become more so before this thing is over. No, -Farmer, it won't seem odd at all for an English youth to have been -trained in this country and be assigned aboard a U. S. Navy aircraft -carrier for sea duty. True, you may get a bit of ribbing—about your -English accent, and stuff. But I guess you can take that, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Farmer has learned fast, sir," Dave said with a chuckle. "He can dish -it right back with the best of them. Snappy come-backs are apple pie -for him. I even have to bear down myself at times. Fact is, I wouldn't -be surprised but that in six months or so you won't be able to tell him -from a Yank."</p> - -<p>"Goodness, no, if the Yank is you!" Freddy said with a groan.</p> - -<p>Dave laughed and cocked an eye at Colonel Welsh.</p> - -<p>"See what I mean, sir?" he grunted. "Right on top of the ball all the -time. He's good!"</p> - -<p>"Well, I don't think any of us have anything to worry about on that -score," the Colonel said. "And I've a hunch, Farmer, that once your -shipmates see you in the air they'll realize that how a chap speaks is -pretty small potatoes, considering. Well, I guess that's all. You leave -tonight for San Diego. There's a Navy plane out at Alexandria Field. -You can take that. And there'll be a passenger on your trip west, if -you don't mind."</p> - -<p>"Glad to have company," Dave said. "Who is he, sir?"</p> - -<p>"Me," Colonel Welsh said with a grin. "I've got some business out on -the Coast. So I might as well hitch-hike on your plane. Oh! In case -you're wondering, you'll be fitted with uniforms and gear before we -leave. For this job you'll have the rank of lieutenants. That's below -your R.A.F. Flight Lieutenant's rank. Our Navy Lieutenant is equal to -your rank of Flying Officer. An R.A.F. Flight Lieutenant is equal to -our Lieutenant Commander, or an Air Corps Captain. But I don't think it -wise to put you aboard the Indian as Lieutenant Commanders. Fact is, -too, the vacancies are for lieutenants. So I hope you don't mind, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Not a bit, sir," Dave replied instantly, and laughed. "As a matter of -fact, just a few minutes ago you told us that we weren't even R.A.F. -any more, so any rank you give us is bound to be okay. But, speaking -for both of us, what rank we hold doesn't mean a thing. If we can pull -this thing off, it's okay by us if we go aboard the Indian as a couple -of seamen, third class. But—well, there are a couple of questions I'd -like to ask. Or are you in a hurry, sir?"</p> - -<p>"No hurry except to nail that rat aboard the Indian before she gets -into the Marshall Island attack," Colonel Welsh said bluntly. "No. For -heaven's sake, go ahead and ask all the questions you want. I certainly -don't want you to go into this thing not knowing everything you -should, or at least everything I can possibly tell you. What's your -first question?"</p> - -<p>"Something I hope won't happen, but might," Dave said with a frown. -"Supposing Farmer and I catch onto something—get a line on this rat, -or rats—but really need help. Is there anyway we can contact the two -mechanics you're putting aboard to help us?"</p> - -<p>Colonel Welsh glanced at his three junior officers and smiled before he -looked back at Dave.</p> - -<p>"A good question, Dawson," he said. "I was going to tell you about that -as we flew west tonight, but now that you've brought up the point, I -might just as well do it now."</p> - -<p>The chief of U. S. Intelligence paused long enough to pull open one of -the countless drawers of the huge desk. When he took his hand out of -the drawer, he held two pins. They were common ordinary looking pins -save that the top was painted a bright orange. He gave a pin to each of -the former R.A.F. aces.</p> - -<p>"Many, many times my agents have worked on a case and didn't know who -else was working with them," the Colonel began presently. "And often -they got in tight corners and needed help badly. So—But hold it a -minute. Let me mention something else right here. When I say tight -corner, I don't mean that the agent is about to be caught, or about to -be killed. I mean <i>more than that</i>! I mean when he gets in a spot where -<i>valuable</i> information he has collected may be lost unless he gets -help. Or when something is about to happen that will seriously harm his -country unless he gets help. That sort of thing. <i>Not</i> the present or -future welfare of the individual agent. You see what I mean?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," Dave replied, as his stomach suddenly felt a little hollow -and empty, and his mouth went just a little bit dry. "Help to save your -country, but not to save your own life, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Exactly," the senior officer said, and nodded at the two orange-headed -pins. "That pin is an agent's SOS sign when <i>all else has failed</i>. Keep -that hidden on your person at all times. If the occasion ever does -arise when you need help in the way I described, take that pin out and -stick it in the right side of your shirt collar. If you're not wearing -a shirt, then in the right side of the top of whatever garment you're -wearing. In short, so that the orange head of this pin is nearest the -right side of your face. If there is another agent near by, he will -immediately make himself known by placing his pin in the exact place -where you have put yours.</p> - -<p>"Remember that. Don't forget it for an instant! If you need help, place -this pin at the top of whatever garment you're wearing where it will be -nearest the right side of your face. Even if you've only got a pair of -pants on, put the pin in the right side of the pants at the very top. -That clear?"</p> - -<p>The two youths nodded. Then Freddy Farmer leaned forward a bit, and -stared questioningly at the Colonel.</p> - -<p>"Supposing, sir, you see the SOS pin on another chap," he said. "In the -right place, of course. But supposing it may interrupt your own work to -make yourself known to him. What then?"</p> - -<p>"Establish your identity, regardless," Colonel Welsh replied bluntly. -"That is a fixed rule in this department. And here is why. Because of -what the SOS pin stands for: a last appeal for help when the welfare of -the U. S. is in serious peril. I know what you're thinking. Your own -case may be just as important as the agent's who is appealing for help. -That is the chance we have to take, though. That is why the SOS pin can -only be shown as a desperate last resort to forestall a great military -and naval calamity. And to give you an idea of what I mean, I know of -only two cases when the SOS pin was shown during the fifteen years I -have been in this department. True, the coming of war will increase -the possibility of the SOS pin being shown. But—well, that's for the -future to bring to light. Now, let's have another question."</p> - -<p>The Colonel glanced at Dawson, but it was Freddy Farmer who asked the -question.</p> - -<p>"If this skunk chap is still aboard the Indian, sir," he said slowly, -"and if the aircraft carrier is to put to sea the day after tomorrow, -what harm <i>can</i> be done by that chap? Do you believe that while at sea -he will make some effort to get in touch with Japanese forces? And is -our job to stop him from doing that?"</p> - -<p>The senior officer thought over the answer to that for a moment, and -scowled hard at the opposite wall.</p> - -<p>"The best answer to that," he finally said, "is what I told you a -moment ago. I mean that I can see that you are put aboard the Indian, -but from then on you are absolutely on your own. Frankly, you will be -doing no more than punching in the dark. I feel certain that the spy -is still aboard, but <i>I don't know for sure</i>. If he is aboard, and -the Indian puts to sea, the information he has collected may be just -a beautiful white elephant on his hands. He may not be able to do a -single thing about it until it is too late, and his information not be -worth a darn. But the point is, we can't take chances on anything.</p> - -<p>"You see, we have no idea whether our man is a seaman, a mechanic, or a -flying officer. Suppose for a minute that he is a flying officer. Think -of the opportunities he'd have to contact the Japs. On patrol he could -sneak a message over the side that would drop down to be picked up by -a Jap submarine. He might even break formation and scoot off to some -point where he knows Japs naval vessels are on patrol, and contact them -that way. He might not even return. No, Farmer, the fact that he goes -to sea with the Indian doesn't make anything certain for us."</p> - -<p>The senior officer paused, looked very unhappy, and sighed heavily.</p> - -<p>"That is the rotten part of Intelligence work," he grunted presently. -"Nine cases out of ten you have absolutely nothing to work on. You've -just got to make blind stabs in the dark, and trust that you'll connect -with something that will get you somewhere. The only suggestion I -can give you is to keep your eyes and ears open every minute of the -time—particularly your eyes. It seems certain that the murderer -isn't going to keep his secret any longer than he has to. It's plain -dynamite, and he knows it. He's going to try somehow to get that -knowledge to the Japanese Fleet. If you can spot him and nail him, you -will be everlastingly blessed by the Navy, from the President on down."</p> - -<p>"Well, we'll do our best," Dave said grimly. "And I hope and pray it -will be good enough."</p> - -<p>"Amen, to that," Colonel Welsh said softly. Then, pushing up onto his -feet, he said, "Well, we can start now by finding you two uniforms that -don't look as if they were picked out in the dark. Then we'll go on out -to Alexandria Field—and head west."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SIX" id="CHAPTER_SIX">CHAPTER SIX</a><br /> -<small><i>Midnight Menace</i></small></h2> - - -<p>With her twin engines roaring full out, the Navy Lockheed R40-1, a -"cousin" of the famous Lockheed Hudson bomber, shook the dust of the -airport runway at Albuquerque, New Mexico, from her wheels, and went -climbing up into the night sky on the last leg of the trans-continental -flight to San Diego. At the controls was Dave Dawson. In the co-pilot's -seat was Freddy Farmer, and between them and just aft in the -navigator's seat was Colonel Welsh.</p> - -<p>For quite some time now conversation between them had been at a very -definite stand-still. At the start of the trip they had talked on this -and that to help pass the time, but long before Albuquerque was reached -all three of them had run down like clocks. There wasn't anything more -to talk about, and each was quite content to sit with his own thoughts -and hope for a speedy arrival at San Diego.</p> - -<p>However, when Dave had lifted the Lockheed high enough to clear the -mountains ahead by a good margin, he got fed up with the silence, and -nudged Freddy in the ribs.</p> - -<p>"Say something, pal," he said. "Tell me the story of your life, before -the silence puts me to sleep. Don't be bashful. Colonel Welsh won't -mind. Will you, Colonel?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly not," the senior officer said with a chuckle. "Fact is, I'll -bet it's mighty interesting, and well worth listening to."</p> - -<p>"There you are, Freddy!" Dave cried. "Both the Colonel and I are all -ears, and eager to hear about it."</p> - -<p>"Very well," the English youth said. "If you insist. There isn't very -much to tell, though. Up to May, Nineteen Forty, I led the usual -English boy's life. You know, school, play, and all that sort of thing. -But in May, Nineteen Forty—it was May Tenth to be exact—I met an -American chap named Dave Dawson. Well, that was the turning point in my -life. <i>Downwards</i>, you know. I've rued the day ever since. And there -you are!"</p> - -<p>"Ouch!" Dave cried. "A bull's-eye for the young man. And he has the -nerve to say that after all I've done for him. He's—Hey! What's that?"</p> - -<p>"What's what?" Freddy demanded as Dave spoke the last sharply.</p> - -<p>The Yank born war ace took a hand off the controls and pointed off to -the right.</p> - -<p>"Over there," he said. "Thought I saw a flash of light. Guess it was a -falling star."</p> - -<p>"Probably was an airways beacon," Colonel Welsh spoke up. "There's one -up that way a bit, I believe. That was all right, Farmer. Now it's your -turn, Dawson. See if you can match it."</p> - -<p>"Fat chance, but I can try," Dave said with a grin. "Well, up to that -never to be forgotten May Tenth, when Hitler really started to try -and drown the world in human blood, I too had led pretty much the -average boy's kind of life. But May Tenth changed everything for me, -too. In a different way, though. Up to then I had all kinds of ideas -about fighting my way through life and maybe up to the top in whatever -profession I chose to follow. No soap, though. That meeting with Farmer -on May Tenth changed everything. Since then I've had to carry him on my -back, and try to make the grade for <i>two</i> people instead of just for -myself. However—"</p> - -<p>"That <i>is</i> some kind of a light over there!" Colonel Welsh interrupted -sharply. "And it isn't the flash from any beacon. Sort of a blue kind -of light. Saw it for a second, just now, and it was slanting upwards."</p> - -<p>"Could be another plane," Freddy Farmer opined. "Engine exhausts show -blue in the dark, you know. Might be one of your transport planes."</p> - -<p>Colonel Welsh glanced at his wrist watch in the glow of the cabin -light, and shook his head.</p> - -<p>"No," he said. "At least, not one of the scheduled planes. Besides, -we'd see the red and green navigation lights."</p> - -<p>On impulse Dave reached out his hand and switched off all of his own -lights, save the wing-tip navigation lights. Then all three of them -stared hard off to the right. For a full two minutes nobody spoke. The -three of them simply strained their eyes at the vast array of night -shadows in the heavens. But all that it got them was aching eyes.</p> - -<p>"Nothing there evidently," Colonel Welsh eventually broke the silence. -"Perhaps it was just a falling star, but I never saw a star fall <i>up</i>."</p> - -<p>"Maybe it was some of that Saint Elmo's Fire," Dave said with a -chuckle. "I never heard of it being seen in this part of the country, -though."</p> - -<p>"Saint <i>what</i>?" Freddy Farmer echoed. "What in the world are you -talking about? And what is it?"</p> - -<p>"Saint Elmo's Fire," Dave said. "Didn't you ever hear of it, Freddy?"</p> - -<p>"Would I be asking, if I had?" the English youth snapped. "Go on. Stop -waiting to be encouraged to show all your knowledge. Just what is Saint -Elmo's Fire?"</p> - -<p>"Well, I can't give you a scientific answer to that one," Dave said. -"But Saint Elmo's Fire is the name given to globular electric light -often seen on the spars and rigging of ships at sea during a storm. -And of recent years it has been seen on the wing tips of airplanes -flying through electrically charged air. Frankly, I've never seen any -of the stuff in my life. But I knew a pilot once who used to fly over -the Andes in South America, and he said they used to see it often. -Little bright balls of fire that seemed to roll right along the leading -edges of the wing, and then disappear just when you thought they were -going to bump into the gas tanks, or something. The first few times he -witnessed such a display he lost a dozen years off his life. He said, -though, that after a while he got used to it—even looked forward to -it every time he took off."</p> - -<p>"You're pulling my leg!" Freddy snorted.</p> - -<p>"No, Farmer, that's true," Colonel Welsh said. "I've seen some Saint -Elmo's Fire myself. And I can tell you that it scares the pants off you -the first time you see it. Ever fly through a thunder storm, and see -lightning playing around your wing tips?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I've seen that," Freddy admitted. "And I was sure I'd never live -to land safely on the ground again."</p> - -<p>"Well, then, you know how it feels to see Saint Elmo's Fire," the -Colonel chuckled. "Only I think the Saint Elmo stuff gives you a worse -scare when you see it actually come rolling along the wing toward you. -But that light I saw just now wasn't shaped like a ball. More like a -streak, or like the powdered tail of a comet. It was strung out in a—"</p> - -<p>If Colonel Welsh finished the sentence, nobody heard it. At that moment -the night skies shook and trembled with the savage yammer of aerial -machine gun fire. And the cabin window not eighteen inches in front of -Dave's eyes seemed to crack in a trillion places and then melt away -into oblivion.</p> - -<p>"My word!" Colonel Welsh cried. "What was that?"</p> - -<p>Dave didn't bother to answer for a second or so. His heart had zoomed -up his throat to jam hard against his back teeth, and his eyes had -bulged out of their sockets like marbles on sticks. Instinct took split -second charge of his movements, however, and almost before he realized -what he was doing he had booted the Lockheed up over on left wing tip -and was slicing down through the air. At practically the same instant -he whipped out his free hand and switched off the navigation lights. -Then as the craft went slicing down through the night sky, he dragged -air into his aching lungs.</p> - -<p>"Those were aerial machine guns!" he cried. "And whoever was working -them was in earnest. Look at that window! Just a shade improvement on -his aim and it would have been curtains for the three of us."</p> - -<p>As the last left Dave's lips, he pulled the plane out of its wild -sideslip and went curving up and around to the left.</p> - -<p>"Aerial machine guns?" Colonel Welsh echoed in blank amazement. "You're -crazy, Dawson!"</p> - -<p>"Could be, and maybe!" Dave snapped. "But I've heard those sky -choppers often enough to recognize them every time. And do you think an -eagle or something flew into that window, sir?"</p> - -<p>"No, of course not," the Intelligence chief grunted. "Sorry I sounded -off. You're right, of course. But it doesn't make sense. Who the devil -would want to take a crack at us?"</p> - -<p>Dave shrugged in the darkness, and for a moment or so as the plane -roared heavenward he strained his eyes for a glimpse of some other -shadow cutting about in the air. He saw nothing, however, and then -turned his head and spoke back over his shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Maybe not <i>us</i>, sir," he said, "but I guess the Axis would be pretty -tickled to see <i>you</i> put out of circulation. If you want my guess, some -rat saw you take off with us. Maybe he used a hidden radio and sent -word ahead. This mountainous country is a swell place to hide a plane, -you know, sir."</p> - -<p>"And those <i>were</i> exhaust plumes you saw!" Freddy Farmer cried. "The -lad was probably climbing up to get around in back when you saw his -exhaust plumes. Well, let the beggar come again. We'll—Good grief! -This plane isn't armed!"</p> - -<p>"No," Colonel Welsh said in a slightly hollow voice. "Guess they never -figured it was necessary to arm these utility planes used to transport -personnel about the country."</p> - -<p>"If only the chaps in high places would stop <i>figuring</i> so much in this -war!" Dave groaned.</p> - -<p>"Quite!" Freddy Farmer echoed the truth bitterly. "But bemoaning the -lack of common sense in the average High Command won't help us now. If -the blighter comes back for another fling, Dave, you'll just have to—"</p> - -<p>"Don't bother telling me!" Dave shouted. "Here he comes—from the left -and up! Hang onto your seats!"</p> - -<p>The last had hardly left Dave's lips before he was hauling the Lockheed -straight up on its tail. Before the plane reached stalling speed, -however, he kicked it over on wing and then sent it dropping nose first -toward the black carpet below that was the ground. No sooner had he -kicked the plane over on wing than he switched off both engines, and -shoved the compensator throttle open wide, so that no carbon sparks or -exhaust light of any kind would etch their path downward through the -night.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the mysterious attacker had opened fire again, but Dave's -quick action at the controls caused the unknown killer to miss by a -wide margin. The flickering ribbon of tracers didn't even come close. -And at the end of another three or four seconds the Lockheed was well -on its way earthward and out of sight.</p> - -<p>"See that bird as he banged on by us?" Dave cried, when he was able to -talk again. "It looked to me like a small Beechcraft. Or maybe it was a -Waco. But he's carrying two guns—and he wants us mighty badly. Heck, -if there were only guns aboard this crate. I had a beautiful broadside -bead on him."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I saw his silhouette as he tore by," Freddy said through clenched -teeth. "But I didn't recognize his type. I don't know the Yank planes -very well, though. But I say, Dave! Watch our altitude, you know!"</p> - -<p>"You're telling me!" Dave grunted. "I'm watching it plenty, and -praying, too. There must be some of those mountains under us by now. -I think we've got a couple of thousand feet to play around in, but no -more than that. I'm flat gliding her as much as I can, but keep those -eagle X-ray eyes of yours on the job, Freddy. And yell if you see a -mountain peak looming up."</p> - -<p>"Mountain peak!" Colonel Welsh cried excitedly. "For pity's sake, keep -above them, Dawson. Start those engines and get us some altitude!"</p> - -<p>"That would be risking more than this glide, sir," Dave told him. -"That bird up there has been spotting us by our exhaust plumes, and -aiming blindly. So long as we show no light at all he stands to lose us -completely. But if we open up the engines and show exhaust light he's -going to be able to take another crack. And—well, third time never -fails, you know, and stuff. Our best bet is to try and lose him before -we get too low. He has a ship that can travel, but if we get a little -lead on him we'll be all right."</p> - -<p>"But remember all those mountain peaks down there!" the Intelligence -chief persisted. "One thing this plane has got is parachutes. Perhaps -we'd better bail out and let the blasted ship crash. At least we'd save -our own necks."</p> - -<p>"Not me!" Dave barked without thinking. "Go ahead and bail out if -you want to. You, too, Freddy. But I'm sticking with this ship if -I possibly can. I don't want to see her bust up, if I can help it. -Anyway, I'm going to give her all the breaks she's got coming."</p> - -<p>"And of course I'm staying with you," Freddy Farmer said quietly. "I'm -a blasted fool to put my precious neck in your hands. But there you -are, anyway."</p> - -<p>"No wonder you two are famous for pulling miracles out of a hat!" -Colonel Welsh growled. Then after a short pause: "Very well! If Farmer -trusts you that much, I suppose I might as well. But if you have to hit -a mountain, for pity's sake try and pick out a soft one. I bruise very -easily!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SEVEN" id="CHAPTER_SEVEN">CHAPTER SEVEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Pilot's Luck</i></small></h2> - - -<p>Dave chuckled as the Colonel's remark came to his ears, but his heart -pounded a little harder and the warm glow of pride rippled through his -veins.</p> - -<p>"Thanks, sir," he said. "And sorry that I exploded that way. But don't -worry, I'll get us out of this little jam if it's the last thing I do."</p> - -<p>"Well, see that it <i>isn't</i>, my good man!" Freddy Farmer grunted.</p> - -<p>For the next few moments nobody said a word. All three of them leaned -forward in their seats and strained their eyes at the darkness ahead -and below. Dave's hands felt cold and clammy, and he could feel the -little drops of sweat ooze out on his forehead and trickle down his -face. For the last fifteen seconds or so he had spotted what he -believed to be a mountain peak just ahead, and not more than a hundred -feet below. He didn't say a word to the others. He kept his mouth shut -and eased the plane a little to the left so as to be able to pass on -by the peak with enough free air to spare between his right wing tip -and the unseen trees or jagged rocks he knew must dot all sides of -that peak. Once past it, he could start the engines again and climb -for altitude. It was a cinch that the unknown attacker was cutting -about in the black sky somewhere far behind him. But once he got beyond -that peak he felt that his lead would be great enough for him to risk -showing his exhaust plumes. As a matter of fact, though, it was quite -possible that the unknown attacker was miles and miles behind. It was -possible that the man had cut around to the east, believing that Dave -wouldn't dare chance holding his westerly course with the mountains so -close.</p> - -<p>"Yeah, maybe!" he murmured. "But I'm going to make sure just the same!"</p> - -<p>"What did you say, Dave?" Freddy Farmer cried out in a voice of alarm.</p> - -<p>"I didn't say a thing," Dave grunted, and tightened his hold on the -controls. "Just thinking a little out loud. Shut up, little man, or -you'll make me rock the boat."</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer caught his breath as though he were about to speak. -Instead, though, he said nothing. He simply leaned farther forward -in his seat. Dave caught the movement out the corner of his eye, -and grinned, tight-lipped. Freddy had sighted the mountain peak, but -realized that he had seen it and was trying to slide by on the left. So -the English youth had snapped his lips shut so as not to give Colonel -Welsh a slight case of heart failure. Good old Freddy. Always knew when -to open his mouth, and when to keep mum.</p> - -<p>Perhaps it was six seconds, but it seemed like six thousand years to -Dave before the slightly darker shadow that was the mountain peak slid -past the tip of the right wing and disappeared behind. The instant it -was gone from view he whipped on the switches, caught both engines, -and fed them high test gas at full throttle. The roar of the engines -breaking into life was a sound akin to worlds crashing into each other. -Yet at the same time it was a welcome sound to Dave's ears, and to -Freddy Farmer's too. But what filled their hearts with an even greater -happiness was the Lockheed climbing upward to a safe altitude above the -mountain range. The instant he was well clear, Dave swung the plane -onto its westerly course again, and relaxed in the seat.</p> - -<p>"Top-hole, Dave," Freddy Farmer said quietly. "A very pukka bit of -flying, that."</p> - -<p>"Thanks," Dave replied. "We got away with it okay. But I'd hate like -heck to have to do it every day. You spotted that mountain peak, didn't -you?"</p> - -<p>"Quite," the English youth murmured. "But I thought it best to keep my -mouth shut. Realized that you knew what you were doing. And besides, no -sense in—"</p> - -<p>"No sense in giving this old dodo grey hairs, eh?" Colonel Welsh spoke -up with a chuckle. "Well, it was nice of both of you, but I saw it, -too. The only reason <i>I</i> didn't speak, though, was because my tongue -was frozen stiff. As you say, Dawson, I'd hate to have that sort of -thing for a daily diet. Very sweet flying, though, very sweet."</p> - -<p>"We could have made it sweeter if this plane had been armed," Dave -grunted, and stared at the black sky ahead. "That tramp certainly had -his nerve jumping on us. Wonder who the heck he could be. Sure you -haven't any ideas, Colonel?"</p> - -<p>There was a long minute of silence while the senior officer seemed to -make up his mind.</p> - -<p>"No, I'm afraid I haven't," he finally said slowly. "As you mentioned -awhile back, there are probably plenty of birds who would like to see -me out of the way. Somehow, though, I can't see them going about it in -this manner. Their style is more along the line of pot shots from dark -doorways. Or a bomb in my car, or tossed through my window. Frankly, I -can't make head nor tail of this business tonight."</p> - -<p>"Many chaps know you were headed west, sir?" Freddy Farmer asked -quietly.</p> - -<p>"What do you mean, many?" the Colonel replied sharply. "Did I broadcast -it, you mean?"</p> - -<p>"Hardly that, sir," Freddy chuckled. "I mean, did you tell many people -that you were making this trip? Not that any of them are in the pay -of Tokio or Berlin, sir, but it's possible that one of them might -innocently enough mention the fact to somebody who was. You understand -what I mean, sir?"</p> - -<p>There was another moment of silence while the chief of U. S. -Intelligence thought things over.</p> - -<p>"I see what you mean, Farmer," he grunted presently. "No, I didn't tell -anybody who didn't have the right to know. Fact is, the only ones I -told were those three officers you met in my office. And if those three -aren't one hundred per cent Americans, then I'm Adolf Hitler in the -flesh."</p> - -<p>"What about the other end?" Dawson asked.</p> - -<p>"What other end?"</p> - -<p>"San Diego," Dave said. "Is your man in charge there expecting you? Or -are you just dropping in on a surprise visit?"</p> - -<p>"No wonder you chaps always come out on top," Colonel Welsh said in a -frank tone. "Once you get your teeth in something you keep at it until -there's nothing left. Yes, I did wire my head agent in San Diego that I -was coming west tonight. And—"</p> - -<p>"And my first month's pay as a U. S. Naval Aviation Lieutenant says -somebody read that wire!" Dawson cut in quickly.</p> - -<p>"Hold it!" Colonel Welsh cried, and laughed shortly. "You're flying one -wing low this time. I said in the wire that I was coming out, but I -didn't say <i>how</i>, or <i>what</i> time I'd arrive. Afraid you're off on the -wrong scent there, Dawson."</p> - -<p>"Maybe, maybe not," Dave said doggedly. "But that chap didn't have a -crack at us tonight just for gunnery practice. He was shooting for -keeps. He knew darn well who was in this plane—and he was out to get -us. He—"</p> - -<p>Dave didn't finish. At that moment the right outboard engine of the -Lockheed lost revs fast and began to sputter and clatter. Dave snapped -his eyes at the dash dials, and sucked in his breath sharply as he saw -the oil pressure needle sliding around the face of the dial toward -the zero peg. However, even as he glanced at the needle, it stopped -swinging back and promptly climbed upward again. The engine stopped -sputtering and clattering, and once again sang its full throated song -of power.</p> - -<p>The tiny lump of ice remained in Dave's chest, however. He glanced -sidewise at Freddy Farmer and saw the corners of the English youth's -mouth tighten a bit.</p> - -<p>"What the devil was that?" Colonel Welsh demanded in a sharp tone. -"Something wrong with the engine?"</p> - -<p>"Not now," Dave said with an easiness he didn't feel. "Guess it picked -up a bit of ice but got rid of it in time. Anyway, she's back where -she should be. As I was saying, that lad tonight was out for blood. So -it must follow that somebody knew where you were going, when, and how. -Don't you think so, sir?"</p> - -<p>Dave spoke the words, but it was really just an effort to keep the -conversation going. The lump of ice in his chest was hurting him -again, and he was feeling far from calm and collected. The way the -oil pressure of the right outboard engine had dropped told him that -there was trouble ahead. Many people claim that the carburetor is the -heart of an engine, and probably it is, if you want to look at it that -way. However, countless hours in the air had proved to Dave that your -real danger signal is when oil pressure starts dancing around. Engines -can run, often for a long, long time, when the carburetor is out of -whack and the engine is getting a bad feed. But let oil pressure go -screwy and you'll have real trouble on your hands. There are no halfway -measures about oil. It has to be right or your engine is worth no more -than its weight in junk. Gasoline is food for an engine, but oil is its -life blood. If it hasn't got the proper amount it dies, but definitely!</p> - -<p>And so Dave spoke the words just to keep the conversation going and -fixed his eyes on the instruments pertaining to the functioning of the -right outboard engine. He hoped and prayed that the skipping had simply -been just one of those things. But in his heart there was gnawing -fear and dread. He feared that bullets from the guns of that unknown -attacker had nicked one of the oil feed lines, and that continued -vibration of the engine was slowly but surely shaking the feed line -connection loose, or at least causing it to crack and buckle slowly, so -that eventually the pressure set up in the line would be reduced to nil.</p> - -<p>If it had been daylight, or if he had been sure of the terrain below, -he would have landed and made sure what had happened. But a landing was -too great a risk right now. His best bet was to keep going, nursing the -right outboard engine as much as he could, and hoping and praying that -it would continue to tick over and produce power.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I guess your reasoning is sound enough," he heard the Colonel -say. "It's rather hard to believe, though. I mean, why go about it in -such a—well, in such a story book thriller style, you might say? I'm -not going to San Diego on any vital mission. Fact is, I could make this -trip tonight or next week, and it wouldn't make much difference. That's -what makes it seem so—so utterly crazy."</p> - -<p>There was a moment of silence, and then Dave laughed a trifle -flat-toned.</p> - -<p>"I don't mean to be conceited," he said. "But what you've just said, -sir, doesn't make me feel so good. Or maybe it should make me feel -important as heck. How about you, Freddy? Catch on?"</p> - -<p>"I think so," the English youth replied. "But it's a bit—er, -fantastic, you know. However, I would feel a bit better if we had been -able to shoot the beggar down. Always did say night attacks weren't -quite the sporting thing, you know."</p> - -<p>"Not the sporting thing, huh?" Dave echoed with a snort. "Pal, that's -only putting it by half. In my book they're plain murder."</p> - -<p>"Of course, I'm only the passenger," Colonel Welsh spoke up sharply. -"So don't mind me. However, I would like very much to know what the -devil you two are jabbering about. What's it all about, anyway?"</p> - -<p>"You tell him, Freddy," Dave said. "I—I feel too modest."</p> - -<p>"Rubbish!" the English youth snapped. "You couldn't be if you tried. -Besides, you brought it up."</p> - -<p>"Listen, you lads!" the chief of U. S. Intelligence boomed in -exasperation. "Have I got to use my authority as a Colonel? What in -blue blazes are you two talking about?"</p> - -<p>"The fantastic, sir," Dave said with a chuckle. "Yet, on the other -hand, possibly the truth. Maybe the pilot of that plane didn't want -<i>Farmer and me to go aboard the Carrier Indian</i>."</p> - -<p>Colonel Welsh made a hissing sound as he sucked in his breath sharply.</p> - -<p>"Great guns!" he gasped. And then in the same breath: "But that <i>is</i> -impossible. Not even my three closest assistants knew that was to -happen until I informed you. And we went from my office straight to -Alexandria Field. No, you must be wrong, Dawson. Captains Lamb and -Stacey, and Lieutenant Caldwell, wouldn't breath a word of that even -though a gun were held at their hearts. That <i>is</i> fantastic!"</p> - -<p>The two boys looked crestfallen.</p> - -<p>"See, Freddy?" Dave cried, and jabbed an elbow in his pal's ribs. "You -get the screwiest ideas. I never—!"</p> - -<p>"None of that, funny boy!" the English youth barked back at him. "No, -you don't, not by a jugful. You brought it up. I simply agreed with -you, to be polite. You're quite right, Colonel. It's ridiculous. But -when you get to know Dawson better, you'll understand how he's—"</p> - -<p>The rest of what Freddy Farmer would have said to the Colonel stuck -fast when only halfway up his throat. The right outboard engine -had started kicking up again, but this time it was really doing it -in earnest. The oil pressure needle went around to the zero peg in -a single jump. And even as Dave grabbed for the throttle, the right -outboard engine let out a grinding scream as though it were actually -something human, and in mortal pain. It had run dry and was seizing -up. Almost at the same instant, and as though in sympathy for its -mechanical brother, the left outboard engine started falling off in -revs at an alarming rate. Dave killed the right engine completely, -shoved hard on the left rudder to check the plane yawing, and -concentrated on keeping the left outboard engines alive as long as -possible.</p> - -<p>"That tears it!" he said between clenched teeth. "I was afraid that -right engine had been nicked. Getting ready to drop a couple of those -landing flares, Freddy. At least we can take a look at what it's like -below."</p> - -<p>"Take a look?" Colonel Welsh cried sharply. "You don't have to, boy! -There are mountains down there. Get us as high as you can, and then -we'll all bail out."</p> - -<p>A hot wave of anger swept through Dawson, but he was able to choke the -words back in time. Instead he turned to Freddy Farmer and nodded.</p> - -<p>"Let a couple go, Freddy," he said quietly. "We're only losing a foot -or two of altitude. We'll take a look <i>first</i>!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_EIGHT" id="CHAPTER_EIGHT">CHAPTER EIGHT</a><br /> -<small><i>Nobody's Airport</i></small></h2> - - -<p>Freddy Farmer didn't bother acknowledging the request by word of mouth. -He simply nodded, and reached out his hand and jerked the little handle -that released landing flares fitted into the wing tips. There were a -few seconds more of silence; then a great silver-white light came into -being below, and spread swiftly outward toward the four points of the -compass.</p> - -<p>Fighting the tendency of the Lockheed to yaw toward the dead engine -side, and struggling to keep the left outboard engine turning over, -Dave leaned over close to the shattered window and peered down into the -sea of silver-white light below. For a couple of seconds he couldn't -see anything but eye-dazzling light. Then as the flares dropped astern, -he was able to get a good look at the type of terrain below.</p> - -<p>What he saw didn't exactly cause his chilled heart to warm up and loop -over with joy. True, they had safely crossed over the highest peaks of -that part of the mountain range. Below, though, were the tree-covered -foothills, cut by deep jagged stone sided ravines, and narrow plateau -formations of ground that would be hard for even a crow to alight on.</p> - -<p>"It's no go, Dawson!" Colonel Welsh's voice suddenly broke the tingling -silence that had settled over the trio. "I know what's in your mind, -but our safest bet is for all three of us to jump. We've still got -three or four thousand feet of clearance. I think we should jump."</p> - -<p>"I don't, not yet," Dave said bluntly, and raked the terrain below with -his eyes. "I think we should hang on a bit longer, and try to pick out -some spot big enough to slip into. This is wild country here, Colonel. -If we bail out we'll lose contact with each other, and all three of us -get lost. Let's look hard, first. I can keep her up a big longer. That -left outboard hasn't quit cold yet. And we're not losing altitude too -fast."</p> - -<p>"All right," Colonel Welsh said grimly, and leaned forward the better -to study the flare-lighted ground below. "Confound that rat! I'd give a -lot to have his neck between my two hands right now!"</p> - -<p>"I can think of things to do to him, myself," Dave grunted. Then, out -of the corner of his mouth: "Work those eagle eyes hard, Freddy. This -is where you should star. You always do see things first. Hurry up and -find Papa a place big enough to set us down in."</p> - -<p>"Shut up and tend to your flying!" the English youth growled. "You -dropped our nose two feet while you were talking. Want to power dive -us in, or something? You—hold it, Dave! Bear right a bit. What's that -down there? It looks like—oh, blast it! They would, wouldn't they!"</p> - -<p>The last was caused by the two flares finally touching ground and being -snuffed out. Quick as a flash Freddy Farmer shot out his hand and -released two more flares. The instant his eyes were again accustomed -to the bright light, Dave looked in the direction of the English -youth's pointed finger. His heart did loop with joy this time, and -he gulped with relief. What at first looked like the rock studded -side of a foothill was actually a strip of barren and seemingly level -ground between two foothills. It wasn't very big, but it seemed big -enough—unless Lady Luck deliberately turned her face the other way.</p> - -<p>"Yeah, check, Freddy!" Dave murmured, and eased the laboring Lockheed -around and down. "That's us, that spot. Just hang on, everybody. It -won't be long now!"</p> - -<p>"I don't like the way you say that!" Colonel Welsh said with a -mirthless laugh. "But I guess you don't mean it. Go ahead, though. I -was wrong again. We'll keep the parachutes in their packs. What a fine -night this has turned out to be!"</p> - -<p>"Me, I'm thinking of tomorrow and next week," Dave muttered grimly as -he eased the Lockheed lower and lower, and around toward the near end -of the narrow landing space. "This is wild country here. It's plenty -wild. Right in the middle of nowhere. And this baby isn't going to do -any more flying until she has a couple of new engines stuck in her. Oh -well—"</p> - -<p>Dave let the rest go with a shrug and hunched forward slightly over the -controls. The time for talking had passed. Now was the time for action, -and prayer. The Lockheed was down low now, too low to correct any -mistakes. The first swipe at that narrow landing space had to be good. -It had to be perfect. The jagged rocks and trees on all four sides -would make a second try impossible.</p> - -<p>Dave's whole body felt dry as a chip, yet at the same time sweat poured -off his forehead, and the palms of his hands were clammy and cold. He -could almost feel Freddy Farmer and Colonel Welsh hold their breath. -As far as that went, he could almost feel the whole world stand still -and hold its breath. The dropped flares were throwing off less and less -light, but he refrained from telling Freddy to drop a couple of new -ones. Their first moment of brilliance might blind him just enough to -misjudge things by a hair. And misjudging by a hair would be more than -enough to pile them up in a heap among the trees and jagged rocks.</p> - -<p>"Now!" he whispered softly. "Now, baby! Easy does it, now. Down you go. -Down you go. Ah-h-h...! That's the stuff!"</p> - -<p>The Lockheed's wheels touched, touched hard, and the plane tried to -push itself off and up into the air again. But Dave had killed the -forward speed as much as he could. And after a short run forward, -and gentle but firm application of the wheel brakes by Dawson, the -twin-engined craft finally bumped to a halt not ten feet from the lip -of a sharp drop-off in the ground.</p> - -<p>"Now I've seen everything!" Colonel Welsh fairly exploded the words. -"I've seen two miracles come to pass in the same night. It couldn't -be done, but you did it, Dawson. Congratulations from the bottom of my -heart. Good work! We really are on the ground, aren't we?"</p> - -<p>Dave didn't bother to answer. As a matter of fact he couldn't have -said a single word at that moment even though it would have gained him -a million dollars. His heart was stuck halfway between his chest and -his throat, and refused to go up or down. It was the same with Freddy -Farmer, too. The English youth sat stiff and straight in his seat, -working his lips but making no sound. Eventually, though, he did manage -to get control of his tongue and of his frozen muscles. He reached -across and pressed Dave's arm.</p> - -<p>"Top-hole, Dave!" he got out in a husky voice. "A bit of the very, very -best, and I mean it, really. As a pilot bloke myself, I know how good -you have to be to get away with that sort of thing. It was absolutely -perfect."</p> - -<p>"What else?" Dave cracked back with a shaky laugh. "Look who did it! -But skip it. Is my hair grey, Freddy? Do I look very much older? I know -doggone well I gained forty years in those last couple of seconds. -Jeepers! Take a look at that drop-off ahead. Another ten feet and you -<i>wouldn't</i> be thinking I was so hot. And I'm not, really. If Lady Luck -ever landed a plane, she did it that time, and I'm not kidding."</p> - -<p>"Well, we're down, anyway," said Freddy. Then, getting practical: "What -do we do now? Do you know this area very well, sir? Have we got far to -go to the next village?"</p> - -<p>Both Dave and the Colonel laughed in spite of the seriousness of the -situation. And Freddy made angry sounds in his throat.</p> - -<p>"What's so blasted funny about that?" he demanded. "Do you plan to stay -here all night?"</p> - -<p>"Sorry, Freddy," Dave said, and patted his pal's knee. "But this isn't -England, where you can throw a rock from one town and have it land in -the next one. This is our wild and woolly west. I don't know exactly -where we are, but I'd make a rough guess that we're a good two hundred -miles from the nearest town. And that's as the crow flies. Going over -and down these mountains and hills, you could add another two hundred -miles. What do you think, Colonel?"</p> - -<p>"Well, not quite that far, Dawson," the senior officer said with a -laugh that was just a little too tight. "You're stretching it a little, -I'd say. Call it a hundred by air and two-fifty by foot, I guess. -We're just over the Arizona line and south of Holbrook. I'm afraid, -though, Farmer, that we will have to sit here for the rest of the -night, worse luck. To try and get out of here in the dark is just about -like deciding to step off some cliff and smash yourself to bits on the -bottom of a ravine. No. We've got to sit here until they find us."</p> - -<p>"Hey!" Dave cried. "Aren't you forgetting something, Colonel? I mean, -who knows we're on our way? We—Oh, I see! You planned to send word -back to your office, eh? When they don't hear, they'll send planes -hunting for us, huh?"</p> - -<p>The Colonel groaned heavily and clapped a hand to his forehead.</p> - -<p>"You spoiled it that time, Dawson!" he muttered. "But you hit the -nail on the head. I did forget. I mean, I didn't say anything about -letting Lamb or Stacey know when I arrived at San Diego. They simply -expect to hear from me, when they hear. And my man at San Diego doesn't -actually know when I expect to arrive. This <i>is</i> a sweet mess. I should -be demoted and kicked back into the ranks for not thinking of this -possibility. We're stuck, and no two ways about it."</p> - -<p>"But we took this plane from the Alexandria Field," Dave said. "What -about their flight board there? Don't they list every take-off, the -pilot, and where he's heading?"</p> - -<p>"Usually, but not in a case like this," the Colonel replied unhappily. -"When I borrow a plane, I don't tell them where I'm going. And -naturally, they don't ask me. But do we have to sit here in this -darkness, Dawson? The lights don't run off the engine, do they? How -about some light, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Sure, sir," Dave said, and flipped up a couple of switches.</p> - -<p>The interior of the compartment glowed with light, and the three looked -at each other. They grinned in a friendly sort of way, but neither of -them was particularly happy looking. Freddy Farmer twisted around in -his seat and looked at the Colonel.</p> - -<p>"Then we might be here for some time, sir?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"For several hours, at least, Farmer," the senior officer replied -gravely. "Nothing to worry about, though. As soon as it's light, we'll -build a fire and get a smoke signal in the air. A passing transport -plane may see it and come down to investigate. We're a bit south of -their regular run, though. Still, one of them may see it and get some -rescue parties sent out. Nothing to worry about."</p> - -<p>"Not even your constant worry, pal," Dave laughed, and stuck a hand in -his tunic pocket. "Your constant worry about starving, I mean. Here's a -flock of chocolate bars I picked up at Alexandria Field before we left. -One thing I didn't tell you about Farmer, Colonel. If he can't eat -forty times a day he gets as weak as a kitten. And where he puts it, -I'll never know. Doesn't weigh more than a hundred and fifty soaking -wet. He's—"</p> - -<p>"Some other time, my funny little man!" Freddy cut in harshly. "I -wasn't thinking about eating, if you must know the truth. Something -more serious. Or at least it will be serious if we're stuck here for a -considerable length of time."</p> - -<p>Dave's smile faded immediately. He stared at the English youth. Colonel -Welsh also regarded him keenly.</p> - -<p>"Okay, what?" Dave finally asked.</p> - -<p>"The Carrier Indian," Freddy replied. Then, looking at the Colonel, -he asked, "Didn't you say that she weighs anchor sometime tomorrow -afternoon—this afternoon, really? If we're stuck here, will she sail -without us? Or has her skipper orders to wait for word from you?"</p> - -<p>The chief of U. S. Intelligence swallowed hard and made a wry face.</p> - -<p>"That close-shave landing!" he muttered savagely. "It still has my -brains all scrambled up. You're quite right, Farmer. What you say makes -it more of a mess than ever. The Indian is to sail whether her skipper -hears from me or not. Those two men of mine serving as machinists' -mates are already aboard. At least they were to go aboard last evening. -But she won't wait for you two. The skipper has his sailing orders, and -he'll sail whether he's shy two pilot lieutenants or not. Blast and -double blast it all! What you say, Farmer, gives me a very disquieting -thought. Perhaps I <i>wasn't</i> the one that unknown killer was interested -in. It's quite possible that it <i>was</i> you two. The attempt was made -to stop you from reaching the Indian before she sailed. Confound it! -If I've fumbled this thing all up, I'll go out somewhere and cut my -throat. But—but I still can't see how anybody else could possibly have -found out about this flight, let alone the real reason!"</p> - -<p>Dave didn't say anything, but he was thinking of a case he had heard -about in England not so long ago. A bad leak had been found in the Air -Ministry Intelligence, and when it was eventually tracked to its source -it was discovered that a high official's own secretary—a supposedly -loyal Englishman who had held his post since long before the outbreak -of war—was actually in the pay of the Nazis.</p> - -<p>"I'm wondering something, myself," he said presently. "Not to toss more -cold water on things, Colonel, but—well, you don't know for sure if -your two men went aboard the Indian last evening, do you?"</p> - -<p>"No, not for sure," the senior officer replied with a shake of his -head. "But it's—Oh, I see what you mean. Maybe they were—er—delayed, -too, eh? You think of the nicest things, Dawson! But keep on thinking. -Don't stop. Maybe you'll think of a way to get us out of this jam in a -hurry."</p> - -<p>"I sure wish I could!" Dave said fervently. Then, reaching out and -taking a flashlight from the instrument panel clamps, he said, -"Meantime I'm going to have a look at the engines. I could be wrong -about an oil line being nicked. It wouldn't be the first time. Maybe -it's something that we can patch up with some gum and a piece of our -shirts, and we can get ourselves out of here come daylight. That's a -hope, anyway."</p> - -<p>Half an hour later, though, it wasn't a hope. The oil feed lines of the -right outboard engine were split and parted in three different spots. -Besides that, she was seized up tighter than a drum, and couldn't be -made to move short of using dynamite. The left outboard engine wasn't -in a much better condition. Bullets from the unknown attacker's guns -had started a bad leak in the gas line that couldn't be repaired -without the proper tools. And so at the end of the half hour Dave wiped -oil and grease from his hands and climbed down off the wing onto the -ground where Freddy Farmer and the chief of Intelligence waited.</p> - -<p>"No soap," he said bitterly. "If that bird's job was to delay us, he -did it up brown. The only way you'll get this plane out of here is to -fly in a couple of new engines. Nothing to do but wait for daylight."</p> - -<p>"Why wait?" Freddy Farmer protested. "Let's get a fire going now. No -telling but what it might be seen by somebody. It—I say, though! What -about your Indians? They'd give us a bit of trouble, wouldn't they? -I've heard—"</p> - -<p>"Hold everything, pal!" Dave chuckled, while Colonel Welsh struggled -to keep a straight face. "Nowadays you only find that kind of Indians -in books, or in the movies. Let's get the fire started. It's a good -idea. And if Indians do show up I'll welcome them as the flowers in -May."</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer hesitated and looked hard at Dawson. After a moment or so -he shrugged.</p> - -<p>"Very well, then," he murmured. "But I swear I don't know when to -believe you, and when not to. If I get scalped—"</p> - -<p>"You won't!" Dave stopped him, and backed away. "Head's too hard!"</p> - -<p>Freddy took a quick half step forward, but gave it up. Then the three -of them started collecting deadwood, and stuff from the plane that -could be used to make a good fire.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_NINE" id="CHAPTER_NINE">CHAPTER NINE</a><br /> -<small><i>Rescue Wings</i></small></h2> - - -<p>Dawn came roaring up over the mountains to the east to touch off -their peaks with fire, and send rainbows of color arcing off in all -directions. It was a sight to make a man catch his breath and stand in -awe of the glorious majesty of nature. But for Dave Dawson and Freddy -Farmer and Colonel Welsh, the coming of the new day was more than just -something beautiful to watch and admire. It was like being released -from a prison of darkness.</p> - -<p>As soon as there was enough light to allow vision at any great -distance, they eagerly and hopefully scrutinized their immediate -surroundings. But what they saw dashed their hopes even lower. -Heart-chilling wilderness met their gaze on all sides. It was as though -they had landed at the very end of the world; landed in a little pocket -of level ground completely lost in the depths of jagged rock sided -hills and towering snow-capped mountains.</p> - -<p>For several minutes they looked about them in silence. Then, as though -at an unspoken signal, they turned and looked at each other, each man -reading the message of utter helplessness reflected in the next man's -eyes. It was Dave who finally broke the silence, and spoke the thought -that was in the minds of the other two.</p> - -<p>"Our smoke signal won't be seen by any plane unless it passes directly -over this spot," he said. "These hills and mountains are such that -it's as if we were at the bottom of a well. And it's going to be even -tougher getting out of here on foot."</p> - -<p>Neither Freddy Farmer or Colonel Welsh said anything. There wasn't -anything they could say. Dave had spoken the truth. And that was that. -Eventually Colonel Welsh knocked the ashes from his dead pipe and stuck -it back in his pocket.</p> - -<p>"We'd better not try going out on foot for a while," he said, "at least -not until tomorrow. Better to stick here today and see if anything -happens. I'm mighty sorry this happened, you fellows. It's all my -fault, and I could kick myself right up the side of that mountain."</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't say that, sir," Freddy Farmer said with a smile. "You had -no idea that chap was going to attack us last night."</p> - -<p>"No," the chief of U. S. Intelligence growled. "Just the same, -ignorance is no excuse. I should have made sure, just in case the -unexpected did happen. I certainly should have taken a plane fitted -with a radio, instead of this one that hasn't got any. At least we -could have let the world know that we were going down for a forced -landing. But as it turned out—"</p> - -<p>The Colonel sighed heavily and let the rest slide. Dave and Freddy -looked at each other and shrugged. It was no use crying over spilled -milk, but as a matter of cold hard fact both of them had been just -a little surprised when they had boarded the plane and seen that it -carried no radio. Neither, though, had said anything about it.</p> - -<p>"Why wasn't it fitted with a radio, sir?" Dave finally blurted out the -question. "I mean—well, a radio is standard equipment on any ship. Is -there no radio on this for some particular reason?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," the senior officer replied with a wry smile, and tapped his -chest. "I'm the reason. On a couple of occasions when the plane I -was in did have a radio, I was contacted about this and that every -half hour or so. Once I even turned back because of a message I had -received, only to find I'd wasted my time. Ever since then I've flown -without a radio. Been able to get more done, too. But I certainly -struck out this time. I'm sorry."</p> - -<p>"Well, those things happen," Dave said politely, and let the subject -drop. "How about a short scouting trip about here? Or better yet, what -say I to make the top of that mountain, there? I guess I could do it in -a couple of hours. Maybe we're not buried as deep as we think we are. -Maybe I'll see a town, or a Ranger camp from there. Also, I may find -some berries and stuff, and a spring. The chocolate we have aboard, and -the drinking water, isn't going to last us for very long. What do you -think, Colonel? Think you can keep Freddy cheered up while I'm gone? -See that the Indians don't get him?"</p> - -<p>The Colonel grinned and opened his mouth to speak, but what he was -about to say never left his lips. At that moment all three of them -heard the faint drone of a plane somewhere up in the sky, but out of -sight behind the towering mountains north of them. As one man they spun -around and stared hard at the dawn light bouncing off the snow-capped -peaks. Nobody said a word. Nobody could. They were all too busy -holding their breath, and praying as they had never prayed before.</p> - -<p>After a few seconds Dave snapped out of his trance, ran over to the -pile of deadwood they had collected, grabbed up an armful, ran back to -the fire and dumped his load. Then he picked up a can of oil drained -from the engine and poured it on the licking flames. A second more and -a column of oily black smoke went towering up into the dawn sky.</p> - -<p>"He can't miss that, unless he's blind!" Dave muttered through clenched -teeth as the black smoke mounted higher and higher. "Come on, whoever -you are, take a look, take a look!"</p> - -<p>"Steady, Dawson," Colonel Welsh cautioned gently as Dave's voice rose -to a wild shout. "We've got to steel ourselves in case he doesn't see -it. Then it won't be so tough. This thing might happen several times, -you know. No telling. Save your strength, son. Take it easy."</p> - -<p>Dave hardly heard the words of wisdom. His eyes were glued to the -north, his ears strained to catch every beat of the plane's engine -which was still out of sight, and his two fists clenched tight as -though he were actually pulling the unseen plane closer and closer. -Then, suddenly, the drone of the engine grew louder. It rose to a -mighty roar. And then the plane came sailing into view above the -mountain peaks. It was a five-place Stinson cabin plane, a commercial -plane probably owned by some rancher. There were no markings on the -craft other than the usual Bureau of Aeronautics license letter and -number. A wild cry of joyous relief struggled up Dave's throat but was -unable to pass his lips. A riot of emotions boiled up within him, and -his lips and his tongue were suddenly too dry to form sounds. So he -simply stood stock still and grinned from ear to ear as the cabin plane -cleared the peak and then came nosing down toward them; circling down -like some giant bird seeking a spot to light on.</p> - -<p>When it was less than five hundred feet over their heads, the three men -shook themselves loose from their paralytic spell and started jumping -around and waving their arms wildly as though the pilot of the plane -hadn't seen them yet. The pilot waggled his wings as a signal that he -had, and then leveled off and went coasting toward the eastern end -of the landing strip. There he circled back, suddenly fed hop to his -engine and started to climb. For one horrible moment Dave was afraid -the pilot had decided that he couldn't put his plane down on the small -strip. But he was wrong. The pilot had simply goosed his engine to add -enough to his speed to clear the tops of some tall trees. He slipped -over them, went up on left wing a bit, and slid down to level off in a -perfect landing.</p> - -<p>Even as the plane was braking to a stop, Dave, Freddy, and the Colonel -rushed back to it. They pulled up to a halt, waited for the plane to -roll the last few feet, then ducked under the left wing and around to -the cabin door. They had already seen that there were two men aboard -the plane, the pilot and a passenger. As Dave watched them come back -from the pilot's nook to the cabin door, he was faintly surprised by -their looks. Why, he didn't know, but somehow he had expected to see -a couple of youngsters climb down from the plane. But they weren't -young. They were both well along in years. They had hard, rugged faces, -covered by at least a two week's growth of whiskers. They wore rough -clothing, and each man carried a gun slung at his hip. The guns were -not pistols, though. They were automatics, and Dave suddenly had the -hunch that their rescuers were a couple of fire rangers, or at least -some kind of government men. The way they leaped cat-like out the cabin -door and down onto the ground seemed somehow to suggest the military -to Dave. But what they were didn't matter in the slightest. They had -arrived to rescue them, and that was all that counted.</p> - -<p>"Stuck, huh?" the older one of the pair grunted, and grinned. "Lucky we -happened to see your smoke signal. You might have camped here for quite -a spell. Army and Navy, huh?"</p> - -<p>"And in a hurry," Colonel Welsh said. Then, after introducing himself: -"We had a forced landing. Er—engine trouble. Can you fly us to the -nearest Air Corps Base where we can pick up another plane? I'll see -that you're paid for it, of course."</p> - -<p>"Guess so," the man grunted after a look at his partner. "But where're -you headed? Maybe we could hop you all the way, and save time, if -you're in such a hurry."</p> - -<p>"San Diego," Colonel Welsh said. "I have to get there as soon as -possible. But maybe you haven't the gas."</p> - -<p>"San Diego, huh?" the older one, who was the pilot, murmured, and -arched his brows. "Yeah. I guess we can make it there from here. Had -engine trouble, huh? Not much fun in this neck of the woods. Okay. Get -aboard."</p> - -<p>A hidden thought was tugging at Dave's brain, but he couldn't seem to -get it out in the open. Something was just a wee bit wrong with the -picture, but after a moment of deep thought he decided it was worry -about a take-off from the narrow space of level ground.</p> - -<p>"Think you've got a long enough run?" he asked, and jerked a thumb at -the crippled Lockheed. "Maybe the five of us should haul that out of -the way. But even then you wouldn't have much extra. There's a sharp -drop-off just ahead of it."</p> - -<p>"Don't get in a sweat, kid," the man mouthed, and gave him a hard -stare. "I wouldn't have come down if I'd thought I couldn't get off -again. Just get aboard and keep your seat. We'll get you places, and -with no trouble at all. Okay, Colonel, let's get going."</p> - -<p>With a curt nod the pilot and his passenger turned and climbed back -into the plane. Colonel Welsh followed at their heels, but for an -instant Dave and Freddy hung back. They looked at each other and -frowned slightly.</p> - -<p>"Queer couple of blokes, aren't they?" the English youth murmured. -"Can't say I like their looks much."</p> - -<p>"I've seen better," Dave replied with a nod. "But so long as they -get us out of here, I don't care what they look like. But—is there -something on your mind?"</p> - -<p>"Not a thing," Freddy replied. Then, with a puzzled scowl: "Just sort -of feel funny, though. One of your confounded hunches, I guess. Oh -well! No doubt it's your American climate. I'm sure I should have -stayed in England."</p> - -<p>"Hop in, or do you two kids want to stay and play boy scout?"</p> - -<p>The Stinson's passenger stood framed in the cabin doorway. His blue -green eyes stabbed down at Dave and Freddy, and the mop of coarse red -hair on his head actually did look like fire in the glow of the dawn -sun. Dave stared at him, felt that elusive thought tug at his brain for -the last time, and then climbed into the plane with Freddy right behind.</p> - -<p>The pilot at the controls glanced back just long enough to see that -everybody was aboard, and then he goosed the engine and taxied around -on one wheel, and went trundling back toward the far end of the landing -strip. His friend, the redhead, sat in the co-pilot's seat, but he was -twisted around so that he faced Dave, Freddy, and the Colonel, who -were sitting in the three passenger seats. A grin parted his lips, but -he seemed to be grinning over their heads rather than at them.</p> - -<p>For a brief instant a clammy chill rippled through Dave. He shook it -off, angrily told himself that he was letting his imagination run wild, -and concentrated on watching the pilot take the plane off. It was a -beautiful bit of flying, and Dave nodded his head in silent approval -and admiration as the pilot held the Stinson on the ground until he had -plenty of forward speed, then gently eased it off and up as nice as -could be.</p> - -<p>Holding the nose up, the pilot circled the Stinson upwards until the -mountain peaks were almost on a level with the wings. Flattening off -the climb, he banked around for the last time and went roaring between -two mountain peaks to the north. For a couple of minutes Dave was too -thrilled by the wild, heart stopping beauty of the mountain scenery -below to pay much attention to the course of the plane. Eventually, -though, when the sun continued to stay on the right wing side, he -stopped gaping at the terrain below, and glanced sharply ahead. The -redhead was still grinning, very comfortably relaxed in his seat. And -the pilot was still holding the nose pointed north as though he planned -to keep going in that direction for quite some time to come.</p> - -<p>Dave held his peace for a moment or so longer. Then curiosity and an -eerie tingling sensation at the back of his neck forced the words off -his lips.</p> - -<p>"We're heading north!" he called out. "San Diego isn't north of us!"</p> - -<p>Both Colonel Welsh and Freddy Farmer jumped as though they had been -shot. They turned and stared at him, wide-eyed. The redhead stared at -him, too. But his eyes were slightly narrowed, and his perpetual grin -stiffened slightly. He didn't say anything.</p> - -<p>"Well, what is the idea, anyway?" Colonel Welsh finally boomed angrily. -"San Diego is west and south of here!"</p> - -<p>The redhead shrugged and nodded, but the pilot didn't even turn his -head.</p> - -<p>"That's right, isn't it?" he called out. "Well, what do you know about -that? I guess we ain't heading for San Diego, Colonel. Kind of looks -that way, don't it, huh?"</p> - -<p>Colonel Welsh blinked and looked blank for a moment. Then his face -reddened and he started up out of his seat.</p> - -<p>"See here!" he thundered. "What in—?"</p> - -<p>The redhead made a quick motion, and the chief of U. S. Intelligence -choked off the rest. But it was the automatic that suddenly seemed to -jump right into the redhead's hand that really stopped him. He froze -motionless half up out of his seat. The redhead waved the gun a little.</p> - -<p>"Relax, and sit, Colonel!" he said in a voice that sounded like small -stones on a tin roof. "I couldn't let you have it down there, but up -here it's easy. Relax and get smart. And that goes for you two kids, -too!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_TEN" id="CHAPTER_TEN">CHAPTER TEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Vulture's Nest</i></small></h2> - - -<p>For a long minute there was no sound inside the cabin save the faint -drone of the plane's engine. Like three men suddenly struck dumb, Dave, -Freddy, and the Colonel stared at the redhead. Rather, they stared at -the automatic he held in his right hand; held so that at the bat of -an eyelash he could send a bullet into either of them, or into all -three of them, for that matter. Then, finally, Colonel Welsh broke the -silence.</p> - -<p>"What in thunder <i>is</i> this?" he demanded. "Who are you two? What's the -idea?"</p> - -<p>The redhead hunched his shoulders and half nodded his head toward the -pilot.</p> - -<p>"That's Ike, and I'm Mike," he said with a chuckle. "But it isn't any -act. We're just keeping you on ice for a while, Colonel. Be nice and -you'll get back into circulation again in time. Be dumb, and you'll be -dead."</p> - -<p>As the Colonel struggled for words, Dave leaned forward a little, arms -resting on his knees.</p> - -<p>"This isn't the plane you flew last night," he said.</p> - -<p>The redhead grinned all the more and shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Nope," he said. "And that makes you a bright little boy—Flight -Lieutenant Dawson. And that was nice flying last night. I thought that -second time I had you cold. I guess you're as good at the controls as -I've heard tell you were. Or was this English kid, Farmer, doing the -flying?"</p> - -<p>Dave didn't reply. He suddenly felt as though his seat had been -jerked out from under him, and as if his brain were tumbling down -through space. This redhead knew his name, and Freddy's, too? An eerie -chill swept through him, and he impulsively looked at Colonel Welsh. -The chief of U. S. Intelligence's face was bright with dumfounded -amazement. He in turn was staring speechlessly at the redhead. The man -with the gun dragged down a corner of his mouth in a scornful gesture.</p> - -<p>"Why so surprised, Colonel?" he asked. "Did you think you were the only -smart one in this war?"</p> - -<p>"You won't feel so smart when you're facing a firing squad!" the -Colonel clipped out. "And that's where you're headed. Both of you!"</p> - -<p>"Well, what do you know!" the pilot cried out, and turned around just -long enough to give the Colonel a horse laugh. "Maybe you ain't got it -yet, Colonel, who's holding the gun. Snap out of it. I know it's tough, -but there's nothing you can do about it. Don't be a sap and make us let -you have it. We just want to keep you on ice for a while. That's all."</p> - -<p>The Colonel seemed to swallow his wrath, because when he spoke again -his voice was normal, and almost friendly.</p> - -<p>"All right, we'll be smart," he said. "But where are we heading? And -why are you keeping us on ice, as you call it? What good is it going to -do you?"</p> - -<p>"What good?" the redhead echoed with a laugh. "Well, about ten thousand -dollars' worth, for one thing. For another—well, I guess we just don't -like you."</p> - -<p>A hard, glittering look leaped into the Colonel's eyes, and Dave could -tell that the man was employing every ounce of his will power to stop -from leaping from his seat and hurling himself at the redhead, gun or -no gun.</p> - -<p>"A couple of bought and paid for American traitors, eh?" the chief of -U. S. Intelligence suddenly grated. "American by birth only. Actually -lower than the rats in Berlin and Tokio are—the ones who are paying -you your blood money. Well, paste this in your hats. You'll never live -to spend that money. And that's a promise!"</p> - -<p>The redhead simply continued to grin. Then suddenly the gun in his hand -spat flame and sound, and Dave saw the Colonel's left shoulder strap -fly off as though cut by a knife. The bullet tore on out through the -side of the cabin. Colonel Welsh didn't so much as flinch, or even bat -an eye. He held the redhead with a steady agate-eyed stare.</p> - -<p>"Put the next right between my eyes!" he grated. "You'll still not -be able to spend that blood money. You'll be run to earth like the -anti-American vermin you are. And you'll be wiped out, along with the -rest of your fifth column brood."</p> - -<p>The redhead didn't say anything. Dave wasn't sure, but he thought he -saw a look of fear flash across the man's unshaven face. However, it -came and went in a flash. The pilot turned from his controls again, and -gave the Colonel a long look.</p> - -<p>"Maybe!" he finally said harshly. "That's the chance we take. But let's -not kid each other, Colonel. The point is that the Carrier Indian won't -be sailing with these two little heroes of yours aboard. Yeah! So don't -look like you're going to faint. We know all about it. The boys we work -for are smart. And your whole country is going to find that out in -short order, too.</p> - -<p>"You guys in Washington have got a New Deal. Well, another guy has a -<i>New Deal</i>, too. I like his better. So don't waste breath trying to -unsell me. It can't be done. I've been kicked around too much by your -cops and F.B.I.</p> - -<p>"I'm looking out for my own good, see? I found out how my pal and me -can make dough easy, and we're making it. No more working my life away -for nothing. I'm sold on <i>my</i> New Deal.</p> - -<p>"Now shut up, and relax. My pal and me have dough to earn."</p> - -<p>"Aw, let 'em talk!" the redhead said with a hoarse laugh. "Maybe -they'll try selling us some of them Defense Bonds."</p> - -<p>"And you shut up, too!" the pilot snarled. "I don't feel like hearing -anybody talk, see?"</p> - -<p>The redhead looked both surprised and angry.</p> - -<p>"Okay, okay!" he said. "So nobody talks."</p> - -<p>Silence once more settled over the interior of the cabin, but it was -the kind of a silence that feels charged with high voltage electricity, -and apt to strike all over the place at an instant's notice. Turning -his head, Dave snapped a quick glance out the window, but what he saw -didn't help his spirits any. The plane was grinding northward over wild -mountainous country that looked every bit as uninviting as that narrow -strip of ground where they had force landed. Whether or not they had -reached the Utah line, or were still in Arizona, Dave couldn't tell -with that one quick glance. And he didn't bother taking a second look.</p> - -<p>Fact was, it didn't matter where they were. Through a crazy twist of -fate they were helpless prisoners in the hands of two men who would -shoot them dead at the slightest provocation. The single warning shot -that the redhead had snapped across Colonel Welsh's shoulder had been -proof enough that he wasn't afraid to use his gun.</p> - -<p>Yes, they were helpless prisoners. And their captors knew all about -them: who they were, where they had been heading, and why. As those -three truths came home to Dave, again he swallowed hard and shivered -slightly. It was like a crazy nightmare, only it wasn't. It was stark -reality; nothing out of a story book. The pilot and his redheaded -companion had received orders to make sure that Freddy Farmer and he -did not sail on the Aircraft Carrier Indian. They had tried the first -time last night by attacking them with machine guns in a plane.</p> - -<p>They had failed, yet in a way they had succeeded. They had drilled the -Lockheed's engines and forced Dave to sit down on that narrow strip -of smooth ground deep in a valley. Not knowing the exact results of -their efforts, the two men had cruised about over the area as soon as -it became light, and—by another crazy twist of fate—they had seen -the smoke signal that had been sent up to attract <i>help</i>. Seeing that -the plane had not crashed, the two men had done the logical thing, -from their point of view. They had landed and picked up their prey. -Kidnapped them, yes, but for a very good reason. Some other plane -passing over might have landed and given them a quick lift to their -destination. So the redhead and the pilot had picked them up to make -sure somebody else wouldn't do it.</p> - -<p>And the reason they hadn't been killed on the spot was simple to -figure. Death in the dark during that air attack last night would -have been different. The plane would have crashed and burned up, and -when its charred ruins were found no one would ever had dreamed that -bullets had sent it hurtling down to its doom. But three dead men lying -beside a force landed plane was something else again. A scene like -that naturally screamed murder all over the place. And so the redhead -and his pilot had kidnapped them so that if another plane landed to -investigate, it would look as though the occupants of the Lockheed had -tried to find their way back to civilization on foot, and had become -hopelessly lost in the mountains.</p> - -<p>"But they know all about us! How?"</p> - -<p>Dave didn't speak the words aloud. He spoke them only in his brain, -but as he glanced at Colonel Welsh and met the man's eyes he knew that -the senior officer understood what was in his mind, just as though he -had heard the words spoken. Even as Dave met his eyes, Colonel Welsh -bit his lower lip and gave a sharp little puzzled shake of his head. A -hundred and one answers to the question leaped into Dave's brain, but -every one of them seemed too fantastic even to bother considering.</p> - -<p>However, fantastic or not, one thought kept hammering away until he was -forced to admit that it at least must be true. It was that somebody -close to Colonel Welsh—very close—was unquestionably in the pay of -Berlin, or Tokio. Somebody in the drab, unpretentious building where -Colonel Welsh maintained his real head-quarters was a traitor to the -American flag, a paid rat of the lowest form who gnawed at the very -heart of America.</p> - -<p>But who? Dave thought of Captain Lamb, and Captain Stacey, and -Lieutenant Caldwell—and shook his head vigorously. He thought of the -man who had taken them up in the elevator—and wondered. He thought -of the man reading the book in that room with the mops and pails—and -wondered some more. In fact, he wondered until his head ached and his -brain rang. It just didn't seem possible that any spy could get close -enough to learn all that somebody had learned. That, however, was one -of the many cockeyed things about war. The impossible was constantly -popping up to prove to be a cinch. There were over two years of proof -of that. Poland for one. The Maginot Line for another. And Crete, and -Malaya, and Singapore—and Pearl Harbor, too, for that matter. All that -had happened at those various places just couldn't happen. Only it -<i>had</i>!</p> - -<p>"So maybe Lamb, or Stacey, or—"</p> - -<p>Dave cut short the unspoken thought. The pilot up forward had throttled -his engine and was nosing the Stinson downward. Leaning over close -to the window, Dave peered down and ahead. He saw a stretch of wild -wasteland that seemed to extend to the four horizons. Scrub growth, -a few patches of towering trees, and all the rocks in the world, it -seemed, met his scrutiny. The plane seemed to be nosing down toward an -area of tableland. And as Dave squinted his eyes he suddenly was able -to make out a couple of weatherbeaten shacks built close to a patch of -woods. He thought he saw something glistening just under the branches -of the trees, but he was too high and too far away to tell what it was.</p> - -<p>"Okay!" the redhead suddenly called out. "We're getting near the end -of the line. Remember what I told you, you three. Be nice and nothing -will happen. Get funny and I'll drill you and think nothing of it, so -help me. I ain't a killer often, but when I am, I'm good. So watch your -step."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_ELEVEN" id="CHAPTER_ELEVEN">CHAPTER ELEVEN</a><br /> -<small><i>A Little Bit Of England!</i></small></h2> - - -<p>Dave didn't bother looking at the redhead as the man pushed words off -the tip of his tongue. He kept his nose pressed against the cabin -window and watched with beating heart as the area of tableland came -sweeping up closer and closer to the plane. The nearer the plane got to -the ground, the more weatherbeaten and deserted the two shacks looked. -In fact, Dave knew that if he should be flying over them at even a -thousand feet or so, he would instantly take them for a couple of -prospectors' shacks abandoned to the wind and the rain years and years -before.</p> - -<p>Another couple of minutes and the Stinson went up on wing, cut around -in a dime turn, and then leveled off and settled to earth between two -rows of sun-bleached rocks. Hardly had the plane braked to a halt than -the redhead was at the cabin door, pushing it open with one hand behind -him, and backing out. Every second of the time, though, he kept his -blue green eyes fastened on his prisoners.</p> - -<p>"I'll take them inside while you put the job away," he said to the -pilot. "Stick her way under the trees with that Waco, just in case some -nosy guys come flying over. Nuts to take chances, you know. We'll—"</p> - -<p>"Can it!" the pilot snarled. "Who are you, giving orders? Take them -inside. I'll be along in a minute, and help tie them up. But keep that -gun ready, and use it if you have to. We can't risk anything, see?"</p> - -<p>"I see, sure I see!" the redhead snarled back. "What's eating you, -anyway?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing, and shut up!" the pilot said in a brittle voice.</p> - -<p>The redhead nodded, and motioned with his gun to Dave and the other two.</p> - -<p>"Out!" he snapped. "And watch it. And keep your hands in sight, too."</p> - -<p>Dave obeyed to the letter, but his heart was thumping against his ribs. -He had a sneaky feeling that Colonel Welsh's words had had a profound -effect on the pilot. Sure, he had snarled, and boasted, and cursed the -United States, the land of his birth. But like all rats of his ilk, -deep down in his black heart he was scared stiff of the Old Man With -the Whiskers. Deep down in his heart he knew that he might get by with -this back stabbing for a little while—just like the Japs—but not for -long. In the end he would be caught in the wheels of right and justice -and be ground to a pulp.</p> - -<p>With the pilot feeling as he obviously did, snapping and snarling at -his own partner in this dirty work, perhaps something could be made of -it. Perhaps—</p> - -<p>Dave didn't finish the rest. Without realizing it he had sort of -stopped to mull things over as he climbed down from the plane. He had -unconsciously started to push one hand into his tunic pocket. He didn't -even realize he was making the movement, but the redhead saw it, took -it for the wrong thing, and moved with the speed of light. The barrel -of the automatic was slapped against the left side of Dave's jaw just -hard enough for him to see stars and stumble. He ended up by falling -the rest of the way out of the cabin doorway and landing flat on his -face on hard dirt.</p> - -<p>"And stay there!" he heard the redhead growl. "I'll take that gun just -as soon as your two pals are down. Okay, you two. Out, and keep your -hands where I can see them. Okay! Now, flat on your bellies and hands -outstretched. Either of you move, and you get it."</p> - -<p>A moment later Dave felt the muzzle of the automatic pressed against -the back of his head, and felt the redhead's other hand going through -his pockets. He didn't move a muscle, and presently an angry curse told -him that the redhead realized he was wrong. Then the gun tapped him -lightly on the head.</p> - -<p>"Stay put, with your hands out!" the redhead said. "I'll just make sure -about your pals."</p> - -<p>Dave kept his throbbing face buried in the dirt until he heard the -redhead's voice again.</p> - -<p>"Okay, on your feet, and inside! And no more kidding moves like that -last one, Dawson. My trigger finger's getting plenty itchy. Okay, move!"</p> - -<p>Dave got slowly to his feet, blinked from his eyes water caused by -smacking the ground with his face, and walked stiff-legged in through -the door of the nearest shack. He expected to step into a room heavy -with age, and dust, and dirt, and all the countless smells of the -years. But he didn't. He stepped into a large sized room that was -comfortably furnished and fitted out like a hunting lodge. No, not -exactly a hunting lodge. Rather, it looked more like an arsenal. -There were guns all over the place, of all types: pistols, automatics, -rifles, and machine guns. Along the entire right wall were heavy wood -boxes that obviously contained thousands and thousands of rounds of -ammunition.</p> - -<p>But what caught Dave's eyes and held them was the powerful gas engine -operated short-wave radio receiving set and transmitter that took up -most of the space at the rear of the room. One glance told him that -every part of it was of the finest equipment, and that its operator -could contact points thousands and thousands of miles away. One look at -the set and he guessed instantly that one of its chief uses was to send -weather data to listening Axis ears. This was probably one of several -such stations hidden in the vastness of the United States. In time they -would be smoked out and destroyed. Meantime, though, they were serving -the Axis powers well, and, unquestionably, in a dozen different ways.</p> - -<p>"Not bad, huh?" he heard the redhead's voice with its taunting note. -"We have lots of fun here, Mike and Ike. See what I mean, Colonel? We -got it all doped out. You Army and Navy guys are suckers. You don't -stand a chance, what I mean. When the time's right, we'll move in. -And that's all there'll be to it, see? Steady, Colonel! Steady, pal. -Rushing me will just get you a bullet in that belly of yours. Take it -easy, and relax. Back up, and sit down on that case. You two kids, too."</p> - -<p>As the redhead grinned and made motions with the gun, Dave, Freddy, -and the Colonel slowly backed up until they were sitting on a couple -of gun cases. Once they were settled, with their hands carefully kept -in sight, the redhead hooked one leg over a nearby table and absently -stroked the palm of his other hand with the barrel of his automatic. -Dave heard Colonel Welsh's tight, rasping breathing beside him, but he -didn't look at the man. Nor did he glance at Freddy Farmer, who hadn't -spoken a word since they had entered the Stinson. Instead, Dave kept -his eyes fixed on the redhead—and waited, and hoped, and prayed.</p> - -<p>"Yeah, we have us some fun here," the redhead went on, and looked -straight at Colonel Welsh. "But soon we're going to have some real fun. -See all these guns, Colonel? Lots of people are going to hear them pop -off, soon. People east in Washington, too. The boys running this show -have it all doped out. It'll be a cinch."</p> - -<p>"Do you know what you are?" the Colonel suddenly asked with an effort.</p> - -<p>"No, you tell me, Colonel," the redhead said with a chuckle. Then, -before Colonel Welsh could get a word in edgewise: "You know, I'd -never tab you for head of the Intelligence, Colonel. You don't look -the part to me at all. But maybe that's what's made you the great man -of mystery, eh? Well, the mystery is over as far as I'm concerned. And -to tell you the truth, I'm kind of disappointed. When we got the radio -flash that you were aboard a plane heading west with these two kids, -I got kind of all excited. I got kind of sorry, too, that I'd have to -shoot you down without having a look at you. But—well, I did get that -look after all. And I'm disappointed."</p> - -<p>"And you are a complete and utter fool!" Colonel Welsh said, -tight-lipped. "I told you once, and I tell you again! You'll never get -away with this. You'll be caught and either strung up, or shot. You'll -get—"</p> - -<p>"Didn't I tell you to shut up? Well, do it. We can't be bothered -listening to your junk. Shut up! <i>Do you hear me!</i>"</p> - -<p>It was the voice of the pilot, who had suddenly appeared in the -doorway. He stood glaring at Colonel Welsh out of eyes that held a -wild, glassy glitter. Two white spots appeared on either cheek, and as -the last left his lips they came together to form a thin cruel line. -Then before Colonel Welsh, or Dave, or Freddy Farmer could so much as -move a muscle, the man leaped forward and slammed his upholstered gun -against the Colonel's left temple. The chief of U. S. Intelligence -slumped over, but caught himself and straightened up slowly. A trickle -of blood ran down from the cut on his temple, but he made no effort to -raise his hand to it. He looked at the pilot and smiled grimly. Dave -marveled silently at the man's courage and ability to take it. The blow -he had received was enough to knock over a horse.</p> - -<p>"Swing again, you rat traitor!" the Colonel got out evenly. "You know -in your heart that you're sunk. And it's making you lose your grip."</p> - -<p>For an instant Dave thought the pilot was going to go stark raving -mad with rage and hurl himself at the Colonel. But he didn't. With a -visibly tremendous effort he regained control of himself and forced a -harsh laugh off his lips.</p> - -<p>"That's what you think!" he snapped. Then out of the corner of his -mouth to his partner: "Get that rope, and we'll tie them up. We'll gag -this big slob. I'm sick of hearing his yapping."</p> - -<p>Less than five minutes later Dave and Freddy were bound hand and foot. -Colonel Welsh was bound hand and foot, too, but he was also gagged. The -pilot made sure that the ropes were tied right, then turned his back -on them and walked over to a table on the other side of the room. He -picked up a whiskey bottle there, took a long drink and choked on it. -He coughed so hard he almost dropped the bottle. He would have if the -redhead hadn't jumped quickly forward and grabbed it.</p> - -<p>"Hey, what's the matter with you?" the redhead demanded angrily. "You -getting the jim-jams? This is no time to fall apart. Snap out of it. -Get hold of yourself. Boy! Wouldn't the big boss like to see you, now. -I knew he should have put me in charge of this station."</p> - -<p>The pilot suddenly went white about the corners of his mouth, and there -was cold murder in the eyes he fixed on the redhead. He reached out and -tapped the redhead on the chest with the barrel of his automatic.</p> - -<p>"Just say that again, lug," he grated. "Go on! Just say it again!"</p> - -<p>The redhead seemed to wilt like a flower tossed into a blast furnace. -He gulped and swallowed hard, and backed away a couple of steps.</p> - -<p>"Okay, okay!" he got out hastily. "I was only kidding. But I only -thought—"</p> - -<p>"Nobody wants you to think!" the pilot snarled, and took a step -forward. "Get it? Cut out the thinking. Now, get on that key and -contact Frisco. Tell them we've got them on ice, and what do we do now? -Tell them this place is cooked, if either of these three should get -away. Find out where he wants them delivered, or what. He was nuts to -have us go hunting them, and bring them back here. They'd have been -stuck there a week, anyway. And that's more time than we need to fly -these guns and stuff to the other places. But skip that last. Don't -tell them that, understand. The big boy wouldn't like it."</p> - -<p>"I'll say he wouldn't!" the redhead said with a tight laugh, and went -through the motions of slitting his throat from ear to ear. "Okay. I'll -find out what we do now. Fun, I hope."</p> - -<p>The redhead flung the trio of prisoners a leering look, then went to -the back of the room and sat down at the radio equipment. A moment or -so later the crackling of the spark gap of a wireless set filled the -room. Dave closed his eyes and strained his ears. He caught the signal -being sent out. It was S-T. It was repeated a dozen times or more. -Then the man stopped sending, and there was silence as he listened to -whatever was coming through his earphones. After twenty seconds or so -he started sending again. Dave caught all the signals, but that's all -the good it did him. He glanced at Freddy Farmer and Colonel Welsh, and -knew that they were catching the signals, too, and that the code going -out over the air was just as meaningless to them as it was to him.</p> - -<p>For five minutes the redhead "talked" with the man at the other end of -the wave length. Then he switched off his set, got up and turned around -with a grin on his face that stretched from ear to ear.</p> - -<p>"He thinks we're great guys," he said to his partner. "He thinks we're -the nuts."</p> - -<p>"Horses to what he thinks!" the pilot growled, and ran a nervous tongue -tip along his lower lip. "What do we do now? What are his orders?"</p> - -<p>"To sit tight," the redhead said. Then, after flashing Colonel Welsh a -smirking look, he went on, "He's coming up here sometime tonight. He -didn't say, but I've got a hunch he wants to work on our three friends -here. But he's tickled silly about it all. What a break for us we were -bum shots last night. This little job puts us in good, I'm telling you. -Boy! You can't top the big boss, can you? He knows his onions right -down the line. Yeah! Old blabber mouth, there, is going to have plenty -of chance to work his yap. And I mean, but plenty! Maybe he won't want -to, but I've seen the big boss's way of getting guys to talk. He's got -a technique, he has!"</p> - -<p>"Coming up tonight, huh?" the pilot echoed with a happy smile. "Swell! -That means you and me will be shifted to some other station. And -that'll suit me okay. This neck of the woods is giving me the creeps. -Thirty days here. It's been like thirty years. Let's have a drink on -getting out of here soon."</p> - -<p>"Yeah!" the redhead said, and licked his lips. "Let's have a couple of -them. I'm dry as a bone."</p> - -<p>With that moment began an hour and a half that was just about the -toughest ninety minutes Dave Dawson had ever spent in his life. The -two unshaven men went over to the table and dropped into chairs and -proceeded to ignore their prisoners. That didn't bother Dave in the -slightest, though. He was quite content to have the two ignore him, -for he was too busy with his thoughts—thoughts that tumbled and -spilled around in his brain like little red hot stones. A hundred times -at least he strained at the ropes that held his wrists bound behind -his back. And a hundred times circles of white pain about his wrists -convinced him that he didn't stand a chance in the world of freeing his -hands, to say nothing of his ankles. A hundred times he cursed himself -bitterly for not getting away from that attacker last night—and -without damage to the Lockheed's engines. A hundred times he thought of -the Aircraft Carrier Indian and the unknown doom that hovered over her; -the unknown doom that was aboard her in the form of some rat Axis spy -who had killed and obtained vital information that could easily spell -disaster for many of Uncle Sam's fighting men of the sea if it reached -Japanese hands soon enough.</p> - -<p>A hundred times he thought of many things, and each time his utter -helplessness to do anything about them was like a hot knife twisting -in his heart. But the most torturing thing of all was the realization -that he and Freddy had been stopped cold before they had even been able -to get started. The Carrier Indian was over three hundred miles away, -riding at anchor in San Diego harbor. Who knew when they would see it? -Who knew if they would <i>ever</i> see it? Caught cold before they had even -got started on the very first of the special assignments they were to -carry out for Uncle Sam. What a sweet beginning! Yes! What a sweet -beginning that could well be the end, too. And that end might come when -the man referred to as the big boss arrived.</p> - -<p>Thoughts, thoughts, and more thoughts that walked, raced, cut and -slashed their way through Dave's brain. Seconds dragged on into -minutes, and the minutes seemed to drag on into an eternity of time. -Then suddenly sound forced its way through Dave's thoughts and brought -him back to the present. The sound was soft moaning and groaning. And -it came from Freddy Farmer's lips.</p> - -<p>The English youth was sitting on a gun case just beyond where Colonel -Welsh sat, but out in front of him so that Dave could see his pal. -And the look on Freddy's face was one of great pain, and not a little -of terror, and fear. His eyes were half closed, and he seemed to be -staring at nothing at all as he rocked jerkily back and forth like some -African savage praying to his idol gods. For a brief instant Dave -could hardly believe his eyes or his ears. Then a wave of sympathy -mingled with just a little annoyance swept through him.</p> - -<p>"Pull up your socks, Freddy!" he said in a low voice. "Show these rats -you can take it. Come on, Freddy. Chin up, pal!"</p> - -<p>The English youth groaned louder and opened his eyes a little. The look -he flung Dave burned with scorn.</p> - -<p>"Blast you and your chin-up rot!" he grated. "I've had enough of this. -Gangster stuff, this is, not war. I know now I should never have left -England. This is a madman's country. I tell you I've had enough of it!"</p> - -<p>Freddy fairly screamed the last, and had Dave not been tied hand and -foot he would have leaped over and slapped his pal's jaw. Something had -happened to Freddy Farmer. Something had snapped inside of him. Dave -had seen his pal in a hundred tight corners, every bit as tight as this -one. He knew full well that Freddy was red-blooded courage from his -head to his feet. But something had happened, and the English youth was -ready to crack up like an hysterical old woman.</p> - -<p>"Freddy, cut it out!" he snapped. "Buck up, old man. Show them. Come -on, Freddy. The old R.A.F. stuff. We're not licked yet, and we won't -be. You know that!"</p> - -<p>The English youth didn't answer at once. He sat swaying and groaning, -and staring at Dave out of half closed eyes. Then suddenly he began to -laugh softly. The laugh grew and grew until it was almost a scream. -The pilot and the redhead had put down their whiskey glasses and were -staring at him in wide-eyed amazement.</p> - -<p>"R.A.F., my hat!" Freddy suddenly shouted. "This isn't war. This is -gangster business, like I've seen in your American movies. Well, I've -had enough of it. I can't stand it, do you understand. <i>I can't stand -it!</i> These ropes are killing me. I feel as if I were all on fire!"</p> - -<p>Freddy stopped short, looked over at the unshaven pair and spoke again -before Dave had time to open his mouth.</p> - -<p>"I say, a drink of water, please!" he gasped. "I must have a drink of -water. I'm dying, really. I can't stand the pain. A drink of water, -please!"</p> - -<p>The pair stared for a moment longer; then the redhead burst out with -laughter.</p> - -<p>"The tough English, huh?" he jeered aloud. "Look at the brave R.A.F. -pilot, I don't think! Well, what do you know? The English can't take -it. I always said they couldn't. Mama! Mama! Sonny boy wants a drink of -water. Here! Pour a slug of this whiskey down his throat and make a man -of him. Okay, I'll do it!"</p> - -<p>The redhead laughed some more and splashed whiskey from the bottle into -his glass. He pushed up from the table and came swaggering over to -Freddy Farmer.</p> - -<p>"Here you are, sonny boy," he said, and leaned over to put the glass to -the English youth's lips. "Be Papa's great big man. Have a drink. Go -on, take some!"</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer groaned just once more, then leaned forward as though he -were going to drink. But he didn't drink. He became an exploding ball -of chain lightning, instead. Almost before Dave Dawson's startled eyes -could register what was taking place, Freddy Farmer whipped his right -hand around from behind his back and plucked the redhead's automatic -from its holster. In what was practically the same motion, the English -youth stood up and clubbed the gun down on the redhead's ear. At the -same time Freddy brought up his left clenched fist and landed solidly -on the man's jaw. The man closed his eyes, and folded up like an old -army cot to the floor.</p> - -<p>The English youth didn't so much as watch the redhead crumple. Instead -he brought the automatic down into line with the pilot sitting stunned -at the table on the other side of the room.</p> - -<p>"Don't even wink an eye!" Freddy barked, and slowly sat down again. "I -can put a bullet in your rotten heart from here with my eyes closed. -Keep your hands just as they are on the table. Don't move them an inch, -you dirty blighter!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_TWELVE" id="CHAPTER_TWELVE">CHAPTER TWELVE</a><br /> -<small><i>Westward To War</i></small></h2> - - -<p>As Freddy Farmer hurled the words at the pilot, he reached down with -his other hand and fumbled with the ropes tied about his ankles. In -less than a minute he had them free. Still keeping his eye on the -pilot, who now was practically green with terror, he went over and -around in back of the man. In less time than it takes to tell about it, -he had his gun. Then he jerked him from his chair and spun him around.</p> - -<p>"Sorry, old thing," he said, tight-lipped. "But you shouldn't say -things like that about America. Next to England, it's the grandest -country on earth."</p> - -<p>The pilot blinked stupidly. Then he closed his eyes for good. He did -so because Freddy Farmer slugged him on the jaw, putting every ounce -of his one hundred and fifty-five pounds behind the blow. The pilot -turned slowly around twice, then fell flat on his face alongside his -unconscious pal. And it was then Dave realized he was not dreaming, and -was able to find his tongue.</p> - -<p>"Holy jumping jellyfish!" he gasped. "I—I thought you'd blown your -top, Freddy. But it was a gag, huh? Boy, oh boy! Me for you, pal, every -day in the week, and twice on Sundays. Gee, Freddy! I'm a no good bum -for thinking—"</p> - -<p>"Quite!" the English youth said with a wide grin. "But I'll forgive you -this once. But speaking of gags. I'll free the Colonel, and then see -about you. Just cool your heels a bit, my little man."</p> - -<p>Moving over to the Colonel, Freddy took the gag away and freed the -senior officer's hands and feet. It wasn't until he was completely free -that the Intelligence chief was able to speak.</p> - -<p>"I'll never forget this, Farmer, never!" he exclaimed in a rush of -words. "One of the finest things I ever saw in my life. I can hardly -believe it even now. It—well, it was like magic. It must have been. -How in blue blazes did you manage to free your hands? Mine were tied so -tight they still feel broken in a dozen places."</p> - -<p>As the Colonel spoke he rubbed his hands and wrists vigorously. Freddy -blushed to the roots of his hair, but there was a pleased grin on his -lips.</p> - -<p>"They tied me pretty tight, too, sir," he said. "But a chap in England -once showed me a trick of holding your hands so that there's still a -little slack no matter how tight they're tied. It doesn't work with -most people. I mean you have to have thin hands, and be able to sort -of fold them up so's they're no thicker than your wrists. Then you can -slide the ropes off, if you work at it long enough. I—well, I was able -to do it. The moaning and the request for a drink was just to get one -of them close enough. I hope you don't think I meant the things I said, -sir."</p> - -<p>"Don't worry," the Colonel said, and slapped Freddy on the shoulder. -"You can say anything you want, at any time, and it will always be -okay with me, after this. I mean it! You make me feel like an amateur, -Farmer. It was wonderful. But let's get these two tied up while they're -still listening to the birdies. What a sweet punch you've got, Farmer. -And at your weight, too! You'd keep Joe Louis busy any time. But let's -get at these two, and get going."</p> - -<p>Freddy and the Colonel bent over the two prostrate forms and started -roping them up hand and foot. Dave watched for a moment, then made -sounds in his throat.</p> - -<p>"Hey!" he shouted. "I'm here, you know!"</p> - -<p>Freddy turned his head and looked at him. Bright lights danced in the -English youth's eyes.</p> - -<p>"Why, so you are," he murmured, and gave the Colonel a quick wink. -"Just who are you? And when did you come in?"</p> - -<p>"Cut the comedy!" Dawson howled. "Get these confounded ropes off me, or -I'll fan your breeches plenty next time I get my hands on you, young -fellow!"</p> - -<p>Freddy shrugged, pursed his lips and cocked an eyebrow at the Colonel.</p> - -<p>"Bit violent, isn't he?" he grunted. "Think we should let him loose, or -wait a bit until he cools down?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know," the Colonel said with a chuckle. "You're the boss. Do -as you think best. Maybe, if he said 'pretty please,' or something."</p> - -<p>"Quite," Freddy said, and turned to Dave. "Say 'pretty please,' and -I'll consider it," he grinned.</p> - -<p>Dave looked daggers, and pressed his lips tightly together. Freddy -sighed, stood up and started brushing dust off his uniform.</p> - -<p>"What do we do now, sir?" he asked, and deliberately turned his back -on Dawson. "Want me to fly you to San Diego, and have somebody come -back for these three? Or—"</p> - -<p>"Okay, okay, you win, you sawed off made in England little runt!" Dave -roared. "Pretty please, confound you. Now untie me, for cat's sake."</p> - -<p>Freddy walked over to him and leveled a reprimanding finger.</p> - -<p>"Such a tone of voice!" he admonished sternly. "Say it nicely, just as -you were taught in school, now."</p> - -<p>Dave turned forty different colors of the rainbow, but he finally -managed to swallow his wrath.</p> - -<p>"Pretty please," he said. "I will remember this moment always. And I -mean <i>always</i>, you cluck!"</p> - -<p>Freddy laughed, and in half a minute had Dave free. As he pulled the -last rope loose, he stepped quickly backward and set himself for the -expected rush. But Dave simply rubbed his hands and wrists and glared -at him.</p> - -<p>"Relax!" he growled. "I'm going to save this one up, you betcha! And -when the right time comes, will you sing a song and dance a dance for -me! Kidding aside, though, Freddy, that was something. I really mean -it. Boy! Can you always come up with something new! But don't think -that means I'm going to forget, you little bum. My turn will come."</p> - -<p>Freddy grinned at him impishly, and then both stopped their horse play -and turned serious eyes toward the Colonel.</p> - -<p>"We can still make San Diego with time to spare, sir," Dave said with a -glance at his watch. "Are we going to take those two along with us?"</p> - -<p>"We certainly are," the Colonel said, and pointed a finger at the -pilot. "That one is just ripe to be cracked wide open. He'll blab -everything he knows to save his own neck. I've met his type often. Hard -as nails on the surface, but completely yellow underneath."</p> - -<p>"It's pretty hard to believe that a couple of Americans would stoop -this low," Dave said, tight-lipped. "But I suppose the Axis has a fifth -column working here in the States just as they had in every other -country they tackled."</p> - -<p>"True enough," the Colonel replied with a nod. "And as the saying -goes, some men will sell their souls for gold. Those two are the type. -Country and flag don't mean a thing to them. Something twisted inside -of them. They weren't put together right in the first place. But this -is a big thing for my bureau, boys! And for the F.B.I., too. I have -a hunch I know who their big boss is—a man the F.B.I.'s been after -for weeks. There'll be a welcoming committee waiting for him tonight. -Have no fear of that. Before we get going, however, I want to have a -quick look around here. Give me a hand. Maybe we'll find something of -importance. We've got an hour or so, haven't we?"</p> - -<p>"Easy," Dave replied. "Shall we hunt for something special?"</p> - -<p>"Hunt for anything!" the Colonel said grimly. "And pray for a miracle -find."</p> - -<p>Exactly one hour and six minutes later they had finished going over -the room with fine tooth comb thoroughness. The net result was a batch -of papers that the Colonel clutched in his hand. A couple of them had -lists of names and addresses. The others were covered with messages -that were all in code, and couldn't be broken down right at the moment. -The Colonel was pleased with the results, but there was just the -slightest gleam of disappointment in his eyes. Dave saw the gleam and -wondered.</p> - -<p>"We didn't find the miracle, sir?" he asked. "What was it?"</p> - -<p>The Colonel tapped the papers and shook his head.</p> - -<p>"It could be in this stuff, but I doubt it," he said. "I mean a clue -that would help us with the Carrier Indian business. However, I don't -think—"</p> - -<p>The chief of U. S. Intelligence suddenly stopped, and a cold hard -glint came into his eyes. He turned around and stared down at the two -trussed up men on the floor. Both had recovered consciousness and were -watching him out of eyes brimming with terror. The Colonel eyed them -for a moment, then stepped forward and deliberately picked up one of -the two automatics Freddy had placed on the table. Turning, he sighted -the gun and pulled the trigger. The gun roared sound and flame. A hole -appeared in the floor a half inch from the redhead's left ear, and the -man screamed like a stuck pig. Colonel Welsh leveled the gun again and -drilled a hole in the floor a half inch from the redhead's other ear.</p> - -<p>"See?" he barked. "I know a little about trick shooting, myself. Okay. -How's this for a bull's-eye? Right between those two. Right on the end -of your nose!"</p> - -<p>The man screamed and writhed about on the floor.</p> - -<p>"Don't, don't!" he gasped. "Oh, please don't, Colonel! Don't let me -have it."</p> - -<p>"Then what about your brother rat aboard the Carrier Indian?" Colonel -Welsh thundered. "Who is he? What name is he using? What's his rank? -Speak up, you! I've got an itchy trigger finger, too!"</p> - -<p>The redhead gasped, and gurgled, and choked, and sobbed in a desperate -effort to get the words out of his mouth in a hurry.</p> - -<p>"I don't know, I don't know!" he cried. "We don't know anything about -the Carrier Indian. Honestly, we don't, Colonel. We just got orders -to stop you and these two kids from getting to San Diego. We only got -orders to stop them from going aboard the Indian. We don't know nothing -about her, honest to Pete. We don't even know why our boss didn't want -them two kids to go aboard. That's the truth, on my word of honor."</p> - -<p>"You have no honor!" the Colonel told him coldly. Then he slowly -sighted the gun on a point between the pilot's eyes. "Well?" he -demanded. "You tell me then!"</p> - -<p>The pilot turned white as a sheet under his beard, and looked as if he -were going to faint. His eyes popped way out, and spittle drooled out -the corners of his mouth.</p> - -<p>"I don't know either!" he cried hoarsely. "So help me, Colonel, I'm -willing to spill everything I know. But I don't know a thing about the -Indian business. Go on, shoot me right between the eyes if I'm telling -you any lie. We just manned this station. And like he said, we got -orders to stop those two from going aboard the Indian. So help me! -That's the truth!"</p> - -<p>Colonel Welsh hesitated, then shrugged and stuck the gun in his pocket.</p> - -<p>"It was too much to hope for, anyway," he muttered more to himself. -"Let's get going. You lads get the plane started while I lug these two -outside. A mighty big day for America so far. Now, if only you two -can—"</p> - -<p>The senior officer sighed and let the rest hang in the air. Then he -bent over, caught each man by the heels, and hauled them out into the -brilliant sunshine like a couple of logs. They yelped and babbled with -pain, but the Colonel had deaf ears. Twenty minutes later the two fifth -column prisoners were stowed aboard the Stinson, and the plane's props -were ticking over. Dave and Freddy had refilled the tanks from tins of -gas they found in the second shack. The shiny thing that Dave had seen -under the trees from the air proved to be a high speed Waco fitted with -two machine guns. For a moment they debated whether or not one of them -should fly it back. On second thought, though, they decided it was best -for them all to stick together in the same ship, and let somebody else -pick up the Waco later.</p> - -<p>"Okay, all aboard!" Dave finally announced, and gave Freddy a friendly -slap on the back. "Go on and fly her, pal. You've sure earned the -honor. And, heck, my nerves can stand anything, now."</p> - -<p>"I knew the compliment would have a nasty ending to it!" the English -youth growled, and shook his head. "No, fly her yourself. I've done my -share of work today. Besides, you know this neck of the world. I don't."</p> - -<p>"Well, somebody fly it!" Colonel Welsh shouted from inside the cabin. -"We've still got to get to San Diego, you know. Come on, snap it up, -you two!"</p> - -<p>"Okay!" Dave growled, and shouldered Freddy Farmer out of the way. "If -I must I must. Who was your slave last year, Mister?"</p> - -<p>"Same chap," Freddy said with a chuckle. "And his good manners haven't -improved a bit. San Diego, my good man! And in a bit of a hurry, -please!"</p> - -<p>"Very good, sir!" Dave grunted and made a face. "And you can guess what -I'm <i>thinking</i>!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_THIRTEEN" id="CHAPTER_THIRTEEN">CHAPTER THIRTEEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Death Strikes Often</i></small></h2> - - -<p>A huge ball of gold and red hung balanced on the western lip of -the world. Shafts of shimmering fire radiated out from it in all -directions. They filled the sky with a mixture of shades that ranged -from a delicate pink to blood red. They bathed the earth with the same -hues, and seemed actually to creep into every nook and corner. The line -of planes on the San Diego field looked like the work of an imaginative -artist on nature's canvas rather than the real thing. It was a sight -to hold the eye and catch the breath—but Dave Dawson stared at it and -wasn't even conscious of what he was looking at.</p> - -<p>He and Freddy Farmer were in the field Commandant's office, waiting for -Colonel Welsh to show up. But that was just the trouble. They had been -waiting for three solid hours for the Intelligence chief to return from -wherever he had gone. Three hours before Dave had put the Stinson down -on the field. At Colonel Welsh's order he had taxied it straight into -an empty hangar and cut the engines. The Colonel had jumped out and -disappeared for five minutes. He had returned with the field's C.O. and -a half dozen mechanics, and a closed car. The two fifth columnists had -been dumped in the car, and driven away. After hasty introductions to -the field Commandant, the Colonel had led them over to the field office -and told them to wait for him to return.</p> - -<p>That had been three hours ago, and they were still waiting.</p> - -<p>"Stop worrying, and come finish this food they sent over," Freddy -Farmer presently broke the silence. "Good grief, Dave, it doesn't do -any good to wear out the floor like that. Come on and have some more to -eat. Eggs, mind you! I haven't had an egg since I don't know when."</p> - -<p>"You and your stomach!" Dave grated, and half turned from the window. -"You should choke on them. Look out there. The Indian! If they're -not getting ready to weigh anchor, then I'm nuts! Where is that guy, -anyway? He should have told us that—Jeepers!"</p> - -<p>Freddy stopped some egg halfway to his mouth and looked up.</p> - -<p>"What?" he demanded. "What's the matter?"</p> - -<p>"The Colonel," Dave said with an effort. "I mean—I sure hope nothing's -happened to him."</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer considered that for a moment, then shrugged and carried -the egg the rest of the way to his mouth.</p> - -<p>"Not likely, I think," he finally said. "Probably got those two chaps -to talk. Maybe it's made a difference. I mean, maybe he's decided to -call off this Indian show. Wouldn't mind that at all. They might post -us here at this field. Wonderful food, you know."</p> - -<p>"It certainly <i>sounds</i> good!" Dave cracked. Then, glancing out the -window again: "I sure hope they don't call off the show. That Indian -looks pretty nice to me out there. I could go for a trip on her. -Besides, I'm itching to take a whack or six at those dirty Japs. I -think I hate them worse than the Nazis, Freddy."</p> - -<p>"Me, too, if that's possible," the English youth replied. "But I was -really talking just to hear myself. I'd like a trip on the Indian, -too. She's the latest of her class, and should have everything. Also, -according to the Colonel, she's steaming out to do battle. I could -fancy a little combat work. Doesn't pay to get rusty. My, but that meal -was good!"</p> - -<p>"What a man!" Dave sighed at the window. "On an empty stomach he's not -worth a dime. Fill him up and he's a one man air force, and raring to -go. He's—"</p> - -<p>Dave stopped short and wheeled quickly as the door opened and Colonel -Welsh came inside. The man's face was grim, and there was the look of -angry defeat in his eyes.</p> - -<p>"Sorry I took so long, fellows," he said, and dropped into a chair. "I -had to check up on a few things, and get a few things underway. Took -longer than I figured."</p> - -<p>"Those rats told the truth, eh?" Dave grunted. "They still don't know a -thing about the Indian?"</p> - -<p>The Colonel shook his head and clenched his two fists in a helpless -gesture.</p> - -<p>"Not a thing!" he got out savagely. "But they seem to be the only two -who don't."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by that, sir?" Freddy asked.</p> - -<p>"Well, I don't mean it exactly the way I put it," the Colonel said with -a shake of his head. "But it seems the entire Axis organization in this -country has found out that their agent aboard the Indian has stolen the -battle plans of the carrier, and that I was to put four men aboard to -try and trap him and nail him to the mast. Those two agents of mine, -and you two."</p> - -<p>"Your two agents got aboard last night, sir?" Dave prompted as the -senior officer stopped talking abruptly.</p> - -<p>"No," was the bitter reply. "They were shot and killed as they stepped -into the waiting tender at the Navy pier."</p> - -<p>"Shot?" Dave gasped. "Gee! That was tough. I hope the killers were -caught."</p> - -<p>"They were, and captured dead," the Colonel said bluntly. "Two -waterfront rats. Looked that, anyway. One a Jap, obviously. The other -looked like a German. No papers or anything on him, though. So he could -have been almost any nationality. But the important thing is, that I -found the leak in my own organization. I put through a call to Captain -Lamb and he told me. He'd sent word to our San Diego office last night -for me to contact him at once. I called him, and—"</p> - -<p>"The bloke reading the book in your outer office!" Freddy Farmer cried.</p> - -<p>"The man who ran the elevator!" Dave exclaimed.</p> - -<p>Colonel Welsh caught his breath and shot a hard look at Dawson.</p> - -<p>"How did you know?" he demanded.</p> - -<p>"I didn't," Dave replied. "But I had a hunch it might be one of those -two. It had to be somebody close to you, and—well, Freddy had already -picked the one in the outer office."</p> - -<p>"It was the one who brought you up in the elevator," Colonel Welsh -said with an effort. "It's—it's things like this that almost make me -lose faith. That man had been in the bureau for six years. For four -years before that he was connected with Secret Service. His record was -spotless. And the amazing part is that he had performed some valuable -services for me. But that goes to show you the finesse of the Gestapo -and Nazi agent technique. Shows you how long ago Hitler laid plans for -America. I would have staked my life on Babson, but—"</p> - -<p>The officer paused and gestured despairingly.</p> - -<p>"But of course I would have lost my life!" he suddenly bit off. "But -for an accident I'd never have found out, perhaps. And who knows what -else that would have cost us? He was taking Lamb down late last night. -As he opened the doors a slip of paper fell out of his pocket. Lamb -caught it in mid-air, and was starting to hand it back when he saw -what was on the paper. It was a bit of code, obviously jotted down in -a hurry. But it was a code that only Lamb and I knew, not another -soul in the world. For years he and I have been working on a code that -can't possibly be broken down by any of the experts. We thought we had -found it. Kept our papers on it in a safe. Only Lamb and I knew the -combination—we thought."</p> - -<p>"What happened, sir?" Freddy asked eagerly as Colonel Welsh let his -voice trail off into silence. "Did Captain Lamb make the dirty beggar -confess?"</p> - -<p>The chief of U. S. Intelligence shook his head.</p> - -<p>"He didn't have time," he said. "Babson realized instantly that he'd -never in the world be able to explain his possession of that bit of -copied code. His only hope was quick action, and flight. He went for -his gun. Lamb didn't give me the details of the fight. He won, and -Babson is dead. Then Lamb got busy. He began with the little office -Babson used on the ground floor. He—It seems incredible! I thought -that Lamb was crazy, or blind drunk, and making it up. But he wasn't, -of course. Babson had actually installed a dictograph in our working -room. The other end was in his office. The wire led out behind the -files, under the corridor boards and down the elevator shaft, and -under the lobby floor to his office. He could hear every word we said -up there. How he learned that safe combination, we'll probably never -find out. In his Washington hotel room Lamb found enough stuff to hang -the man a dozen times over. Too bad we won't be able to do it. I feel -like going out and shooting myself. I'm the one responsible, of course. -One of my own trusted men! That's the worst of it!"</p> - -<p>The Colonel gave a bewildered shake of his head, and groaned heavily.</p> - -<p>"That's war, I guess," Dave murmured sympathetically. "And the same -thing has happened in other countries, sir. It isn't going to help any -to take it too hard, you know. Anyway, the rat is dead, and the leak is -plugged up. That's something, at least."</p> - -<p>"But mighty little!" the Colonel said bitterly. Then, stabbing a -finger at the window facing the harbor, he grated, "There's the Indian -out there. In an hour she weighs anchor. Aboard her is the most -dangerous rat of all. He possesses information that could well mean the -difference between victory and defeat if it falls into Jap hands. We -can't hold the Indian. She's got to sail. Without her the whole battle -plan is mixed up. Yet if she sails and we don't catch that scoundrel, -who knows what will happen? I had hoped, but—well, now that's all -shot, too."</p> - -<p>"What's all shot, sir?" Dave asked quickly.</p> - -<p>"The job I had planned for you and Farmer aboard the Indian," the -Colonel replied. "It was a wild hope even at best, but now it isn't -even that. The rats know why I wanted you two aboard her. True, maybe -the man you're after doesn't know. I've a feeling, though, he does. -The way things have gone, I feel certain they got word to him somehow. -If they did, he'd know exactly why you were there the moment you came -over the side. And—well, to put it bluntly, he's killed twice already. -Twice more wouldn't bother him if he suspected you were getting close -to him. He'd—"</p> - -<p>"We can watch our step," Dave cut in grimly.</p> - -<p>"Too great a risk," the Colonel replied. "You see, it wouldn't be a -matter of your actually getting close, but the matter of his <i>thinking</i> -that you <i>were</i> close. He'd know who you were, and why you were aboard. -The advantage would be all his. It would be unfair to ask any man to -tackle a job like that."</p> - -<p>"I don't fancy so, sir," Freddy Farmer spoke up quietly. "After all, -rats usually do have all the advantage until you get them cornered. -Supposing he does know why we're there? Let him, I say. It's a job to -be done, and somebody's got to tackle it, sir. Good grief! If somebody -doesn't go after the blighter, it's like letting the Indian sail with a -lighted fuse leading to her powder magazine."</p> - -<p>"I check on that, too, sir!" Dave cried eagerly. "Freddy and I aren't -trying to toot our horns, Colonel. Maybe we'll fall flat on our faces. -But maybe we won't. However, at least we'll be aboard in case something -does turn up that gives us a clue."</p> - -<p>"Yes, of course," the Colonel grunted, and frowned. "That's quite true. -But you could be throwing your lives away—and uselessly, too. You two -helped accomplish something almost as big today, perhaps even bigger. I -can't say yet. But capturing those two American born rats was a mighty -big step toward smashing a lot of the Fifth Column business in this -country. I mean that, too. That place was one of their arsenals where -they've cached guns to be used when Berlin sends the order to strike -at the United States from within. It's one of several arsenals located -about the country. Those papers contained names and addresses of key -men in their organization. And right now some of my agents, and F.B.I. -agents, are waiting in that shack for the so-called big boss. His -capture alone will be something mighty big. Yes, you two played a major -part today in nipping something big in the bud. So it isn't fair to ask -you to—"</p> - -<p>"Okay, okay!" Dave suddenly snapped. "If you don't think we rate a -crack at it, then have the Indian sail without us. I'm willing to take -the chance. So's Freddy. But if you think we'd mess up things, then -skip it. Let it slide."</p> - -<p>The Colonel blinked and gave Dave a startled look. It wasn't every day -that a junior officer flung words into his teeth, and it caught him -completely off balance.</p> - -<p>"But it's you I'm thinking of!" he blurted out. "I—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, quite!" Freddy snapped him off. "We understand perfectly! We -bungled it last night, Dave and I, not getting away from that beggar in -the Waco. Shouldn't let him hit the engine. Yet, we'd probably make a -worse mess of things if you sent us aboard the Indian."</p> - -<p>"Now, that's not true!" the Colonel shouted. Then, sucking in his -breath: "You two are making me mad. You're taking it the wrong way. -I—"</p> - -<p>"And how do you think <i>we</i> feel?" Dave stepped right in on him. "Last -night you had a job for us to tackle. We might click on it, or we might -muff it. You didn't have a thing for us to work on. But at least we -were going to have a crack at it, and be aboard a ship that's going -into action. Well, have you any more for us to work on, now, than you -had last night? No. Not a thing more. The only difference is that the -rat aboard knows we're coming aboard. At least we think he knows. But -we're not even sure of <i>that</i>! Yet—well, holy catfish! Now you want to -call everything off because the other guy holds more cards than we do; -because we might get hurt. Look, Colonel! What do you think Freddy and -I have been doing with the enemy ever since we got into the Royal Air -Force? Playing snowball with them? We run the risk of being blacked out -for keeps. So what? Doggone it! We've seen enough of this war to know -it's no tea party."</p> - -<p>"Exactly, and absolutely!" Freddy Farmer echoed vigorously as Dave ran -out of breath.</p> - -<p>Colonel Welsh glared at them for a full ten seconds. Then his stern -face slowly broke into a grin, and he gave a little baffled shake of -his head.</p> - -<p>"Wild men!" he grunted. "I don't believe either of you knows even how -to spell common sense. But maybe that's been the secret of your war -success. That, and cold courage. All right, you win. You sail with the -Indian. I'll see that you're put aboard the tender and taken out to -her. The least I can do is spare your lives as long as I can."</p> - -<p>"You mean because of what happened to your two agents last night?" Dave -asked with a grin.</p> - -<p>Colonel Welsh stood up and shook his head.</p> - -<p>"No," he said. "The tender will leave in secret from a point up the -shore, and the Indian's Captain will be informed of your coming. No, -I mean sparing your lives for a while by sending you out officially. -Otherwise, you two would probably try to swim out to her and be shot in -the water by the deck watch. So I'll send you officially, and—well, -God bless both of you—and keep you in His shadow. Amen!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FOURTEEN" id="CHAPTER_FOURTEEN">CHAPTER FOURTEEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Invisible Walls</i></small></h2> - - -<p>Her engines turning over at close to top speed, the Aircraft Carrier -Indian sliced her bow through the sky blue waters of the Pacific on a -southwesterly course. To port and to starboard her destroyer escort -scooted and twisted about like little smoke-belching water bugs having -a field day. High in the air and several miles out in front, the -advance scouting section winged along with all eyes on the watch for -the first sign of possible enemy interference.</p> - -<p>For eight days, now, the Indian had been racing across the vast Pacific -for her rendezvous with the cruiser squadron and other navy craft that -were to make the surprise attack on the Jap-occupied Marshall Islands. -For eight days, and eight nights, racing westward and southward toward -a well planned blow, and victory. Yet it might not be victory but -disaster and death. For eight days and eight nights Freddy Farmer and -Dave Dawson had played an active part in the life aboard that mighty -ship of eagle's wings. They had made new friends, they had thrilled to -the thunder and the power of their Douglas Devastator torpedo bomber as -they went ripping off the carrier's flight deck and up into the blue -Pacific sky for their daily practice patrol trick. They had felt once -again the tingling excitement of the alert alarm, and the hunt for -possible enemy craft in adjacent waters.</p> - -<p>It had been eight days and nights of new things, a new routine, new -orders, new faces, almost a new language in a new world. They were -a part of what would be in not so many months to come the mightiest -fighting force in all the world's history. It was perfect, it was -tops—but it was not enough. Not enough, because with each passing -hour, each passing day, their own personal defeat drew closer and -closer. Eight days, and eight nights, and they were no nearer to -accomplishing their special mission than they had been the very first -moment they heard details of it fall from Colonel Welsh's lips way back -in Washington, D. C.</p> - -<p>"It really is an invisible wall this time, Dave," Freddy Farmer -muttered bitterly as he and Dawson sunned themselves in the flight -deck crash nets on the starboard side. "We might as well admit it. We -haven't the faintest idea who the blighter might be. For all we know, -he's already passed on his blasted information to the Japs; tossed it -over the side at night, with a delayed flare bomb, for some trailing -Jap submarine to sight and pick up. Blast it all! For all we know, the -blighter may not be aboard at all."</p> - -<p>"You're telling me?" Dave groaned, and rolled over on his stomach. -"For all we know he's been watching us every minute, and laughing his -darned head off. When I let fly at Colonel Welsh back there in San -Diego—and it's a wonder he didn't knock me kicking for my lip—I felt -sort of cocky. I had a hunch that we'd be sure to trip over a break. -What, I had no idea. But we've gone into things before with our heads -down, and nothing else but a prayer. And somehow we managed to barge -or stumble into something that paid off. But this? We're just a couple -of guys without a prayer. Doggone it, Freddy! I haven't even met a guy -aboard this ship I didn't like at once. And that goes for the ratings, -as well as the officers. Nuts! I guess I must have expected to see some -ugly-faced bird with dark glasses and a fake mustache sneaking around -the flight deck at night. It's got me stopped cold."</p> - -<p>"Me too!" Freddy said with a heavy sigh. "I heard a story once of -something that happened in the last war. It was in a camp in England, -an infantry training camp. A spy was sabotaging things, causing gun -accidents, and several chaps were hurt. Well, they hunted high and low -for the lad, but no go. Then one of the chaps working on the case got -an idea. One evening when all the men were in barracks, and lights were -out, he went from barracks to barracks, popped open the door, switched -on the lights and yelled, 'Attention!' in German. In the third barracks -a chap leaped out of his bed and sprang to attention. He was the -blighter they wanted. German Army training drilled into him, you know. -He reacted to the German command automatically."</p> - -<p>"I get it!" Dave snorted. "So we should go all over the ship yelling -'Attention!' in German? Nice, but I've got a better idea. We dress up -to look like Hitler and cover the ship. The first bird who gives us the -Nazi salute we throw to the deck and nail him down. Then we search his -quarters and find the stolen plans. It would be a cinch, but I guess -there aren't any Hitler uniforms aboard. Too bad! We'll have to think -up something else."</p> - -<p>"Well, I certainly didn't offer it as a suggestion!" Freddy Farmer -muttered. "Frankly, the best thing we could do would be to throw -ourselves overboard. It would at least put an end to <i>our</i> worries."</p> - -<p>"Nope, that's out," Dave grunted. "The darn thing would still haunt me -wherever I went. And no crack, now, about <i>where</i> I'd go! Nope! We're -stuck. Our only hope is a break, some kind of a break—any kind. Heck! -I wonder if I'd be able to recognize a break even if it stepped up and -kicked me in the face. Oh-oh! Something's going to happen, maybe!"</p> - -<p>As Dave spoke the last he sat up and watched the young watch officer -come striding across the deck toward him. The youth was about their -age, and held an ensign's rank. He grinned as he approached and jerked -a thumb aft.</p> - -<p>"All pilots wanted in the Ready Room, Lieutenants," he announced. -"Executive Flight Officer's orders."</p> - -<p>"Something up?" Dave asked eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Could be," the Ensign said with a shrug. "But maybe the flying's been -sloppy, too. You never can tell when the Exec gets in the mood to -crack down. Luck, anyway."</p> - -<p>Dave and Freddy thanked him and went scurrying aft and down the steps -to 'tween decks and the Ready Room. The place was already half filled, -and other pilots came hurrying in after them. There was an air of eager -expectancy about the room that seemed to charge it with high voltage -electricity. The Executive Flight Officer, and the Senior Section -Leader, stood waiting on the little raised platform at the far end of -the room. Behind them hung a huge detailed chart of that section of the -Pacific west and south of the Hawaiian Islands. Colored pins dotted -its surface, and the bright light hung above it made the little pins -glitter and sparkle like so many precious stones. Five minutes after -Dave and Freddy arrived the room was packed, the doors were closed, and -a hushed silence had settled down. The Executive Flight Officer cleared -his throat, stepped to the edge of the platform, and grinned faintly.</p> - -<p>"Don't get in too much of a sweat," he said. "This doesn't mean that -Battle Stations is going to sound in the next hour or so. However, -we're getting close to the rendezvous point, and there's some work for -us to do. In short, we're steaming into Jap waters now, more or less, -and we don't want to be caught with our wings folded. In fact, if we -are to run into unexpected action, we want to be ready to throw the -first punch, and make it count."</p> - -<p>The senior officer paused, walked back to the map and touched a little -gold-headed pin.</p> - -<p>"That's the Indian," he said. "That's our position right now. We're a -day's run from the cruiser squadron we are to meet, but we're plenty -near some of the Pacific islands that the Japs may be using for -submarine fuel bases. In the air, or on deck, we've got to be on our -toes every minute from now on. A torpedo or two in us now, and the -whole operation would be in danger of complete collapse. Also, we've -got to watch out for any Jap surface ships that may be on the hunt -for us. That's where you fellows come in. You've got to find any such -ships, and give them the works, before they can get the chance to spot -the Indian and her escort. In short, you fellows have got to see to it -that <i>nothing</i> gets near the Indian from here on in."</p> - -<p>The Executive Flight Officer paused again, and shrugged.</p> - -<p>"Of course it's quite possible that we won't run into any trouble -at all," he said presently. "Maybe we'll just waste gas and oil -maintaining a constant patrol. That's unimportant, though. The point -is, we can't run any risks of getting snarled up in any kind of an -engagement before we make the rendezvous. So from now on every one of -you is on constant twenty-four-hour duty. The section patrols are all -plotted. Your own Section Leader will give you your chart copy each -time you take the air. Stick to the course plotted for you, and don't -worry about what the other fellow is doing. Just tend to your own -knitting. Now, here's one thing to remember every second of the time -you're away from the carrier."</p> - -<p>The Executive Flight Officer stopped talking again, and took time out -to rake the room full of pilots with his steel grey eyes.</p> - -<p>"Keep your radios silent all the time!" he finally said. "If you are -shot down, or forced down on the water, then it'll be just too bad for -you. Somebody else will have to pick you up. Neither the Indian nor -any of its escorting destroyers are turning back for anybody. So don't -expect help if you go down. You won't get it. The chance of meeting -enemy ships in these waters, particularly submarines, is too great to -warrant risking any rescue work. So keep your radios silent, and—well, -keep your wings up out of the wet stuff. That's all, except that -Commander Brattle, here, has rearranged the sections, and made up a -new flight board. He'll give you all the dope on the patrol schedules. -Thumbs up, to all of you!"</p> - -<p>Half an hour later Commander Brattle had had his say and the patrol -schedules were perfectly clear to all concerned. Dave and Freddy were -to fly the Number Two plane in Section Eight. Their first patrol trick -was due in three hours. They were to fly a patrol course due north -of the steaming carrier, cover an area of several hundred square -miles, and be back on the flight deck just before darkness. It was the -toughest patrol trick of any, for the simple reason that it was the -last one before darkness set in, and flying was washed-out until early -dawn. If by any chance they got lost and were forced to spend precious -time locating the Indian, they would be out of luck. They wouldn't be -able to land after dark. And if by any chance they went down in the -water, they would first have to survive many hours of darkness floating -about on the water before they could even begin to hope for rescue.</p> - -<p>It was a tough patrol trick to fly, but the very fact that it was tough -set Dave's heart thumping in eager expectation. Luck alone had placed -them in that section, because the section members and patrol schedules -had been arranged by drawing lots. In that way every man stood an equal -chance to get a tough assignment or an easy one. And all possibility -of favoritism went completely out the porthole. Luck, yes, but it made -Dave and Freddy feel good just the same to be handed one of the tough -patrols.</p> - -<p>As they trooped out of the Ready Room along with the others, they -winked happily at each other, and for the moment forgot the real reason -for their presence aboard the Indian. The Executive Flight Officer had -not said much about the possibility of meeting action, but he didn't -have to. Every pilot knew that the constant patrol schedule wouldn't -have been set up if it weren't pretty certain that enemy sea and air -forces were lurking about in the immediate vicinity of the Indian and -her destroyers, if not directly in her path ahead. Come nightfall and -at least some of Uncle Sam's Navy eagles would have gone into action.</p> - -<p>"And I sure hope it means us!" Dave echoed the thought aloud, as he and -Freddy walked forward along the flight deck. "And how, I do!"</p> - -<p>"Do what?" Freddy asked. "What's buzzing in that brain of yours now?"</p> - -<p>"That we see some action," Dave replied, and jerked his thumb toward -the north. "You know, Freddy, I've got a hunch. I've got a hunch, sure -as shooting."</p> - -<p>"You usually have," the English youth sighed. "What is it this time?"</p> - -<p>Dave stopped walking, half turned, and faced his pal.</p> - -<p>"The break we've been hoping for, praying for," he said in a low voice -that was tight and full of excitement. "I have a hunch we're going to -get that break. Wait, now! As the Exec said, we're in enemy waters now. -From now until tomorrow night when we make the rendezvous, that unknown -skunk aboard this Carrier is going to try and make contact with the -Japs. I feel dead certain that he hasn't made any effort yet. He's been -lying doggo until the Indian got into enemy waters. Beginning with now, -though, he's going to try and make that contact."</p> - -<p>"Well," Freddy muttered with a scowl, "as you would say, so what? How's -he going to make contact? How are we going to know it? How are we going -to be able to spot him? We haven't the faintest idea who he is, one of -the officers, or one of the men. Maybe he's just an engine wiper buried -down deep below decks. Maybe—"</p> - -<p>"No, you're wrong there," Dave interrupted. "I've figured it out -that he is either one of the pilots, or one of the mechanics. Nobody -but pilots and mechanics have access to the flight hangar, you know. -And that's where Commander Jackson and Lieutenant Commander Pollard -were killed. No, I've figured all along that the man we're after is -connected with the actual flying end aboard ship."</p> - -<p>"Again, so what?" Freddy grunted. "Even suppose that he's one of the -pilots? And I personally have the feeling that he is. What help is -that? We're flying in only one section, one patrol trick. He could be -in one of the other sections. He could take off, make his contact when -out of sight of the Indian, and return on schedule, and neither you nor -I be one bit the wiser."</p> - -<p>"You're such a help!" Dave growled. "I know. Heck! Maybe I'm talking -just to make myself feel good. I don't know. Just the same, I've got a -hunch that that break is going to pop for us, and soon. A mighty strong -hunch, too."</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer pursed his lips, and then let a little sigh slip between -them.</p> - -<p>"Well, I'm certainly not pulling against you," he murmured. "You have -more hunches than a stray dog has fleas. But if I ever hoped and prayed -that one of them would come true, it's certainly this one. And I mean -that from the bottom of my heart."</p> - -<p>"Then keep praying!" Dave said grimly as an eerie chill suddenly -rippled through him. "And meantime, it might be a good idea for us to -watch our step. I've got another hunch somebody's been watching <i>us</i>!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FIFTEEN" id="CHAPTER_FIFTEEN">CHAPTER FIFTEEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Battle Stations</i></small></h2> - - -<p>It lacked twenty minutes to take-off time, and Dave was hurrying -through the hangar deck to go top side and report to his Section -Leader, when suddenly a groan off to his left slowed him up. He heard -the groan again, and stopped in his tracks and stared hard into the -shadows beyond some parked bombers. An instant later he saw two feet -sticking out from under a wing. He bent over and scrambled under the -wing. A man lay stretched out on the deck. His eyes were closed, -there was a blood-smeared cut on the left side of his head, and he -was groaning as he struggled weakly to force himself up to a sitting -position.</p> - -<p>Dave cried out in sharp alarm and gave the man a helping hand. The man -was Freddy Farmer, and he was acting as though a building had just -dropped down on top of him.</p> - -<p>"Easy, Freddy, old pal!" Dave soothed, and put his arm about his chum. -"Take it easy. Lean on me. It's Dave. Gosh! What happened, Freddy? Are -you okay?"</p> - -<p>The sound of Dawson's voice pried open the English youth's eyes. It was -a few seconds before he could focus his eyes on Dave's face, and even -then they held a blank, befuddled look.</p> - -<p>"I don't know," he mumbled, and gingerly touched his fingers to the cut -on his head. "Ouch! My blasted head feels in six different pieces. I -don't know what happened, Dave. Some chap bashed me, but I don't know -who. I didn't see him. I—"</p> - -<p>Freddy paused and glanced about as though to make sure where he was. -His eyes opened wide in surprise.</p> - -<p>"But I was way over there on the port side!" he gasped. "Just about to -go up that companion ladder to the flight deck when suddenly I got a -terrific bash on the head. I didn't hear anything, or see—Wait, Dave! -I didn't see his face, but I remember seeing his legs as I fell down. -He was wearing pilot's jumpers, so it must have been one of the pilots. -It—Good grief, Dave!"</p> - -<p>"Check!" Dave breathed excitedly. "Our rat friend has made himself -known. This is the break, Freddy! This is the break!"</p> - -<p>"Break, my hat!" the English youth growled, and slowly got up onto his -feet. "You call having my head practically bushed in, a break? The -beggar probably thought he'd killed me, and didn't bother to make sure. -Just dragged me over here and left me to be found a corpse."</p> - -<p>"And what a lucky corpse you turned out to be!" Dave said with a tight -chuckle. "Hold everything, pal. Don't take things too fast. You got a -nasty crack. A clean one, though. The ship's surgeon will fix you up in -no time. Here, hang on me, and we'll go hunt him up."</p> - -<p>"I'm all right!" Freddy protested, and hung back. "Stick to the -subject. How do you figure my coming a cropper was a break? I certainly -don't follow you there!"</p> - -<p>"Sure it's a break," Dave said excitedly. "The luckiest break you and I -ever bumped into. And it was certainly luck, all of it. Don't you see, -Freddy? Our little rat friend is worried. He's not sure whether we've -got him spotted or not. He's got a job to do, see? He wants to be sure -he'll be able to do the job, so he tries to remove us from the picture -by crowning you. Get it?"</p> - -<p>"Of course I don't get it!" Freddy Farmer snapped. "You're talking in -blasted riddles, Dave. Make sense!"</p> - -<p>"Look, pal!" Dave said slowly. "We know darn well now that he's a -pilot, don't we?"</p> - -<p>"Well, the lad who bashed me was, and is, a pilot," the English youth -admitted with a nod that made him wince.</p> - -<p>"Okay, he's a pilot," Dave continued. "That means he plans to make -contact with the Japs by air, when out on patrol. He doesn't know if -we are keeping an eye on him, so he slugs you so that we won't go on -patrol this trick. See?"</p> - -<p>"But what if we don't make the patrol?" Freddy cried. "What's that—?"</p> - -<p>"For cat's sake, get it, Freddy!" Dave almost shouted. "It means that -<i>he is in our section</i>! It means that he is in our section and tried -to make sure that we wouldn't be aloft to keep our eye on what he did. -Don't you see? It <i>has</i> to be that. If he were flying with some other -section, it wouldn't matter to him whether we flew our patrol trick -or not. But we're in the same section. So he lays you out just before -take-off time, figuring that before I can be assigned somebody else to -fly with me our section will be off and on its way. And I'll have to -wait over, or go off with the next section."</p> - -<p>"Good grief, yes, of course!" Freddy Farmer breathed fiercely as his -eyes got as big as dinner plates. "For once, you're absolutely right, -Dave. The beggar is in our section. He has to be."</p> - -<p>"Doggone right!" Dave echoed, and took hold of Freddy's arm. "Now -you come on aft to the sick bay, and get fixed up. I've got to work -fast and get the Exec to assign me somebody else to take your place. -Perhaps—"</p> - -<p>"Somebody to take <i>my</i> place!" Freddy Farmer cried angrily. "Over my -dead body! That's rot. I'm making the patrol with you. I—"</p> - -<p>"But, Freddy, you got slammed pretty—"</p> - -<p>"You can shut your trap, Dave Dawson!" the English youth snapped -viciously. "After all this waiting, if you think I'm going to go on -waiting while you make this patrol and perhaps get yourself into no end -of trouble, then you're completely balmy. Now, let go of my arm, and -stand aside, or you'll be the one to get bashed. And I mean it, Dave. -I'd still make this patrol even if the blighter had broken both my arms -and both my legs."</p> - -<p>Dave hesitated a fraction of a second, then shrugged and sighed.</p> - -<p>"You always were a hard-headed cuss," he grunted. "So I guess maybe he -didn't do so much damage as that. Okay, you old war horse. No sense -our breaking up the furniture. Come along. But let's both keep our eyes -skinned as we go topside. Look for a show of surprise on anybody's -face. Do you suppose he's two guys? The pilot and the rear gunner?"</p> - -<p>"I don't care if he's a whole blasted squadron!" Freddy Farmer growled -as he pulled his helmet over his wounded head. "All I want is to see -the beggar make a slip, and be able to get at him. Nobody can bash my -head, and least of all some skunk Axis spy. Let's go."</p> - -<p>Keeping step, the pair hurried across the hangar deck and went topside. -Six Douglas Devastator torpedo bombers had been rolled into take-off -position, and were waiting with props ticking over. There was a pilot -and gunner in each of five of the planes, and as Dave and Freddy -trotted toward their plane they cast keen glances at the flying members -of their section. But it didn't gain them a thing. As a matter of fact, -not a helmeted and goggled head was turned as they loped across the -flight deck and legged into their Devastator that was parked in number -four take-off position.</p> - -<p>Two minutes later they were all set and ready to go. A minute after -that a flight officer came along the line of planes and handed each -pilot a copy of his patrol chart. And five minutes after that the -Flight Operations officer on the flight bridge pointed his finger at -the Number One plane, and nodded. The engine of that Devastator roared -up in full throated song, the deck mechanics stepped back from the -wing tips, and the plane rolled forward, picking up speed with every -revolution of its propeller. In less than nothing flat it was a moving -battle grey streak that finally let go of the deck and went curving -upward over the bow of the Indian toward the blue heavens above.</p> - -<p>Hardly had the Number One plane cleared its wheels before the Flight -Operations officer stabbed his finger at the Number Two plane. It -streaked off in a thunderous roar, and the finger was pointed at the -Number Three plane. Then Four, then Five, and then Six, and the patrol -was in the air climbing for altitude before taking up formation for the -flight far out over the reaches of the Pacific.</p> - -<p>Flying with the nonchalant ease, yet constant alertness, that comes -with experience, Dave held the Devastator steady and twisted around to -glance back at Freddy Farmer. The English youth was just a wee bit pale -about the gills, but there was a bright look in his eyes, and a tight -grin on his lips. Dave winked and nodded down at the Indian.</p> - -<p>"Want to change your mind, pal?" he called out. "I can take you down -with no trouble at all. How do you feel?"</p> - -<p>"Never better!" Freddy shouted. "Just take me down, and it'll be the -last landing you'll ever make. I'm up here to stay, my little man!"</p> - -<p>Dave laughed, but there was just a little tightness to it.</p> - -<p>"And do I hope that's the truth!" he cried. "Didn't see anything as we -went to the plane, did you?"</p> - -<p>"Not a sign," Freddy replied. "I don't think any of them even looked at -us. Maybe he figured he'd done the job good on me, and that only five -planes would take the air."</p> - -<p>"Well, the rat knows different now!" Dave grated, and turned front. "He -knows there are six ships up here, and that we're in one of them."</p> - -<p>As Dave spoke the words he let his gaze wander from plane to plane in -the formation. Oddly enough, a lump formed in his chest, and there -was an empty feeling in his stomach. He had met and talked with every -member of that patrol in the air. Kidded with them, played cards, and -done all of the things one does with one's shipmates. It was hard, -terribly hard to believe that one of them, possibly two, were earning -blood money from Berlin or Tokio. Every one of them had struck him as -being a swell guy. A swell guy, or one of the best actors that ever -stepped on a stage. It didn't seem possible that savage hatred for -the United States, for the whole civilized world, was flying along in -the formation. It just didn't seem possible. Could he be wrong? Could -both Freddy and he be all wet in their deductions? Had Freddy actually -been slugged by accident, perhaps by a blundering mechanic carrying -something heavy? Had he got scared at what he'd done, and dragged -Freddy under that wing and taken to his heels? And had Freddy made a -mistake about his wearing pilot's garb? Could it have been simply that?</p> - -<p>Those and countless other questions churned around in Dave's head as he -stared at the other planes in the formation droning northward over the -seemingly endless sky blue waters of the Pacific. Whether the answers -that came to mind were right or wrong, he had no way of telling. Only -time would tell that. In a short while the formation would spread out -so as to cover as great an area as possible. Then would be the time -for the murderer of Commander Jackson and Lieutenant Commander Pollard -to make his move, whatever it was going to be.</p> - -<p>However, when the Indian and her destroyer escort disappeared from -view down over the lip of the southern horizon, and the patrol planes -were spread out in wide line formation, nothing happened. Each plane -continued droning along its prescribed course, its pilot and gunner -keeping a constant lookout for telltale shadows under the water below -them that might be Japanese submarines. And as the minutes piled up -on one another, nothing continued to happen. Fresh doubts and fresh -worries tugged at Dave's brain. Then, as a sudden thought came to him, -he turned his head and stared thoughtfully at Freddy Farmer.</p> - -<p>The English youth grinned, opened his mouth to say something smart, but -checked himself as he saw the little lines of worry on Dave's forehead.</p> - -<p>"What now?" he asked. "Did you forget something back on the ship? Or is -this another hunch? Know what I've been thinking?"</p> - -<p>"I think I have an idea what it is," Dave said. "The same thing -I've been thinking, maybe. That he's suddenly called things off. -He realizes that he didn't stop us from making this patrol, so he's -decided not to take a chance yet. That it?"</p> - -<p>"Something like that," the English youth replied with a grave nod. -Then with a puzzled twist of his head, he added, "But maybe a little -more than that. I mean that perhaps something else hasn't turned out -as he planned. Perhaps he was sure that we'd sight enemy craft, but we -haven't, so there isn't anything he can do but stay with the formation."</p> - -<p>"Yeah, I get what you mean," Dave grunted. "If he should break -formation cold, now, and go tearing off on his own, it might make the -Section Leader go tearing after him to herd him back into place."</p> - -<p>"Yes," Freddy said. Then, with a startled look: "Unless <i>he</i> happens to -be the Section Leader!"</p> - -<p>"Boy, the things you can think up!" Dave cried. Then, with a curt shake -of his head: "No, that's out, I'm positive. Our Section Leader wears -the Navy Cross and the Navy Medal of Valor. If he won those and then -turned Axis spy and killer, then I give up. That would be too much for -even me to believe. No, Freddy, our Section Leader is the one bird in -this bunch who's okay in my book."</p> - -<p>"Quite, and in mine, too," Freddy said. "It was just a sudden thought -that hit me. I spoke it without thinking. No, it has to be somebody -else. But I wish the blighter would tip his hand and do something. -We're getting near the end of the patrol, and we haven't sighted a -thing. We'll soon be turning back, and then it will be too late for him -to try anything. He'll—I say!"</p> - -<p>"What's up?" Dave cried as a look of horror flashed over the English -youth's face for an instant.</p> - -<p>"Listen!" Freddy cried. "If the beggar has decided to pass it up this -time and try later, it'll be up to <i>you</i> to get your head bashed, see? -I've had my share of it. Next time it's you."</p> - -<p>"There's not going to be any next time!" Dave growled. "There just -can't be. Whatever's going to happen has got to happen on this patrol. -Any more of this nerve slicing waiting, and I'll go bats."</p> - -<p>"You won't be alone, I fancy," Freddy murmured, and returned to -studying the rolling blue swells of the Pacific below.</p> - -<p>Dave turned front and gave his attention to his flying. And for the -next twenty-five minutes the Devastator droned along on its job of -flying, with neither of the two youths saying a word. At the end of -that time the Section Leader fired a brace of very-light signals into -the air to signify that the patrol had reached its farthest point -north. Then he banked around toward the south again. The five other -planes banked around, and as the turn was made Dave glued his eyes on -the other planes and half held his breath in expectation. But he was -doomed to disappointment. No plane refused to turn and went streaking -away on its own. All of them swung about gracefully in formation and -started drilling back toward the south and the Carrier Indian far down -over the edge of the horizon.</p> - -<p>"Well, so that's that!" Dave muttered bitterly. "I was either all wet, -or he decided not to take the chance this trip. Or maybe it was because -we didn't sight any—"</p> - -<p>He didn't finish the rest. At that moment Freddy Farmer's fist came -down on his shoulder, and the English youth's voice cried out in wild -excitement.</p> - -<p>"Look at Number Two plane way over there, Dave! It seems to be having -engine trouble. It's spouting smoke from the exhaust, and is nosing -down!"</p> - -<p>"A forced landing!" Dave cried without thinking as he watched the -Number Two plane start to lose altitude. "What a tough break for those -two guys! They'll have to sit down and float until—Hey! What am I -talking about? I must be nuts! Freddy!"</p> - -<p>"Absolutely!" the English youth cried, and nodded his head vigorously. -"It's easy to give your engine a bad mixture feed and make the exhaust -smoke. An easy trick when you want to break away from a formation, and -make it look as though you have to. Dave! I'll bet you anything you -want that that engine hasn't got anything more wrong with it than ours -has!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SIXTEEN" id="CHAPTER_SIXTEEN">CHAPTER SIXTEEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Water Rats</i></small></h2> - - -<p>"No bet, no bet!" Dave cried, and clenched and unclenched his free fist -in his excitement. "I think, too, that bird is pulling a trick. He's -going down, and he knows that none of us will follow him down, because -there's nothing we could do to help. We're land planes, not seaplanes. -It would be up to the rest of us to get back to the Indian in a hurry -and report that he had to sit down, and where."</p> - -<p>"But I wonder, Dave," Freddy Farmer grunted as a sudden frown creased -his brows. "Look. It stands to reason that he couldn't <i>know</i> he was to -make this exact patrol at this exact time. So it couldn't very well be -that he planned to land in the water and have a waiting Jap submarine -pick him up. That would be silly. He might float for days before a -submarine came along to pick him up. And—well, how in the world could -he plan to meet one at this spot? Maybe it is the real thing, Dave. -Maybe it is a forced landing that couldn't be helped. See what I mean?"</p> - -<p>Dave didn't make any reply. He stared hard at the Number Two plane as -it spat smoke from its exhausts, and slowly lost altitude. Freddy was -quite right. It could be that what he was watching was very genuine; -that tough luck had dropped down out of the blue Pacific sky to smack -a couple of Uncle Sam's Navy eagles. Yet he couldn't believe that was -true. Something inside of him—he didn't know what—refused to let him -believe that it was all open and aboveboard.</p> - -<p>"Could be, could be," he muttered over and over again to himself as the -patrol started leaving the crippled plane to its rear. "Could be, yes. -But, doggone it, we're going to make sure. We've got plenty of gas, -Freddy. We can find our way back to the Indian alone. I'm turning back -and going down to have a good look at those guys. I have a feeling that -maybe they won't actually land in the water. They may—Hey! They did! -Look at them, Freddy! That pilot is swinging around toward the north -and trying to put as much distance as possible between his plane and -the rest of us."</p> - -<p>"Yes, he's doing just that!" Freddy shouted in return. "And if I were -force landing I'd try to glide as long as I could in the direction -of possible help. But he's banking around and gliding away from the -Indian's position."</p> - -<p>"Gliding nothing!" Dave howled, and dropped the Devastator's wing and -started swinging it around. "That engine of his is not cooked. He's -using it just enough to keep him almost level. Hang on, Freddy! We're -going to take a look at that bird, and no kidding. A close look, too. I -think it will make him mad. So keep on your toes, pal. 'Most anything -can happen now. And maybe it will!"</p> - -<p>Freddy didn't say anything to that. He simply hung on hard and sat -tight as Dave whipped the Devastator around and stuck the nose down. -The other plane was a good ten miles away by now, and fast becoming not -much more than a small smudge of black silhouetted against the blue -water. Holding the plane steady, Dave took time out to twist his head -around and stare back at the rest of the patrol. He wondered if the -Section Leader, seeing two planes dropping out of formation, would get -curious himself. But whether or not the Section Leader was curious, he -made no attempt to quit his other planes and turn back also. The patrol -kept on drilling southward.</p> - -<p>Turning front again, Dave instantly picked up the other Devastator. -And as he did so his heart leaped in his chest, and the blood began -to pound through his veins. Smoke had stopped spewing from the engine -exhaust. The plane had even stopped gliding. As a matter of fact, it -was on even keel, and racing northward at full throttle not more than -three or four thousand feet above the surface of the Pacific. That -fact alone told Dave that after eight days and eight nights the gods -of war had decided to give Freddy and him a real break. He knew, just -as though a voice were shouting it in his ears, that the pilot of that -Devastator thundering northward was in the pay of the Axis. And for -some reason he felt equally sure that the Devastator's gunner was of -the same breed.</p> - -<p>One thing that had puzzled him ever since Colonel Welsh had told of the -double murder aboard the Aircraft Carrier Indian was whether one man or -two had taken part in that gruesome affair. He had believed it was two -for the reason that if there had been just one man, he would have been -unable to kill both of the Indian's officers before one of them jumped -him, or tried to, at least. And both had been shot right between the -eyes. That fact, and other bits of reasoning, had led him to believe -all along—though he had not spoken of it to Freddy Farmer—that they -were after two Axis spies, not just one.</p> - -<p>And as he sent the Devastator rocketing downward and to the north, he -felt more convinced than ever that such was the truth.</p> - -<p>"I could be wrong," he grunted softly as he kept his eyes fixed -steadfastly on the other plane, "but I don't think so. Nope, I don't -think so."</p> - -<p>"Dave!" Freddy's voice suddenly screamed in his ear again. "Look to -starboard and ahead, on the horizon line. I think I spot smoke from the -funnel of some surface ship. Can you see it, too?"</p> - -<p>Dave tore his gaze from the plane ahead and stared hard in the -direction of the English youth's pointed finger. But all he could see -was an endless expanse of blue water across which the shadows of coming -night were beginning to steal. Where the water met the sky was little -more than a blurred line to him. If there was smoke from a surface -ship on that horizon line, he couldn't see it. However, many times had -Freddy Farmer's eagle, X-ray eyes picked up things before he did. And -so his heart began to dance about in his chest with wild excitement. -And for the umpty-umpth millionth time he experienced that familiar -eerie sensation at the back of his neck that seemed always to come to -him when trouble and danger were in the offing.</p> - -<p>"You sure, Freddy?" he called out. "I can't see a darn thing. It's all -just horizon line to me."</p> - -<p>"I'm not dead sure, but pretty sure," his pal replied. "It looks to -me like—Yes, I <i>am</i> dead sure, Dave. That is smoke, a lot of it, -from some craft that's traveling at top speed. Eastward, I think. And -look at that Devastator, Dave! He's seen it, now. Look! He's banking -northeast to intercept it. Dave! If that's smoke from a Jap warship, -then we'll know we're right!"</p> - -<p>"I know it now!" Dave cried. "Doggone well I do. Look at that rat tear! -His engine is hitting top revs. Ten to one he's spotted us and is -trying to give us the shake. Well, he won't. Not while we've got the -altitude and can gain extra speed in a dive. Hold your hat, Freddy. -I'm going to give this power plant all she can take. And be ready with -those rear guns. He may start to get tough."</p> - -<p>As Dave shouted the last, he jerked his head around and took a quick -sweeping glance back toward the south. There was nothing there but -darkening blue sky. Not a sign of the rest of the patrol. It had passed -on out of sight on its journey back to the Indian. Dave swallowed -impulsively and turned front again. His heart had stopped bouncing -around. It had become a cold lump that hung suspended in his chest.</p> - -<p>Any faint hope that he might have help with whatever was ahead had -passed out of the picture. Just Freddy and he were left. It was up to -them to finish the job they had started so long ago. How long ago, -anyway? A week, a month, or ten years? It seemed even longer than that -since that man reading the book in the room with the pails and mops had -told them to go on into Colonel Welsh's secret offices. But how long -ago it was didn't matter now. Freddy and he had come to the end of the -trail. Luck, blind luck mostly, had brought them to the end of their -manhunt. But blind luck, or very clever brainwork, what difference? -Down there and ahead was a Navy torpedo bomber streaking north and east -to cut across the bow of some surface vessel. An American vessel? Not a -chance. It had to be Jap. And Dave was ready to bet his life that it -was.</p> - -<p>He could see the trail of smoke now. And Freddy had been right. It was -coming from a surface ship with engines turning over at top speed. -Perhaps it was a Jap destroyer, or a cruiser, or even possibly one of -Nippon's big battle wagons. He didn't know. The ship was still down -below the horizon line. But she was traveling, and traveling plenty -fast.</p> - -<p>"There go his torpedo and bombs!" Freddy Farmer suddenly shouted. "That -means he has spotted us and dumped his load to pick up all the speed -he could. He's our man, Dave. He's our man. And I'll bet you all the -pounds Sterling in England that that's a Jap ship he's trying to reach. -Blast the dirty beggars. We can't let him get away with it, Dave. We -just can't. Not now."</p> - -<p>"Shut up and sit tight!" Dave snapped, and jammed the palm of his -free hand against the already wide open throttle, as though in so -doing he might get even more speed out of the thundering engine in -the Devastator's nose. "He won't if we can possibly prevent it. We're -gaining on him, and I think he knows it. Look! See the pilot turning -around and looking back? And, Freddy, that bird in the rear pit is -unlimbering his guns! Get set, but be sure they fire the first shots. -We've got to make sure, Freddy, right up until there's no doubt about -it at all."</p> - -<p>Even as Dave shouted the words, he slid his hand up the control -stick and snapped off the safety guard over the little red button -he pressed to fire his guns. The first tingling thrill and heart -chilling excitement was gone now. He felt perfectly cool, and calm, -and collected. No, it wasn't because he was any superman with nerves -of steel that no power on earth could break. It was simply that he -had flown straight into danger too many times to go all haywire and -jittery. This, you might say, was old stuff to Freddy and him. They had -been through it in France, and in England, and in Libya, and over the -broad Atlantic, and out in the Far East. A thousand times they had gone -hurtling into sky battle. And after that many times you get used to -taking it in stride.</p> - -<p>And so with measured movements he prepared himself for battle, if -battle was to come. And that battle was to come seemed just as certain -as that night was to come. And soon.... Soon? Just about four split -seconds later he knew definitely that engines were going to whine -under strain of violent aerial combat maneuvers, and that machine -guns were going to crackle and yammer all over that Pacific sky. He -knew it because the plane ahead and still below his altitude suddenly -veered sharply to the left, and pulled its nose up and around in a wing -screaming power zoom. And almost at the same instant Freddy's shouting -voice told Dave that he, too, knew the battle was about to begin.</p> - -<p>"The blighter knows he can't shake us off!" the English youth cried. -"Realizes we have the altitude, and can come down for a cold meat shot, -if we want to. And he knows we will if that ship turns out to be Jap. -And it is a cinch it is. Right-o, Dave! As I recall, that chap's a -pukka pilot. Name's Miller, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"That's what we called him!" Dave replied as he tried in vain to -remember the face of the Devastator's pilot. "And his gunner is named -Kaufman, I think. Miller and Kaufman! I wonder how they spell their -real German names. I—Here he comes. And shooting! That tears it, -Freddy! He's opened fire. So it's for keep, now."</p> - -<p>"Get after him, Dave!" Freddy screamed. "Get in close and let me at the -beggar. Bash me, will he? I fancy not again he won't!"</p> - -<p>Like a battle grey comet gone completely haywire, the other Devastator -came tearing up and around, guns blazing as its pilot tried to cut in -under Dave and drill the belly of his ship. But he didn't even come -close. Dave held his plane in its roaring dive just long enough to let -fly with a single withering blast at the zooming ship; then he flung -over hard on one wing, and went curving around and up himself to hold -the advantage of his altitude. As he swung around, he heard Freddy -Farmer's rear pit guns chatter. He jerked his head and took a quick -look, and laughed out loud. Freddy's burst had obviously been too close -for comfort, for the other pilot was kicking out of his zoom and off to -the other side in a hurry.</p> - -<p>"Atta boy, Freddy!" Dave yelled, and hauled his Devastator about in the -opposite direction. "Shoot his pants off, but save the coat and vest -for me. Let him—"</p> - -<p>Dave cut the rest off short as he happened to glance back at Freddy. -The English youth had dropped hold of his guns and was staring -wide-eyed toward the north. Dave checked the question on his lips and -shot a quick look in that direction himself. What he saw made his heart -zoom up to bang hard against his back teeth, and stick there!</p> - -<p>The smoke belching surface craft had come up over the northern horizon -into full view. It was a man of war, a heavy cruiser, and Dave did not -need a second look to recognize it as a Japanese cruiser. But that was -not what caused his heart to zoom up his throat and lock the air in his -lungs. Right behind the cruiser was another of the same class. Both -ships were slamming along through the water, and even as Dave stared at -them they changed course and veered around to the south.</p> - -<p>On they came at top speed, and for a crazy instant Dave thought they -had sighted his Devastator and were steaming southward to blast him out -of the air with anti-aircraft fire. It was, of course, an absolutely -crazy idea, and it was gone almost as it was born. And then an inkling -of the truth cut through his brain. Cold chills rippled down his spine, -and the inside of his mouth went bone dry. He impulsively glanced at -his radio panel, and gave a savage nod of his head.</p> - -<p>"That must be it!" he grated through clenched teeth. "The rats in that -other Devastator <i>did</i> use their radio! They must have sent out the -Indian's position, and those cruisers heard it. Now they're racing -south to get the Indian under cover of darkness. That's it, sure as -shooting. The rats figure that if they can't deliver the stolen plans -of the battle operation in time, they can at least do some damage. -Yeah! Give away the Indian's position and have her blown out of the -water with her planes helpless in the dark. Good grief! Why are such -vermin ever born?"</p> - -<p>Dave didn't add anything to that. He didn't because there was even more -pressing business at hand. During the precious seconds he had gazed -pop-eyed at the two onrushing Japanese cruisers, the pilot of the other -Devastator had taken full advantage of the opportunity offered. He had -brought his plane wing screaming up and around, and was tearing in at -Dave and Freddy from the side. As a matter of fact, it was the savage -yammer of the English youth's guns that snapped Dave out of his trance. -He jerked his head around, felt a tiny sting on one cheek, and saw a -section of the right side of his glass hatch seem to melt away into -nothing. Had he not turned his face just at that moment, he probably -would have lost a good part of his jaw.</p> - -<p>He didn't take time out to pat himself on the back for being so -fortunate. Fact is, he didn't take time out to do anything but -concentrate on slamming and booting the Devastator out of range of that -withering blast of fire. The instant he was in the clear he whipped out -his free hand to the release toggle that would drop the deadly torpedo -slung in the rack under the plane's belly. Even as his fingers touched -it he jerked his hand away and shook his head. No, he had to save -that steel fish until later. Freddy and he would have to risk having -it exploded by the fire from the other plane. And that went for the -Devastator's wing bombs, too. Freddy and he would need those in the big -battle to come, the battle against two heavy Jap cruisers.</p> - -<p>"We've got to get the blighter in a hurry, Dave!" Freddy's voice of -confirmation suddenly cut his thoughts. "We've got to get him and not -let either of those cruisers pick him up—pick <i>them</i> up. If they do, -everything is lost, Dave. They're bound to have those stolen plans of -battle operations with them, or at least stamped in their heads. If -they once get aboard either of those cruisers, everything will become a -terrible mess. It mustn't happen, Dave!"</p> - -<p>"You're telling me?" Dave roared, and hauled the Devastator around in -a dime turn that virtually made the wings groan in protest, and the -threatening wave of a blackout rise up before his eyes. "You're doggone -right we can't let them make contact. Hang on, Freddy! And let go with -your guns the instant you get the chance. I'm going to charge them. -It's either them or us, Freddy!"</p> - -<p>"All set!" the English youth howled back. "Let her rip, and blast their -dirty hearts!"</p> - -<p>For a couple of split seconds Dave held the Devastator in its tight -turn, and kept his eyes glued on the other plane. It was banking around -to get underneath him and come thundering up for an all gun blast at -the belly of his plane. So he deliberately held his Devastator in the -tight turn until he saw the nose of the other ship start to come up. -The instant it started up, Dave slammed farther over on wing, kicked -rudder hard and dropped the nose down to the vertical.</p> - -<p>Like a battle grey streak of lightning, Dave's plane rocketed downward. -He leaned far forward, straining against his safety harness, and kept -his mouth open to relieve the pressure in his pounding ears. It was -as though a thousand fingers of steel were curled about his insides -and striving to rip and tear in all directions at the same time. White -balls of fire leaped and bounced around in his brain as the Devastator -went down at a terrific rate of speed. It was agony to try to breathe, -for the walls of his lungs seemed pressed flat against each other.</p> - -<p>For perhaps three seconds the agony lasted, or maybe it was three -years. Then he was practically right on top of the other Devastator, so -close that he could actually see the whites of the pilot's fear-glazed -eyes staring up at him. The pilot was trying desperately to kick off to -the side and cut out from under Dave's diving plane. But there wasn't -time, and the terror in his eyes seemed to indicate that he realized it.</p> - -<p>Three seconds, and then Dave jabbed his electric firing trigger. His -guns hammered and pounded out nickel-jacketed destruction, and a hail -of doom tore into the other Devastator like red hot pokers slashing -into snow. The plane actually leaped off to one side like a bird nailed -in full flight. It rolled over twice, and its right wing started to -tear away in shreds. As Dave went thundering on past it he heard Freddy -Farmer's gun taking up where he had left off. A moment or so later he -was able to ease his plane out of its wing straining dive and circle up -and around and back.</p> - -<p>Almost reluctantly he slid his finger off the trigger button. There -wasn't any need to continue drilling the crippled plane. It was shy -one wing, and was slip sliding about in the air like a dead leaf in a -raging gale. Its propeller was still spinning over, but even as Dave -looked at it black smoke belched out from under the engine cowling, and -licking tongues of flame went darting backward.</p> - -<p>"Poor devils, just the same," Dave heard his own voice mutter. "But -they're probably stone dead now, anyway, so the fire won't add to -their—"</p> - -<p>He never finished the rest. Rather, he finished it with a wild shout -of anger and maddening defeat. The pilot and gunner of the other -Devastator were not dead. By a miracle the withering fire from Dave's -guns and from Freddy's guns had passed them by. On the contrary, they -were very much alive. Out of anger-filmed eyes, Dave saw both of them -push up out of their bullet-shattered greenhouse and leap out into -space and down toward the rolling blue waters of the Pacific.</p> - -<p>Both the pilot and gunner were alive! Both had bailed out with their -parachutes! Both would land in the water—and both could very easily be -picked up by either of the onrushing Japanese cruisers. The gods of war -were screaming with glee. A valiant effort by two valiant war eagles -serving Uncle Sam was going for a complete loss, would completely fail -in its purpose.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SEVENTEEN" id="CHAPTER_SEVENTEEN">CHAPTER SEVENTEEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Eagle Madness</i></small></h2> - - -<p>A thousand little demons seemed to be screaming their mocking laughter -in Dave's ears as he watched the two parachute envelopes billow out and -catch in the wind. Seething white rage boiled up within him, and he -impulsively started to kick his Devastator around and down toward those -two flying garbed figures swaying like clock pendulums at the ends of -their parachute shroud lines. But even as he started to drop down, he -made strangling noises in his throat and pulled the Devastator up onto -even keel.</p> - -<p>"I can't do it!" he cried hoarsely. "I can't shoot them like a couple -of helpless dogs. That's murder. That's the Nazi way. That's not our -way. I just can't do it."</p> - -<p>"But we've got to do something, Dave!" Freddy Farmer screamed in his -ear. "Satan himself must have saved them. And look, Dave! That leading -cruiser! She's shot one of her scouting planes off the forward -catapult. A seaplane! They're going to land and try to pick them up, -sure as you're born. That means they know perfectly well who those two -beggars are, and what they've got."</p> - -<p>Dave nodded grimly, but didn't bother to make any reply for the moment. -Icy fingers were once again coiling about his heart. He knew that -Freddy Farmer had spoken the truth, if the truth had ever been spoken -by anyone. Yes, it was certain that the commanders of those two Jap -cruisers knew that the two U. S. Naval Aviation clad figures floating -slowly down toward the water possessed the information that the entire -Jap Navy had been waiting to receive.</p> - -<p>Word of what had happened aboard the Indian in San Diego harbor a -few weeks before had of course leaked ashore. Axis Fifth Columnists -had gathered up that news and passed it on higher up. It was a dead -certainty that the instant the Indian had weighed anchor and sailed -out of San Diego harbor, word had been flashed to the Japanese Navy -command, and from there to all of the Nipponese sea units on patrol. -True, they probably didn't know where the Indian was bound, or what -she would do when she reached her destination. Dave felt very sure -that the secret of the surprise attack on the Marshall Island group -was something the Japs still didn't know, or even suspect. However, it -was equally certain that they knew that two of their spies were aboard -the Indian. And, also, that they possessed information that was worth -a major naval victory to the Japanese. For that reason every unit of -the Jap Navy was on the lookout for the Indian. And every one of its -brown-skinned rats, from the admirals down, had been waiting with -savage expectancy for the spies to make some kind of contact.</p> - -<p>That contact was now close to being made. It was unquestionably luck -that had sent the bogus Miller and Kaufman off on this particular -patrol. And it was undoubtedly luck that had placed these two Jap -cruisers just a little north of the end of the plotted patrol course. -However, war without luck, and miracles happening left and right, just -isn't war. And now there were the two Axis spies floating down toward -the water, and there were the two Nipponese cruisers. And one of them -had already catapulted one of its scouting seaplanes to land and pick -up the two airmen.</p> - -<p>All that, and more, whizzed through Dave's brain in nothing flat. Then -he tore his eyes off the two men going down by parachute and fastened -them on the Jap cruiser's seaplane skimming along the surface of the -water. One look, and then he went into action again.</p> - -<p>"That's their mistake!" he shouted, and slammed the Devastator's nose -down. "Like picking off clay ducks in a shooting gallery. But those rat -Japs are asking for it. So they get it!"</p> - -<p>Dave emphasized the last with a savage nod of his head and slid his -finger over the trigger button. By then the Jap seaplane pilot saw -what was going to happen. He hauled the nose of his plane up as though -to give battle. Almost immediately, though, he got cold feet and went -cartwheeling around toward the east. But it didn't do him any good. He -might just as well have tried to zoom up and hide behind the setting -sun. Dave had him cold in his sights, and the Jap was caught like a rat -in a trap.</p> - -<p>One long burst from Dave's wing guns. Another long burst from Freddy -Farmer's guns, as Dave banked off and gave his pal an aim, and that was -that. The slow Jap seaplane came apart as though it had flown full tilt -into a brick wall. It seemed to explode all over the place and hit the -water in a shower of small pieces. Dave instantly nosed up and twisted -around for another look at the steaming cruisers still a considerable -distance away. Even as he spotted them, he saw tongues of flame stab -out from their forward decks, and the air about him was filled with a -roar akin to that of an express train racing into the yawning mouth of -a tunnel. A blood-chilling roar, and then the Pacific sky was splotched -with bursting anti-aircraft shells that glowed red and orange and -yellow all at the same time.</p> - -<p>Dave grinned, tight-lipped, and instantly nosed down. It had been -a pretty rotten bit of shooting, even for Jap gunners. But maybe -they weren't to blame. Dave's Devastator was too low for their angle -of fire, and the shells exploded well above the Devastator. Just -the same it was no cause for great joy. On the contrary it was an -advanced warning of what the Jap cruiser commanders intended to do. A -ten-year-old child could guess what it was, too.</p> - -<p>Realizing that it was useless to pick up the two parachutists by -seaplane, the Japs were going to hold Dave and Freddy at bay by the -sheer power of their concentrated fire, and steam alongside the two -spies, who were no longer floating down through the air, but had hit -the water and were floating around in their orange-colored life -jackets. Dave cast a quick glance down at those two gobs of orange in -the water, and groaned in bitter exasperation. How simple if Freddy and -he were fighting on Adolf Hitler's and Hirohito's side! All he would -have to do would be to stick the nose down at those two orange spots in -the water and no more than brush his finger across the trigger button -of his guns. Just a short burst and two rats would be dead, never to -reveal what they knew. How simple, how easy it would be to do it that -way!</p> - -<p>But he couldn't. And he knew that deep in his heart, and in his soul. -No matter how much he hated the Nazis and the Japs, and all the -ruthless, rotten things they stood for, it wasn't a hate that could -make him murder in cold blood. He and Freddy would have to accomplish -their purpose some other way.</p> - -<p>Some other way? Those three words exploded in his brain like bombs. As -more shells from the cruisers' guns exploded well overhead, he twisted -around in the seat and stared at Freddy Farmer. The English youth was -gripping his guns with white knuckles and staring down at the floating -spies. But stamped on Freddy's face was the very same thing that was -in Dave's brain. It would be so very, very simple. Yet it couldn't be -done. It wasn't the way of the civilized white man.</p> - -<p>"We've got to try it, Freddy!" Dave shouted, and was conscious of the -dry tightness in his throat. "It's our only hope—our only one. If -either cruiser gets alongside those two rats in the water—"</p> - -<p>Dave stopped and let a shrug speak the rest. Freddy turned his eyes -from the surface of the water, looked at him, and nodded grimly.</p> - -<p>"Quite!" he said, tight-lipped. "Us against those two blasted cruisers. -We're mad even to try it. If a single one of their shells gets close -before we've got rid of our torpedo and bombs, why then—"</p> - -<p>It was Freddy's turn to cut off his words, and let a gesture of his -hand finish the sentence.</p> - -<p>"Yeah, we'd probably come down on the moon, or on a star!" Dave -shouted, and banked the Devastator around toward the north. "We can -get one with our torpedo, and go after the other with our bombs. Darn -it, anything to stop them from picking up those two rats, finding out -things, and getting busy on the radio. It's a job that can't be done, -Freddy. But, heck! We've got to <i>do</i> it!"</p> - -<p>"Then get on with it!" the English youth cried. "They may try to -catapult more planes, and we certainly can't do a million different -things at once."</p> - -<p>"Here we go!" Dave roared, and pushed the Devastator's nose down. "Good -luck to us both, Freddy. And it's been nice knowing you, pal!"</p> - -<p>If Freddy Farmer made any reply, Dave didn't hear it. The engine in the -nose was roaring out full blast, and the gunners aboard the two Jap -cruisers, realizing what was happening, were opening up with everything -they had. The din that hammered and pounded through that section of the -Pacific sky was akin to that of worlds colliding. Hunched tight-lipped -over the stick, Dave sent the torpedo bomber all the way down until -its belly was almost slapping the water. There he leveled off, banked -around to the left and headed directly for a broadside shot at the -leading Japanese cruiser.</p> - -<p>Squinting ahead was like looking into the mouth of an exploding blast -furnace. Every gun, from small machine guns and pom-poms to the big -stuff, was hurling roaring steel in his direction. Everything else -seemed to fade out of his vision. He could see nothing but that moving -wall of spouting flame and smoke directly ahead. Split seconds seemed -to take years in passing. A hundred times he was tempted to release -the torpedo and zoom up for safe altitude. But each time he killed the -desire.</p> - -<p>The Devastator carried one torpedo, and he had to make it good. He -couldn't take any chances of missing the sleek side of that steaming -cruiser. He had to get in close, real close, and then slam home the -steel fish. A bow hit or a stern hit wouldn't count. It had to be -square amidships, where the explosion would tear the heart out of the -Jap craft and sink it like a rock. He had to—</p> - -<p>The Devastator suddenly seemed to half stop and lurch crazily to the -side as a furious blast of fire from the enemy cruiser's guns crashed -into it. Dave had the feeling that he had been slapped in the face with -a barn door. He went dumb and stiff from the top of his head to the -bottom of his feet. Everything turned into spinning red light before -his eyes. He knew that he was lashed to the seat, and that both hands -gripped the controls with fingers of steel. But he wasn't sure.</p> - -<p>He wasn't sure of anything any more! Was Freddy Farmer still with him -in the Devastator? Was the plane still with him, for that matter? Or -had the withering blast of gunfire from the Japanese cruiser sent him -sailing off into thin air and death?</p> - -<p>He mustn't die now. Not yet! The suicide mission had only begun. The -aerial torpedo was still in its rack under the Devastator's belly. Or -was it? Had the cruiser's gunfire touched it off—and had Freddy and he -failed?</p> - -<p>"Freddy! Freddy Farmer! Are you with me, fellow? Are you still there, -pal?"</p> - -<p>Was that his own voice he heard—that faint little squeak that sounded -in his ears? If only he could see something besides the darned dancing -balls of light. If only he could get his muscles to move. But they -wouldn't move. His whole body had been turned to stone, and he was -falling straight down through a world of blazing flame. He was—</p> - -<p>Suddenly it was as though a gigantic invisible hand had reached out and -wiped away all the dancing colored light from in front of his eyes. -Like a man waking up from a heavy sleep, he found himself staring at -the instrument panel of the Douglas Devastator. He lifted his gaze, -stared through the bullet-shattered front of his glass hatch, at the -nose of the plane with its whirling prop—and at the shadow-filled -Pacific sky beyond!</p> - -<p>"You're nuts, you're completely cockeyed. You should be falling down, -not zooming <i>up</i>!"</p> - -<p>The sound of his own voice seemed to come to him from a great distance. -He tried to shake his head, and found that he could. The movement -dashed some of the cobwebs and the fog from his brain. He started to -turn around in the seat when something hit him a terrific clip on -the shoulder. It was Freddy Farmer's fist, and the English youth was -yelling his head off.</p> - -<p>"Bull's-eye, Dave! A perfect bull's-eye! But I thought for fair you -were going to ram us straight into the cruiser's fighting top. Look -at her! Look at her! Goodbye, you dirty brown rats! I only wish your -big-toothed Emperor was with you. Make war on decent people, will you, -you rotten beggars!"</p> - -<p>"Hey! What gives?" Dave cried, as his still slightly benumbed brain -refused to grasp the true meaning of Freddy Farmer's half screamed -words. "What in thunder are you raving about?"</p> - -<p>"What's <i>that</i>?" Freddy cried, and peered at him in dumbfounded -amazement. "You don't—"</p> - -<p>The English youth choked himself off, and the amazement in his eyes -changed to a look of alarm. At almost the same instant Dave began to -feel a dull ache on the left side of his head. He impulsively reached -up his hand and touched strips of his torn helmet. The strips were wet -and sticky, and when he lowered his hand it was to see his fingers -stained with his own blood.</p> - -<p>"Well, knock me for a loop!" he gulped foolishly. "Somebody, or -something, must have slugged me!"</p> - -<p>"I'll say!" Freddy cried. "A piece of shrapnel, I guess. A lot of it -hit us. But are you all right, Dave? Does it hurt much? Had I better -take over the controls? The other cruiser is—"</p> - -<p>"<i>Cruiser?</i>" Dave boomed. And then like a curtain snapping up to flood -his brain with light, he suddenly remembered where he was, why, and -what had happened. He <i>had</i> actually fired the torpedo at the cruiser.</p> - -<p>Ignoring another question that spilled off Freddy's lips, he twisted -in the seat, automatically shoved the Devastator down onto even keel -and stared down over the side. What he saw made his breath catch in his -throat, and his heart stand still in awe and gruesome horror.</p> - -<p>One of the cruisers was way over on its side and well down by the -stern—that is, what little he could see of her. Mostly it was a -boiling patch of red flame in the water that fountained upward and -outward to hurl licking tongues of fire out in all directions. In -a crazy sort of way he knew that the cruiser's powder magazine had -probably exploded. At any rate, the craft was being ripped to shreds as -though her steel plates were so much paper.</p> - -<p>Then, suddenly, as he moved his gaze across the water, he saw a sight -that made him cry out in terror, and shudder violently. He saw two tiny -spots of orange almost directly in the path of the keeled over cruiser. -And then he didn't see them any more. A tongue of boiling flame, -perhaps an oil drum or something on fire, came slashing straight out -of the smoke-filled air and down on that spot. The flames splashed out -like drops of molten metal, and white spray rose up like a cloud. The -two spots of orange that were the life jackets worn by the two spies -disappeared from view as though by magic. When the flames and the spray -melted away, the two spots of orange weren't there any more. There was -nothing but a smoking slick of oil.</p> - -<p>"Poor devils!" Dave muttered shakily. "What a horrible way to die. They -were rats, but—but that was a terrible way for even rats to die. -They—"</p> - -<p>The last was cut off as though by a knife. A section of the sky seemed -to drop down and explode right on the nose of the Devastator. For a -brief instant Dave found himself in a world of utter darkness. Then -the plane went tearing out into clear light again. It was shuddering -and trembling like a spent race horse. He knew without looking that -the right wing had been blasted by bits of shrapnel, and that the tip -was beginning to flutter. Instinct and instinct alone caused him to -shove the nose down and lose altitude fast. But even as he went down he -knew that losing altitude wasn't going to help much. The second of the -Japanese cruisers was just ahead and below. And every gun aboard her -was thundering away at the Devastator at practically point blank range.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_EIGHTEEN" id="CHAPTER_EIGHTEEN">CHAPTER EIGHTEEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Death Hates To Lose</i></small></h2> - - -<p>"Our bombs, Dave! Can you get us down lower and right over the blasted -thing?"</p> - -<p>Above the thundering roar of bursting anti-aircraft shells, Freddy -Farmer's voice came to Dave as little more than a whisper. He heard it -nevertheless, and nodded his head vigorously to let the English youth -know that he had heard. They were right in the middle of the cruiser's -fire now. It was just as safe to keep on going down on her as it was -to try and break away. So long as he was able to dive, the Devastator -presented a difficult target for the Jap gunners. But should he pull -out of the dive, and arc off to either side, the Devastator would then -instantly become a target tripled in size.</p> - -<p>No, there was but one thing to do: to go on down on her and then let -go with their wing bombs in the last instant allowed. That their bombs -might put the cruiser out of action, to say nothing about sinking -her, was completely out of the question. It was plain silly even to -hope that such a miracle as that would come to pass. But it would be -possible to put some of her guns out of action. And it was just barely -possible, too, that the bombs might damage the craft enough to force -the Jap commander to reduce her speed. That at least would be something.</p> - -<p>Yes, indeed. If the cruiser was forced to reduce speed, she would at -least have to give up the search for the Carrier Indian. And now that -the two spies were gone, it was only logical that the Jap commander -would go steaming southward in a desperate effort to find the Indian -and pounce upon her in the dark.</p> - -<p>"Sure, give her all you can!" Dave muttered as he hunched forward over -the stick of the diving plane. "But don't kid yourself why. You know -why, and <i>how</i> you do! Her fire has you bracketed. You'll catch it -cold no matter which way you turn. So there's only one thing you <i>can</i> -do. Slam down and give her all you've got left before your number and -Freddy's number go up. Down—and give her all you can, while you can."</p> - -<p>A wild desire to twist his head around and see how Freddy Farmer was -taking it possessed Dave for a moment—but only for a moment. Just as -suddenly he didn't want to see Freddy's face. Because of the look of -certain death he felt sure he would see there? He didn't know. Because -he was afraid that Freddy might read the truth in his own eyes? He -didn't know. Only one thing seemed certain. Freddy Farmer and Dave -Dawson had at long last come to the end of the trail. Their luck, if -luck it was, had run out.</p> - -<p>He wasn't afraid to die, though. Perhaps that was because he had faced -death so many, many other times and managed to skin through. Anyway, he -did not feel fear inside of him. Funny, but the sensation that rippled -through him was one of fierce satisfaction. Satisfaction at completing -a job that had seemed utterly impossible right from the very start. -Bull luck? Blind luck? Okay, call it anything you wanted to, but the -fact remained that two murdering Axis agents had failed to win through -at the very last moment. They were dead, and all they knew was dead -with them. Their corpses were but two of the hundreds the exploding -cruiser had scattered all over that section of the Pacific. Yes, they -were dead. Their information was lost to the Japs. And Freddy Farmer -and he had paid back a little bit on the Pearl Harbor account. They -had blasted a Jap cruiser out of the war and the world for keeps. That -was something, anyway—little something extra for the Old Man with the -whiskers, Uncle Sam.</p> - -<p>Too bad the Devastator didn't carry a couple of torpedoes, so that they -could slam a death blow into the second cruiser as they went down the -long trail that has no end. Too bad, but no sense crying about it. The -plane had carried only one torpedo, and they had made full use of that -one. There were only the bombs left—bombs that might spill a lot of -Jap blood over the cruiser's decks, but would never go through her deck -plates to do real damage below. And so—</p> - -<p>"So here goes!" Dave whispered softly as the gun-spitting cruiser -seemed to come sweeping up toward his spinning propeller. "Here goes -Freddy—and here I go. Something to remember us by!"</p> - -<p>A sob rose up in Dave's throat and stuck. He winked his eyes that had -suddenly begun to sting. Then he grinned, and the grin grew into a -harsh, defiant laugh. The last split second had arrived. He had to -pull out and give Freddy a chance to release their wing bombs, or dive -on straight into the cruiser. He was tempted to do that last thing: -to slam straight in and go out in a roaring blaze of glory. But cold -fighting sense refused to permit him to do it.</p> - -<p>He braced himself, hauled back on the stick, brought the nose up and -shot straight forward not twenty feet above the cruiser's fighting top. -One second more and he would streak right over the up-tilted muzzles of -the forward anti-aircraft guns. A target a blind man couldn't miss. A -target you could hit with rocks. One second more. Two at the most. Dump -the bombs, Freddy! Slam them down and blast some of those dirty brown -devils to the place where they and all their filthy back-stabbing breed -belong. Give it to them, Freddy. Give them all we've got left!</p> - -<p>Dave didn't know whether he was roaring out the words, or whether -they were simply echoing around in his brain. He simply knew that the -Devastator was perched on the very brink of all eternity, and that he -was banging out the last of his bullets as a sort of final touch. He -only knew that—</p> - -<p>But he didn't. He didn't know anything any more. He was completely lost -in a huge black cloud that pressed in on him from all sides. He was -right in the middle of it, and sailing away and away. The light of day -was gone, and night was all about him. Was it night, or was this what -death was like? Darkness. Thick darkness with a faint roaring in the -distance, and drifting to him from all sides.</p> - -<p>"I can't be dead—my head hurts too darned much!"</p> - -<p>The sound of his own voice in that cloud of darkness startled him so -that he cried out in fear. Then suddenly he felt himself sink down; -felt water in his mouth, his nose, his eyes, and in his ears. He -gasped, and water poured down his throat—salty, smoky tasting water. -And his lungs seemed to burst right out between his ribs. His brain -refused point blank to function, but the instinct of self-preservation -came to his rescue. Without realizing it, he kicked with his feet and -struck out blindly with his hands. He couldn't move his right hand, -though. There was something hanging onto it, a dead weight that made it -impossible for him to move his arm.</p> - -<p>Then suddenly he was sucking and gurgling air into his lungs. Just -as suddenly the film over his eyes passed away, and he found himself -looking at a world of brilliant stars over his head. And just as -suddenly he realized that he was in the water, keeping himself afloat -with one hand, and clutching hold of Freddy Farmer's helmeted head with -the other, striving to keep the English youth's face out of water.</p> - -<p>It was dark as pitch all about him. Yet when he winked the water from -his eyes a weird glow of light seemed to filter down from the stars. He -saw dark objects floating about him. There were pieces of wreckage, but -for the moment he could not summon the strength to swim toward them. In -a dulled sort of way he knew that something was wrong, that something -wasn't right. Then he knew what it was. His life jacket was gone, at -least half of it. The other half was in strips and wasn't of any use. -Freddy Farmer's life jacket was gone completely. In fact, he had on -nothing but his shirt. Dave could tell that when a swell lifted the -English youth's shoulder up out of the water.</p> - -<p>Bit by bit Dave's brain began to click over at increased speed. -Presently it gave him the sense to take a good look at Freddy. He -pulled his pal closer, and as he did so held his breath in terror. But -God had been kind. Freddy Farmer was not dead. He was unconscious, but -he was breathing. A mighty sob of joy shook Dave's body. He clenched -his teeth, and summoned every ounce of strength in his half numb body. -He saw a large sized object floating by a few yards away. It looked -like the top side of a crate, or perhaps it was a bunk. He struck out -for it with one hand and two feet. Only a few yards away, but every -foot was a mile to Dave's straining efforts. His head pounded, and all -the colors of the rainbow flashed and whizzed around before his eyes.</p> - -<p>Then finally his outstretched hand clutched hold of something. It felt -like a loop of rope, and it was fastened to the floating object. He -didn't bother to find out what the object was. He was quite content to -cling to the looped rope for several minutes and fight for his breath -and his strength. Eventually, though, he shifted his position in the -water, thrust up his hand and hooked it over the side of the object. -And it was then he made the joyful discovery. It was not a crate, or a -bunk. The object was a ship's raft—a life raft constructed something -like a rubber life raft. Airtight circular drums formed the sides, and -stout planks lashed together three thick formed the bottom of the raft.</p> - -<p>Dave laughed and cried in the same breath, and then almost spent the -last of his strength in a mad effort to scramble onto the raft and -haul Freddy Farmer up with him. Three times he tried it, only to lose -his grip and slide back into the water, and under. He didn't try it -that way a fourth time. He forced himself to spend a good ten minutes -still clinging to the looped rope. Then, when renewed strength began -to seep slowly through his body, he worked Freddy Farmer's unconscious -body close to the raft, got one of the English youth's arms flung up -over the side, and then the other. Then inch by inch he worked the dead -weight up until Freddy went tumbling over and down onto the floor of -the raft.</p> - -<p>It required another rest period of some ten minutes for Dave to dig -up some more strength. Then, grabbing hold with both of his hands, he -worked his body upward, muscles straining, strength ebbing away like a -punctured balloon spilling air, and all the firecrackers in the world -going off in his brain. It took years, it seemed, but he finally made -it. He got all the way in and fell sprawling down on top of Freddy -Farmer. He tried to push himself up and crawl off his pal, but that was -the moment when all the glittering stars in the heavens fell down and -hit him on top of the head.</p> - -<p>His next sensation was that his whole body was on fire. He opened his -eyes, but it was like looking straight in through the opened door of a -blast furnace going full force. He closed his eyes, groaned, and tried -to move. It was then that water hit him smack in the face, and hands -took hold of him.</p> - -<p>"Dave! Speak to me, Dave! It's Freddy. Dave! Please speak! Can you hear -me? Steady, lad, steady! Relax and let me hold you. Praise be to Allah! -I've been terrified for hours that you were a goner!"</p> - -<p>With a tremendous effort Dave forced his eyes open. The glare of the -blast furnace was gone, but he could still feel the heat. For a few -seconds he didn't try to think. He didn't try to do anything except -relax, and let somebody hold him up, and keep the glare of that -blast furnace out of his eyes. He knew it must be Freddy Farmer. He -recognized the voice, and the voice had said so. Good old Freddy. -Always there at the right time. Never failed. One in a million. The -very best. The tops.</p> - -<p>"Hold it, Dave!" Freddy's voice cried in his ears again. "Don't let go, -pal. Hold it. Buck up. Come on, now. There's a lad for you. Cheeri-o, -Dave!"</p> - -<p>He found that his eyes were opened again, and that Freddy Farmer's -grinning face was but a foot from his own. He stared at it, grinned -himself, and suddenly strength and vitality began coursing through -his veins. He took his eyes off Freddy's face, looked about him, and -gulped. As far as he could see in any direction was nothing but a -limitless expanse of sky blue water—sky blue water filmed over with -golden light from the blazing sun hanging high in the heavens. He and -Freddy Farmer were alone in the life raft, completely alone. There -wasn't a drop of water, nor a package of food, or anything. The raft -was bare of all things that help to sustain life. Startling realization -brought sudden and violent hunger to his stomach, and a craving thirst -to his lips. He looked back to meet Freddy's eyes, and forced another -grin to his lips.</p> - -<p>"Guess they don't want us up at the Pearly Gates yet, pal," he said -slowly. "But maybe this is all a dream, or something."</p> - -<p>"It isn't!" Freddy said grimly. "I've been hoping so ever since -yesterday afternoon. But it's real, Dave. It's too blasted real, I say."</p> - -<p>"Easy, Freddy!" Dave cried. "<i>Yesterday afternoon?</i> Where do you get -that stuff? Why, it can't—!"</p> - -<p>"It is!" Freddy interrupted. "I came to just before sundown. You were -sprawled over me. Phew! I thought you were stone dead. I managed to -wiggle out from under you, and prop you up. Bit too much for me, -though. I spent most of the night coming to and passing out again. I -felt better when dawn came. Took stock of things and saw there was -nothing to do but wait. Kept your face out of the sun, as much as -I could. And—well, I guess I prayed most of the time. Nothing has -happened, though. Nothing's passed by except some dead Japs, with some -sharks after them. They—"</p> - -<p>The English youth paused and shuddered. Dave reached out a hand and -pressed his arm.</p> - -<p>"Steady does it, Freddy," he said gently. "We're still alive. And we're -together. That's a lot in my book. And, heck! This is a whole lot -better than if that darned Jap cruiser had picked us up. I don't think -they'd have been very nice to us."</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer's jaw dropped, and his eyes went wide.</p> - -<p>"Jap cruiser pick us up?" he gasped. "Are you balmy, Dave? It went down -like a rock. The blasted thing practically broke in two! You just -barely got us clear of the flying pieces before our wing came off and -we crashed in. Why—!"</p> - -<p>"Whoa, hold her!" Dave shouted, and jerked himself up straight despite -the pain and aches it caused. "You mean we got that second cruiser? -You're nuts! Our bombs wouldn't even dent her plates. They—"</p> - -<p>"They didn't!" Freddy cried. "A lucky hit. One went right down one of -her funnels. It must have, because I just had time to see the great -cloud of flame and smoke that belched up out of her funnel before -concussion was tossing us around like a leaf. It's the truth, Dave! -Didn't you see it? Worse than the one we'd torpedoed. She broke right -clean through. Then we crashed into the water. You yelled to me to -duck, and—well, that's the last I remember until I came to late -yesterday afternoon. How did you get us out of the wreck and aboard -this raft, anyway?"</p> - -<p>"The first part of that we'll never know, Freddy," Dave said in an awed -voice. "Maybe it was two other guys, or something. I don't remember -a thing from the time I leveled out of the dive until I woke up in -the water, and had you by the helmet. It was night, and all sorts of -things were floating by. I saw this raft, but thought it was a crate, -and got us over to it. I got us both inside, and then went out like a -light. Sweet tripe, Freddy! We've been floating around in this thing -for at least two days and two nights. No wonder I could eat a horse, -whole, and drink a well dry. You've—you've seen nothing, Freddy? No -ship, no plane?"</p> - -<p>Freddy shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Nothing, Dave," the English youth said in a low voice. "The Pacific's -a pretty big place, you know. It's—<i>Dave</i>! What's the matter? You look -as if you'd seen a ghost!"</p> - -<p>Dave shook his head, put out a hand and touched Freddy.</p> - -<p>"Don't move, Freddy!" he said hoarsely. "Don't even look. It—it might -not be true. But—but, it is, <i>it is</i>! Look, Freddy! To the east. A -ship! It's a destroyer. She's heading this way. Look at her spill -smoke. She's heading this way. And it's Yank. I can tell from her -lines, and stacks. <i>Look</i>, Freddy! Lady Luck was just waiting until we -both woke up, that's all. She wanted us both to be surprised. She—"</p> - -<p>Freddy's eyes turned to the east.</p> - -<p>Dave raved on like a man gone delirious with joy, and he was. Words, -all kinds of crazy words babbled off his lips. And words, all kinds of -crazy words also spilled from Freddy Farmer's tongue as together they -watched one of Uncle Sam's destroyers come tearing down on them. She -swept up on them like a thing alive, slowed down just long enough to -cast off one of her boats, and then started circling about them. In -ten minutes grinning Navy gobs helped Dave and Freddy into the boat. -And about twenty minutes after that they were in sick bay aboard the -USS Paul Jones, and receiving the very best of medical treatment. It -was all they could do to keep awake, despite their gnawing hunger. The -wild excitement of rescue had been too much for either of them. It had -sapped their strength down to almost the last drop. But they managed -to keep awake long enough to ask questions, and receive astonishing -answers from the youthful lieutenant in command of the destroyer.</p> - -<p>They learned that the attack on the Marshall Islands had been carried -out successfully. That a whole lot of what had happened at Pearl Harbor -had been paid back to the Sons of Nippon. They learned that they had -been afloat in the raft for three whole days and nights. They learned -that one Colonel Welsh had requested that special permission be given -Navy units in that section of the Pacific to search for them when it -was reported by scouting planes that cruiser wreckage had been seen -floating on the water. They learned that a searching plane had sighted -them from the air that very morning, although Freddy had not seen nor -heard it. The scouting plane had directed the Paul Jones to the spot. -They learned also that Jap sailors picked up from the area where the -cruisers had gone down had told of what they had done with one lone -Douglas Devastator.</p> - -<p>"It was that report that set this Colonel Welsh to moving Heaven, -earth, and the Navy Department, to get a search going," the destroyer's -commander finished up. "He must have had the President with him, -because darned near the whole Pacific Fleet hopped right to it. Who is -this Colonel Welsh, anyway? Can't say I ever heard of him. He must be -quite a man when it comes to getting things done."</p> - -<p>"Yeah," Dave mumbled drowsily. "Quite a man. Swell to work under. Got -a nice technique. Gets you so doggone mad you'd go out and fly without -wings, just to prove you could do it. Yeah, the Colonel knows his -stuff. Right, Freddy?"</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer didn't agree or disagree. He was already sound asleep!</p> - - -<p class="ph4">—THE END—</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> <i>Dave Dawson At Singapore.</i></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> <i>Dave Dawson With the R.A.F.</i></p></div> - - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="ph2"><i>A Page from</i><br /> -DAVE DAWSON WITH THE AIR CORPS</p> - -<p>Throttling the Wright powered Vultee V-12C attack bomber to cruising -speed, Dave licked his dry lips, twisted around in the seat, and winked -at Freddy Farmer in the gunner's pit.</p> - -<p>"How's it going, pal?" he called out. "Not nervous, or anything like -that, are you?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly not!" the English youth shouted back. "I stopped being -nervous hours ago. Now I'm only scared stiff! How do you feel?"</p> - -<p>Dave shrugged and made a little gesture with his free hand.</p> - -<p>"I'm not sure," he said, "but I think it's something like the way a -clay pigeon must feel. You know, hoping the guy with the trap gun will -miss? Oh well, this may be just a waste of time."</p> - -<p>"Not any more!" Freddy shouted, and pointed to the left. "Look!"</p> - -<p>Dave turned his head and felt his heart zoom up to crack against his -back teeth. About seven miles off his left wing and hugging the under -side of a towering cloud bank, he spotted no</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dave Dawson with the Pacific Fleet, by -Robert Sidney Bowen - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DAWSON WITH THE PACIFIC FLEET *** - -***** This file should be named 50217-h.htm or 50217-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/2/1/50217/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Dave Dawson with the Pacific Fleet - -Author: Robert Sidney Bowen - -Release Date: October 14, 2015 [EBook #50217] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DAWSON WITH THE PACIFIC FLEET *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - DAVE DAWSON WITH THE PACIFIC FLEET - - _by_ R. SIDNEY BOWEN - - - _Author of_: "DAVE DAWSON AT DUNKIRK" - "DAVE DAWSON WITH THE R. A. F." - "DAVE DAWSON IN LIBYA" - "DAVE DAWSON ON CONVOY PATROL" - "DAVE DAWSON, FLIGHT LIEUTENANT" - "DAVE DAWSON AT SINGAPORE" - - - CROWN PUBLISHERS - - New York - - - COPYRIGHT, 1942, BY CROWN PUBLISHERS - PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - - [Transcriber's Note: Extensive research did not uncover any - evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - - - - CONTENTS - - - I ORDER FOR EAGLES 9 - - II CENTER OF THE WORLD 21 - - III SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT 32 - - IV DEATH IN THE PACIFIC 47 - - V SILENT WINGS 58 - - VI MIDNIGHT MENACE 69 - - VII PILOT'S LUCK 81 - - VIII NOBODY'S AIRPORT 94 - - IX RESCUE WINGS 108 - - X VULTURE'S NEST 121 - - XI A LITTLE BIT OF ENGLAND! 131 - - XII WESTWARD TO WAR 149 - - XIII DEATH STRIKES OFTEN 161 - - XIV INVISIBLE WALLS 174 - - XV BATTLE STATIONS 187 - - XVI WATER RATS 201 - - XVII EAGLE MADNESS 219 - - XVIII DEATH HATES TO LOSE 233 - - - - -DAVE DAWSON WITH THE PACIFIC FLEET - - - - -CHAPTER ONE - -_Order For Eagles_ - - -Very much like a little boy who is seeing his first Christmas tree, -Freddy Farmer stared pop-eyed out the Clipper's lounge window and down -at the man-made magic that was New York City. For a full five minutes -he had been gaping at the sight, not moving a muscle, not making a -sound, and practically holding his breath all of the time. At his side -and with an arm thrown across the English-born R.A.F. ace's shoulders -was Dave Dawson, grinning from ear to ear, and getting the kick of his -life out of the spell that a first look at Gotham had cast upon his -bosom pal, and hard-hitting flying partner. - -Finally he couldn't wait any longer to hear what Freddy had to say. - -"Well?" he encouraged. - -"Well, what?" Freddy murmured in little more than a whisper. - -"What do you think of the old town, huh?" Dave asked with a happy -chuckle. - -The English youth blinked, swallowed hard, and gave a little uncertain -shake of his head. - -"Unbelievable, incredible!" he finally got out. "Are--are those really -buildings down there? The New York skyscrapers I've heard so much -about?" - -By way of making his question clear, Freddy pointed at the towering -heaps of stone that formed the Wall Street and midtown sections of the -city. Dave squinted down and grunted. - -"Those little shacks?" he echoed. "Why, those are just the little huts -where the poor people live. Wait until you see the real buildings. How -high are we, anyway? Hope the pilot of this thing stays over three -thousand feet. Be tough to smack into a skyscraper, you know." - -Freddy Farmer snorted and dug an elbow into Dawson's ribs. - -"Oh, come off it, funny lad!" he snapped. "That one wasn't even worth -a quiet smile. Point out some of the buildings, will you? The Empire -State Building. Where is it, anyway?" - -Dawson pointed it out to his friend, and then went on to point out many -of the other buildings of Manhattan that were famous the world around. - -"But the Empire State tops them all," he said at the end of his little -tourist guide speech. "Funny thing about it, though. The Empire State -is the tallest building in the world, but it's not the highest. Ever -realize that?" - -Freddy took his eyes off the view just long enough to give him a -quizzical stare. - -"The tallest, but not the highest?" he said. "What kind of rubbish is -that?" - -"It's a fact," Dawson said gravely. "Didn't you know you've got -buildings in England higher than the Empire State?" - -The English youth sighed and gave a little shrug of his shoulders. - -"I always felt there was something funny about America," he grunted. -"But I never knew that seeing your homeland affected you Yanks this -way. We have buildings in England taller than your Empire State? What -utter rubbish!" - -"I didn't say taller, I said _higher_!" Dawson chuckled. "Take the city -hall out in Denver, Colorado. Denver's a mile above sea level, but New -York is just about sea level. Catch on? The Denver City Hall is over -four thousand feet _higher_ than the Empire State. Try that on your -friends when you get back to England." - -"Blasted likely I will!" Freddy snorted. "They'd have me locked up sure -for a balmy one. But don't talk about getting back to England. Good -grief! I've only just arrived in America. And speaking of coming to -America, I'd certainly like to know--" - -"Yeah, me too," Dave cut in, and suddenly leaned closer to the window -glass. "Hello, Sweetheart!" he cried, and threw a kiss. "Have you been -lonesome for me, Sweet? Well, here I am, Precious. And am I tickled -pink to see you!" - -As Dawson talked and went through the motions of throwing kisses, -Freddy Farmer paled slightly and glanced anxious-eyed about the -Clipper's lounge to see if any of the other passengers were watching. -They weren't, however. They were all too busy filling their own eyes -with New York. Finally Freddy turned back to Dave. - -"Are you all right, Dave?" he asked. "Not air sick, or anything? Then -for pity's sake, stop all this rot! Where in the world do you think you -are? On the stage? And what in heaven's name are you acting out?" - -"Acting nothing!" Dawson snapped. "The real thing, pal! I'm just saying -hello to my girl, my sweetheart. I haven't seen her for a couple of -years, you know. There she is down there. See her?" - -The English youth looked eagerly out the window again, but his -eagerness disappeared at once, and he groaned softly. - -"As though you could see anybody from this height!" he growled. "You've -just gone plain balmy with joy at being back in your own country. But -I'm telling you right now that if you keep it up, I'm going to quit you -and go back to England even if I have to swim it. Frankly, I think I -must have been a little balmy myself to have come over here with you in -the first place. See your girl waiting for you? Rot! Matter of fact, I -recall your telling me that you didn't have any girl." - -"I haven't," Dawson said with a grin. "Only this lady is very special. -She's the sweetheart of every returning American. Always waits in the -same place, holding up a torch so you can find your way in. There she -is, down there. See her? Over two million Yanks threw goodbye and hello -kisses at her in the last war. She was born in France, but she's been -Yank ever since the day she came over. Freddy, meet my very special -sweetheart. Isn't she something, though?" - -Pulling the English youth closer to the window, Dave Dawson pointed a -finger down at the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. Freddy stared -at it long and silently. Then presently he nodded and smiled at Dawson. - -"No, I guess you're not so balmy as I thought," he said. "I see what -you mean and I quite agree. She is, indeed, the sweetheart of all you -Yank chaps. She stands for the most cherished thing in all of your -great country: Liberty!" - -"Yes," Dave said gravely. "And I hope and pray that before long what -she stands for will extend around the world and to each of the Poles." - -"Amen!" Freddy Farmer breathed softly. Then, as his young face grew -hard and grim: "It will come, Dave. Maybe you, and I, and thousands of -chaps like us, may not live to see it. But it will come, just as sure -as there is a sun in the heavens by day, and stars by night. I'm not -one of those heavy-thinking blokes who can spill out wonderful words -by the yard, but ever since this blasted mess started I haven't once -had even the tiniest feeling that Hitler and his murderers would win in -the end. And now that the United States is in it, I simply feel that -victory will be ours just that much sooner." - -"Feel the same way," Dave murmured, and stared unseeing out the window. -"But it's going to be a scrap, and a tough one. Those dirty Japs got -the jump on us. And they're in high gear right now, while Uncle Sam is -still shifting into first. But it won't be long before the old guy with -the whiskers gets rolling. And when he does, Mr. Jap, and Adolf, and -Muzzy the Fuzzy, you're going to catch it from all sides--and plenty! -And--Hold everything! I sound like a Congressman dedicating a post -office, or something. Let's change the subject. Gosh, Freddy, but you -look funny in civilian clothes." - -"Oh, do I?" the English youth flared up and flushed. "Well, let me tell -you, my little man, you'd never take any prizes at a fashion show for -men. You'd--" - -"Get down off your ear, pal!" Dave stopped him with a chuckle. "I -didn't mean that the way you took it. I mean that I've been so used -to seeing you in uniform that it seems sort of cockeyed to see you in -civies. They're a swell fit, and you'll knock the ladies of Broadway -and Fifth Avenue for a loop. So don't get hot under the collar." - -"Well, that's a little better!" Freddy growled. Then, with a sheepish -grin: "To tell the truth, I feel just as strange as I must look. It's -really a very nice suit of clothes, but I feel all out of place wearing -it. That is--" - -"I know what you mean," Dave chuckled. "Feel that way, too. As if a -Wing Commander, or somebody, were liable to pop up out of nowhere and -bawl the pants off me for not being dressed for a rush take-off and a -scramble. Well, anyway, never a dull moment for us, hey, Freddy?" - -The English youth laughed and shook his head, then ran a fingertip -along the bottom of the window and furrowed his brows in a puzzled -scowl. - -"No, never a dull moment," he said. "But I wish that some of those -moments could be explained to us now and then. I--well, I don't mean -anything against America, Dave. And I'm certainly willing and anxious -to go wherever I'm ordered. But--well, you've got oodles and oodles of -pukka pilots over here. Why should we be sent over here to instruct? -After the Singapore business, why were we recalled to England and then -sent out here? Why not to some other Front? Russia, or Libya, or right -where we were in the Far East?"[1] - -[Footnote 1: _Dave Dawson At Singapore._] - -"_Instruct?_" Dave echoed sharply, and gave his pal a keen look. "What -do you mean, instruct? Were you told something I wasn't told? Holy -tripe! If they make a darned instructor out of me, I'll wreck every -ship until they realize I'm no good at that sort of thing. Instruct? -Why, doggone it, I--" - -"I say, don't go sailing off your topper!" Freddy cried in alarm. -"Nobody told me anything. I simply said instruct, because I'm blessed -if I can think of any other reason why the Air Ministry should send us -over here." - -"Instruct!" Dave groaned and made a face. "Gosh! Have you spoiled my -homecoming by bringing that up. But, heck, Freddy! You must be all -wet on that idea. Why ship us halfway around the world to teach Yank -fledglings how to fly? That doesn't make sense. Why not at least send -us straight to Canada?" - -Freddy Farmer pursed his lips and looked thoughtful. But there was a -very impish look in his eyes that Dave missed completely. - -"Well, of course you're very famous," Farmer murmured. "You have quite -a record for bringing down Nazi planes. British ones, too. Crashes, -and rotten landings, you know. Come to think of it, perhaps it's -because of those crashes." - -"Crashes!" Dawson cried as his eyes flashed. "Listen, you little wing -crumpler! For every crate I've busted up, you've--" - -"No doubt Churchill got in touch with your President," the English -youth went on as though he hadn't been interrupted. "They often -talk with each other by trans-oceanic phone, I understand. Perhaps -right after Pearl Harbor, Churchill called up and said, 'I say, Mr. -President! That chap, Dave Dawson--he's one of you Yanks, you know.' -And your President said, 'Oh, yes, Dawson. Has that blighter crashed -again, Mr. Prime Minister?' To which Churchill replied, 'Can't say, Mr. -President. Haven't looked over the R.A.F. flight reports for the day -yet. It's quite likely, though. But what I called about, Mr. President: -Now that you're in this war, do you think you could take the little -beggar off our hands? Our aircraft production is on the rise, but--'" - -Freddy Farmer cut off the last as he suddenly realized that he was only -talking to the Clipper's window. He swung around on his heel, gulped, -and blushed to the roots of his hair. Dave Dawson and some dozen other -passengers of the Clipper were standing there in a group smiling at him. - -"It's the altitude, ladies and gentlemen," Dave said loudly. "On the -ground he's really quite a nice guy. But go on, Freddy. I didn't mean -to interrupt. Sorry." - -His whole face on fire, Freddy Farmer took a step forward, fists -bunched. Then he quickly relaxed, and grinned. - -"Fancy I asked for it," he said. Then, with a grave bow at the other -passengers, he added, "It's undoubtedly the truth, though. He has -crashed more than any other pilot in the R.A.F. Just look at his face. -Nothing but countless crashes could make it look like that. I ask you!" - -"Okay, that evens up!" Dave cried, as everybody joined in the laugh. -"But you sounded as if you were set for hours." - -At that moment the steward came into the lounge and requested the -passengers to take their seats while the landing was being made. As -Dave dropped into his seat next to Freddy, a tingle of excitement -quivered through his body, and his heart started whanging around in his -chest like a broken piston rod. Back home! Back home to the good old -U.S.A. He still could hardly believe that it was true. It was more like -living out a dream--a wonderful, joy-filled dream. He was afraid that -almost any second he would wake up and find himself back in his hut at -some Royal Air Force Fighter Squadron in England, or Egypt, or India, -or the Far East. - -"But it's not a dream, it's true!" he heard his own voice mutter -softly. "And that's just _why_ it doesn't make sense! Why _should_ it -be true? Why _did_ the Air Ministry send Freddy and me over here?" - - - - -CHAPTER TWO - -_Center Of The World_ - - -As the giant Pan-American Clipper went sliding down toward the landing -basin off LaGuardia Field, that question sounded again and again in -Dave's brain like a tolling bell. But each time he could think of no -answer that seemed reasonable or logical. And each time he groped for -the answer, he mentally kicked himself for not having taken the bull by -the horns and found out a few things when he had the chance. - -That chance had come just a few days ago; two days after he and Freddy -had returned from their special assignment in the Singapore area of -the war. They hadn't been appointed to any squadron upon their arrival -in London. Fact was, they had been given a week's leave to enjoy -themselves in the war-torn but still very much chin-up city. They did -have fun for two days. Then came the order to report to a certain -room at the Air Ministry. It turned out to be the office of Air -Vice-Marshal Stoneham, in charge of Active Service Personnel. - -For the first few minutes the high ranking Air Ministry official had -inquired about their health, how they liked being back in London, and a -lot of other things that were of equal "value" in waging a winning war. -Then suddenly he had informed them that they were leaving the next day -for the United States. It was with great difficulty that they kept from -toppling right out of their chairs. And while each struggled to catch -his breath and gain control of his tongue, the Air Vice-Marshal had -gone on to say that they would fly to Lisbon by British Airways, and -from Lisbon to New York by Pan-American Clipper. Upon arriving at New -York they would be met by a member of the British Embassy at Washington -who would escort them to the Nation's Capital. - -"So there you are, Flight Lieutenants," the Air Vice-Marshal had -finished up with a smile while they still tried to get their feet back -on the ground. "You can pick up traveling vouchers and what-not on the -way out. Good luck, and happy landings, and all that sort of thing. -Certainly wish I were going along with you. Wonderful country, America. -Of course it isn't England, but it's still quite all right, no end." - -Perhaps fifteen seconds after that, Dave and Freddy found themselves -accepting travel vouchers and other papers from a junior officer. And -another couple of minutes after that they found themselves out on -the street and headed back toward their hotel. Gosh, yes! He should -have asked a few questions of that Air Vice-Marshal when he had the -chance. But that had been the trouble. He hadn't had the chance. Things -had happened with such startling suddenness and rapidity that--well, -_bingo_, he and Freddy were on the Clipper flying west. - -"I wish I hadn't even said it!" - -Dave snapped out of his old thought trance and glanced at Freddy Farmer. - -"Wish you hadn't said what?" he demanded. - -The English youth sighed, made a face, and gestured with one hand. - -"That bit about us coming over here to instruct American fledglings," -he said. "The more I think of it, the more I'm afraid that it just -might be true. That would be terrible, Dave. Not that I don't want to -do everything possible to help, you understand. But instruct? I'd be -perfectly rotten at that game. I'm sure of it!" - -"Me too!" Dawson groaned as his heart started sinking again. "And it -would just be my luck to get some student who didn't know a flat spin -from a three dollar hat. But I'm sure it can't be that. Heck! Let's -look at the bright side. Maybe they've sent us over here to take charge -of American war flying." - -"Hardly!" Freddy said with a chuckle. "After all, the United Nations -really are very keen to _win_ the war, you know. And with you--" - -"Skip it!" Dave cut in. "I was only trying to make conversation." - -"Don't bother," Freddy murmured, and looked out the window. "It's quite -interesting enough to watch one of these big ladies come down and land. -Phew! That LaGuardia Field is certainly a big place, isn't it?" - -"Fair, just fair," Dave grunted. "It's really just one of our emergency -fields, you know. Why, we've got airports over here that are so big -that they serve breakfast at the start of the take-off and lunch when -the transport passes over the far end of the field. And--" - -"And glide from there to a landing on the next airport, eh?" Freddy -Farmer grunted. - -"You're learning too fast," Dave said with a grin. "I wonder who'll -meet us." - -"_I_ wonder if he'll be able to tell us anything!" Freddy added. "For -two pennies I'd refuse to budge an inch until I'm told what this is all -about." - -"Do that and you'll _be told_!" Dave said with a chuckle. "But not the -way you think, sweetheart. Ah, nice! A sweet landing, that one. These -Clipper captains sure know their onions when it comes to over-water -flying. Well, there's the dock, and customs shed. And I wonder who -in that crowd is our welcoming committee. Gee! I hope we can spend a -little while in New York so I can show you off to the natives." - -"Never mind the natives," Freddy said as the huge Clipper was mushed -through the water toward the landing dock. "I'll be perfectly content -to see the sights." - -"And I'm just the guy who can show them to you," Dave said. "Right from -the Battery up to the Bronx Zoo. No. Nix on the Bronx Zoo. Can't take -chances." - -"Chances on what?" Freddy said as he walked into it with both eyes shut. - -"The chances of coming out with the wrong baboon," Dave replied -instantly. - -Freddy Farmer swung but missed by a mile. Dave had caught up his -bag and was out of his seat and heading forward. Five minutes later -they had cleared customs and were standing on American soil. They -stood there for a minute wondering if the party who was supposed to -meet them had missed connections, and if they should go on into the -Administration Building waiting room and kill time until he showed up. -However, they had hardly started wondering when a neatly dressed man -approached them with a smile. One look and you practically saw the map -of England stamped on his ruddy face. He wore civilian clothes, but it -was easy to see that he was more accustomed to a uniform. - -"Flight Lieutenants Dawson and Farmer, eh?" he said, and extended -his hand. Then, before they could do no more than nod: "I'm Captain -Smith-Standers, attached to the military mission at Washington. The -welcoming committee, and all that sort of thing. Have a nice trip, -what?" - -"A swell one, thanks, Captain," Dave said. "Sure seems good to get -back. Of course, Farmer, here, was a little worried coming across. Not -used to flying, you know. But we've got a million questions to ask you, -Captain. And the first is--" - -Dave stopped as the British officer shook his head and raised a -restraining hand. - -"Don't even bother to ask the first one, you chaps," he said with a -laugh. "I'm blessed if I know what the answer is. I was simply ordered -to pop up here and pop you two back to Washington. But I say, you mean -you don't know why you're here, eh?" - -"Quite!" Freddy spoke up. "We haven't the faintest idea. And I can -tell you it's been driving us balmy wondering on the way across. Air -Vice-Marshal Stoneham simply gave us our traveling vouchers and shooed -us out of Air Ministry." - -"Well, that's the way they do things these days," the Captain said with -a shrug. "Very hush-hush, you know. But you'll find out everything -presently, I fancy. I say, do you want something to eat before we push -along? We've forty minutes or so before the plane leaves." - -"Hey!" Dave yelped. "What do you mean, push along? Farmer, here, isn't -going to have a look at New York?" - -"Only from the air," the other said with a smile. "I'm to take you to -Washington on the very next plane. Perhaps some other time, though. -Let's get along, shall we?" - -Dave looked at Freddy and shook his head sadly. - -"We're either a couple of very important guys," he grunted, "or else -somebody doesn't trust you on Fifth Avenue, even under my watchful eye." - -"Or else it's to be a court martial, and I'm here as a witness -_against_ you!" Freddy snapped. "Which I sincerely hope!" - -"Well, you two can carry on with that rot aboard the plane," the -Captain said. "Come along. But tell me, how are things in London? -Marvelous place, America, but how I wish I were back there. Feel -just like I'd run away from the home chaps. Have the Jerries really -been letting London alone? The War Office communiques are so blasted -uninforming, you know." - -That started the two R.A.F. youths off, and by the time they woke up -to realize they hadn't asked Captain Smith-Standers a single other -question about their status, they had landed at Washington, and -were on their way by car to the British Embassy. There they met the -Ambassador, and even had lunch with him and his subordinates. It was a -very wonderful luncheon, and the conversation was highly interesting -to them both. They were treated almost like returning heroes--rather, -visiting ones. However, not one word was dropped that gave them so much -as an inkling as to why they were in Washington. And although they were -both fairly exploding inside with questions, they had sense enough to -keep their mouths shut, and wait. - -They had to wait until late in the afternoon. Then Captain -Smith-Standers escorted them out of the Embassy and into a waiting -car. It whizzed them halfway across Washington to a building that was -perhaps the most unimposing of all the heaps of Government marble and -stone in the whole city. He got out of the car with them, and walked -with them up the flight of stone steps as far as the door. There he -stopped, and extended his hand. - -"Well, I fancy we part for good now, chaps," he said, and smiled at -them out of eyes that held just a trace of awe and admiration. "Been -wonderful meeting you, and all that sort of thing. Good luck, and -worlds of it to you both." - -"Sure, thanks," Dave gulped. "And the same to you. But look--what's -this place, anyway? And what do we do now? I've seen better jails than -this." - -"Quite!" Freddy Farmer breathed. "Did we do something wrong at the -Embassy? I say, can't you tell us anything?" - -"Sorry," the British captain said with a smile and a shake of his head. -"Fact is, there isn't anything I could tell you. I've been here before, -though, and it's no jail. Wish the devil I was in your shoes. Well, I -must trot. Go inside. You're expected. And--and good luck!" - -Captain Smith-Standers shook hands with them again, saluted, though he -still wore civies, turned on his heel and went down the steps to the -car. Dave and Freddy watched the car drive away, then turned and stared -at each other. - -"Have you ever been cockeyed drunk, Freddy?" Dave suddenly blurted out. - -"No, never," the English youth replied. "Have you?" - -"No," Dave grunted. - -"Then why do you ask?" Freddy demanded. - -"Just wondering," Dave murmured, and reached for the handle of the -door. "Just wondering if it makes you feel the way I do now. In sixteen -million pieces, and every doggone thing upside down. Well, I suppose -this is our next move, eh?" - -"Fancy it is," Freddy replied with a shrug and a frown. "So open the -blasted door, and let's go in." - - - - -CHAPTER THREE - -_Special Assignment_ - - -The first thing the two R.A.F. aces saw as they opened the door and -stepped inside was a long badly lighted corridor. It was more of a -lobby; the lobby of an office building that hadn't been used for -quite some time. The second thing they saw was the figure of a man in -civilian clothes who seemed to pop out of nowhere and advance toward -them. He was a nice enough looking man, about middle age, and with just -the faintest hint of the military about him. He fixed them both with a -keen searching stare, then seemed to relax a bit, and smiled. - -"Dawson and Farmer?" he murmured. And without waiting for either of -them to so much as nod: "Come along with me." - -They followed him over to an elevator bank, and into the nearest car. -Without speaking a word, or even so much as looking at them, the man -took them up six floors. Dave studied the man hard, and the result of -his study netted him just one thing. The man wore a shoulder holster, -and there was a gun in it. - -At the sixth floor he stopped the car, opened the doors, and stepped -out, crooking his finger. They went down a hall halfway to the rear -wall of the building, and stopped before a door. The man pressed a -button three times, then twice more, and then looked at them as the -latch made a clicking sound. - -"Go on in," he said. "They're waiting for you. Good luck!" - -"Same to you," Dave grunted. "What is it, a new slogan for the war? -Everybody's been wishing us good luck. But for what, for cat's sake? Do -you--?" - -"Inside," the man cut him off, but grinned. "I only work here. -Good--No, make it 'happy landings,' for you two." - -For a brief instant Dave had the wild impulse to stand his ground and -get a few explanations before he took another step in this seemingly -screwball journey that had begun outside Air Vice-Marshal Stoneham's -Air Ministry Office. However, he killed the desire even as it was born, -and after a quick side glance at Freddy, twisted the door handle and -stepped inside. - -He had no idea what he expected to find inside, and what he did find -had all the effect of a bucket of ice water dumped down over jangling -nerves. In short, inside was just a rather dusty room, a desk, a chair, -and another man in civilian clothes sitting in the chair. Oh yes, there -were some cleaning mops, and a couple of pails in one corner. And on -the left wall was a calendar of the year before, torn off only as far -as the month of April. There was a door on the right, and the man -behind the desk pointed at it. - -"Through there, Gentlemen," he said, and immediately returned to a book -he was reading. - -Dave hesitated, clenched his fists, and groaned inwardly. - -"Am I getting tired of doors!" he grated. "What in thunder gives around -here, anyway?" - -The man reading the book looked up and pointed again. - -"Through there," he said, and went back to his book. - -Dave and Freddy walked over to the door, but when he reached it, Dave -stepped to one side. - -"Your turn," he said, and stabbed a thumb at the knob. "Maybe you'll -have better luck." - -Freddy shrugged, cast a quick apprehensive look back over his shoulder -at the man reading the book, and then turned the knob and pushed open -the door. And he did have better luck. The room they entered was huge -in size, and it contained so much stuff, and so many things, that it -was impossible for either Dave or Freddy to concentrate on anything -for several seconds. But by that time a tall, thin-faced man in shirt -sleeves had risen from a desk and come over. - -"Glad to meet you, Dawson and Farmer," he said in a quiet but warm -voice. "I'm Colonel Welsh. Come in. We've been waiting for you." - -If the man had introduced himself as Santa Claus Dave couldn't have -been more dumbfounded. Colonel Welsh was the man who made U. S. Army -and Navy Intelligence click. He was in charge of the intelligence work -of both services, and--in a vastly different way, of course--he had as -much power in the United States as Himmler had in Nazi Germany. Perhaps -no more than a dozen people knew what he was, for he acted as a colonel -of infantry as well. But that job was simply a cover for his real work. -He was seen and known as Colonel Welsh, of infantry, but few people -knew that he was the same mysterious Colonel Welsh who was in charge -of all U. S. Intelligence. - -But it wasn't so much meeting the man that caused Dave to gasp and -stare hard as it was the man's looks. His thin face had a nice smile, -but beyond that you somehow didn't expect him even to know the time of -day. The eyes had a dreamy, almost vacant look in their depths, the -lips of the mouth had a dopey downward droop, and the chin was too -pointed, and sort of too country parson looking. - -"That's all right," the man suddenly said with a chuckle. "I've had -this face all my life, so I'm used to it. Don't worry, I won't bite -you." - -Dave flushed to the roots of his hair and heartily wished there were a -hole in the floor into which he could jump. - -"I'm sorry, sir," he managed to stammer. "You see--well, Farmer and -I have been going around in circles ever since we left England. -And--well, it's sort of caught us off balance, if you know what I mean." - -"I understand perfectly," the U. S. Intelligence chief said kindly. -"Coming here must make a fellow feel he is acting out one of those -crazy pulp paper thrillers. You know: secret doors, and special -code-words. Well, we're not as bad as that. However, we find it -does help to play just a little on the mysterious side. These are -the offices we use when we have work to do. Those over in the War -Department Building are just for show. Fact is, I personally would go -crazy with all the silly trimmings they have over there. But pardon me. -I want you to meet my comrades in this daffy business." - -Colonel Welsh turned and led them over to a desk so big that it could -have easily been cut up into five desks of the usual size. Three men -were seated at the desk, and they pushed up from their chairs as the -Colonel and the two youths approached. - -"Captain Lamb," the Colonel said, pointing to a chunky redhead. -"Next to him, Captain Stacey. And that chap who's as thin as I am is -Lieutenant Caldwell, our coding expert. Gentlemen, Flight Lieutenants -Dawson and Farmer." - -Dave and Freddy shook hands with the other officers, and then dropped -into chairs the Colonel pulled up. It was not until then that Dave -had an opportunity to take a good look about him, and what he saw set -his blood to tingling through his veins, and his heart to pounding -against his ribs. He had often been inside the inner offices of -British Intelligence, and on each occasion he had been stunned by the -number of gadgets of all sorts, and the vast array of equipment they -were used to operate. But the stuff he stared at now put the British -equipment in the shade. There was every conceivable piece of equipment -from ultra-ray flashlights to giant X-ray machines. One whole wall -was lined with telephones and short wave radios for both sending and -receiving. And along another wall was a row of file cabinets that -operated electrically. One had only to push a file button, and the -correct drawer slid open and the exact file folder shot up out of -its clamps. In truth, Dave believed that Colonel Welsh had at his -fingertips complete information of everyone of importance in the war, -and that within a matter of seconds he could establish contact with any -one of his agents, no matter in what part of the globe he might be. -And those two items were but two of the many, many things that could -be made possible with the equipment in that huge room. It was like the -mechanical wizardry of Scotland Yard and the F.B.I. all set up in the -same room. - -"Interesting stuff, isn't it, Dawson?" - -Dave turned his head to see Colonel Welsh grinning at him. He blushed -slightly, and nodded. - -"It certainly is, sir," he said politely. "A fellow could have some fun -in this place." - -"Depends on what you call fun," the Intelligence officer said with a -grimace. "There's been more than one death warrant issued from this -place. However, you're not here to be taught how to handle this stuff. -Matter of fact, though, I suppose you're wondering just why you are -here, eh?" - -"Decidedly, sir!" Freddy Farmer fairly exploded the words. - -"And how!" Dave echoed. "If I don't find out something, and soon, I'm -going to dive right out a window, and end it all. For three days, sir, -Farmer and I have been living a crazy, cockeyed dream. Maybe it's a -nightmare, I don't know. But if you can possibly give us an inkling -what it's all about, then consider me down on my knees and begging you -to do just that! Honest! I don't know whether I'm coming or going." - -The Colonel and the others joined in a loud laugh, and then presently -the senior officer's face grew serious. - -"You're here at my request, frankly," he said. "Here because I feel -that you're just the men we need to help us crack a few tough nuts. -Among those who came over with Prime Minister Churchill last December -was General Sir John Gately, chief of all British Intelligence. Perhaps -you know him?" - -"Only of him, sir," Dave replied. "I never had the pleasure of meeting -him. A wonderful man, though." - -"The very best England has," Freddy Farmer added. "I've never had the -chance to meet him, either." - -"Yes, Sir John is just about the best in England," Colonel Welsh said -with a firm nod. "We had several talks together, and he struck me as -being just about the most brilliant man I ever met. He has certainly -made it hot more than once for Herr Himmler's Gestapo boys. Well, to -get to the point, I talked over with him a plan I had in mind. After -a moment's thought he stated that you two were the type of men that -I need. Fact is, he said you were _the_ two I needed. So there's a -mighty fine compliment for you. And let me hasten to add that it's a -compliment well deserved, in my opinion. This is the first time I've -met you, but your accomplishments in England and Libya and in the Far -East are no secrets to this office." - -Dave laughed embarrassedly and glanced at Freddy Farmer. - -"It was mostly Farmer, sir!" he said. "I usually went along just for -the ride." - -"Rot!" Freddy snorted, red-faced. "More often than not it was I who -blundered us right up a tree, and you got us out of the mess. Stop -being modest, my lad. You're in your own country, you know." - -"I'm pretty sure it was fifty-fifty," Colonel Welsh settled the -argument with a chuckle. "Anyway, you're the two lads I need, and here -you are. When Sir John and I reached an agreement about you, he simply -started the ball rolling, and without your knowing it you were released -from the R.A.F., and sent over to me. Right now you haven't any rank, -and you don't belong to any branch of service of any country. What do -you think of that?" - -Dave gulped and gave a little confused shake of his head. - -"What do I think of it?" he echoed. "I--well--well, it sounds as if we -were headed for a firing squad, or something." - -"Good grief, yes!" Freddy Farmer said in a hushed tone. "At least -that!" - -"Well, you can relax; there's no firing squad," Colonel Welsh chuckled. -Then as his chuckle died, and his face became grim: "At least not a -United Nations firing squad. But let's not think of it as even a remote -possibility. I mean, some Axis crowd putting you against a wall. Now, -here's the reason I had you sent over to me, and the plan I have in -mind." - -The chief of all U. S. Intelligence paused, and frowned off into space -for a moment as though deliberately choosing the words he would speak -next. Finally he brought his gaze back to Dave's and Freddy's faces. - -"There are over one hundred and thirty million people in this country," -he began slowly. "Over one hundred and thirty million men, women, and -children, who have the Constitutional right to be regarded as loyal -Americans--until proved otherwise. That for the moment is my biggest, -and toughest task: to find out who in our Army and Navy _isn't_ a loyal -American. In short, to find out who is working for Berlin, and Rome, -and Tokio, instead of for Washington and Uncle Sam." - -The Colonel paused, clenched one fist, and a hard agate look came into -his dreamy eyes. - -"And we're starting off by not kidding ourselves about a single thing," -he said. "We know perfectly well that Hitler has some of his spies -planted right in our armed forces. Some are buck privates; some are -seamen, third class; and others hold commissions. It's not been made -known, and I hope it never will be, but only the other day we nailed -a Nazi spy who had actually graduated from West Point. So we're not -starting off on this gigantic spy hunt by kidding ourselves that the -Axis rats are all civilians living near munitions factories, or camps, -and that they only go slinking around corners, and down dark alleys. -No, none of that! We're going after this job just as though some of -them were in the White House, and in the Army and Navy Departments!" - -The Colonel paused again for breath and to make a little explanatory -gesture with his hands. - -"Don't misunderstand me," he continued presently. "Our idea isn't to -pull any of this Himmler stuff. I mean, fill the service branches with -Gestapo spies ready to cut some poor devil's throat because he gripes -at the way Hitler runs things. That isn't our idea at all. We're simply -going to try and ferret out the rats Hitler put in our Army and our -Navy. Now before you throw a fit wondering how just the two of you -could possibly handle a job that size, let me say that you're only -going to be given part of the job to do, a little at a time. And your -first assignment will be with the Pacific Fleet." - -The chief of U. S. Intelligence emphasized the last with a nod, and -then fell silent. Dave looked at the man, chewed his lower lip for a -moment, then started to speak, but thought better of it and closed his -mouth. - -"Go ahead, say it, Dawson," the Colonel encouraged. "I'm not through -yet, just pausing for breath. Go ahead. What's on your mind?" - -"I guess my mind's sort of spinning, but hard, if you want the truth," -Dave said. "Things are coming at me sort of in bunches. Naturally, -Farmer and I are eager and willing to take a good crack at any job -handed out to us. But--well, maybe Sir John blew us up to you too much. -I mean, we've done some Intelligence work on the other side, sure. And -we were lucky. But I don't rate us as experts. At least, I certainly -don't rate myself as an expert. I should think you'd have dozens of men -right in your own command who could do that sort of a job a darn sight -better than we could." - -"Quite! And definitely so!" Freddy Farmer echoed, and shifted nervously -in his chair. - -"Maybe," Colonel Welsh grunted. "Maybe not. The point is, I think not. -Certainly I've got some good men under my command. Mighty fine agents, -as far as that goes. But you two have something that unfortunately they -all lack. That's youth. Then there is another item, and it's probably -the most important item of all: the matter of whether or not Axis -agents _know who they are_. One of the inside stories of Pearl Harbor, -that may come out some day, is that Jap agents and Fifth Columnists -knew several of our Intelligence agents stationed in the Islands. -That's no reflection on our agents. The Japs just knew who they were, -that's all--and walked easy. - -"But your youth is important, too. Don't get sore, but looking at -you two, no one would suspect you were connected with Intelligence. -Frankly, you look like a couple of red-blooded kids who skipped away -and joined up before your parents could stop you. Holy smoke! Just -sitting here looking at you for the first time, it's mighty hard to -realize that you two youngsters pulled off all those wonderful stunts -on the other side. No, you can stop right there with that kind of -an argument. You're _just_ the two I need for a job with the Pacific -Fleet. I'm completely convinced, and satisfied." - -Dave gave a little laugh and shrug. - -"Then I guess that's that," he said. "We're all for it, if you really -want us. What next? What exactly do you want us to do?" - -"I could say, the impossible, and I don't think I'd be very far wrong," -Colonel Welsh said gravely. "However, I'm going to hope for the -best--even believe in miracles, if I have to. And if there ever was a -miracle pulled off, it was that little stunt of yours in Belgium just -after the Dunkirk business."[2] - -[Footnote 2: _Dave Dawson With the R.A.F._] - -The Intelligence chief paused to nod for emphasis. Then he looked -across the huge desk at Captain Lamb. - -"Fish out that X-Four-Six-B case photo, will you?" he said. "I think as -a starter it would be good for Dawson and Farmer to have a good look at -it." - - - - -CHAPTER FOUR - -_Death In The Pacific_ - - -The redheaded Captain nodded, and got up and walked over to the row of -files. Dave watched him and got a big kick as the officer jabbed one -of a row of buttons and then went back a step. There was a series of -clicks, then the file drawer slid noiselessly open, and a folder inside -popped up to Captain Lamb's outstretched hand. The instant he pulled it -out there were more clicks and the door slid silently shut again. - -"Good grief, magic!" Freddy Farmer gasped. "Just as though there were a -bloke inside waiting to hand it to him." - -"Just about that, yes," Colonel Welsh chuckled. "Now if we can only -work out some way for the file folders simply to _tell_ us what they -contain, then we'll have something. That would save a lot of time." - -"But what would you do with all the time you saved?" Freddy asked -innocently. - -Colonel Welsh looked at Dave and winked. - -"Figure up something that would save us more time, I guess," he said. -"We Americans are all crazy, you know. Ah, thanks, Lamb." - -The Intelligence chief took the folder the redheaded captain handed -him, and thumbed through it for a moment. Then he pulled out a -photograph and placed it face up on the desk between Dave and Freddy. - -"Take a good look at it," he said in a grim voice. "That picture was -taken ten days ago." - -Dave and Freddy bent forward eagerly, but what they saw sobered them -instantly. It was a picture of the flight hangar aboard an aircraft -carrier. It showed several folded-wing Vought-Sikorsky "Corsair" -fighter planes parked so that they could be trundled onto the elevator -and raised to the flight deck in fast time. Right in front, though, -was a Corsair that was blackened and charred by fire. And on the floor -were the figures of two men in flying gear. They, too, were blackened -by flames, and it didn't take a second look to see that they were dead. -To the left and right was portable fire equipment that had been used to -put out the fire. - -"Poor devils," Dave murmured, and looked up at Colonel Welsh. - -"How in the world did they get so close to the flames?" Freddy Farmer -murmured as though talking to himself. - -"They were murdered!" Colonel Welsh said bluntly. "We didn't know it -when this picture was taken. We found that out later. They had both -been shot through the head. And it's quite definite that the murderer -tried to burn up the plane so that it would look like an accident. -Fortunately the fire squad got to it and put the flames out before -everything was destroyed. Thank God, everything wasn't destroyed. If it -had been, we should never have learned the real truth." - -"You mean that the two pilots had been murdered, sir?" Dave asked as -the senior paused. - -Colonel Welsh shook his head. - -"No," he said. Then, reaching out, he almost reverently touched the -picture of the two dead men with a fingertip. "One of those officers -was Commander Jackson, executive Flight Officer of the Aircraft Carrier -Indian. The other was Lieutenant Commander Pollard, senior Section -Leader, and one of the best air tactical men in Naval Aviation. They -were murdered and then robbed. Had they been burned to a crisp we would -not know the killer had stolen the operation plans of the part the -Carrier Indian is to play in a Navy attack on the Jap-mandated islands -of the Marshall group." - -Dave whistled softly, then stared hard at the Intelligence chief. - -"But is that such a big loss, sir?" he asked. "Those plans, I mean. -Can't they be changed, so that even if the Japs have them it won't make -any difference?" - -Colonel Welsh sighed heavily and shook his head. - -"I certainly wish they could be changed," he said presently. "I wish it -were as easy as that. But, unfortunately, it isn't. The Indian's plans -are just part of a huge plan to knock a good big hole in the Jap naval -and air forces in that part of the Southwest Pacific. And an attack on -that scale can't be thought up overnight, and put into execution the -next morning. It's not simply a question of rushing ships and planes to -a certain spot and banging away until you're out of shells and bombs. -There's much, much more than that. Your forces must be split up. Your -operation timetable must be worked out so that the slower ships will -arrive at the same time as the fast ones. Worked out so that certain -groups will have mine sweeping and destroyer protection. Worked out -so that there will be a covering force in case parts of any unit are -forced out of action and must retire. No, Dawson, it's not that simple. -There are a hundred and one things to be worked out, so that you stand -the maximum chance of the entire operation being carried out like -clockwork. So it follows that if one unit is off whack, other units are -bound to suffer. The effectiveness of the striking force is reduced. -For that matter, effectiveness is reduced all down the line. And at the -snap of the fingers you can barge bow-on straight into serious trouble. -No, to change the Indian's plans would mean that we'd have to change -and alter the entire plan as a whole. And there is the chance that in -doing that we would discover that it would be best to give up the whole -project." - -"Phew, I never dreamed a navy show was that complicated!" Freddy -Farmer breathed. "But I say, sir! If the blasted Japs know the part -the Indian's unit is to play, what can you do about it _but_ change -everything, or else give it up entirely." - -"I didn't say the Japs had the plans for the Indian's unit," the -Intelligence chief said. "Maybe I misled you. I said that the plans -are lost. They were stolen from Commander Jackson and Lieutenant -Commander Pollard. They had the only copies of the plans, as they were -to be in complete charge of the Indian's fighters and bombers in this -action. Those plans they carried on their person at all times. And when -they were last seen they were on their way below to the hangar deck to -check a new gun sight that is to be tried in this coming engagement. -They were seen to reach the hangar deck by the Watch Officer. The next -time they were seen, they were dead and about to be burned beyond -recognition by flaming high test gasoline. But for a machinist's mate -who happened to pass that part of the hangar deck, they would have been -burned beyond recognition. And we would never have known that their -copies of the plans were stolen. True, we would have discovered that -they were murdered, shot, just as we did discover. And we might have -suspected that the killer had stolen the plans. But now we know that -somebody aboard the Indian has those plans." - -"Huh?" Dave gulped. "Somebody aboard her? You mean, right now?" - -"I mean right now," the chief of U. S. Intelligence said grimly. "The -Indian was at anchor in San Diego Harbor. She's still there. However, -the instant it was realized what had happened, the Indian became an -isolated ship. Not a man, not even her captain, was allowed to go -ashore. I radioed those orders myself. And not a boat of any type was -permitted to come so much as within hailing distance. An order was -issued to shoot anybody who attempted to leave the Indian, and to shoot -anybody who attempted to approach the Indian. That order still stands. -Mighty hard on the chaps who were due shore leave--she hadn't been in -port more than a day. But we're not taking chances." - -Colonel Welsh paused for breath, and Dave nodded his head slowly. - -"I get it," he said. "So far no darn Jap has got his hands on those -plans. No real Jap, I mean." - -"What's that?" Freddy Farmer spoke up. "What do you mean, no real Jap?" - -"A Nazi can pass for an Englishman, or a Yank, or 'most any nationality -under the sun," Dave said. "But that's barring the yellow races, of -course. And that's just what I mean. A Jap aboard an American ship -can't pass for a Yank. He's out and out of the yellow race. And you -haven't any Americanized Japs on the Indian, have you, sir?" - -Dave directed the last at Colonel Welsh, who instantly shook his head. - -"None," the senior officer said. "Not a one. And you've got the -right idea, Dawson. It couldn't have been a Jap who killed Jackson -and Pollard. So it must have been one of Hitler's men, or maybe one -of Mussolini's. I doubt that, though. Italians just haven't got the -brains to be that clever. So a Hitlerite is our man. Naturally he's -cooperating with the Japs, and will pass on what he has the first -instant he can. That's our job, though: to nail him, and nail him good, -before he has that chance." - -"I suppose you've checked the Indian's list of officers and lesser -ratings, haven't you, sir?" Dave asked. - -"Backwards and forwards!" the Colonel said savagely. "And up and down -as well. We've dug into every man's life with pick and shovel, you -might say, and didn't come up with so much as a single suspicion. -That's the devilish part of this kind of a thing. It's quite possible -that this particular rat, or rats, has served in our navy for years. -The whole civilized world is learning more and more each new day, to -its sorrow, how thoroughly Germany and Japan planned for this thing -long, long ago. When Hitler was somebody we just laughed at and made -jokes about, he was sending his confounded spies to the four ends of -the earth, and getting them all set to do their part when _Der Tag_ -arrived. But I don't have to tell this to you. You two have no doubt -seen countless examples of that sort of thing." - -The chief of Intelligence paused for a moment and slowly closed his -long tapering fingers into rock hard fists. - -"I'm a spy myself," he said eventually, "so I think I have a good -idea of both sides of the picture in this kind of business. A spy is -regarded as the lowest form of worm in wartime, and he's usually shot -five minutes after he is caught. But there have been a lot of spies -who were brave and gallant men, and they took the job of going behind -the enemy lines because that was the best way they could serve their -country. But the type of spy such as we're dealing with now--the -slinking rat who in peace-time becomes the citizen of another country, -enjoys all of its advantages, and then turns on that country when his -former country goes to war--well--he is in my opinion the rottenest -form of vermin that ever existed. He doesn't rate the privilege of -being shot when caught. He should be strung up by the thumbs, and -skinned alive." - -"And even that's too good for him!" Captain Lamb echoed viciously. -"Those who bite the hand that's feeding them deserve the worst of the -worst. And man! Would I give my life just to get my hands on that skunk -aboard the Indian, whoever he is!" - -Dave was slightly startled by the almost berserk rage in the redheaded -Captain's voice. He glanced at Colonel Welsh and saw a look of pity and -sympathy flit across the chief of U. S. Intelligence officer's face. -That expression told much to Dave, and he glanced at Captain Lamb again. - -"You knew Jackson and Pollard, Captain?" he asked quietly. - -The Captain nodded and licked his lower lip. - -"I knew them both well," he said in a low voice. "Pollard was my -dearest friend. We came from the same town. Played football together at -Dartmouth before he changed over to the Naval Academy. They don't make -them better than Jake Pollard was." - -"If it helps any," Dave said quietly, "I'll be thinking of you, -Captain, _if_ and _when_ Farmer and I catch up with that dirty rat -aboard the Indian." - -"Thanks," the redhead mumbled, and lapsed into brooding silence. - -Dave started to say something else to him, changed his mind, and turned -back to Colonel Welsh. - -"I suppose you've got a plan of operation you want Farmer and me to -follow, sir?" he asked. - -"I have the _start_ of a plan of operation," the senior officer replied -gravely. Then with a helpless shrug: "But from there on you two will be -on your own." - - - - -CHAPTER FIVE - -_Silent Wings_ - - -Dave waited for the man to continue, and when he didn't he put another -question to him. - -"We start from scratch, sir, you mean?" he asked. "There isn't any kind -of a clue for us to work on? You're stationing us aboard the Indian, of -course?" - -"That's right," the chief of U. S. Intelligence replied with a nod. -"The Indian is shy two flying lieutenants, and you two are going -to fill the vacancies. Matter of fact, the Indian is also shy two -machinists' mates, and they'll be put aboard too before she weighs -anchor sometime the day after tomorrow." - -"Two of your men, sir?" Freddy Farmer spoke up, giving the Colonel a -keen stare. - -"Right," the senior officer said briskly. "But, I'm not going to tell -you who they are, any more than I'm going to tell them who you are. -That may sound strange, but it's been my experience that agents working -in pairs accomplish more than agents working in a group. As officers -you two will have the run of the ship, you might say. At the same -time, though, you might tip your hand if you went poking around in the -non-com and enlisted men's quarters. It works the other way around, -too. So I'm planting men in both departments of the ship. You won't -know who the other two are, and they won't know who you two are. But -here's a very important point to remember. This Intelligence work I'm -counting on your doing is, in a way, over and above the call of duty. - -"I mean by that that you two will be aboard ship as flying lieutenants. -That will be your main job, and you'll take orders from your Section -Leader, or higher ranks, just as though we'd never had this talk at -all. You'll have no special privileges any more than anybody else -aboard ship will have. You won't because not a living soul aboard will -know the real reason why you are there. Not even the Indian's captain -will know. As they say in England, this is going to be a strictly -hush-hush job. Yes, you'll be starting from scratch. All I can arrange -is for you to be assigned to the Indian to fill the two flying officer -vacancies. What happens after that is up to you. A tough one, eh?" - -"The odds aren't so good," Dave said with a faint grin. "But I see your -point, sir, and its advantage. If nobody knows why we're there, then -there's no chance of the truth leaking out." - -"I say, one point, though," Freddy Farmer spoke up with a worried -expression on his face. "What about me? My accent, I mean. Won't it -seem a bit odd for me to be put aboard an American aircraft carrier?" - -"Not a bit, so stop worrying about that," Colonel Welsh said with a -smile. "A month or two ago, yes, but not now. You have only to pick -up the papers to see that both American and British airmen are being -trained in this country. We're not keeping things separate any more. -Take Java, for example. There are Yanks, British, and Dutch over there -all fighting together, and under the Dutch Command. We're the United -Nations now. And we'll become more so before this thing is over. No, -Farmer, it won't seem odd at all for an English youth to have been -trained in this country and be assigned aboard a U. S. Navy aircraft -carrier for sea duty. True, you may get a bit of ribbing--about your -English accent, and stuff. But I guess you can take that, eh?" - -"Farmer has learned fast, sir," Dave said with a chuckle. "He can dish -it right back with the best of them. Snappy come-backs are apple pie -for him. I even have to bear down myself at times. Fact is, I wouldn't -be surprised but that in six months or so you won't be able to tell him -from a Yank." - -"Goodness, no, if the Yank is you!" Freddy said with a groan. - -Dave laughed and cocked an eye at Colonel Welsh. - -"See what I mean, sir?" he grunted. "Right on top of the ball all the -time. He's good!" - -"Well, I don't think any of us have anything to worry about on that -score," the Colonel said. "And I've a hunch, Farmer, that once your -shipmates see you in the air they'll realize that how a chap speaks is -pretty small potatoes, considering. Well, I guess that's all. You leave -tonight for San Diego. There's a Navy plane out at Alexandria Field. -You can take that. And there'll be a passenger on your trip west, if -you don't mind." - -"Glad to have company," Dave said. "Who is he, sir?" - -"Me," Colonel Welsh said with a grin. "I've got some business out on -the Coast. So I might as well hitch-hike on your plane. Oh! In case -you're wondering, you'll be fitted with uniforms and gear before we -leave. For this job you'll have the rank of lieutenants. That's below -your R.A.F. Flight Lieutenant's rank. Our Navy Lieutenant is equal to -your rank of Flying Officer. An R.A.F. Flight Lieutenant is equal to -our Lieutenant Commander, or an Air Corps Captain. But I don't think it -wise to put you aboard the Indian as Lieutenant Commanders. Fact is, -too, the vacancies are for lieutenants. So I hope you don't mind, eh?" - -"Not a bit, sir," Dave replied instantly, and laughed. "As a matter of -fact, just a few minutes ago you told us that we weren't even R.A.F. -any more, so any rank you give us is bound to be okay. But, speaking -for both of us, what rank we hold doesn't mean a thing. If we can pull -this thing off, it's okay by us if we go aboard the Indian as a couple -of seamen, third class. But--well, there are a couple of questions I'd -like to ask. Or are you in a hurry, sir?" - -"No hurry except to nail that rat aboard the Indian before she gets -into the Marshall Island attack," Colonel Welsh said bluntly. "No. For -heaven's sake, go ahead and ask all the questions you want. I certainly -don't want you to go into this thing not knowing everything you -should, or at least everything I can possibly tell you. What's your -first question?" - -"Something I hope won't happen, but might," Dave said with a frown. -"Supposing Farmer and I catch onto something--get a line on this rat, -or rats--but really need help. Is there anyway we can contact the two -mechanics you're putting aboard to help us?" - -Colonel Welsh glanced at his three junior officers and smiled before he -looked back at Dave. - -"A good question, Dawson," he said. "I was going to tell you about that -as we flew west tonight, but now that you've brought up the point, I -might just as well do it now." - -The chief of U. S. Intelligence paused long enough to pull open one of -the countless drawers of the huge desk. When he took his hand out of -the drawer, he held two pins. They were common ordinary looking pins -save that the top was painted a bright orange. He gave a pin to each of -the former R.A.F. aces. - -"Many, many times my agents have worked on a case and didn't know who -else was working with them," the Colonel began presently. "And often -they got in tight corners and needed help badly. So--But hold it a -minute. Let me mention something else right here. When I say tight -corner, I don't mean that the agent is about to be caught, or about to -be killed. I mean _more than that_! I mean when he gets in a spot where -_valuable_ information he has collected may be lost unless he gets -help. Or when something is about to happen that will seriously harm his -country unless he gets help. That sort of thing. _Not_ the present or -future welfare of the individual agent. You see what I mean?" - -"Yes, sir," Dave replied, as his stomach suddenly felt a little hollow -and empty, and his mouth went just a little bit dry. "Help to save your -country, but not to save your own life, eh?" - -"Exactly," the senior officer said, and nodded at the two orange-headed -pins. "That pin is an agent's SOS sign when _all else has failed_. Keep -that hidden on your person at all times. If the occasion ever does -arise when you need help in the way I described, take that pin out and -stick it in the right side of your shirt collar. If you're not wearing -a shirt, then in the right side of the top of whatever garment you're -wearing. In short, so that the orange head of this pin is nearest the -right side of your face. If there is another agent near by, he will -immediately make himself known by placing his pin in the exact place -where you have put yours. - -"Remember that. Don't forget it for an instant! If you need help, place -this pin at the top of whatever garment you're wearing where it will be -nearest the right side of your face. Even if you've only got a pair of -pants on, put the pin in the right side of the pants at the very top. -That clear?" - -The two youths nodded. Then Freddy Farmer leaned forward a bit, and -stared questioningly at the Colonel. - -"Supposing, sir, you see the SOS pin on another chap," he said. "In the -right place, of course. But supposing it may interrupt your own work to -make yourself known to him. What then?" - -"Establish your identity, regardless," Colonel Welsh replied bluntly. -"That is a fixed rule in this department. And here is why. Because of -what the SOS pin stands for: a last appeal for help when the welfare of -the U. S. is in serious peril. I know what you're thinking. Your own -case may be just as important as the agent's who is appealing for help. -That is the chance we have to take, though. That is why the SOS pin can -only be shown as a desperate last resort to forestall a great military -and naval calamity. And to give you an idea of what I mean, I know of -only two cases when the SOS pin was shown during the fifteen years I -have been in this department. True, the coming of war will increase -the possibility of the SOS pin being shown. But--well, that's for the -future to bring to light. Now, let's have another question." - -The Colonel glanced at Dawson, but it was Freddy Farmer who asked the -question. - -"If this skunk chap is still aboard the Indian, sir," he said slowly, -"and if the aircraft carrier is to put to sea the day after tomorrow, -what harm _can_ be done by that chap? Do you believe that while at sea -he will make some effort to get in touch with Japanese forces? And is -our job to stop him from doing that?" - -The senior officer thought over the answer to that for a moment, and -scowled hard at the opposite wall. - -"The best answer to that," he finally said, "is what I told you a -moment ago. I mean that I can see that you are put aboard the Indian, -but from then on you are absolutely on your own. Frankly, you will be -doing no more than punching in the dark. I feel certain that the spy -is still aboard, but _I don't know for sure_. If he is aboard, and -the Indian puts to sea, the information he has collected may be just -a beautiful white elephant on his hands. He may not be able to do a -single thing about it until it is too late, and his information not be -worth a darn. But the point is, we can't take chances on anything. - -"You see, we have no idea whether our man is a seaman, a mechanic, or a -flying officer. Suppose for a minute that he is a flying officer. Think -of the opportunities he'd have to contact the Japs. On patrol he could -sneak a message over the side that would drop down to be picked up by -a Jap submarine. He might even break formation and scoot off to some -point where he knows Japs naval vessels are on patrol, and contact them -that way. He might not even return. No, Farmer, the fact that he goes -to sea with the Indian doesn't make anything certain for us." - -The senior officer paused, looked very unhappy, and sighed heavily. - -"That is the rotten part of Intelligence work," he grunted presently. -"Nine cases out of ten you have absolutely nothing to work on. You've -just got to make blind stabs in the dark, and trust that you'll connect -with something that will get you somewhere. The only suggestion I -can give you is to keep your eyes and ears open every minute of the -time--particularly your eyes. It seems certain that the murderer -isn't going to keep his secret any longer than he has to. It's plain -dynamite, and he knows it. He's going to try somehow to get that -knowledge to the Japanese Fleet. If you can spot him and nail him, you -will be everlastingly blessed by the Navy, from the President on down." - -"Well, we'll do our best," Dave said grimly. "And I hope and pray it -will be good enough." - -"Amen, to that," Colonel Welsh said softly. Then, pushing up onto his -feet, he said, "Well, we can start now by finding you two uniforms that -don't look as if they were picked out in the dark. Then we'll go on out -to Alexandria Field--and head west." - - - - -CHAPTER SIX - -_Midnight Menace_ - - -With her twin engines roaring full out, the Navy Lockheed R40-1, a -"cousin" of the famous Lockheed Hudson bomber, shook the dust of the -airport runway at Albuquerque, New Mexico, from her wheels, and went -climbing up into the night sky on the last leg of the trans-continental -flight to San Diego. At the controls was Dave Dawson. In the co-pilot's -seat was Freddy Farmer, and between them and just aft in the -navigator's seat was Colonel Welsh. - -For quite some time now conversation between them had been at a very -definite stand-still. At the start of the trip they had talked on this -and that to help pass the time, but long before Albuquerque was reached -all three of them had run down like clocks. There wasn't anything more -to talk about, and each was quite content to sit with his own thoughts -and hope for a speedy arrival at San Diego. - -However, when Dave had lifted the Lockheed high enough to clear the -mountains ahead by a good margin, he got fed up with the silence, and -nudged Freddy in the ribs. - -"Say something, pal," he said. "Tell me the story of your life, before -the silence puts me to sleep. Don't be bashful. Colonel Welsh won't -mind. Will you, Colonel?" - -"Certainly not," the senior officer said with a chuckle. "Fact is, I'll -bet it's mighty interesting, and well worth listening to." - -"There you are, Freddy!" Dave cried. "Both the Colonel and I are all -ears, and eager to hear about it." - -"Very well," the English youth said. "If you insist. There isn't very -much to tell, though. Up to May, Nineteen Forty, I led the usual -English boy's life. You know, school, play, and all that sort of thing. -But in May, Nineteen Forty--it was May Tenth to be exact--I met an -American chap named Dave Dawson. Well, that was the turning point in my -life. _Downwards_, you know. I've rued the day ever since. And there -you are!" - -"Ouch!" Dave cried. "A bull's-eye for the young man. And he has the -nerve to say that after all I've done for him. He's--Hey! What's that?" - -"What's what?" Freddy demanded as Dave spoke the last sharply. - -The Yank born war ace took a hand off the controls and pointed off to -the right. - -"Over there," he said. "Thought I saw a flash of light. Guess it was a -falling star." - -"Probably was an airways beacon," Colonel Welsh spoke up. "There's one -up that way a bit, I believe. That was all right, Farmer. Now it's your -turn, Dawson. See if you can match it." - -"Fat chance, but I can try," Dave said with a grin. "Well, up to that -never to be forgotten May Tenth, when Hitler really started to try -and drown the world in human blood, I too had led pretty much the -average boy's kind of life. But May Tenth changed everything for me, -too. In a different way, though. Up to then I had all kinds of ideas -about fighting my way through life and maybe up to the top in whatever -profession I chose to follow. No soap, though. That meeting with Farmer -on May Tenth changed everything. Since then I've had to carry him on my -back, and try to make the grade for _two_ people instead of just for -myself. However--" - -"That _is_ some kind of a light over there!" Colonel Welsh interrupted -sharply. "And it isn't the flash from any beacon. Sort of a blue kind -of light. Saw it for a second, just now, and it was slanting upwards." - -"Could be another plane," Freddy Farmer opined. "Engine exhausts show -blue in the dark, you know. Might be one of your transport planes." - -Colonel Welsh glanced at his wrist watch in the glow of the cabin -light, and shook his head. - -"No," he said. "At least, not one of the scheduled planes. Besides, -we'd see the red and green navigation lights." - -On impulse Dave reached out his hand and switched off all of his own -lights, save the wing-tip navigation lights. Then all three of them -stared hard off to the right. For a full two minutes nobody spoke. The -three of them simply strained their eyes at the vast array of night -shadows in the heavens. But all that it got them was aching eyes. - -"Nothing there evidently," Colonel Welsh eventually broke the silence. -"Perhaps it was just a falling star, but I never saw a star fall _up_." - -"Maybe it was some of that Saint Elmo's Fire," Dave said with a -chuckle. "I never heard of it being seen in this part of the country, -though." - -"Saint _what_?" Freddy Farmer echoed. "What in the world are you -talking about? And what is it?" - -"Saint Elmo's Fire," Dave said. "Didn't you ever hear of it, Freddy?" - -"Would I be asking, if I had?" the English youth snapped. "Go on. Stop -waiting to be encouraged to show all your knowledge. Just what is Saint -Elmo's Fire?" - -"Well, I can't give you a scientific answer to that one," Dave said. -"But Saint Elmo's Fire is the name given to globular electric light -often seen on the spars and rigging of ships at sea during a storm. -And of recent years it has been seen on the wing tips of airplanes -flying through electrically charged air. Frankly, I've never seen any -of the stuff in my life. But I knew a pilot once who used to fly over -the Andes in South America, and he said they used to see it often. -Little bright balls of fire that seemed to roll right along the leading -edges of the wing, and then disappear just when you thought they were -going to bump into the gas tanks, or something. The first few times he -witnessed such a display he lost a dozen years off his life. He said, -though, that after a while he got used to it--even looked forward to -it every time he took off." - -"You're pulling my leg!" Freddy snorted. - -"No, Farmer, that's true," Colonel Welsh said. "I've seen some Saint -Elmo's Fire myself. And I can tell you that it scares the pants off you -the first time you see it. Ever fly through a thunder storm, and see -lightning playing around your wing tips?" - -"Yes, I've seen that," Freddy admitted. "And I was sure I'd never live -to land safely on the ground again." - -"Well, then, you know how it feels to see Saint Elmo's Fire," the -Colonel chuckled. "Only I think the Saint Elmo stuff gives you a worse -scare when you see it actually come rolling along the wing toward you. -But that light I saw just now wasn't shaped like a ball. More like a -streak, or like the powdered tail of a comet. It was strung out in a--" - -If Colonel Welsh finished the sentence, nobody heard it. At that moment -the night skies shook and trembled with the savage yammer of aerial -machine gun fire. And the cabin window not eighteen inches in front of -Dave's eyes seemed to crack in a trillion places and then melt away -into oblivion. - -"My word!" Colonel Welsh cried. "What was that?" - -Dave didn't bother to answer for a second or so. His heart had zoomed -up his throat to jam hard against his back teeth, and his eyes had -bulged out of their sockets like marbles on sticks. Instinct took split -second charge of his movements, however, and almost before he realized -what he was doing he had booted the Lockheed up over on left wing tip -and was slicing down through the air. At practically the same instant -he whipped out his free hand and switched off the navigation lights. -Then as the craft went slicing down through the night sky, he dragged -air into his aching lungs. - -"Those were aerial machine guns!" he cried. "And whoever was working -them was in earnest. Look at that window! Just a shade improvement on -his aim and it would have been curtains for the three of us." - -As the last left Dave's lips, he pulled the plane out of its wild -sideslip and went curving up and around to the left. - -"Aerial machine guns?" Colonel Welsh echoed in blank amazement. "You're -crazy, Dawson!" - -"Could be, and maybe!" Dave snapped. "But I've heard those sky -choppers often enough to recognize them every time. And do you think an -eagle or something flew into that window, sir?" - -"No, of course not," the Intelligence chief grunted. "Sorry I sounded -off. You're right, of course. But it doesn't make sense. Who the devil -would want to take a crack at us?" - -Dave shrugged in the darkness, and for a moment or so as the plane -roared heavenward he strained his eyes for a glimpse of some other -shadow cutting about in the air. He saw nothing, however, and then -turned his head and spoke back over his shoulder. - -"Maybe not _us_, sir," he said, "but I guess the Axis would be pretty -tickled to see _you_ put out of circulation. If you want my guess, some -rat saw you take off with us. Maybe he used a hidden radio and sent -word ahead. This mountainous country is a swell place to hide a plane, -you know, sir." - -"And those _were_ exhaust plumes you saw!" Freddy Farmer cried. "The -lad was probably climbing up to get around in back when you saw his -exhaust plumes. Well, let the beggar come again. We'll--Good grief! -This plane isn't armed!" - -"No," Colonel Welsh said in a slightly hollow voice. "Guess they never -figured it was necessary to arm these utility planes used to transport -personnel about the country." - -"If only the chaps in high places would stop _figuring_ so much in this -war!" Dave groaned. - -"Quite!" Freddy Farmer echoed the truth bitterly. "But bemoaning the -lack of common sense in the average High Command won't help us now. If -the blighter comes back for another fling, Dave, you'll just have to--" - -"Don't bother telling me!" Dave shouted. "Here he comes--from the left -and up! Hang onto your seats!" - -The last had hardly left Dave's lips before he was hauling the Lockheed -straight up on its tail. Before the plane reached stalling speed, -however, he kicked it over on wing and then sent it dropping nose first -toward the black carpet below that was the ground. No sooner had he -kicked the plane over on wing than he switched off both engines, and -shoved the compensator throttle open wide, so that no carbon sparks or -exhaust light of any kind would etch their path downward through the -night. - -Meanwhile the mysterious attacker had opened fire again, but Dave's -quick action at the controls caused the unknown killer to miss by a -wide margin. The flickering ribbon of tracers didn't even come close. -And at the end of another three or four seconds the Lockheed was well -on its way earthward and out of sight. - -"See that bird as he banged on by us?" Dave cried, when he was able to -talk again. "It looked to me like a small Beechcraft. Or maybe it was a -Waco. But he's carrying two guns--and he wants us mighty badly. Heck, -if there were only guns aboard this crate. I had a beautiful broadside -bead on him." - -"Yes, I saw his silhouette as he tore by," Freddy said through clenched -teeth. "But I didn't recognize his type. I don't know the Yank planes -very well, though. But I say, Dave! Watch our altitude, you know!" - -"You're telling me!" Dave grunted. "I'm watching it plenty, and -praying, too. There must be some of those mountains under us by now. -I think we've got a couple of thousand feet to play around in, but no -more than that. I'm flat gliding her as much as I can, but keep those -eagle X-ray eyes of yours on the job, Freddy. And yell if you see a -mountain peak looming up." - -"Mountain peak!" Colonel Welsh cried excitedly. "For pity's sake, keep -above them, Dawson. Start those engines and get us some altitude!" - -"That would be risking more than this glide, sir," Dave told him. -"That bird up there has been spotting us by our exhaust plumes, and -aiming blindly. So long as we show no light at all he stands to lose us -completely. But if we open up the engines and show exhaust light he's -going to be able to take another crack. And--well, third time never -fails, you know, and stuff. Our best bet is to try and lose him before -we get too low. He has a ship that can travel, but if we get a little -lead on him we'll be all right." - -"But remember all those mountain peaks down there!" the Intelligence -chief persisted. "One thing this plane has got is parachutes. Perhaps -we'd better bail out and let the blasted ship crash. At least we'd save -our own necks." - -"Not me!" Dave barked without thinking. "Go ahead and bail out if -you want to. You, too, Freddy. But I'm sticking with this ship if -I possibly can. I don't want to see her bust up, if I can help it. -Anyway, I'm going to give her all the breaks she's got coming." - -"And of course I'm staying with you," Freddy Farmer said quietly. "I'm -a blasted fool to put my precious neck in your hands. But there you -are, anyway." - -"No wonder you two are famous for pulling miracles out of a hat!" -Colonel Welsh growled. Then after a short pause: "Very well! If Farmer -trusts you that much, I suppose I might as well. But if you have to hit -a mountain, for pity's sake try and pick out a soft one. I bruise very -easily!" - - - - -CHAPTER SEVEN - -_Pilot's Luck_ - - -Dave chuckled as the Colonel's remark came to his ears, but his heart -pounded a little harder and the warm glow of pride rippled through his -veins. - -"Thanks, sir," he said. "And sorry that I exploded that way. But don't -worry, I'll get us out of this little jam if it's the last thing I do." - -"Well, see that it _isn't_, my good man!" Freddy Farmer grunted. - -For the next few moments nobody said a word. All three of them leaned -forward in their seats and strained their eyes at the darkness ahead -and below. Dave's hands felt cold and clammy, and he could feel the -little drops of sweat ooze out on his forehead and trickle down his -face. For the last fifteen seconds or so he had spotted what he -believed to be a mountain peak just ahead, and not more than a hundred -feet below. He didn't say a word to the others. He kept his mouth shut -and eased the plane a little to the left so as to be able to pass on -by the peak with enough free air to spare between his right wing tip -and the unseen trees or jagged rocks he knew must dot all sides of -that peak. Once past it, he could start the engines again and climb -for altitude. It was a cinch that the unknown attacker was cutting -about in the black sky somewhere far behind him. But once he got beyond -that peak he felt that his lead would be great enough for him to risk -showing his exhaust plumes. As a matter of fact, though, it was quite -possible that the unknown attacker was miles and miles behind. It was -possible that the man had cut around to the east, believing that Dave -wouldn't dare chance holding his westerly course with the mountains so -close. - -"Yeah, maybe!" he murmured. "But I'm going to make sure just the same!" - -"What did you say, Dave?" Freddy Farmer cried out in a voice of alarm. - -"I didn't say a thing," Dave grunted, and tightened his hold on the -controls. "Just thinking a little out loud. Shut up, little man, or -you'll make me rock the boat." - -Freddy Farmer caught his breath as though he were about to speak. -Instead, though, he said nothing. He simply leaned farther forward -in his seat. Dave caught the movement out the corner of his eye, -and grinned, tight-lipped. Freddy had sighted the mountain peak, but -realized that he had seen it and was trying to slide by on the left. So -the English youth had snapped his lips shut so as not to give Colonel -Welsh a slight case of heart failure. Good old Freddy. Always knew when -to open his mouth, and when to keep mum. - -Perhaps it was six seconds, but it seemed like six thousand years to -Dave before the slightly darker shadow that was the mountain peak slid -past the tip of the right wing and disappeared behind. The instant it -was gone from view he whipped on the switches, caught both engines, -and fed them high test gas at full throttle. The roar of the engines -breaking into life was a sound akin to worlds crashing into each other. -Yet at the same time it was a welcome sound to Dave's ears, and to -Freddy Farmer's too. But what filled their hearts with an even greater -happiness was the Lockheed climbing upward to a safe altitude above the -mountain range. The instant he was well clear, Dave swung the plane -onto its westerly course again, and relaxed in the seat. - -"Top-hole, Dave," Freddy Farmer said quietly. "A very pukka bit of -flying, that." - -"Thanks," Dave replied. "We got away with it okay. But I'd hate like -heck to have to do it every day. You spotted that mountain peak, didn't -you?" - -"Quite," the English youth murmured. "But I thought it best to keep my -mouth shut. Realized that you knew what you were doing. And besides, no -sense in--" - -"No sense in giving this old dodo grey hairs, eh?" Colonel Welsh spoke -up with a chuckle. "Well, it was nice of both of you, but I saw it, -too. The only reason _I_ didn't speak, though, was because my tongue -was frozen stiff. As you say, Dawson, I'd hate to have that sort of -thing for a daily diet. Very sweet flying, though, very sweet." - -"We could have made it sweeter if this plane had been armed," Dave -grunted, and stared at the black sky ahead. "That tramp certainly had -his nerve jumping on us. Wonder who the heck he could be. Sure you -haven't any ideas, Colonel?" - -There was a long minute of silence while the senior officer seemed to -make up his mind. - -"No, I'm afraid I haven't," he finally said slowly. "As you mentioned -awhile back, there are probably plenty of birds who would like to see -me out of the way. Somehow, though, I can't see them going about it in -this manner. Their style is more along the line of pot shots from dark -doorways. Or a bomb in my car, or tossed through my window. Frankly, I -can't make head nor tail of this business tonight." - -"Many chaps know you were headed west, sir?" Freddy Farmer asked -quietly. - -"What do you mean, many?" the Colonel replied sharply. "Did I broadcast -it, you mean?" - -"Hardly that, sir," Freddy chuckled. "I mean, did you tell many people -that you were making this trip? Not that any of them are in the pay -of Tokio or Berlin, sir, but it's possible that one of them might -innocently enough mention the fact to somebody who was. You understand -what I mean, sir?" - -There was another moment of silence while the chief of U. S. -Intelligence thought things over. - -"I see what you mean, Farmer," he grunted presently. "No, I didn't tell -anybody who didn't have the right to know. Fact is, the only ones I -told were those three officers you met in my office. And if those three -aren't one hundred per cent Americans, then I'm Adolf Hitler in the -flesh." - -"What about the other end?" Dawson asked. - -"What other end?" - -"San Diego," Dave said. "Is your man in charge there expecting you? Or -are you just dropping in on a surprise visit?" - -"No wonder you chaps always come out on top," Colonel Welsh said in a -frank tone. "Once you get your teeth in something you keep at it until -there's nothing left. Yes, I did wire my head agent in San Diego that I -was coming west tonight. And--" - -"And my first month's pay as a U. S. Naval Aviation Lieutenant says -somebody read that wire!" Dawson cut in quickly. - -"Hold it!" Colonel Welsh cried, and laughed shortly. "You're flying one -wing low this time. I said in the wire that I was coming out, but I -didn't say _how_, or _what_ time I'd arrive. Afraid you're off on the -wrong scent there, Dawson." - -"Maybe, maybe not," Dave said doggedly. "But that chap didn't have a -crack at us tonight just for gunnery practice. He was shooting for -keeps. He knew darn well who was in this plane--and he was out to get -us. He--" - -Dave didn't finish. At that moment the right outboard engine of the -Lockheed lost revs fast and began to sputter and clatter. Dave snapped -his eyes at the dash dials, and sucked in his breath sharply as he saw -the oil pressure needle sliding around the face of the dial toward -the zero peg. However, even as he glanced at the needle, it stopped -swinging back and promptly climbed upward again. The engine stopped -sputtering and clattering, and once again sang its full throated song -of power. - -The tiny lump of ice remained in Dave's chest, however. He glanced -sidewise at Freddy Farmer and saw the corners of the English youth's -mouth tighten a bit. - -"What the devil was that?" Colonel Welsh demanded in a sharp tone. -"Something wrong with the engine?" - -"Not now," Dave said with an easiness he didn't feel. "Guess it picked -up a bit of ice but got rid of it in time. Anyway, she's back where -she should be. As I was saying, that lad tonight was out for blood. So -it must follow that somebody knew where you were going, when, and how. -Don't you think so, sir?" - -Dave spoke the words, but it was really just an effort to keep the -conversation going. The lump of ice in his chest was hurting him -again, and he was feeling far from calm and collected. The way the -oil pressure of the right outboard engine had dropped told him that -there was trouble ahead. Many people claim that the carburetor is the -heart of an engine, and probably it is, if you want to look at it that -way. However, countless hours in the air had proved to Dave that your -real danger signal is when oil pressure starts dancing around. Engines -can run, often for a long, long time, when the carburetor is out of -whack and the engine is getting a bad feed. But let oil pressure go -screwy and you'll have real trouble on your hands. There are no halfway -measures about oil. It has to be right or your engine is worth no more -than its weight in junk. Gasoline is food for an engine, but oil is its -life blood. If it hasn't got the proper amount it dies, but definitely! - -And so Dave spoke the words just to keep the conversation going and -fixed his eyes on the instruments pertaining to the functioning of the -right outboard engine. He hoped and prayed that the skipping had simply -been just one of those things. But in his heart there was gnawing -fear and dread. He feared that bullets from the guns of that unknown -attacker had nicked one of the oil feed lines, and that continued -vibration of the engine was slowly but surely shaking the feed line -connection loose, or at least causing it to crack and buckle slowly, so -that eventually the pressure set up in the line would be reduced to nil. - -If it had been daylight, or if he had been sure of the terrain below, -he would have landed and made sure what had happened. But a landing was -too great a risk right now. His best bet was to keep going, nursing the -right outboard engine as much as he could, and hoping and praying that -it would continue to tick over and produce power. - -"Yes, I guess your reasoning is sound enough," he heard the Colonel -say. "It's rather hard to believe, though. I mean, why go about it in -such a--well, in such a story book thriller style, you might say? I'm -not going to San Diego on any vital mission. Fact is, I could make this -trip tonight or next week, and it wouldn't make much difference. That's -what makes it seem so--so utterly crazy." - -There was a moment of silence, and then Dave laughed a trifle -flat-toned. - -"I don't mean to be conceited," he said. "But what you've just said, -sir, doesn't make me feel so good. Or maybe it should make me feel -important as heck. How about you, Freddy? Catch on?" - -"I think so," the English youth replied. "But it's a bit--er, -fantastic, you know. However, I would feel a bit better if we had been -able to shoot the beggar down. Always did say night attacks weren't -quite the sporting thing, you know." - -"Not the sporting thing, huh?" Dave echoed with a snort. "Pal, that's -only putting it by half. In my book they're plain murder." - -"Of course, I'm only the passenger," Colonel Welsh spoke up sharply. -"So don't mind me. However, I would like very much to know what the -devil you two are jabbering about. What's it all about, anyway?" - -"You tell him, Freddy," Dave said. "I--I feel too modest." - -"Rubbish!" the English youth snapped. "You couldn't be if you tried. -Besides, you brought it up." - -"Listen, you lads!" the chief of U. S. Intelligence boomed in -exasperation. "Have I got to use my authority as a Colonel? What in -blue blazes are you two talking about?" - -"The fantastic, sir," Dave said with a chuckle. "Yet, on the other -hand, possibly the truth. Maybe the pilot of that plane didn't want -_Farmer and me to go aboard the Carrier Indian_." - -Colonel Welsh made a hissing sound as he sucked in his breath sharply. - -"Great guns!" he gasped. And then in the same breath: "But that _is_ -impossible. Not even my three closest assistants knew that was to -happen until I informed you. And we went from my office straight to -Alexandria Field. No, you must be wrong, Dawson. Captains Lamb and -Stacey, and Lieutenant Caldwell, wouldn't breath a word of that even -though a gun were held at their hearts. That _is_ fantastic!" - -The two boys looked crestfallen. - -"See, Freddy?" Dave cried, and jabbed an elbow in his pal's ribs. "You -get the screwiest ideas. I never--!" - -"None of that, funny boy!" the English youth barked back at him. "No, -you don't, not by a jugful. You brought it up. I simply agreed with -you, to be polite. You're quite right, Colonel. It's ridiculous. But -when you get to know Dawson better, you'll understand how he's--" - -The rest of what Freddy Farmer would have said to the Colonel stuck -fast when only halfway up his throat. The right outboard engine -had started kicking up again, but this time it was really doing it -in earnest. The oil pressure needle went around to the zero peg in -a single jump. And even as Dave grabbed for the throttle, the right -outboard engine let out a grinding scream as though it were actually -something human, and in mortal pain. It had run dry and was seizing -up. Almost at the same instant, and as though in sympathy for its -mechanical brother, the left outboard engine started falling off in -revs at an alarming rate. Dave killed the right engine completely, -shoved hard on the left rudder to check the plane yawing, and -concentrated on keeping the left outboard engines alive as long as -possible. - -"That tears it!" he said between clenched teeth. "I was afraid that -right engine had been nicked. Getting ready to drop a couple of those -landing flares, Freddy. At least we can take a look at what it's like -below." - -"Take a look?" Colonel Welsh cried sharply. "You don't have to, boy! -There are mountains down there. Get us as high as you can, and then -we'll all bail out." - -A hot wave of anger swept through Dawson, but he was able to choke the -words back in time. Instead he turned to Freddy Farmer and nodded. - -"Let a couple go, Freddy," he said quietly. "We're only losing a foot -or two of altitude. We'll take a look _first_!" - - - - -CHAPTER EIGHT - -_Nobody's Airport_ - - -Freddy Farmer didn't bother acknowledging the request by word of mouth. -He simply nodded, and reached out his hand and jerked the little handle -that released landing flares fitted into the wing tips. There were a -few seconds more of silence; then a great silver-white light came into -being below, and spread swiftly outward toward the four points of the -compass. - -Fighting the tendency of the Lockheed to yaw toward the dead engine -side, and struggling to keep the left outboard engine turning over, -Dave leaned over close to the shattered window and peered down into the -sea of silver-white light below. For a couple of seconds he couldn't -see anything but eye-dazzling light. Then as the flares dropped astern, -he was able to get a good look at the type of terrain below. - -What he saw didn't exactly cause his chilled heart to warm up and loop -over with joy. True, they had safely crossed over the highest peaks of -that part of the mountain range. Below, though, were the tree-covered -foothills, cut by deep jagged stone sided ravines, and narrow plateau -formations of ground that would be hard for even a crow to alight on. - -"It's no go, Dawson!" Colonel Welsh's voice suddenly broke the tingling -silence that had settled over the trio. "I know what's in your mind, -but our safest bet is for all three of us to jump. We've still got -three or four thousand feet of clearance. I think we should jump." - -"I don't, not yet," Dave said bluntly, and raked the terrain below with -his eyes. "I think we should hang on a bit longer, and try to pick out -some spot big enough to slip into. This is wild country here, Colonel. -If we bail out we'll lose contact with each other, and all three of us -get lost. Let's look hard, first. I can keep her up a big longer. That -left outboard hasn't quit cold yet. And we're not losing altitude too -fast." - -"All right," Colonel Welsh said grimly, and leaned forward the better -to study the flare-lighted ground below. "Confound that rat! I'd give a -lot to have his neck between my two hands right now!" - -"I can think of things to do to him, myself," Dave grunted. Then, out -of the corner of his mouth: "Work those eagle eyes hard, Freddy. This -is where you should star. You always do see things first. Hurry up and -find Papa a place big enough to set us down in." - -"Shut up and tend to your flying!" the English youth growled. "You -dropped our nose two feet while you were talking. Want to power dive -us in, or something? You--hold it, Dave! Bear right a bit. What's that -down there? It looks like--oh, blast it! They would, wouldn't they!" - -The last was caused by the two flares finally touching ground and being -snuffed out. Quick as a flash Freddy Farmer shot out his hand and -released two more flares. The instant his eyes were again accustomed -to the bright light, Dave looked in the direction of the English -youth's pointed finger. His heart did loop with joy this time, and -he gulped with relief. What at first looked like the rock studded -side of a foothill was actually a strip of barren and seemingly level -ground between two foothills. It wasn't very big, but it seemed big -enough--unless Lady Luck deliberately turned her face the other way. - -"Yeah, check, Freddy!" Dave murmured, and eased the laboring Lockheed -around and down. "That's us, that spot. Just hang on, everybody. It -won't be long now!" - -"I don't like the way you say that!" Colonel Welsh said with a -mirthless laugh. "But I guess you don't mean it. Go ahead, though. I -was wrong again. We'll keep the parachutes in their packs. What a fine -night this has turned out to be!" - -"Me, I'm thinking of tomorrow and next week," Dave muttered grimly as -he eased the Lockheed lower and lower, and around toward the near end -of the narrow landing space. "This is wild country here. It's plenty -wild. Right in the middle of nowhere. And this baby isn't going to do -any more flying until she has a couple of new engines stuck in her. Oh -well--" - -Dave let the rest go with a shrug and hunched forward slightly over the -controls. The time for talking had passed. Now was the time for action, -and prayer. The Lockheed was down low now, too low to correct any -mistakes. The first swipe at that narrow landing space had to be good. -It had to be perfect. The jagged rocks and trees on all four sides -would make a second try impossible. - -Dave's whole body felt dry as a chip, yet at the same time sweat poured -off his forehead, and the palms of his hands were clammy and cold. He -could almost feel Freddy Farmer and Colonel Welsh hold their breath. -As far as that went, he could almost feel the whole world stand still -and hold its breath. The dropped flares were throwing off less and less -light, but he refrained from telling Freddy to drop a couple of new -ones. Their first moment of brilliance might blind him just enough to -misjudge things by a hair. And misjudging by a hair would be more than -enough to pile them up in a heap among the trees and jagged rocks. - -"Now!" he whispered softly. "Now, baby! Easy does it, now. Down you go. -Down you go. Ah-h-h...! That's the stuff!" - -The Lockheed's wheels touched, touched hard, and the plane tried to -push itself off and up into the air again. But Dave had killed the -forward speed as much as he could. And after a short run forward, -and gentle but firm application of the wheel brakes by Dawson, the -twin-engined craft finally bumped to a halt not ten feet from the lip -of a sharp drop-off in the ground. - -"Now I've seen everything!" Colonel Welsh fairly exploded the words. -"I've seen two miracles come to pass in the same night. It couldn't -be done, but you did it, Dawson. Congratulations from the bottom of my -heart. Good work! We really are on the ground, aren't we?" - -Dave didn't bother to answer. As a matter of fact he couldn't have -said a single word at that moment even though it would have gained him -a million dollars. His heart was stuck halfway between his chest and -his throat, and refused to go up or down. It was the same with Freddy -Farmer, too. The English youth sat stiff and straight in his seat, -working his lips but making no sound. Eventually, though, he did manage -to get control of his tongue and of his frozen muscles. He reached -across and pressed Dave's arm. - -"Top-hole, Dave!" he got out in a husky voice. "A bit of the very, very -best, and I mean it, really. As a pilot bloke myself, I know how good -you have to be to get away with that sort of thing. It was absolutely -perfect." - -"What else?" Dave cracked back with a shaky laugh. "Look who did it! -But skip it. Is my hair grey, Freddy? Do I look very much older? I know -doggone well I gained forty years in those last couple of seconds. -Jeepers! Take a look at that drop-off ahead. Another ten feet and you -_wouldn't_ be thinking I was so hot. And I'm not, really. If Lady Luck -ever landed a plane, she did it that time, and I'm not kidding." - -"Well, we're down, anyway," said Freddy. Then, getting practical: "What -do we do now? Do you know this area very well, sir? Have we got far to -go to the next village?" - -Both Dave and the Colonel laughed in spite of the seriousness of the -situation. And Freddy made angry sounds in his throat. - -"What's so blasted funny about that?" he demanded. "Do you plan to stay -here all night?" - -"Sorry, Freddy," Dave said, and patted his pal's knee. "But this isn't -England, where you can throw a rock from one town and have it land in -the next one. This is our wild and woolly west. I don't know exactly -where we are, but I'd make a rough guess that we're a good two hundred -miles from the nearest town. And that's as the crow flies. Going over -and down these mountains and hills, you could add another two hundred -miles. What do you think, Colonel?" - -"Well, not quite that far, Dawson," the senior officer said with a -laugh that was just a little too tight. "You're stretching it a little, -I'd say. Call it a hundred by air and two-fifty by foot, I guess. -We're just over the Arizona line and south of Holbrook. I'm afraid, -though, Farmer, that we will have to sit here for the rest of the -night, worse luck. To try and get out of here in the dark is just about -like deciding to step off some cliff and smash yourself to bits on the -bottom of a ravine. No. We've got to sit here until they find us." - -"Hey!" Dave cried. "Aren't you forgetting something, Colonel? I mean, -who knows we're on our way? We--Oh, I see! You planned to send word -back to your office, eh? When they don't hear, they'll send planes -hunting for us, huh?" - -The Colonel groaned heavily and clapped a hand to his forehead. - -"You spoiled it that time, Dawson!" he muttered. "But you hit the -nail on the head. I did forget. I mean, I didn't say anything about -letting Lamb or Stacey know when I arrived at San Diego. They simply -expect to hear from me, when they hear. And my man at San Diego doesn't -actually know when I expect to arrive. This _is_ a sweet mess. I should -be demoted and kicked back into the ranks for not thinking of this -possibility. We're stuck, and no two ways about it." - -"But we took this plane from the Alexandria Field," Dave said. "What -about their flight board there? Don't they list every take-off, the -pilot, and where he's heading?" - -"Usually, but not in a case like this," the Colonel replied unhappily. -"When I borrow a plane, I don't tell them where I'm going. And -naturally, they don't ask me. But do we have to sit here in this -darkness, Dawson? The lights don't run off the engine, do they? How -about some light, eh?" - -"Sure, sir," Dave said, and flipped up a couple of switches. - -The interior of the compartment glowed with light, and the three looked -at each other. They grinned in a friendly sort of way, but neither of -them was particularly happy looking. Freddy Farmer twisted around in -his seat and looked at the Colonel. - -"Then we might be here for some time, sir?" he asked. - -"For several hours, at least, Farmer," the senior officer replied -gravely. "Nothing to worry about, though. As soon as it's light, we'll -build a fire and get a smoke signal in the air. A passing transport -plane may see it and come down to investigate. We're a bit south of -their regular run, though. Still, one of them may see it and get some -rescue parties sent out. Nothing to worry about." - -"Not even your constant worry, pal," Dave laughed, and stuck a hand in -his tunic pocket. "Your constant worry about starving, I mean. Here's a -flock of chocolate bars I picked up at Alexandria Field before we left. -One thing I didn't tell you about Farmer, Colonel. If he can't eat -forty times a day he gets as weak as a kitten. And where he puts it, -I'll never know. Doesn't weigh more than a hundred and fifty soaking -wet. He's--" - -"Some other time, my funny little man!" Freddy cut in harshly. "I -wasn't thinking about eating, if you must know the truth. Something -more serious. Or at least it will be serious if we're stuck here for a -considerable length of time." - -Dave's smile faded immediately. He stared at the English youth. Colonel -Welsh also regarded him keenly. - -"Okay, what?" Dave finally asked. - -"The Carrier Indian," Freddy replied. Then, looking at the Colonel, -he asked, "Didn't you say that she weighs anchor sometime tomorrow -afternoon--this afternoon, really? If we're stuck here, will she sail -without us? Or has her skipper orders to wait for word from you?" - -The chief of U. S. Intelligence swallowed hard and made a wry face. - -"That close-shave landing!" he muttered savagely. "It still has my -brains all scrambled up. You're quite right, Farmer. What you say makes -it more of a mess than ever. The Indian is to sail whether her skipper -hears from me or not. Those two men of mine serving as machinists' -mates are already aboard. At least they were to go aboard last evening. -But she won't wait for you two. The skipper has his sailing orders, and -he'll sail whether he's shy two pilot lieutenants or not. Blast and -double blast it all! What you say, Farmer, gives me a very disquieting -thought. Perhaps I _wasn't_ the one that unknown killer was interested -in. It's quite possible that it _was_ you two. The attempt was made -to stop you from reaching the Indian before she sailed. Confound it! -If I've fumbled this thing all up, I'll go out somewhere and cut my -throat. But--but I still can't see how anybody else could possibly have -found out about this flight, let alone the real reason!" - -Dave didn't say anything, but he was thinking of a case he had heard -about in England not so long ago. A bad leak had been found in the Air -Ministry Intelligence, and when it was eventually tracked to its source -it was discovered that a high official's own secretary--a supposedly -loyal Englishman who had held his post since long before the outbreak -of war--was actually in the pay of the Nazis. - -"I'm wondering something, myself," he said presently. "Not to toss more -cold water on things, Colonel, but--well, you don't know for sure if -your two men went aboard the Indian last evening, do you?" - -"No, not for sure," the senior officer replied with a shake of his -head. "But it's--Oh, I see what you mean. Maybe they were--er--delayed, -too, eh? You think of the nicest things, Dawson! But keep on thinking. -Don't stop. Maybe you'll think of a way to get us out of this jam in a -hurry." - -"I sure wish I could!" Dave said fervently. Then, reaching out and -taking a flashlight from the instrument panel clamps, he said, -"Meantime I'm going to have a look at the engines. I could be wrong -about an oil line being nicked. It wouldn't be the first time. Maybe -it's something that we can patch up with some gum and a piece of our -shirts, and we can get ourselves out of here come daylight. That's a -hope, anyway." - -Half an hour later, though, it wasn't a hope. The oil feed lines of the -right outboard engine were split and parted in three different spots. -Besides that, she was seized up tighter than a drum, and couldn't be -made to move short of using dynamite. The left outboard engine wasn't -in a much better condition. Bullets from the unknown attacker's guns -had started a bad leak in the gas line that couldn't be repaired -without the proper tools. And so at the end of the half hour Dave wiped -oil and grease from his hands and climbed down off the wing onto the -ground where Freddy Farmer and the chief of Intelligence waited. - -"No soap," he said bitterly. "If that bird's job was to delay us, he -did it up brown. The only way you'll get this plane out of here is to -fly in a couple of new engines. Nothing to do but wait for daylight." - -"Why wait?" Freddy Farmer protested. "Let's get a fire going now. No -telling but what it might be seen by somebody. It--I say, though! What -about your Indians? They'd give us a bit of trouble, wouldn't they? -I've heard--" - -"Hold everything, pal!" Dave chuckled, while Colonel Welsh struggled -to keep a straight face. "Nowadays you only find that kind of Indians -in books, or in the movies. Let's get the fire started. It's a good -idea. And if Indians do show up I'll welcome them as the flowers in -May." - -Freddy Farmer hesitated and looked hard at Dawson. After a moment or so -he shrugged. - -"Very well, then," he murmured. "But I swear I don't know when to -believe you, and when not to. If I get scalped--" - -"You won't!" Dave stopped him, and backed away. "Head's too hard!" - -Freddy took a quick half step forward, but gave it up. Then the three -of them started collecting deadwood, and stuff from the plane that -could be used to make a good fire. - - - - -CHAPTER NINE - -_Rescue Wings_ - - -Dawn came roaring up over the mountains to the east to touch off -their peaks with fire, and send rainbows of color arcing off in all -directions. It was a sight to make a man catch his breath and stand in -awe of the glorious majesty of nature. But for Dave Dawson and Freddy -Farmer and Colonel Welsh, the coming of the new day was more than just -something beautiful to watch and admire. It was like being released -from a prison of darkness. - -As soon as there was enough light to allow vision at any great -distance, they eagerly and hopefully scrutinized their immediate -surroundings. But what they saw dashed their hopes even lower. -Heart-chilling wilderness met their gaze on all sides. It was as though -they had landed at the very end of the world; landed in a little pocket -of level ground completely lost in the depths of jagged rock sided -hills and towering snow-capped mountains. - -For several minutes they looked about them in silence. Then, as though -at an unspoken signal, they turned and looked at each other, each man -reading the message of utter helplessness reflected in the next man's -eyes. It was Dave who finally broke the silence, and spoke the thought -that was in the minds of the other two. - -"Our smoke signal won't be seen by any plane unless it passes directly -over this spot," he said. "These hills and mountains are such that -it's as if we were at the bottom of a well. And it's going to be even -tougher getting out of here on foot." - -Neither Freddy Farmer or Colonel Welsh said anything. There wasn't -anything they could say. Dave had spoken the truth. And that was that. -Eventually Colonel Welsh knocked the ashes from his dead pipe and stuck -it back in his pocket. - -"We'd better not try going out on foot for a while," he said, "at least -not until tomorrow. Better to stick here today and see if anything -happens. I'm mighty sorry this happened, you fellows. It's all my -fault, and I could kick myself right up the side of that mountain." - -"I wouldn't say that, sir," Freddy Farmer said with a smile. "You had -no idea that chap was going to attack us last night." - -"No," the chief of U. S. Intelligence growled. "Just the same, -ignorance is no excuse. I should have made sure, just in case the -unexpected did happen. I certainly should have taken a plane fitted -with a radio, instead of this one that hasn't got any. At least we -could have let the world know that we were going down for a forced -landing. But as it turned out--" - -The Colonel sighed heavily and let the rest slide. Dave and Freddy -looked at each other and shrugged. It was no use crying over spilled -milk, but as a matter of cold hard fact both of them had been just -a little surprised when they had boarded the plane and seen that it -carried no radio. Neither, though, had said anything about it. - -"Why wasn't it fitted with a radio, sir?" Dave finally blurted out the -question. "I mean--well, a radio is standard equipment on any ship. Is -there no radio on this for some particular reason?" - -"Yes," the senior officer replied with a wry smile, and tapped his -chest. "I'm the reason. On a couple of occasions when the plane I -was in did have a radio, I was contacted about this and that every -half hour or so. Once I even turned back because of a message I had -received, only to find I'd wasted my time. Ever since then I've flown -without a radio. Been able to get more done, too. But I certainly -struck out this time. I'm sorry." - -"Well, those things happen," Dave said politely, and let the subject -drop. "How about a short scouting trip about here? Or better yet, what -say I to make the top of that mountain, there? I guess I could do it in -a couple of hours. Maybe we're not buried as deep as we think we are. -Maybe I'll see a town, or a Ranger camp from there. Also, I may find -some berries and stuff, and a spring. The chocolate we have aboard, and -the drinking water, isn't going to last us for very long. What do you -think, Colonel? Think you can keep Freddy cheered up while I'm gone? -See that the Indians don't get him?" - -The Colonel grinned and opened his mouth to speak, but what he was -about to say never left his lips. At that moment all three of them -heard the faint drone of a plane somewhere up in the sky, but out of -sight behind the towering mountains north of them. As one man they spun -around and stared hard at the dawn light bouncing off the snow-capped -peaks. Nobody said a word. Nobody could. They were all too busy -holding their breath, and praying as they had never prayed before. - -After a few seconds Dave snapped out of his trance, ran over to the -pile of deadwood they had collected, grabbed up an armful, ran back to -the fire and dumped his load. Then he picked up a can of oil drained -from the engine and poured it on the licking flames. A second more and -a column of oily black smoke went towering up into the dawn sky. - -"He can't miss that, unless he's blind!" Dave muttered through clenched -teeth as the black smoke mounted higher and higher. "Come on, whoever -you are, take a look, take a look!" - -"Steady, Dawson," Colonel Welsh cautioned gently as Dave's voice rose -to a wild shout. "We've got to steel ourselves in case he doesn't see -it. Then it won't be so tough. This thing might happen several times, -you know. No telling. Save your strength, son. Take it easy." - -Dave hardly heard the words of wisdom. His eyes were glued to the -north, his ears strained to catch every beat of the plane's engine -which was still out of sight, and his two fists clenched tight as -though he were actually pulling the unseen plane closer and closer. -Then, suddenly, the drone of the engine grew louder. It rose to a -mighty roar. And then the plane came sailing into view above the -mountain peaks. It was a five-place Stinson cabin plane, a commercial -plane probably owned by some rancher. There were no markings on the -craft other than the usual Bureau of Aeronautics license letter and -number. A wild cry of joyous relief struggled up Dave's throat but was -unable to pass his lips. A riot of emotions boiled up within him, and -his lips and his tongue were suddenly too dry to form sounds. So he -simply stood stock still and grinned from ear to ear as the cabin plane -cleared the peak and then came nosing down toward them; circling down -like some giant bird seeking a spot to light on. - -When it was less than five hundred feet over their heads, the three men -shook themselves loose from their paralytic spell and started jumping -around and waving their arms wildly as though the pilot of the plane -hadn't seen them yet. The pilot waggled his wings as a signal that he -had, and then leveled off and went coasting toward the eastern end -of the landing strip. There he circled back, suddenly fed hop to his -engine and started to climb. For one horrible moment Dave was afraid -the pilot had decided that he couldn't put his plane down on the small -strip. But he was wrong. The pilot had simply goosed his engine to add -enough to his speed to clear the tops of some tall trees. He slipped -over them, went up on left wing a bit, and slid down to level off in a -perfect landing. - -Even as the plane was braking to a stop, Dave, Freddy, and the Colonel -rushed back to it. They pulled up to a halt, waited for the plane to -roll the last few feet, then ducked under the left wing and around to -the cabin door. They had already seen that there were two men aboard -the plane, the pilot and a passenger. As Dave watched them come back -from the pilot's nook to the cabin door, he was faintly surprised by -their looks. Why, he didn't know, but somehow he had expected to see -a couple of youngsters climb down from the plane. But they weren't -young. They were both well along in years. They had hard, rugged faces, -covered by at least a two week's growth of whiskers. They wore rough -clothing, and each man carried a gun slung at his hip. The guns were -not pistols, though. They were automatics, and Dave suddenly had the -hunch that their rescuers were a couple of fire rangers, or at least -some kind of government men. The way they leaped cat-like out the cabin -door and down onto the ground seemed somehow to suggest the military -to Dave. But what they were didn't matter in the slightest. They had -arrived to rescue them, and that was all that counted. - -"Stuck, huh?" the older one of the pair grunted, and grinned. "Lucky we -happened to see your smoke signal. You might have camped here for quite -a spell. Army and Navy, huh?" - -"And in a hurry," Colonel Welsh said. Then, after introducing himself: -"We had a forced landing. Er--engine trouble. Can you fly us to the -nearest Air Corps Base where we can pick up another plane? I'll see -that you're paid for it, of course." - -"Guess so," the man grunted after a look at his partner. "But where're -you headed? Maybe we could hop you all the way, and save time, if -you're in such a hurry." - -"San Diego," Colonel Welsh said. "I have to get there as soon as -possible. But maybe you haven't the gas." - -"San Diego, huh?" the older one, who was the pilot, murmured, and -arched his brows. "Yeah. I guess we can make it there from here. Had -engine trouble, huh? Not much fun in this neck of the woods. Okay. Get -aboard." - -A hidden thought was tugging at Dave's brain, but he couldn't seem to -get it out in the open. Something was just a wee bit wrong with the -picture, but after a moment of deep thought he decided it was worry -about a take-off from the narrow space of level ground. - -"Think you've got a long enough run?" he asked, and jerked a thumb at -the crippled Lockheed. "Maybe the five of us should haul that out of -the way. But even then you wouldn't have much extra. There's a sharp -drop-off just ahead of it." - -"Don't get in a sweat, kid," the man mouthed, and gave him a hard -stare. "I wouldn't have come down if I'd thought I couldn't get off -again. Just get aboard and keep your seat. We'll get you places, and -with no trouble at all. Okay, Colonel, let's get going." - -With a curt nod the pilot and his passenger turned and climbed back -into the plane. Colonel Welsh followed at their heels, but for an -instant Dave and Freddy hung back. They looked at each other and -frowned slightly. - -"Queer couple of blokes, aren't they?" the English youth murmured. -"Can't say I like their looks much." - -"I've seen better," Dave replied with a nod. "But so long as they -get us out of here, I don't care what they look like. But--is there -something on your mind?" - -"Not a thing," Freddy replied. Then, with a puzzled scowl: "Just sort -of feel funny, though. One of your confounded hunches, I guess. Oh -well! No doubt it's your American climate. I'm sure I should have -stayed in England." - -"Hop in, or do you two kids want to stay and play boy scout?" - -The Stinson's passenger stood framed in the cabin doorway. His blue -green eyes stabbed down at Dave and Freddy, and the mop of coarse red -hair on his head actually did look like fire in the glow of the dawn -sun. Dave stared at him, felt that elusive thought tug at his brain for -the last time, and then climbed into the plane with Freddy right behind. - -The pilot at the controls glanced back just long enough to see that -everybody was aboard, and then he goosed the engine and taxied around -on one wheel, and went trundling back toward the far end of the landing -strip. His friend, the redhead, sat in the co-pilot's seat, but he was -twisted around so that he faced Dave, Freddy, and the Colonel, who -were sitting in the three passenger seats. A grin parted his lips, but -he seemed to be grinning over their heads rather than at them. - -For a brief instant a clammy chill rippled through Dave. He shook it -off, angrily told himself that he was letting his imagination run wild, -and concentrated on watching the pilot take the plane off. It was a -beautiful bit of flying, and Dave nodded his head in silent approval -and admiration as the pilot held the Stinson on the ground until he had -plenty of forward speed, then gently eased it off and up as nice as -could be. - -Holding the nose up, the pilot circled the Stinson upwards until the -mountain peaks were almost on a level with the wings. Flattening off -the climb, he banked around for the last time and went roaring between -two mountain peaks to the north. For a couple of minutes Dave was too -thrilled by the wild, heart stopping beauty of the mountain scenery -below to pay much attention to the course of the plane. Eventually, -though, when the sun continued to stay on the right wing side, he -stopped gaping at the terrain below, and glanced sharply ahead. The -redhead was still grinning, very comfortably relaxed in his seat. And -the pilot was still holding the nose pointed north as though he planned -to keep going in that direction for quite some time to come. - -Dave held his peace for a moment or so longer. Then curiosity and an -eerie tingling sensation at the back of his neck forced the words off -his lips. - -"We're heading north!" he called out. "San Diego isn't north of us!" - -Both Colonel Welsh and Freddy Farmer jumped as though they had been -shot. They turned and stared at him, wide-eyed. The redhead stared at -him, too. But his eyes were slightly narrowed, and his perpetual grin -stiffened slightly. He didn't say anything. - -"Well, what is the idea, anyway?" Colonel Welsh finally boomed angrily. -"San Diego is west and south of here!" - -The redhead shrugged and nodded, but the pilot didn't even turn his -head. - -"That's right, isn't it?" he called out. "Well, what do you know about -that? I guess we ain't heading for San Diego, Colonel. Kind of looks -that way, don't it, huh?" - -Colonel Welsh blinked and looked blank for a moment. Then his face -reddened and he started up out of his seat. - -"See here!" he thundered. "What in--?" - -The redhead made a quick motion, and the chief of U. S. Intelligence -choked off the rest. But it was the automatic that suddenly seemed to -jump right into the redhead's hand that really stopped him. He froze -motionless half up out of his seat. The redhead waved the gun a little. - -"Relax, and sit, Colonel!" he said in a voice that sounded like small -stones on a tin roof. "I couldn't let you have it down there, but up -here it's easy. Relax and get smart. And that goes for you two kids, -too!" - - - - -CHAPTER TEN - -_Vulture's Nest_ - - -For a long minute there was no sound inside the cabin save the faint -drone of the plane's engine. Like three men suddenly struck dumb, Dave, -Freddy, and the Colonel stared at the redhead. Rather, they stared at -the automatic he held in his right hand; held so that at the bat of -an eyelash he could send a bullet into either of them, or into all -three of them, for that matter. Then, finally, Colonel Welsh broke the -silence. - -"What in thunder _is_ this?" he demanded. "Who are you two? What's the -idea?" - -The redhead hunched his shoulders and half nodded his head toward the -pilot. - -"That's Ike, and I'm Mike," he said with a chuckle. "But it isn't any -act. We're just keeping you on ice for a while, Colonel. Be nice and -you'll get back into circulation again in time. Be dumb, and you'll be -dead." - -As the Colonel struggled for words, Dave leaned forward a little, arms -resting on his knees. - -"This isn't the plane you flew last night," he said. - -The redhead grinned all the more and shook his head. - -"Nope," he said. "And that makes you a bright little boy--Flight -Lieutenant Dawson. And that was nice flying last night. I thought that -second time I had you cold. I guess you're as good at the controls as -I've heard tell you were. Or was this English kid, Farmer, doing the -flying?" - -Dave didn't reply. He suddenly felt as though his seat had been -jerked out from under him, and as if his brain were tumbling down -through space. This redhead knew his name, and Freddy's, too? An eerie -chill swept through him, and he impulsively looked at Colonel Welsh. -The chief of U. S. Intelligence's face was bright with dumfounded -amazement. He in turn was staring speechlessly at the redhead. The man -with the gun dragged down a corner of his mouth in a scornful gesture. - -"Why so surprised, Colonel?" he asked. "Did you think you were the only -smart one in this war?" - -"You won't feel so smart when you're facing a firing squad!" the -Colonel clipped out. "And that's where you're headed. Both of you!" - -"Well, what do you know!" the pilot cried out, and turned around just -long enough to give the Colonel a horse laugh. "Maybe you ain't got it -yet, Colonel, who's holding the gun. Snap out of it. I know it's tough, -but there's nothing you can do about it. Don't be a sap and make us let -you have it. We just want to keep you on ice for a while. That's all." - -The Colonel seemed to swallow his wrath, because when he spoke again -his voice was normal, and almost friendly. - -"All right, we'll be smart," he said. "But where are we heading? And -why are you keeping us on ice, as you call it? What good is it going to -do you?" - -"What good?" the redhead echoed with a laugh. "Well, about ten thousand -dollars' worth, for one thing. For another--well, I guess we just don't -like you." - -A hard, glittering look leaped into the Colonel's eyes, and Dave could -tell that the man was employing every ounce of his will power to stop -from leaping from his seat and hurling himself at the redhead, gun or -no gun. - -"A couple of bought and paid for American traitors, eh?" the chief of -U. S. Intelligence suddenly grated. "American by birth only. Actually -lower than the rats in Berlin and Tokio are--the ones who are paying -you your blood money. Well, paste this in your hats. You'll never live -to spend that money. And that's a promise!" - -The redhead simply continued to grin. Then suddenly the gun in his hand -spat flame and sound, and Dave saw the Colonel's left shoulder strap -fly off as though cut by a knife. The bullet tore on out through the -side of the cabin. Colonel Welsh didn't so much as flinch, or even bat -an eye. He held the redhead with a steady agate-eyed stare. - -"Put the next right between my eyes!" he grated. "You'll still not -be able to spend that blood money. You'll be run to earth like the -anti-American vermin you are. And you'll be wiped out, along with the -rest of your fifth column brood." - -The redhead didn't say anything. Dave wasn't sure, but he thought he -saw a look of fear flash across the man's unshaven face. However, it -came and went in a flash. The pilot turned from his controls again, and -gave the Colonel a long look. - -"Maybe!" he finally said harshly. "That's the chance we take. But let's -not kid each other, Colonel. The point is that the Carrier Indian won't -be sailing with these two little heroes of yours aboard. Yeah! So don't -look like you're going to faint. We know all about it. The boys we work -for are smart. And your whole country is going to find that out in -short order, too. - -"You guys in Washington have got a New Deal. Well, another guy has a -_New Deal_, too. I like his better. So don't waste breath trying to -unsell me. It can't be done. I've been kicked around too much by your -cops and F.B.I. - -"I'm looking out for my own good, see? I found out how my pal and me -can make dough easy, and we're making it. No more working my life away -for nothing. I'm sold on _my_ New Deal. - -"Now shut up, and relax. My pal and me have dough to earn." - -"Aw, let 'em talk!" the redhead said with a hoarse laugh. "Maybe -they'll try selling us some of them Defense Bonds." - -"And you shut up, too!" the pilot snarled. "I don't feel like hearing -anybody talk, see?" - -The redhead looked both surprised and angry. - -"Okay, okay!" he said. "So nobody talks." - -Silence once more settled over the interior of the cabin, but it was -the kind of a silence that feels charged with high voltage electricity, -and apt to strike all over the place at an instant's notice. Turning -his head, Dave snapped a quick glance out the window, but what he saw -didn't help his spirits any. The plane was grinding northward over wild -mountainous country that looked every bit as uninviting as that narrow -strip of ground where they had force landed. Whether or not they had -reached the Utah line, or were still in Arizona, Dave couldn't tell -with that one quick glance. And he didn't bother taking a second look. - -Fact was, it didn't matter where they were. Through a crazy twist of -fate they were helpless prisoners in the hands of two men who would -shoot them dead at the slightest provocation. The single warning shot -that the redhead had snapped across Colonel Welsh's shoulder had been -proof enough that he wasn't afraid to use his gun. - -Yes, they were helpless prisoners. And their captors knew all about -them: who they were, where they had been heading, and why. As those -three truths came home to Dave, again he swallowed hard and shivered -slightly. It was like a crazy nightmare, only it wasn't. It was stark -reality; nothing out of a story book. The pilot and his redheaded -companion had received orders to make sure that Freddy Farmer and he -did not sail on the Aircraft Carrier Indian. They had tried the first -time last night by attacking them with machine guns in a plane. - -They had failed, yet in a way they had succeeded. They had drilled the -Lockheed's engines and forced Dave to sit down on that narrow strip -of smooth ground deep in a valley. Not knowing the exact results of -their efforts, the two men had cruised about over the area as soon as -it became light, and--by another crazy twist of fate--they had seen -the smoke signal that had been sent up to attract _help_. Seeing that -the plane had not crashed, the two men had done the logical thing, -from their point of view. They had landed and picked up their prey. -Kidnapped them, yes, but for a very good reason. Some other plane -passing over might have landed and given them a quick lift to their -destination. So the redhead and the pilot had picked them up to make -sure somebody else wouldn't do it. - -And the reason they hadn't been killed on the spot was simple to -figure. Death in the dark during that air attack last night would -have been different. The plane would have crashed and burned up, and -when its charred ruins were found no one would ever had dreamed that -bullets had sent it hurtling down to its doom. But three dead men lying -beside a force landed plane was something else again. A scene like -that naturally screamed murder all over the place. And so the redhead -and his pilot had kidnapped them so that if another plane landed to -investigate, it would look as though the occupants of the Lockheed had -tried to find their way back to civilization on foot, and had become -hopelessly lost in the mountains. - -"But they know all about us! How?" - -Dave didn't speak the words aloud. He spoke them only in his brain, -but as he glanced at Colonel Welsh and met the man's eyes he knew that -the senior officer understood what was in his mind, just as though he -had heard the words spoken. Even as Dave met his eyes, Colonel Welsh -bit his lower lip and gave a sharp little puzzled shake of his head. A -hundred and one answers to the question leaped into Dave's brain, but -every one of them seemed too fantastic even to bother considering. - -However, fantastic or not, one thought kept hammering away until he was -forced to admit that it at least must be true. It was that somebody -close to Colonel Welsh--very close--was unquestionably in the pay of -Berlin, or Tokio. Somebody in the drab, unpretentious building where -Colonel Welsh maintained his real head-quarters was a traitor to the -American flag, a paid rat of the lowest form who gnawed at the very -heart of America. - -But who? Dave thought of Captain Lamb, and Captain Stacey, and -Lieutenant Caldwell--and shook his head vigorously. He thought of the -man who had taken them up in the elevator--and wondered. He thought -of the man reading the book in that room with the mops and pails--and -wondered some more. In fact, he wondered until his head ached and his -brain rang. It just didn't seem possible that any spy could get close -enough to learn all that somebody had learned. That, however, was one -of the many cockeyed things about war. The impossible was constantly -popping up to prove to be a cinch. There were over two years of proof -of that. Poland for one. The Maginot Line for another. And Crete, and -Malaya, and Singapore--and Pearl Harbor, too, for that matter. All that -had happened at those various places just couldn't happen. Only it -_had_! - -"So maybe Lamb, or Stacey, or--" - -Dave cut short the unspoken thought. The pilot up forward had throttled -his engine and was nosing the Stinson downward. Leaning over close -to the window, Dave peered down and ahead. He saw a stretch of wild -wasteland that seemed to extend to the four horizons. Scrub growth, -a few patches of towering trees, and all the rocks in the world, it -seemed, met his scrutiny. The plane seemed to be nosing down toward an -area of tableland. And as Dave squinted his eyes he suddenly was able -to make out a couple of weatherbeaten shacks built close to a patch of -woods. He thought he saw something glistening just under the branches -of the trees, but he was too high and too far away to tell what it was. - -"Okay!" the redhead suddenly called out. "We're getting near the end -of the line. Remember what I told you, you three. Be nice and nothing -will happen. Get funny and I'll drill you and think nothing of it, so -help me. I ain't a killer often, but when I am, I'm good. So watch your -step." - - - - -CHAPTER ELEVEN - -_A Little Bit Of England!_ - - -Dave didn't bother looking at the redhead as the man pushed words off -the tip of his tongue. He kept his nose pressed against the cabin -window and watched with beating heart as the area of tableland came -sweeping up closer and closer to the plane. The nearer the plane got to -the ground, the more weatherbeaten and deserted the two shacks looked. -In fact, Dave knew that if he should be flying over them at even a -thousand feet or so, he would instantly take them for a couple of -prospectors' shacks abandoned to the wind and the rain years and years -before. - -Another couple of minutes and the Stinson went up on wing, cut around -in a dime turn, and then leveled off and settled to earth between two -rows of sun-bleached rocks. Hardly had the plane braked to a halt than -the redhead was at the cabin door, pushing it open with one hand behind -him, and backing out. Every second of the time, though, he kept his -blue green eyes fastened on his prisoners. - -"I'll take them inside while you put the job away," he said to the -pilot. "Stick her way under the trees with that Waco, just in case some -nosy guys come flying over. Nuts to take chances, you know. We'll--" - -"Can it!" the pilot snarled. "Who are you, giving orders? Take them -inside. I'll be along in a minute, and help tie them up. But keep that -gun ready, and use it if you have to. We can't risk anything, see?" - -"I see, sure I see!" the redhead snarled back. "What's eating you, -anyway?" - -"Nothing, and shut up!" the pilot said in a brittle voice. - -The redhead nodded, and motioned with his gun to Dave and the other two. - -"Out!" he snapped. "And watch it. And keep your hands in sight, too." - -Dave obeyed to the letter, but his heart was thumping against his ribs. -He had a sneaky feeling that Colonel Welsh's words had had a profound -effect on the pilot. Sure, he had snarled, and boasted, and cursed the -United States, the land of his birth. But like all rats of his ilk, -deep down in his black heart he was scared stiff of the Old Man With -the Whiskers. Deep down in his heart he knew that he might get by with -this back stabbing for a little while--just like the Japs--but not for -long. In the end he would be caught in the wheels of right and justice -and be ground to a pulp. - -With the pilot feeling as he obviously did, snapping and snarling at -his own partner in this dirty work, perhaps something could be made of -it. Perhaps-- - -Dave didn't finish the rest. Without realizing it he had sort of -stopped to mull things over as he climbed down from the plane. He had -unconsciously started to push one hand into his tunic pocket. He didn't -even realize he was making the movement, but the redhead saw it, took -it for the wrong thing, and moved with the speed of light. The barrel -of the automatic was slapped against the left side of Dave's jaw just -hard enough for him to see stars and stumble. He ended up by falling -the rest of the way out of the cabin doorway and landing flat on his -face on hard dirt. - -"And stay there!" he heard the redhead growl. "I'll take that gun just -as soon as your two pals are down. Okay, you two. Out, and keep your -hands where I can see them. Okay! Now, flat on your bellies and hands -outstretched. Either of you move, and you get it." - -A moment later Dave felt the muzzle of the automatic pressed against -the back of his head, and felt the redhead's other hand going through -his pockets. He didn't move a muscle, and presently an angry curse told -him that the redhead realized he was wrong. Then the gun tapped him -lightly on the head. - -"Stay put, with your hands out!" the redhead said. "I'll just make sure -about your pals." - -Dave kept his throbbing face buried in the dirt until he heard the -redhead's voice again. - -"Okay, on your feet, and inside! And no more kidding moves like that -last one, Dawson. My trigger finger's getting plenty itchy. Okay, move!" - -Dave got slowly to his feet, blinked from his eyes water caused by -smacking the ground with his face, and walked stiff-legged in through -the door of the nearest shack. He expected to step into a room heavy -with age, and dust, and dirt, and all the countless smells of the -years. But he didn't. He stepped into a large sized room that was -comfortably furnished and fitted out like a hunting lodge. No, not -exactly a hunting lodge. Rather, it looked more like an arsenal. -There were guns all over the place, of all types: pistols, automatics, -rifles, and machine guns. Along the entire right wall were heavy wood -boxes that obviously contained thousands and thousands of rounds of -ammunition. - -But what caught Dave's eyes and held them was the powerful gas engine -operated short-wave radio receiving set and transmitter that took up -most of the space at the rear of the room. One glance told him that -every part of it was of the finest equipment, and that its operator -could contact points thousands and thousands of miles away. One look at -the set and he guessed instantly that one of its chief uses was to send -weather data to listening Axis ears. This was probably one of several -such stations hidden in the vastness of the United States. In time they -would be smoked out and destroyed. Meantime, though, they were serving -the Axis powers well, and, unquestionably, in a dozen different ways. - -"Not bad, huh?" he heard the redhead's voice with its taunting note. -"We have lots of fun here, Mike and Ike. See what I mean, Colonel? We -got it all doped out. You Army and Navy guys are suckers. You don't -stand a chance, what I mean. When the time's right, we'll move in. -And that's all there'll be to it, see? Steady, Colonel! Steady, pal. -Rushing me will just get you a bullet in that belly of yours. Take it -easy, and relax. Back up, and sit down on that case. You two kids, too." - -As the redhead grinned and made motions with the gun, Dave, Freddy, -and the Colonel slowly backed up until they were sitting on a couple -of gun cases. Once they were settled, with their hands carefully kept -in sight, the redhead hooked one leg over a nearby table and absently -stroked the palm of his other hand with the barrel of his automatic. -Dave heard Colonel Welsh's tight, rasping breathing beside him, but he -didn't look at the man. Nor did he glance at Freddy Farmer, who hadn't -spoken a word since they had entered the Stinson. Instead, Dave kept -his eyes fixed on the redhead--and waited, and hoped, and prayed. - -"Yeah, we have us some fun here," the redhead went on, and looked -straight at Colonel Welsh. "But soon we're going to have some real fun. -See all these guns, Colonel? Lots of people are going to hear them pop -off, soon. People east in Washington, too. The boys running this show -have it all doped out. It'll be a cinch." - -"Do you know what you are?" the Colonel suddenly asked with an effort. - -"No, you tell me, Colonel," the redhead said with a chuckle. Then, -before Colonel Welsh could get a word in edgewise: "You know, I'd -never tab you for head of the Intelligence, Colonel. You don't look -the part to me at all. But maybe that's what's made you the great man -of mystery, eh? Well, the mystery is over as far as I'm concerned. And -to tell you the truth, I'm kind of disappointed. When we got the radio -flash that you were aboard a plane heading west with these two kids, -I got kind of all excited. I got kind of sorry, too, that I'd have to -shoot you down without having a look at you. But--well, I did get that -look after all. And I'm disappointed." - -"And you are a complete and utter fool!" Colonel Welsh said, -tight-lipped. "I told you once, and I tell you again! You'll never get -away with this. You'll be caught and either strung up, or shot. You'll -get--" - -"Didn't I tell you to shut up? Well, do it. We can't be bothered -listening to your junk. Shut up! _Do you hear me!_" - -It was the voice of the pilot, who had suddenly appeared in the -doorway. He stood glaring at Colonel Welsh out of eyes that held a -wild, glassy glitter. Two white spots appeared on either cheek, and as -the last left his lips they came together to form a thin cruel line. -Then before Colonel Welsh, or Dave, or Freddy Farmer could so much as -move a muscle, the man leaped forward and slammed his upholstered gun -against the Colonel's left temple. The chief of U. S. Intelligence -slumped over, but caught himself and straightened up slowly. A trickle -of blood ran down from the cut on his temple, but he made no effort to -raise his hand to it. He looked at the pilot and smiled grimly. Dave -marveled silently at the man's courage and ability to take it. The blow -he had received was enough to knock over a horse. - -"Swing again, you rat traitor!" the Colonel got out evenly. "You know -in your heart that you're sunk. And it's making you lose your grip." - -For an instant Dave thought the pilot was going to go stark raving -mad with rage and hurl himself at the Colonel. But he didn't. With a -visibly tremendous effort he regained control of himself and forced a -harsh laugh off his lips. - -"That's what you think!" he snapped. Then out of the corner of his -mouth to his partner: "Get that rope, and we'll tie them up. We'll gag -this big slob. I'm sick of hearing his yapping." - -Less than five minutes later Dave and Freddy were bound hand and foot. -Colonel Welsh was bound hand and foot, too, but he was also gagged. The -pilot made sure that the ropes were tied right, then turned his back -on them and walked over to a table on the other side of the room. He -picked up a whiskey bottle there, took a long drink and choked on it. -He coughed so hard he almost dropped the bottle. He would have if the -redhead hadn't jumped quickly forward and grabbed it. - -"Hey, what's the matter with you?" the redhead demanded angrily. "You -getting the jim-jams? This is no time to fall apart. Snap out of it. -Get hold of yourself. Boy! Wouldn't the big boss like to see you, now. -I knew he should have put me in charge of this station." - -The pilot suddenly went white about the corners of his mouth, and there -was cold murder in the eyes he fixed on the redhead. He reached out and -tapped the redhead on the chest with the barrel of his automatic. - -"Just say that again, lug," he grated. "Go on! Just say it again!" - -The redhead seemed to wilt like a flower tossed into a blast furnace. -He gulped and swallowed hard, and backed away a couple of steps. - -"Okay, okay!" he got out hastily. "I was only kidding. But I only -thought--" - -"Nobody wants you to think!" the pilot snarled, and took a step -forward. "Get it? Cut out the thinking. Now, get on that key and -contact Frisco. Tell them we've got them on ice, and what do we do now? -Tell them this place is cooked, if either of these three should get -away. Find out where he wants them delivered, or what. He was nuts to -have us go hunting them, and bring them back here. They'd have been -stuck there a week, anyway. And that's more time than we need to fly -these guns and stuff to the other places. But skip that last. Don't -tell them that, understand. The big boy wouldn't like it." - -"I'll say he wouldn't!" the redhead said with a tight laugh, and went -through the motions of slitting his throat from ear to ear. "Okay. I'll -find out what we do now. Fun, I hope." - -The redhead flung the trio of prisoners a leering look, then went to -the back of the room and sat down at the radio equipment. A moment or -so later the crackling of the spark gap of a wireless set filled the -room. Dave closed his eyes and strained his ears. He caught the signal -being sent out. It was S-T. It was repeated a dozen times or more. -Then the man stopped sending, and there was silence as he listened to -whatever was coming through his earphones. After twenty seconds or so -he started sending again. Dave caught all the signals, but that's all -the good it did him. He glanced at Freddy Farmer and Colonel Welsh, and -knew that they were catching the signals, too, and that the code going -out over the air was just as meaningless to them as it was to him. - -For five minutes the redhead "talked" with the man at the other end of -the wave length. Then he switched off his set, got up and turned around -with a grin on his face that stretched from ear to ear. - -"He thinks we're great guys," he said to his partner. "He thinks we're -the nuts." - -"Horses to what he thinks!" the pilot growled, and ran a nervous tongue -tip along his lower lip. "What do we do now? What are his orders?" - -"To sit tight," the redhead said. Then, after flashing Colonel Welsh a -smirking look, he went on, "He's coming up here sometime tonight. He -didn't say, but I've got a hunch he wants to work on our three friends -here. But he's tickled silly about it all. What a break for us we were -bum shots last night. This little job puts us in good, I'm telling you. -Boy! You can't top the big boss, can you? He knows his onions right -down the line. Yeah! Old blabber mouth, there, is going to have plenty -of chance to work his yap. And I mean, but plenty! Maybe he won't want -to, but I've seen the big boss's way of getting guys to talk. He's got -a technique, he has!" - -"Coming up tonight, huh?" the pilot echoed with a happy smile. "Swell! -That means you and me will be shifted to some other station. And -that'll suit me okay. This neck of the woods is giving me the creeps. -Thirty days here. It's been like thirty years. Let's have a drink on -getting out of here soon." - -"Yeah!" the redhead said, and licked his lips. "Let's have a couple of -them. I'm dry as a bone." - -With that moment began an hour and a half that was just about the -toughest ninety minutes Dave Dawson had ever spent in his life. The -two unshaven men went over to the table and dropped into chairs and -proceeded to ignore their prisoners. That didn't bother Dave in the -slightest, though. He was quite content to have the two ignore him, -for he was too busy with his thoughts--thoughts that tumbled and -spilled around in his brain like little red hot stones. A hundred times -at least he strained at the ropes that held his wrists bound behind -his back. And a hundred times circles of white pain about his wrists -convinced him that he didn't stand a chance in the world of freeing his -hands, to say nothing of his ankles. A hundred times he cursed himself -bitterly for not getting away from that attacker last night--and -without damage to the Lockheed's engines. A hundred times he thought of -the Aircraft Carrier Indian and the unknown doom that hovered over her; -the unknown doom that was aboard her in the form of some rat Axis spy -who had killed and obtained vital information that could easily spell -disaster for many of Uncle Sam's fighting men of the sea if it reached -Japanese hands soon enough. - -A hundred times he thought of many things, and each time his utter -helplessness to do anything about them was like a hot knife twisting -in his heart. But the most torturing thing of all was the realization -that he and Freddy had been stopped cold before they had even been able -to get started. The Carrier Indian was over three hundred miles away, -riding at anchor in San Diego harbor. Who knew when they would see it? -Who knew if they would _ever_ see it? Caught cold before they had even -got started on the very first of the special assignments they were to -carry out for Uncle Sam. What a sweet beginning! Yes! What a sweet -beginning that could well be the end, too. And that end might come when -the man referred to as the big boss arrived. - -Thoughts, thoughts, and more thoughts that walked, raced, cut and -slashed their way through Dave's brain. Seconds dragged on into -minutes, and the minutes seemed to drag on into an eternity of time. -Then suddenly sound forced its way through Dave's thoughts and brought -him back to the present. The sound was soft moaning and groaning. And -it came from Freddy Farmer's lips. - -The English youth was sitting on a gun case just beyond where Colonel -Welsh sat, but out in front of him so that Dave could see his pal. -And the look on Freddy's face was one of great pain, and not a little -of terror, and fear. His eyes were half closed, and he seemed to be -staring at nothing at all as he rocked jerkily back and forth like some -African savage praying to his idol gods. For a brief instant Dave -could hardly believe his eyes or his ears. Then a wave of sympathy -mingled with just a little annoyance swept through him. - -"Pull up your socks, Freddy!" he said in a low voice. "Show these rats -you can take it. Come on, Freddy. Chin up, pal!" - -The English youth groaned louder and opened his eyes a little. The look -he flung Dave burned with scorn. - -"Blast you and your chin-up rot!" he grated. "I've had enough of this. -Gangster stuff, this is, not war. I know now I should never have left -England. This is a madman's country. I tell you I've had enough of it!" - -Freddy fairly screamed the last, and had Dave not been tied hand and -foot he would have leaped over and slapped his pal's jaw. Something had -happened to Freddy Farmer. Something had snapped inside of him. Dave -had seen his pal in a hundred tight corners, every bit as tight as this -one. He knew full well that Freddy was red-blooded courage from his -head to his feet. But something had happened, and the English youth was -ready to crack up like an hysterical old woman. - -"Freddy, cut it out!" he snapped. "Buck up, old man. Show them. Come -on, Freddy. The old R.A.F. stuff. We're not licked yet, and we won't -be. You know that!" - -The English youth didn't answer at once. He sat swaying and groaning, -and staring at Dave out of half closed eyes. Then suddenly he began to -laugh softly. The laugh grew and grew until it was almost a scream. -The pilot and the redhead had put down their whiskey glasses and were -staring at him in wide-eyed amazement. - -"R.A.F., my hat!" Freddy suddenly shouted. "This isn't war. This is -gangster business, like I've seen in your American movies. Well, I've -had enough of it. I can't stand it, do you understand. _I can't stand -it!_ These ropes are killing me. I feel as if I were all on fire!" - -Freddy stopped short, looked over at the unshaven pair and spoke again -before Dave had time to open his mouth. - -"I say, a drink of water, please!" he gasped. "I must have a drink of -water. I'm dying, really. I can't stand the pain. A drink of water, -please!" - -The pair stared for a moment longer; then the redhead burst out with -laughter. - -"The tough English, huh?" he jeered aloud. "Look at the brave R.A.F. -pilot, I don't think! Well, what do you know? The English can't take -it. I always said they couldn't. Mama! Mama! Sonny boy wants a drink of -water. Here! Pour a slug of this whiskey down his throat and make a man -of him. Okay, I'll do it!" - -The redhead laughed some more and splashed whiskey from the bottle into -his glass. He pushed up from the table and came swaggering over to -Freddy Farmer. - -"Here you are, sonny boy," he said, and leaned over to put the glass to -the English youth's lips. "Be Papa's great big man. Have a drink. Go -on, take some!" - -Freddy Farmer groaned just once more, then leaned forward as though he -were going to drink. But he didn't drink. He became an exploding ball -of chain lightning, instead. Almost before Dave Dawson's startled eyes -could register what was taking place, Freddy Farmer whipped his right -hand around from behind his back and plucked the redhead's automatic -from its holster. In what was practically the same motion, the English -youth stood up and clubbed the gun down on the redhead's ear. At the -same time Freddy brought up his left clenched fist and landed solidly -on the man's jaw. The man closed his eyes, and folded up like an old -army cot to the floor. - -The English youth didn't so much as watch the redhead crumple. Instead -he brought the automatic down into line with the pilot sitting stunned -at the table on the other side of the room. - -"Don't even wink an eye!" Freddy barked, and slowly sat down again. "I -can put a bullet in your rotten heart from here with my eyes closed. -Keep your hands just as they are on the table. Don't move them an inch, -you dirty blighter!" - - - - -CHAPTER TWELVE - -_Westward To War_ - - -As Freddy Farmer hurled the words at the pilot, he reached down with -his other hand and fumbled with the ropes tied about his ankles. In -less than a minute he had them free. Still keeping his eye on the -pilot, who now was practically green with terror, he went over and -around in back of the man. In less time than it takes to tell about it, -he had his gun. Then he jerked him from his chair and spun him around. - -"Sorry, old thing," he said, tight-lipped. "But you shouldn't say -things like that about America. Next to England, it's the grandest -country on earth." - -The pilot blinked stupidly. Then he closed his eyes for good. He did -so because Freddy Farmer slugged him on the jaw, putting every ounce -of his one hundred and fifty-five pounds behind the blow. The pilot -turned slowly around twice, then fell flat on his face alongside his -unconscious pal. And it was then Dave realized he was not dreaming, and -was able to find his tongue. - -"Holy jumping jellyfish!" he gasped. "I--I thought you'd blown your -top, Freddy. But it was a gag, huh? Boy, oh boy! Me for you, pal, every -day in the week, and twice on Sundays. Gee, Freddy! I'm a no good bum -for thinking--" - -"Quite!" the English youth said with a wide grin. "But I'll forgive you -this once. But speaking of gags. I'll free the Colonel, and then see -about you. Just cool your heels a bit, my little man." - -Moving over to the Colonel, Freddy took the gag away and freed the -senior officer's hands and feet. It wasn't until he was completely free -that the Intelligence chief was able to speak. - -"I'll never forget this, Farmer, never!" he exclaimed in a rush of -words. "One of the finest things I ever saw in my life. I can hardly -believe it even now. It--well, it was like magic. It must have been. -How in blue blazes did you manage to free your hands? Mine were tied so -tight they still feel broken in a dozen places." - -As the Colonel spoke he rubbed his hands and wrists vigorously. Freddy -blushed to the roots of his hair, but there was a pleased grin on his -lips. - -"They tied me pretty tight, too, sir," he said. "But a chap in England -once showed me a trick of holding your hands so that there's still a -little slack no matter how tight they're tied. It doesn't work with -most people. I mean you have to have thin hands, and be able to sort -of fold them up so's they're no thicker than your wrists. Then you can -slide the ropes off, if you work at it long enough. I--well, I was able -to do it. The moaning and the request for a drink was just to get one -of them close enough. I hope you don't think I meant the things I said, -sir." - -"Don't worry," the Colonel said, and slapped Freddy on the shoulder. -"You can say anything you want, at any time, and it will always be -okay with me, after this. I mean it! You make me feel like an amateur, -Farmer. It was wonderful. But let's get these two tied up while they're -still listening to the birdies. What a sweet punch you've got, Farmer. -And at your weight, too! You'd keep Joe Louis busy any time. But let's -get at these two, and get going." - -Freddy and the Colonel bent over the two prostrate forms and started -roping them up hand and foot. Dave watched for a moment, then made -sounds in his throat. - -"Hey!" he shouted. "I'm here, you know!" - -Freddy turned his head and looked at him. Bright lights danced in the -English youth's eyes. - -"Why, so you are," he murmured, and gave the Colonel a quick wink. -"Just who are you? And when did you come in?" - -"Cut the comedy!" Dawson howled. "Get these confounded ropes off me, or -I'll fan your breeches plenty next time I get my hands on you, young -fellow!" - -Freddy shrugged, pursed his lips and cocked an eyebrow at the Colonel. - -"Bit violent, isn't he?" he grunted. "Think we should let him loose, or -wait a bit until he cools down?" - -"I don't know," the Colonel said with a chuckle. "You're the boss. Do -as you think best. Maybe, if he said 'pretty please,' or something." - -"Quite," Freddy said, and turned to Dave. "Say 'pretty please,' and -I'll consider it," he grinned. - -Dave looked daggers, and pressed his lips tightly together. Freddy -sighed, stood up and started brushing dust off his uniform. - -"What do we do now, sir?" he asked, and deliberately turned his back -on Dawson. "Want me to fly you to San Diego, and have somebody come -back for these three? Or--" - -"Okay, okay, you win, you sawed off made in England little runt!" Dave -roared. "Pretty please, confound you. Now untie me, for cat's sake." - -Freddy walked over to him and leveled a reprimanding finger. - -"Such a tone of voice!" he admonished sternly. "Say it nicely, just as -you were taught in school, now." - -Dave turned forty different colors of the rainbow, but he finally -managed to swallow his wrath. - -"Pretty please," he said. "I will remember this moment always. And I -mean _always_, you cluck!" - -Freddy laughed, and in half a minute had Dave free. As he pulled the -last rope loose, he stepped quickly backward and set himself for the -expected rush. But Dave simply rubbed his hands and wrists and glared -at him. - -"Relax!" he growled. "I'm going to save this one up, you betcha! And -when the right time comes, will you sing a song and dance a dance for -me! Kidding aside, though, Freddy, that was something. I really mean -it. Boy! Can you always come up with something new! But don't think -that means I'm going to forget, you little bum. My turn will come." - -Freddy grinned at him impishly, and then both stopped their horse play -and turned serious eyes toward the Colonel. - -"We can still make San Diego with time to spare, sir," Dave said with a -glance at his watch. "Are we going to take those two along with us?" - -"We certainly are," the Colonel said, and pointed a finger at the -pilot. "That one is just ripe to be cracked wide open. He'll blab -everything he knows to save his own neck. I've met his type often. Hard -as nails on the surface, but completely yellow underneath." - -"It's pretty hard to believe that a couple of Americans would stoop -this low," Dave said, tight-lipped. "But I suppose the Axis has a fifth -column working here in the States just as they had in every other -country they tackled." - -"True enough," the Colonel replied with a nod. "And as the saying -goes, some men will sell their souls for gold. Those two are the type. -Country and flag don't mean a thing to them. Something twisted inside -of them. They weren't put together right in the first place. But this -is a big thing for my bureau, boys! And for the F.B.I., too. I have -a hunch I know who their big boss is--a man the F.B.I.'s been after -for weeks. There'll be a welcoming committee waiting for him tonight. -Have no fear of that. Before we get going, however, I want to have a -quick look around here. Give me a hand. Maybe we'll find something of -importance. We've got an hour or so, haven't we?" - -"Easy," Dave replied. "Shall we hunt for something special?" - -"Hunt for anything!" the Colonel said grimly. "And pray for a miracle -find." - -Exactly one hour and six minutes later they had finished going over -the room with fine tooth comb thoroughness. The net result was a batch -of papers that the Colonel clutched in his hand. A couple of them had -lists of names and addresses. The others were covered with messages -that were all in code, and couldn't be broken down right at the moment. -The Colonel was pleased with the results, but there was just the -slightest gleam of disappointment in his eyes. Dave saw the gleam and -wondered. - -"We didn't find the miracle, sir?" he asked. "What was it?" - -The Colonel tapped the papers and shook his head. - -"It could be in this stuff, but I doubt it," he said. "I mean a clue -that would help us with the Carrier Indian business. However, I don't -think--" - -The chief of U. S. Intelligence suddenly stopped, and a cold hard -glint came into his eyes. He turned around and stared down at the two -trussed up men on the floor. Both had recovered consciousness and were -watching him out of eyes brimming with terror. The Colonel eyed them -for a moment, then stepped forward and deliberately picked up one of -the two automatics Freddy had placed on the table. Turning, he sighted -the gun and pulled the trigger. The gun roared sound and flame. A hole -appeared in the floor a half inch from the redhead's left ear, and the -man screamed like a stuck pig. Colonel Welsh leveled the gun again and -drilled a hole in the floor a half inch from the redhead's other ear. - -"See?" he barked. "I know a little about trick shooting, myself. Okay. -How's this for a bull's-eye? Right between those two. Right on the end -of your nose!" - -The man screamed and writhed about on the floor. - -"Don't, don't!" he gasped. "Oh, please don't, Colonel! Don't let me -have it." - -"Then what about your brother rat aboard the Carrier Indian?" Colonel -Welsh thundered. "Who is he? What name is he using? What's his rank? -Speak up, you! I've got an itchy trigger finger, too!" - -The redhead gasped, and gurgled, and choked, and sobbed in a desperate -effort to get the words out of his mouth in a hurry. - -"I don't know, I don't know!" he cried. "We don't know anything about -the Carrier Indian. Honestly, we don't, Colonel. We just got orders -to stop you and these two kids from getting to San Diego. We only got -orders to stop them from going aboard the Indian. We don't know nothing -about her, honest to Pete. We don't even know why our boss didn't want -them two kids to go aboard. That's the truth, on my word of honor." - -"You have no honor!" the Colonel told him coldly. Then he slowly -sighted the gun on a point between the pilot's eyes. "Well?" he -demanded. "You tell me then!" - -The pilot turned white as a sheet under his beard, and looked as if he -were going to faint. His eyes popped way out, and spittle drooled out -the corners of his mouth. - -"I don't know either!" he cried hoarsely. "So help me, Colonel, I'm -willing to spill everything I know. But I don't know a thing about the -Indian business. Go on, shoot me right between the eyes if I'm telling -you any lie. We just manned this station. And like he said, we got -orders to stop those two from going aboard the Indian. So help me! -That's the truth!" - -Colonel Welsh hesitated, then shrugged and stuck the gun in his pocket. - -"It was too much to hope for, anyway," he muttered more to himself. -"Let's get going. You lads get the plane started while I lug these two -outside. A mighty big day for America so far. Now, if only you two -can--" - -The senior officer sighed and let the rest hang in the air. Then he -bent over, caught each man by the heels, and hauled them out into the -brilliant sunshine like a couple of logs. They yelped and babbled with -pain, but the Colonel had deaf ears. Twenty minutes later the two fifth -column prisoners were stowed aboard the Stinson, and the plane's props -were ticking over. Dave and Freddy had refilled the tanks from tins of -gas they found in the second shack. The shiny thing that Dave had seen -under the trees from the air proved to be a high speed Waco fitted with -two machine guns. For a moment they debated whether or not one of them -should fly it back. On second thought, though, they decided it was best -for them all to stick together in the same ship, and let somebody else -pick up the Waco later. - -"Okay, all aboard!" Dave finally announced, and gave Freddy a friendly -slap on the back. "Go on and fly her, pal. You've sure earned the -honor. And, heck, my nerves can stand anything, now." - -"I knew the compliment would have a nasty ending to it!" the English -youth growled, and shook his head. "No, fly her yourself. I've done my -share of work today. Besides, you know this neck of the world. I don't." - -"Well, somebody fly it!" Colonel Welsh shouted from inside the cabin. -"We've still got to get to San Diego, you know. Come on, snap it up, -you two!" - -"Okay!" Dave growled, and shouldered Freddy Farmer out of the way. "If -I must I must. Who was your slave last year, Mister?" - -"Same chap," Freddy said with a chuckle. "And his good manners haven't -improved a bit. San Diego, my good man! And in a bit of a hurry, -please!" - -"Very good, sir!" Dave grunted and made a face. "And you can guess what -I'm _thinking_!" - - - - -CHAPTER THIRTEEN - -_Death Strikes Often_ - - -A huge ball of gold and red hung balanced on the western lip of -the world. Shafts of shimmering fire radiated out from it in all -directions. They filled the sky with a mixture of shades that ranged -from a delicate pink to blood red. They bathed the earth with the same -hues, and seemed actually to creep into every nook and corner. The line -of planes on the San Diego field looked like the work of an imaginative -artist on nature's canvas rather than the real thing. It was a sight -to hold the eye and catch the breath--but Dave Dawson stared at it and -wasn't even conscious of what he was looking at. - -He and Freddy Farmer were in the field Commandant's office, waiting for -Colonel Welsh to show up. But that was just the trouble. They had been -waiting for three solid hours for the Intelligence chief to return from -wherever he had gone. Three hours before Dave had put the Stinson down -on the field. At Colonel Welsh's order he had taxied it straight into -an empty hangar and cut the engines. The Colonel had jumped out and -disappeared for five minutes. He had returned with the field's C.O. and -a half dozen mechanics, and a closed car. The two fifth columnists had -been dumped in the car, and driven away. After hasty introductions to -the field Commandant, the Colonel had led them over to the field office -and told them to wait for him to return. - -That had been three hours ago, and they were still waiting. - -"Stop worrying, and come finish this food they sent over," Freddy -Farmer presently broke the silence. "Good grief, Dave, it doesn't do -any good to wear out the floor like that. Come on and have some more to -eat. Eggs, mind you! I haven't had an egg since I don't know when." - -"You and your stomach!" Dave grated, and half turned from the window. -"You should choke on them. Look out there. The Indian! If they're -not getting ready to weigh anchor, then I'm nuts! Where is that guy, -anyway? He should have told us that--Jeepers!" - -Freddy stopped some egg halfway to his mouth and looked up. - -"What?" he demanded. "What's the matter?" - -"The Colonel," Dave said with an effort. "I mean--I sure hope nothing's -happened to him." - -Freddy Farmer considered that for a moment, then shrugged and carried -the egg the rest of the way to his mouth. - -"Not likely, I think," he finally said. "Probably got those two chaps -to talk. Maybe it's made a difference. I mean, maybe he's decided to -call off this Indian show. Wouldn't mind that at all. They might post -us here at this field. Wonderful food, you know." - -"It certainly _sounds_ good!" Dave cracked. Then, glancing out the -window again: "I sure hope they don't call off the show. That Indian -looks pretty nice to me out there. I could go for a trip on her. -Besides, I'm itching to take a whack or six at those dirty Japs. I -think I hate them worse than the Nazis, Freddy." - -"Me, too, if that's possible," the English youth replied. "But I was -really talking just to hear myself. I'd like a trip on the Indian, -too. She's the latest of her class, and should have everything. Also, -according to the Colonel, she's steaming out to do battle. I could -fancy a little combat work. Doesn't pay to get rusty. My, but that meal -was good!" - -"What a man!" Dave sighed at the window. "On an empty stomach he's not -worth a dime. Fill him up and he's a one man air force, and raring to -go. He's--" - -Dave stopped short and wheeled quickly as the door opened and Colonel -Welsh came inside. The man's face was grim, and there was the look of -angry defeat in his eyes. - -"Sorry I took so long, fellows," he said, and dropped into a chair. "I -had to check up on a few things, and get a few things underway. Took -longer than I figured." - -"Those rats told the truth, eh?" Dave grunted. "They still don't know a -thing about the Indian?" - -The Colonel shook his head and clenched his two fists in a helpless -gesture. - -"Not a thing!" he got out savagely. "But they seem to be the only two -who don't." - -"What do you mean by that, sir?" Freddy asked. - -"Well, I don't mean it exactly the way I put it," the Colonel said with -a shake of his head. "But it seems the entire Axis organization in this -country has found out that their agent aboard the Indian has stolen the -battle plans of the carrier, and that I was to put four men aboard to -try and trap him and nail him to the mast. Those two agents of mine, -and you two." - -"Your two agents got aboard last night, sir?" Dave prompted as the -senior officer stopped talking abruptly. - -"No," was the bitter reply. "They were shot and killed as they stepped -into the waiting tender at the Navy pier." - -"Shot?" Dave gasped. "Gee! That was tough. I hope the killers were -caught." - -"They were, and captured dead," the Colonel said bluntly. "Two -waterfront rats. Looked that, anyway. One a Jap, obviously. The other -looked like a German. No papers or anything on him, though. So he could -have been almost any nationality. But the important thing is, that I -found the leak in my own organization. I put through a call to Captain -Lamb and he told me. He'd sent word to our San Diego office last night -for me to contact him at once. I called him, and--" - -"The bloke reading the book in your outer office!" Freddy Farmer cried. - -"The man who ran the elevator!" Dave exclaimed. - -Colonel Welsh caught his breath and shot a hard look at Dawson. - -"How did you know?" he demanded. - -"I didn't," Dave replied. "But I had a hunch it might be one of those -two. It had to be somebody close to you, and--well, Freddy had already -picked the one in the outer office." - -"It was the one who brought you up in the elevator," Colonel Welsh -said with an effort. "It's--it's things like this that almost make me -lose faith. That man had been in the bureau for six years. For four -years before that he was connected with Secret Service. His record was -spotless. And the amazing part is that he had performed some valuable -services for me. But that goes to show you the finesse of the Gestapo -and Nazi agent technique. Shows you how long ago Hitler laid plans for -America. I would have staked my life on Babson, but--" - -The officer paused and gestured despairingly. - -"But of course I would have lost my life!" he suddenly bit off. "But -for an accident I'd never have found out, perhaps. And who knows what -else that would have cost us? He was taking Lamb down late last night. -As he opened the doors a slip of paper fell out of his pocket. Lamb -caught it in mid-air, and was starting to hand it back when he saw -what was on the paper. It was a bit of code, obviously jotted down in -a hurry. But it was a code that only Lamb and I knew, not another -soul in the world. For years he and I have been working on a code that -can't possibly be broken down by any of the experts. We thought we had -found it. Kept our papers on it in a safe. Only Lamb and I knew the -combination--we thought." - -"What happened, sir?" Freddy asked eagerly as Colonel Welsh let his -voice trail off into silence. "Did Captain Lamb make the dirty beggar -confess?" - -The chief of U. S. Intelligence shook his head. - -"He didn't have time," he said. "Babson realized instantly that he'd -never in the world be able to explain his possession of that bit of -copied code. His only hope was quick action, and flight. He went for -his gun. Lamb didn't give me the details of the fight. He won, and -Babson is dead. Then Lamb got busy. He began with the little office -Babson used on the ground floor. He--It seems incredible! I thought -that Lamb was crazy, or blind drunk, and making it up. But he wasn't, -of course. Babson had actually installed a dictograph in our working -room. The other end was in his office. The wire led out behind the -files, under the corridor boards and down the elevator shaft, and -under the lobby floor to his office. He could hear every word we said -up there. How he learned that safe combination, we'll probably never -find out. In his Washington hotel room Lamb found enough stuff to hang -the man a dozen times over. Too bad we won't be able to do it. I feel -like going out and shooting myself. I'm the one responsible, of course. -One of my own trusted men! That's the worst of it!" - -The Colonel gave a bewildered shake of his head, and groaned heavily. - -"That's war, I guess," Dave murmured sympathetically. "And the same -thing has happened in other countries, sir. It isn't going to help any -to take it too hard, you know. Anyway, the rat is dead, and the leak is -plugged up. That's something, at least." - -"But mighty little!" the Colonel said bitterly. Then, stabbing a -finger at the window facing the harbor, he grated, "There's the Indian -out there. In an hour she weighs anchor. Aboard her is the most -dangerous rat of all. He possesses information that could well mean the -difference between victory and defeat if it falls into Jap hands. We -can't hold the Indian. She's got to sail. Without her the whole battle -plan is mixed up. Yet if she sails and we don't catch that scoundrel, -who knows what will happen? I had hoped, but--well, now that's all -shot, too." - -"What's all shot, sir?" Dave asked quickly. - -"The job I had planned for you and Farmer aboard the Indian," the -Colonel replied. "It was a wild hope even at best, but now it isn't -even that. The rats know why I wanted you two aboard her. True, maybe -the man you're after doesn't know. I've a feeling, though, he does. -The way things have gone, I feel certain they got word to him somehow. -If they did, he'd know exactly why you were there the moment you came -over the side. And--well, to put it bluntly, he's killed twice already. -Twice more wouldn't bother him if he suspected you were getting close -to him. He'd--" - -"We can watch our step," Dave cut in grimly. - -"Too great a risk," the Colonel replied. "You see, it wouldn't be a -matter of your actually getting close, but the matter of his _thinking_ -that you _were_ close. He'd know who you were, and why you were aboard. -The advantage would be all his. It would be unfair to ask any man to -tackle a job like that." - -"I don't fancy so, sir," Freddy Farmer spoke up quietly. "After all, -rats usually do have all the advantage until you get them cornered. -Supposing he does know why we're there? Let him, I say. It's a job to -be done, and somebody's got to tackle it, sir. Good grief! If somebody -doesn't go after the blighter, it's like letting the Indian sail with a -lighted fuse leading to her powder magazine." - -"I check on that, too, sir!" Dave cried eagerly. "Freddy and I aren't -trying to toot our horns, Colonel. Maybe we'll fall flat on our faces. -But maybe we won't. However, at least we'll be aboard in case something -does turn up that gives us a clue." - -"Yes, of course," the Colonel grunted, and frowned. "That's quite true. -But you could be throwing your lives away--and uselessly, too. You two -helped accomplish something almost as big today, perhaps even bigger. I -can't say yet. But capturing those two American born rats was a mighty -big step toward smashing a lot of the Fifth Column business in this -country. I mean that, too. That place was one of their arsenals where -they've cached guns to be used when Berlin sends the order to strike -at the United States from within. It's one of several arsenals located -about the country. Those papers contained names and addresses of key -men in their organization. And right now some of my agents, and F.B.I. -agents, are waiting in that shack for the so-called big boss. His -capture alone will be something mighty big. Yes, you two played a major -part today in nipping something big in the bud. So it isn't fair to ask -you to--" - -"Okay, okay!" Dave suddenly snapped. "If you don't think we rate a -crack at it, then have the Indian sail without us. I'm willing to take -the chance. So's Freddy. But if you think we'd mess up things, then -skip it. Let it slide." - -The Colonel blinked and gave Dave a startled look. It wasn't every day -that a junior officer flung words into his teeth, and it caught him -completely off balance. - -"But it's you I'm thinking of!" he blurted out. "I--" - -"Oh, quite!" Freddy snapped him off. "We understand perfectly! We -bungled it last night, Dave and I, not getting away from that beggar in -the Waco. Shouldn't let him hit the engine. Yet, we'd probably make a -worse mess of things if you sent us aboard the Indian." - -"Now, that's not true!" the Colonel shouted. Then, sucking in his -breath: "You two are making me mad. You're taking it the wrong way. -I--" - -"And how do you think _we_ feel?" Dave stepped right in on him. "Last -night you had a job for us to tackle. We might click on it, or we might -muff it. You didn't have a thing for us to work on. But at least we -were going to have a crack at it, and be aboard a ship that's going -into action. Well, have you any more for us to work on, now, than you -had last night? No. Not a thing more. The only difference is that the -rat aboard knows we're coming aboard. At least we think he knows. But -we're not even sure of _that_! Yet--well, holy catfish! Now you want to -call everything off because the other guy holds more cards than we do; -because we might get hurt. Look, Colonel! What do you think Freddy and -I have been doing with the enemy ever since we got into the Royal Air -Force? Playing snowball with them? We run the risk of being blacked out -for keeps. So what? Doggone it! We've seen enough of this war to know -it's no tea party." - -"Exactly, and absolutely!" Freddy Farmer echoed vigorously as Dave ran -out of breath. - -Colonel Welsh glared at them for a full ten seconds. Then his stern -face slowly broke into a grin, and he gave a little baffled shake of -his head. - -"Wild men!" he grunted. "I don't believe either of you knows even how -to spell common sense. But maybe that's been the secret of your war -success. That, and cold courage. All right, you win. You sail with the -Indian. I'll see that you're put aboard the tender and taken out to -her. The least I can do is spare your lives as long as I can." - -"You mean because of what happened to your two agents last night?" Dave -asked with a grin. - -Colonel Welsh stood up and shook his head. - -"No," he said. "The tender will leave in secret from a point up the -shore, and the Indian's Captain will be informed of your coming. No, -I mean sparing your lives for a while by sending you out officially. -Otherwise, you two would probably try to swim out to her and be shot in -the water by the deck watch. So I'll send you officially, and--well, -God bless both of you--and keep you in His shadow. Amen!" - - - - -CHAPTER FOURTEEN - -_Invisible Walls_ - - -Her engines turning over at close to top speed, the Aircraft Carrier -Indian sliced her bow through the sky blue waters of the Pacific on a -southwesterly course. To port and to starboard her destroyer escort -scooted and twisted about like little smoke-belching water bugs having -a field day. High in the air and several miles out in front, the -advance scouting section winged along with all eyes on the watch for -the first sign of possible enemy interference. - -For eight days, now, the Indian had been racing across the vast Pacific -for her rendezvous with the cruiser squadron and other navy craft that -were to make the surprise attack on the Jap-occupied Marshall Islands. -For eight days, and eight nights, racing westward and southward toward -a well planned blow, and victory. Yet it might not be victory but -disaster and death. For eight days and eight nights Freddy Farmer and -Dave Dawson had played an active part in the life aboard that mighty -ship of eagle's wings. They had made new friends, they had thrilled to -the thunder and the power of their Douglas Devastator torpedo bomber as -they went ripping off the carrier's flight deck and up into the blue -Pacific sky for their daily practice patrol trick. They had felt once -again the tingling excitement of the alert alarm, and the hunt for -possible enemy craft in adjacent waters. - -It had been eight days and nights of new things, a new routine, new -orders, new faces, almost a new language in a new world. They were -a part of what would be in not so many months to come the mightiest -fighting force in all the world's history. It was perfect, it was -tops--but it was not enough. Not enough, because with each passing -hour, each passing day, their own personal defeat drew closer and -closer. Eight days, and eight nights, and they were no nearer to -accomplishing their special mission than they had been the very first -moment they heard details of it fall from Colonel Welsh's lips way back -in Washington, D. C. - -"It really is an invisible wall this time, Dave," Freddy Farmer -muttered bitterly as he and Dawson sunned themselves in the flight -deck crash nets on the starboard side. "We might as well admit it. We -haven't the faintest idea who the blighter might be. For all we know, -he's already passed on his blasted information to the Japs; tossed it -over the side at night, with a delayed flare bomb, for some trailing -Jap submarine to sight and pick up. Blast it all! For all we know, the -blighter may not be aboard at all." - -"You're telling me?" Dave groaned, and rolled over on his stomach. -"For all we know he's been watching us every minute, and laughing his -darned head off. When I let fly at Colonel Welsh back there in San -Diego--and it's a wonder he didn't knock me kicking for my lip--I felt -sort of cocky. I had a hunch that we'd be sure to trip over a break. -What, I had no idea. But we've gone into things before with our heads -down, and nothing else but a prayer. And somehow we managed to barge -or stumble into something that paid off. But this? We're just a couple -of guys without a prayer. Doggone it, Freddy! I haven't even met a guy -aboard this ship I didn't like at once. And that goes for the ratings, -as well as the officers. Nuts! I guess I must have expected to see some -ugly-faced bird with dark glasses and a fake mustache sneaking around -the flight deck at night. It's got me stopped cold." - -"Me too!" Freddy said with a heavy sigh. "I heard a story once of -something that happened in the last war. It was in a camp in England, -an infantry training camp. A spy was sabotaging things, causing gun -accidents, and several chaps were hurt. Well, they hunted high and low -for the lad, but no go. Then one of the chaps working on the case got -an idea. One evening when all the men were in barracks, and lights were -out, he went from barracks to barracks, popped open the door, switched -on the lights and yelled, 'Attention!' in German. In the third barracks -a chap leaped out of his bed and sprang to attention. He was the -blighter they wanted. German Army training drilled into him, you know. -He reacted to the German command automatically." - -"I get it!" Dave snorted. "So we should go all over the ship yelling -'Attention!' in German? Nice, but I've got a better idea. We dress up -to look like Hitler and cover the ship. The first bird who gives us the -Nazi salute we throw to the deck and nail him down. Then we search his -quarters and find the stolen plans. It would be a cinch, but I guess -there aren't any Hitler uniforms aboard. Too bad! We'll have to think -up something else." - -"Well, I certainly didn't offer it as a suggestion!" Freddy Farmer -muttered. "Frankly, the best thing we could do would be to throw -ourselves overboard. It would at least put an end to _our_ worries." - -"Nope, that's out," Dave grunted. "The darn thing would still haunt me -wherever I went. And no crack, now, about _where_ I'd go! Nope! We're -stuck. Our only hope is a break, some kind of a break--any kind. Heck! -I wonder if I'd be able to recognize a break even if it stepped up and -kicked me in the face. Oh-oh! Something's going to happen, maybe!" - -As Dave spoke the last he sat up and watched the young watch officer -come striding across the deck toward him. The youth was about their -age, and held an ensign's rank. He grinned as he approached and jerked -a thumb aft. - -"All pilots wanted in the Ready Room, Lieutenants," he announced. -"Executive Flight Officer's orders." - -"Something up?" Dave asked eagerly. - -"Could be," the Ensign said with a shrug. "But maybe the flying's been -sloppy, too. You never can tell when the Exec gets in the mood to -crack down. Luck, anyway." - -Dave and Freddy thanked him and went scurrying aft and down the steps -to 'tween decks and the Ready Room. The place was already half filled, -and other pilots came hurrying in after them. There was an air of eager -expectancy about the room that seemed to charge it with high voltage -electricity. The Executive Flight Officer, and the Senior Section -Leader, stood waiting on the little raised platform at the far end of -the room. Behind them hung a huge detailed chart of that section of the -Pacific west and south of the Hawaiian Islands. Colored pins dotted -its surface, and the bright light hung above it made the little pins -glitter and sparkle like so many precious stones. Five minutes after -Dave and Freddy arrived the room was packed, the doors were closed, and -a hushed silence had settled down. The Executive Flight Officer cleared -his throat, stepped to the edge of the platform, and grinned faintly. - -"Don't get in too much of a sweat," he said. "This doesn't mean that -Battle Stations is going to sound in the next hour or so. However, -we're getting close to the rendezvous point, and there's some work for -us to do. In short, we're steaming into Jap waters now, more or less, -and we don't want to be caught with our wings folded. In fact, if we -are to run into unexpected action, we want to be ready to throw the -first punch, and make it count." - -The senior officer paused, walked back to the map and touched a little -gold-headed pin. - -"That's the Indian," he said. "That's our position right now. We're a -day's run from the cruiser squadron we are to meet, but we're plenty -near some of the Pacific islands that the Japs may be using for -submarine fuel bases. In the air, or on deck, we've got to be on our -toes every minute from now on. A torpedo or two in us now, and the -whole operation would be in danger of complete collapse. Also, we've -got to watch out for any Jap surface ships that may be on the hunt -for us. That's where you fellows come in. You've got to find any such -ships, and give them the works, before they can get the chance to spot -the Indian and her escort. In short, you fellows have got to see to it -that _nothing_ gets near the Indian from here on in." - -The Executive Flight Officer paused again, and shrugged. - -"Of course it's quite possible that we won't run into any trouble -at all," he said presently. "Maybe we'll just waste gas and oil -maintaining a constant patrol. That's unimportant, though. The point -is, we can't run any risks of getting snarled up in any kind of an -engagement before we make the rendezvous. So from now on every one of -you is on constant twenty-four-hour duty. The section patrols are all -plotted. Your own Section Leader will give you your chart copy each -time you take the air. Stick to the course plotted for you, and don't -worry about what the other fellow is doing. Just tend to your own -knitting. Now, here's one thing to remember every second of the time -you're away from the carrier." - -The Executive Flight Officer stopped talking again, and took time out -to rake the room full of pilots with his steel grey eyes. - -"Keep your radios silent all the time!" he finally said. "If you are -shot down, or forced down on the water, then it'll be just too bad for -you. Somebody else will have to pick you up. Neither the Indian nor -any of its escorting destroyers are turning back for anybody. So don't -expect help if you go down. You won't get it. The chance of meeting -enemy ships in these waters, particularly submarines, is too great to -warrant risking any rescue work. So keep your radios silent, and--well, -keep your wings up out of the wet stuff. That's all, except that -Commander Brattle, here, has rearranged the sections, and made up a -new flight board. He'll give you all the dope on the patrol schedules. -Thumbs up, to all of you!" - -Half an hour later Commander Brattle had had his say and the patrol -schedules were perfectly clear to all concerned. Dave and Freddy were -to fly the Number Two plane in Section Eight. Their first patrol trick -was due in three hours. They were to fly a patrol course due north -of the steaming carrier, cover an area of several hundred square -miles, and be back on the flight deck just before darkness. It was the -toughest patrol trick of any, for the simple reason that it was the -last one before darkness set in, and flying was washed-out until early -dawn. If by any chance they got lost and were forced to spend precious -time locating the Indian, they would be out of luck. They wouldn't be -able to land after dark. And if by any chance they went down in the -water, they would first have to survive many hours of darkness floating -about on the water before they could even begin to hope for rescue. - -It was a tough patrol trick to fly, but the very fact that it was tough -set Dave's heart thumping in eager expectation. Luck alone had placed -them in that section, because the section members and patrol schedules -had been arranged by drawing lots. In that way every man stood an equal -chance to get a tough assignment or an easy one. And all possibility -of favoritism went completely out the porthole. Luck, yes, but it made -Dave and Freddy feel good just the same to be handed one of the tough -patrols. - -As they trooped out of the Ready Room along with the others, they -winked happily at each other, and for the moment forgot the real reason -for their presence aboard the Indian. The Executive Flight Officer had -not said much about the possibility of meeting action, but he didn't -have to. Every pilot knew that the constant patrol schedule wouldn't -have been set up if it weren't pretty certain that enemy sea and air -forces were lurking about in the immediate vicinity of the Indian and -her destroyers, if not directly in her path ahead. Come nightfall and -at least some of Uncle Sam's Navy eagles would have gone into action. - -"And I sure hope it means us!" Dave echoed the thought aloud, as he and -Freddy walked forward along the flight deck. "And how, I do!" - -"Do what?" Freddy asked. "What's buzzing in that brain of yours now?" - -"That we see some action," Dave replied, and jerked his thumb toward -the north. "You know, Freddy, I've got a hunch. I've got a hunch, sure -as shooting." - -"You usually have," the English youth sighed. "What is it this time?" - -Dave stopped walking, half turned, and faced his pal. - -"The break we've been hoping for, praying for," he said in a low voice -that was tight and full of excitement. "I have a hunch we're going to -get that break. Wait, now! As the Exec said, we're in enemy waters now. -From now until tomorrow night when we make the rendezvous, that unknown -skunk aboard this Carrier is going to try and make contact with the -Japs. I feel dead certain that he hasn't made any effort yet. He's been -lying doggo until the Indian got into enemy waters. Beginning with now, -though, he's going to try and make that contact." - -"Well," Freddy muttered with a scowl, "as you would say, so what? How's -he going to make contact? How are we going to know it? How are we going -to be able to spot him? We haven't the faintest idea who he is, one of -the officers, or one of the men. Maybe he's just an engine wiper buried -down deep below decks. Maybe--" - -"No, you're wrong there," Dave interrupted. "I've figured it out -that he is either one of the pilots, or one of the mechanics. Nobody -but pilots and mechanics have access to the flight hangar, you know. -And that's where Commander Jackson and Lieutenant Commander Pollard -were killed. No, I've figured all along that the man we're after is -connected with the actual flying end aboard ship." - -"Again, so what?" Freddy grunted. "Even suppose that he's one of the -pilots? And I personally have the feeling that he is. What help is -that? We're flying in only one section, one patrol trick. He could be -in one of the other sections. He could take off, make his contact when -out of sight of the Indian, and return on schedule, and neither you nor -I be one bit the wiser." - -"You're such a help!" Dave growled. "I know. Heck! Maybe I'm talking -just to make myself feel good. I don't know. Just the same, I've got a -hunch that that break is going to pop for us, and soon. A mighty strong -hunch, too." - -Freddy Farmer pursed his lips, and then let a little sigh slip between -them. - -"Well, I'm certainly not pulling against you," he murmured. "You have -more hunches than a stray dog has fleas. But if I ever hoped and prayed -that one of them would come true, it's certainly this one. And I mean -that from the bottom of my heart." - -"Then keep praying!" Dave said grimly as an eerie chill suddenly -rippled through him. "And meantime, it might be a good idea for us to -watch our step. I've got another hunch somebody's been watching _us_!" - - - - -CHAPTER FIFTEEN - -_Battle Stations_ - - -It lacked twenty minutes to take-off time, and Dave was hurrying -through the hangar deck to go top side and report to his Section -Leader, when suddenly a groan off to his left slowed him up. He heard -the groan again, and stopped in his tracks and stared hard into the -shadows beyond some parked bombers. An instant later he saw two feet -sticking out from under a wing. He bent over and scrambled under the -wing. A man lay stretched out on the deck. His eyes were closed, -there was a blood-smeared cut on the left side of his head, and he -was groaning as he struggled weakly to force himself up to a sitting -position. - -Dave cried out in sharp alarm and gave the man a helping hand. The man -was Freddy Farmer, and he was acting as though a building had just -dropped down on top of him. - -"Easy, Freddy, old pal!" Dave soothed, and put his arm about his chum. -"Take it easy. Lean on me. It's Dave. Gosh! What happened, Freddy? Are -you okay?" - -The sound of Dawson's voice pried open the English youth's eyes. It was -a few seconds before he could focus his eyes on Dave's face, and even -then they held a blank, befuddled look. - -"I don't know," he mumbled, and gingerly touched his fingers to the cut -on his head. "Ouch! My blasted head feels in six different pieces. I -don't know what happened, Dave. Some chap bashed me, but I don't know -who. I didn't see him. I--" - -Freddy paused and glanced about as though to make sure where he was. -His eyes opened wide in surprise. - -"But I was way over there on the port side!" he gasped. "Just about to -go up that companion ladder to the flight deck when suddenly I got a -terrific bash on the head. I didn't hear anything, or see--Wait, Dave! -I didn't see his face, but I remember seeing his legs as I fell down. -He was wearing pilot's jumpers, so it must have been one of the pilots. -It--Good grief, Dave!" - -"Check!" Dave breathed excitedly. "Our rat friend has made himself -known. This is the break, Freddy! This is the break!" - -"Break, my hat!" the English youth growled, and slowly got up onto his -feet. "You call having my head practically bushed in, a break? The -beggar probably thought he'd killed me, and didn't bother to make sure. -Just dragged me over here and left me to be found a corpse." - -"And what a lucky corpse you turned out to be!" Dave said with a tight -chuckle. "Hold everything, pal. Don't take things too fast. You got a -nasty crack. A clean one, though. The ship's surgeon will fix you up in -no time. Here, hang on me, and we'll go hunt him up." - -"I'm all right!" Freddy protested, and hung back. "Stick to the -subject. How do you figure my coming a cropper was a break? I certainly -don't follow you there!" - -"Sure it's a break," Dave said excitedly. "The luckiest break you and I -ever bumped into. And it was certainly luck, all of it. Don't you see, -Freddy? Our little rat friend is worried. He's not sure whether we've -got him spotted or not. He's got a job to do, see? He wants to be sure -he'll be able to do the job, so he tries to remove us from the picture -by crowning you. Get it?" - -"Of course I don't get it!" Freddy Farmer snapped. "You're talking in -blasted riddles, Dave. Make sense!" - -"Look, pal!" Dave said slowly. "We know darn well now that he's a -pilot, don't we?" - -"Well, the lad who bashed me was, and is, a pilot," the English youth -admitted with a nod that made him wince. - -"Okay, he's a pilot," Dave continued. "That means he plans to make -contact with the Japs by air, when out on patrol. He doesn't know if -we are keeping an eye on him, so he slugs you so that we won't go on -patrol this trick. See?" - -"But what if we don't make the patrol?" Freddy cried. "What's that--?" - -"For cat's sake, get it, Freddy!" Dave almost shouted. "It means that -_he is in our section_! It means that he is in our section and tried -to make sure that we wouldn't be aloft to keep our eye on what he did. -Don't you see? It _has_ to be that. If he were flying with some other -section, it wouldn't matter to him whether we flew our patrol trick -or not. But we're in the same section. So he lays you out just before -take-off time, figuring that before I can be assigned somebody else to -fly with me our section will be off and on its way. And I'll have to -wait over, or go off with the next section." - -"Good grief, yes, of course!" Freddy Farmer breathed fiercely as his -eyes got as big as dinner plates. "For once, you're absolutely right, -Dave. The beggar is in our section. He has to be." - -"Doggone right!" Dave echoed, and took hold of Freddy's arm. "Now -you come on aft to the sick bay, and get fixed up. I've got to work -fast and get the Exec to assign me somebody else to take your place. -Perhaps--" - -"Somebody to take _my_ place!" Freddy Farmer cried angrily. "Over my -dead body! That's rot. I'm making the patrol with you. I--" - -"But, Freddy, you got slammed pretty--" - -"You can shut your trap, Dave Dawson!" the English youth snapped -viciously. "After all this waiting, if you think I'm going to go on -waiting while you make this patrol and perhaps get yourself into no end -of trouble, then you're completely balmy. Now, let go of my arm, and -stand aside, or you'll be the one to get bashed. And I mean it, Dave. -I'd still make this patrol even if the blighter had broken both my arms -and both my legs." - -Dave hesitated a fraction of a second, then shrugged and sighed. - -"You always were a hard-headed cuss," he grunted. "So I guess maybe he -didn't do so much damage as that. Okay, you old war horse. No sense -our breaking up the furniture. Come along. But let's both keep our eyes -skinned as we go topside. Look for a show of surprise on anybody's -face. Do you suppose he's two guys? The pilot and the rear gunner?" - -"I don't care if he's a whole blasted squadron!" Freddy Farmer growled -as he pulled his helmet over his wounded head. "All I want is to see -the beggar make a slip, and be able to get at him. Nobody can bash my -head, and least of all some skunk Axis spy. Let's go." - -Keeping step, the pair hurried across the hangar deck and went topside. -Six Douglas Devastator torpedo bombers had been rolled into take-off -position, and were waiting with props ticking over. There was a pilot -and gunner in each of five of the planes, and as Dave and Freddy -trotted toward their plane they cast keen glances at the flying members -of their section. But it didn't gain them a thing. As a matter of fact, -not a helmeted and goggled head was turned as they loped across the -flight deck and legged into their Devastator that was parked in number -four take-off position. - -Two minutes later they were all set and ready to go. A minute after -that a flight officer came along the line of planes and handed each -pilot a copy of his patrol chart. And five minutes after that the -Flight Operations officer on the flight bridge pointed his finger at -the Number One plane, and nodded. The engine of that Devastator roared -up in full throated song, the deck mechanics stepped back from the -wing tips, and the plane rolled forward, picking up speed with every -revolution of its propeller. In less than nothing flat it was a moving -battle grey streak that finally let go of the deck and went curving -upward over the bow of the Indian toward the blue heavens above. - -Hardly had the Number One plane cleared its wheels before the Flight -Operations officer stabbed his finger at the Number Two plane. It -streaked off in a thunderous roar, and the finger was pointed at the -Number Three plane. Then Four, then Five, and then Six, and the patrol -was in the air climbing for altitude before taking up formation for the -flight far out over the reaches of the Pacific. - -Flying with the nonchalant ease, yet constant alertness, that comes -with experience, Dave held the Devastator steady and twisted around to -glance back at Freddy Farmer. The English youth was just a wee bit pale -about the gills, but there was a bright look in his eyes, and a tight -grin on his lips. Dave winked and nodded down at the Indian. - -"Want to change your mind, pal?" he called out. "I can take you down -with no trouble at all. How do you feel?" - -"Never better!" Freddy shouted. "Just take me down, and it'll be the -last landing you'll ever make. I'm up here to stay, my little man!" - -Dave laughed, but there was just a little tightness to it. - -"And do I hope that's the truth!" he cried. "Didn't see anything as we -went to the plane, did you?" - -"Not a sign," Freddy replied. "I don't think any of them even looked at -us. Maybe he figured he'd done the job good on me, and that only five -planes would take the air." - -"Well, the rat knows different now!" Dave grated, and turned front. "He -knows there are six ships up here, and that we're in one of them." - -As Dave spoke the words he let his gaze wander from plane to plane in -the formation. Oddly enough, a lump formed in his chest, and there -was an empty feeling in his stomach. He had met and talked with every -member of that patrol in the air. Kidded with them, played cards, and -done all of the things one does with one's shipmates. It was hard, -terribly hard to believe that one of them, possibly two, were earning -blood money from Berlin or Tokio. Every one of them had struck him as -being a swell guy. A swell guy, or one of the best actors that ever -stepped on a stage. It didn't seem possible that savage hatred for -the United States, for the whole civilized world, was flying along in -the formation. It just didn't seem possible. Could he be wrong? Could -both Freddy and he be all wet in their deductions? Had Freddy actually -been slugged by accident, perhaps by a blundering mechanic carrying -something heavy? Had he got scared at what he'd done, and dragged -Freddy under that wing and taken to his heels? And had Freddy made a -mistake about his wearing pilot's garb? Could it have been simply that? - -Those and countless other questions churned around in Dave's head as he -stared at the other planes in the formation droning northward over the -seemingly endless sky blue waters of the Pacific. Whether the answers -that came to mind were right or wrong, he had no way of telling. Only -time would tell that. In a short while the formation would spread out -so as to cover as great an area as possible. Then would be the time -for the murderer of Commander Jackson and Lieutenant Commander Pollard -to make his move, whatever it was going to be. - -However, when the Indian and her destroyer escort disappeared from -view down over the lip of the southern horizon, and the patrol planes -were spread out in wide line formation, nothing happened. Each plane -continued droning along its prescribed course, its pilot and gunner -keeping a constant lookout for telltale shadows under the water below -them that might be Japanese submarines. And as the minutes piled up -on one another, nothing continued to happen. Fresh doubts and fresh -worries tugged at Dave's brain. Then, as a sudden thought came to him, -he turned his head and stared thoughtfully at Freddy Farmer. - -The English youth grinned, opened his mouth to say something smart, but -checked himself as he saw the little lines of worry on Dave's forehead. - -"What now?" he asked. "Did you forget something back on the ship? Or is -this another hunch? Know what I've been thinking?" - -"I think I have an idea what it is," Dave said. "The same thing -I've been thinking, maybe. That he's suddenly called things off. -He realizes that he didn't stop us from making this patrol, so he's -decided not to take a chance yet. That it?" - -"Something like that," the English youth replied with a grave nod. -Then with a puzzled twist of his head, he added, "But maybe a little -more than that. I mean that perhaps something else hasn't turned out -as he planned. Perhaps he was sure that we'd sight enemy craft, but we -haven't, so there isn't anything he can do but stay with the formation." - -"Yeah, I get what you mean," Dave grunted. "If he should break -formation cold, now, and go tearing off on his own, it might make the -Section Leader go tearing after him to herd him back into place." - -"Yes," Freddy said. Then, with a startled look: "Unless _he_ happens to -be the Section Leader!" - -"Boy, the things you can think up!" Dave cried. Then, with a curt shake -of his head: "No, that's out, I'm positive. Our Section Leader wears -the Navy Cross and the Navy Medal of Valor. If he won those and then -turned Axis spy and killer, then I give up. That would be too much for -even me to believe. No, Freddy, our Section Leader is the one bird in -this bunch who's okay in my book." - -"Quite, and in mine, too," Freddy said. "It was just a sudden thought -that hit me. I spoke it without thinking. No, it has to be somebody -else. But I wish the blighter would tip his hand and do something. -We're getting near the end of the patrol, and we haven't sighted a -thing. We'll soon be turning back, and then it will be too late for him -to try anything. He'll--I say!" - -"What's up?" Dave cried as a look of horror flashed over the English -youth's face for an instant. - -"Listen!" Freddy cried. "If the beggar has decided to pass it up this -time and try later, it'll be up to _you_ to get your head bashed, see? -I've had my share of it. Next time it's you." - -"There's not going to be any next time!" Dave growled. "There just -can't be. Whatever's going to happen has got to happen on this patrol. -Any more of this nerve slicing waiting, and I'll go bats." - -"You won't be alone, I fancy," Freddy murmured, and returned to -studying the rolling blue swells of the Pacific below. - -Dave turned front and gave his attention to his flying. And for the -next twenty-five minutes the Devastator droned along on its job of -flying, with neither of the two youths saying a word. At the end of -that time the Section Leader fired a brace of very-light signals into -the air to signify that the patrol had reached its farthest point -north. Then he banked around toward the south again. The five other -planes banked around, and as the turn was made Dave glued his eyes on -the other planes and half held his breath in expectation. But he was -doomed to disappointment. No plane refused to turn and went streaking -away on its own. All of them swung about gracefully in formation and -started drilling back toward the south and the Carrier Indian far down -over the edge of the horizon. - -"Well, so that's that!" Dave muttered bitterly. "I was either all wet, -or he decided not to take the chance this trip. Or maybe it was because -we didn't sight any--" - -He didn't finish the rest. At that moment Freddy Farmer's fist came -down on his shoulder, and the English youth's voice cried out in wild -excitement. - -"Look at Number Two plane way over there, Dave! It seems to be having -engine trouble. It's spouting smoke from the exhaust, and is nosing -down!" - -"A forced landing!" Dave cried without thinking as he watched the -Number Two plane start to lose altitude. "What a tough break for those -two guys! They'll have to sit down and float until--Hey! What am I -talking about? I must be nuts! Freddy!" - -"Absolutely!" the English youth cried, and nodded his head vigorously. -"It's easy to give your engine a bad mixture feed and make the exhaust -smoke. An easy trick when you want to break away from a formation, and -make it look as though you have to. Dave! I'll bet you anything you -want that that engine hasn't got anything more wrong with it than ours -has!" - - - - -CHAPTER SIXTEEN - -_Water Rats_ - - -"No bet, no bet!" Dave cried, and clenched and unclenched his free fist -in his excitement. "I think, too, that bird is pulling a trick. He's -going down, and he knows that none of us will follow him down, because -there's nothing we could do to help. We're land planes, not seaplanes. -It would be up to the rest of us to get back to the Indian in a hurry -and report that he had to sit down, and where." - -"But I wonder, Dave," Freddy Farmer grunted as a sudden frown creased -his brows. "Look. It stands to reason that he couldn't _know_ he was to -make this exact patrol at this exact time. So it couldn't very well be -that he planned to land in the water and have a waiting Jap submarine -pick him up. That would be silly. He might float for days before a -submarine came along to pick him up. And--well, how in the world could -he plan to meet one at this spot? Maybe it is the real thing, Dave. -Maybe it is a forced landing that couldn't be helped. See what I mean?" - -Dave didn't make any reply. He stared hard at the Number Two plane as -it spat smoke from its exhausts, and slowly lost altitude. Freddy was -quite right. It could be that what he was watching was very genuine; -that tough luck had dropped down out of the blue Pacific sky to smack -a couple of Uncle Sam's Navy eagles. Yet he couldn't believe that was -true. Something inside of him--he didn't know what--refused to let him -believe that it was all open and aboveboard. - -"Could be, could be," he muttered over and over again to himself as the -patrol started leaving the crippled plane to its rear. "Could be, yes. -But, doggone it, we're going to make sure. We've got plenty of gas, -Freddy. We can find our way back to the Indian alone. I'm turning back -and going down to have a good look at those guys. I have a feeling that -maybe they won't actually land in the water. They may--Hey! They did! -Look at them, Freddy! That pilot is swinging around toward the north -and trying to put as much distance as possible between his plane and -the rest of us." - -"Yes, he's doing just that!" Freddy shouted in return. "And if I were -force landing I'd try to glide as long as I could in the direction -of possible help. But he's banking around and gliding away from the -Indian's position." - -"Gliding nothing!" Dave howled, and dropped the Devastator's wing and -started swinging it around. "That engine of his is not cooked. He's -using it just enough to keep him almost level. Hang on, Freddy! We're -going to take a look at that bird, and no kidding. A close look, too. I -think it will make him mad. So keep on your toes, pal. 'Most anything -can happen now. And maybe it will!" - -Freddy didn't say anything to that. He simply hung on hard and sat -tight as Dave whipped the Devastator around and stuck the nose down. -The other plane was a good ten miles away by now, and fast becoming not -much more than a small smudge of black silhouetted against the blue -water. Holding the plane steady, Dave took time out to twist his head -around and stare back at the rest of the patrol. He wondered if the -Section Leader, seeing two planes dropping out of formation, would get -curious himself. But whether or not the Section Leader was curious, he -made no attempt to quit his other planes and turn back also. The patrol -kept on drilling southward. - -Turning front again, Dave instantly picked up the other Devastator. -And as he did so his heart leaped in his chest, and the blood began -to pound through his veins. Smoke had stopped spewing from the engine -exhaust. The plane had even stopped gliding. As a matter of fact, it -was on even keel, and racing northward at full throttle not more than -three or four thousand feet above the surface of the Pacific. That -fact alone told Dave that after eight days and eight nights the gods -of war had decided to give Freddy and him a real break. He knew, just -as though a voice were shouting it in his ears, that the pilot of that -Devastator thundering northward was in the pay of the Axis. And for -some reason he felt equally sure that the Devastator's gunner was of -the same breed. - -One thing that had puzzled him ever since Colonel Welsh had told of the -double murder aboard the Aircraft Carrier Indian was whether one man or -two had taken part in that gruesome affair. He had believed it was two -for the reason that if there had been just one man, he would have been -unable to kill both of the Indian's officers before one of them jumped -him, or tried to, at least. And both had been shot right between the -eyes. That fact, and other bits of reasoning, had led him to believe -all along--though he had not spoken of it to Freddy Farmer--that they -were after two Axis spies, not just one. - -And as he sent the Devastator rocketing downward and to the north, he -felt more convinced than ever that such was the truth. - -"I could be wrong," he grunted softly as he kept his eyes fixed -steadfastly on the other plane, "but I don't think so. Nope, I don't -think so." - -"Dave!" Freddy's voice suddenly screamed in his ear again. "Look to -starboard and ahead, on the horizon line. I think I spot smoke from the -funnel of some surface ship. Can you see it, too?" - -Dave tore his gaze from the plane ahead and stared hard in the -direction of the English youth's pointed finger. But all he could see -was an endless expanse of blue water across which the shadows of coming -night were beginning to steal. Where the water met the sky was little -more than a blurred line to him. If there was smoke from a surface -ship on that horizon line, he couldn't see it. However, many times had -Freddy Farmer's eagle, X-ray eyes picked up things before he did. And -so his heart began to dance about in his chest with wild excitement. -And for the umpty-umpth millionth time he experienced that familiar -eerie sensation at the back of his neck that seemed always to come to -him when trouble and danger were in the offing. - -"You sure, Freddy?" he called out. "I can't see a darn thing. It's all -just horizon line to me." - -"I'm not dead sure, but pretty sure," his pal replied. "It looks to -me like--Yes, I _am_ dead sure, Dave. That is smoke, a lot of it, -from some craft that's traveling at top speed. Eastward, I think. And -look at that Devastator, Dave! He's seen it, now. Look! He's banking -northeast to intercept it. Dave! If that's smoke from a Jap warship, -then we'll know we're right!" - -"I know it now!" Dave cried. "Doggone well I do. Look at that rat tear! -His engine is hitting top revs. Ten to one he's spotted us and is -trying to give us the shake. Well, he won't. Not while we've got the -altitude and can gain extra speed in a dive. Hold your hat, Freddy. -I'm going to give this power plant all she can take. And be ready with -those rear guns. He may start to get tough." - -As Dave shouted the last, he jerked his head around and took a quick -sweeping glance back toward the south. There was nothing there but -darkening blue sky. Not a sign of the rest of the patrol. It had passed -on out of sight on its journey back to the Indian. Dave swallowed -impulsively and turned front again. His heart had stopped bouncing -around. It had become a cold lump that hung suspended in his chest. - -Any faint hope that he might have help with whatever was ahead had -passed out of the picture. Just Freddy and he were left. It was up to -them to finish the job they had started so long ago. How long ago, -anyway? A week, a month, or ten years? It seemed even longer than that -since that man reading the book in the room with the pails and mops had -told them to go on into Colonel Welsh's secret offices. But how long -ago it was didn't matter now. Freddy and he had come to the end of the -trail. Luck, blind luck mostly, had brought them to the end of their -manhunt. But blind luck, or very clever brainwork, what difference? -Down there and ahead was a Navy torpedo bomber streaking north and east -to cut across the bow of some surface vessel. An American vessel? Not a -chance. It had to be Jap. And Dave was ready to bet his life that it -was. - -He could see the trail of smoke now. And Freddy had been right. It was -coming from a surface ship with engines turning over at top speed. -Perhaps it was a Jap destroyer, or a cruiser, or even possibly one of -Nippon's big battle wagons. He didn't know. The ship was still down -below the horizon line. But she was traveling, and traveling plenty -fast. - -"There go his torpedo and bombs!" Freddy Farmer suddenly shouted. "That -means he has spotted us and dumped his load to pick up all the speed -he could. He's our man, Dave. He's our man. And I'll bet you all the -pounds Sterling in England that that's a Jap ship he's trying to reach. -Blast the dirty beggars. We can't let him get away with it, Dave. We -just can't. Not now." - -"Shut up and sit tight!" Dave snapped, and jammed the palm of his -free hand against the already wide open throttle, as though in so -doing he might get even more speed out of the thundering engine in -the Devastator's nose. "He won't if we can possibly prevent it. We're -gaining on him, and I think he knows it. Look! See the pilot turning -around and looking back? And, Freddy, that bird in the rear pit is -unlimbering his guns! Get set, but be sure they fire the first shots. -We've got to make sure, Freddy, right up until there's no doubt about -it at all." - -Even as Dave shouted the words, he slid his hand up the control -stick and snapped off the safety guard over the little red button -he pressed to fire his guns. The first tingling thrill and heart -chilling excitement was gone now. He felt perfectly cool, and calm, -and collected. No, it wasn't because he was any superman with nerves -of steel that no power on earth could break. It was simply that he -had flown straight into danger too many times to go all haywire and -jittery. This, you might say, was old stuff to Freddy and him. They had -been through it in France, and in England, and in Libya, and over the -broad Atlantic, and out in the Far East. A thousand times they had gone -hurtling into sky battle. And after that many times you get used to -taking it in stride. - -And so with measured movements he prepared himself for battle, if -battle was to come. And that battle was to come seemed just as certain -as that night was to come. And soon.... Soon? Just about four split -seconds later he knew definitely that engines were going to whine -under strain of violent aerial combat maneuvers, and that machine -guns were going to crackle and yammer all over that Pacific sky. He -knew it because the plane ahead and still below his altitude suddenly -veered sharply to the left, and pulled its nose up and around in a wing -screaming power zoom. And almost at the same instant Freddy's shouting -voice told Dave that he, too, knew the battle was about to begin. - -"The blighter knows he can't shake us off!" the English youth cried. -"Realizes we have the altitude, and can come down for a cold meat shot, -if we want to. And he knows we will if that ship turns out to be Jap. -And it is a cinch it is. Right-o, Dave! As I recall, that chap's a -pukka pilot. Name's Miller, isn't it?" - -"That's what we called him!" Dave replied as he tried in vain to -remember the face of the Devastator's pilot. "And his gunner is named -Kaufman, I think. Miller and Kaufman! I wonder how they spell their -real German names. I--Here he comes. And shooting! That tears it, -Freddy! He's opened fire. So it's for keep, now." - -"Get after him, Dave!" Freddy screamed. "Get in close and let me at the -beggar. Bash me, will he? I fancy not again he won't!" - -Like a battle grey comet gone completely haywire, the other Devastator -came tearing up and around, guns blazing as its pilot tried to cut in -under Dave and drill the belly of his ship. But he didn't even come -close. Dave held his plane in its roaring dive just long enough to let -fly with a single withering blast at the zooming ship; then he flung -over hard on one wing, and went curving around and up himself to hold -the advantage of his altitude. As he swung around, he heard Freddy -Farmer's rear pit guns chatter. He jerked his head and took a quick -look, and laughed out loud. Freddy's burst had obviously been too close -for comfort, for the other pilot was kicking out of his zoom and off to -the other side in a hurry. - -"Atta boy, Freddy!" Dave yelled, and hauled his Devastator about in the -opposite direction. "Shoot his pants off, but save the coat and vest -for me. Let him--" - -Dave cut the rest off short as he happened to glance back at Freddy. -The English youth had dropped hold of his guns and was staring -wide-eyed toward the north. Dave checked the question on his lips and -shot a quick look in that direction himself. What he saw made his heart -zoom up to bang hard against his back teeth, and stick there! - -The smoke belching surface craft had come up over the northern horizon -into full view. It was a man of war, a heavy cruiser, and Dave did not -need a second look to recognize it as a Japanese cruiser. But that was -not what caused his heart to zoom up his throat and lock the air in his -lungs. Right behind the cruiser was another of the same class. Both -ships were slamming along through the water, and even as Dave stared at -them they changed course and veered around to the south. - -On they came at top speed, and for a crazy instant Dave thought they -had sighted his Devastator and were steaming southward to blast him out -of the air with anti-aircraft fire. It was, of course, an absolutely -crazy idea, and it was gone almost as it was born. And then an inkling -of the truth cut through his brain. Cold chills rippled down his spine, -and the inside of his mouth went bone dry. He impulsively glanced at -his radio panel, and gave a savage nod of his head. - -"That must be it!" he grated through clenched teeth. "The rats in that -other Devastator _did_ use their radio! They must have sent out the -Indian's position, and those cruisers heard it. Now they're racing -south to get the Indian under cover of darkness. That's it, sure as -shooting. The rats figure that if they can't deliver the stolen plans -of the battle operation in time, they can at least do some damage. -Yeah! Give away the Indian's position and have her blown out of the -water with her planes helpless in the dark. Good grief! Why are such -vermin ever born?" - -Dave didn't add anything to that. He didn't because there was even more -pressing business at hand. During the precious seconds he had gazed -pop-eyed at the two onrushing Japanese cruisers, the pilot of the other -Devastator had taken full advantage of the opportunity offered. He had -brought his plane wing screaming up and around, and was tearing in at -Dave and Freddy from the side. As a matter of fact, it was the savage -yammer of the English youth's guns that snapped Dave out of his trance. -He jerked his head around, felt a tiny sting on one cheek, and saw a -section of the right side of his glass hatch seem to melt away into -nothing. Had he not turned his face just at that moment, he probably -would have lost a good part of his jaw. - -He didn't take time out to pat himself on the back for being so -fortunate. Fact is, he didn't take time out to do anything but -concentrate on slamming and booting the Devastator out of range of that -withering blast of fire. The instant he was in the clear he whipped out -his free hand to the release toggle that would drop the deadly torpedo -slung in the rack under the plane's belly. Even as his fingers touched -it he jerked his hand away and shook his head. No, he had to save -that steel fish until later. Freddy and he would have to risk having -it exploded by the fire from the other plane. And that went for the -Devastator's wing bombs, too. Freddy and he would need those in the big -battle to come, the battle against two heavy Jap cruisers. - -"We've got to get the blighter in a hurry, Dave!" Freddy's voice of -confirmation suddenly cut his thoughts. "We've got to get him and not -let either of those cruisers pick him up--pick _them_ up. If they do, -everything is lost, Dave. They're bound to have those stolen plans of -battle operations with them, or at least stamped in their heads. If -they once get aboard either of those cruisers, everything will become a -terrible mess. It mustn't happen, Dave!" - -"You're telling me?" Dave roared, and hauled the Devastator around in -a dime turn that virtually made the wings groan in protest, and the -threatening wave of a blackout rise up before his eyes. "You're doggone -right we can't let them make contact. Hang on, Freddy! And let go with -your guns the instant you get the chance. I'm going to charge them. -It's either them or us, Freddy!" - -"All set!" the English youth howled back. "Let her rip, and blast their -dirty hearts!" - -For a couple of split seconds Dave held the Devastator in its tight -turn, and kept his eyes glued on the other plane. It was banking around -to get underneath him and come thundering up for an all gun blast at -the belly of his plane. So he deliberately held his Devastator in the -tight turn until he saw the nose of the other ship start to come up. -The instant it started up, Dave slammed farther over on wing, kicked -rudder hard and dropped the nose down to the vertical. - -Like a battle grey streak of lightning, Dave's plane rocketed downward. -He leaned far forward, straining against his safety harness, and kept -his mouth open to relieve the pressure in his pounding ears. It was -as though a thousand fingers of steel were curled about his insides -and striving to rip and tear in all directions at the same time. White -balls of fire leaped and bounced around in his brain as the Devastator -went down at a terrific rate of speed. It was agony to try to breathe, -for the walls of his lungs seemed pressed flat against each other. - -For perhaps three seconds the agony lasted, or maybe it was three -years. Then he was practically right on top of the other Devastator, so -close that he could actually see the whites of the pilot's fear-glazed -eyes staring up at him. The pilot was trying desperately to kick off to -the side and cut out from under Dave's diving plane. But there wasn't -time, and the terror in his eyes seemed to indicate that he realized it. - -Three seconds, and then Dave jabbed his electric firing trigger. His -guns hammered and pounded out nickel-jacketed destruction, and a hail -of doom tore into the other Devastator like red hot pokers slashing -into snow. The plane actually leaped off to one side like a bird nailed -in full flight. It rolled over twice, and its right wing started to -tear away in shreds. As Dave went thundering on past it he heard Freddy -Farmer's gun taking up where he had left off. A moment or so later he -was able to ease his plane out of its wing straining dive and circle up -and around and back. - -Almost reluctantly he slid his finger off the trigger button. There -wasn't any need to continue drilling the crippled plane. It was shy -one wing, and was slip sliding about in the air like a dead leaf in a -raging gale. Its propeller was still spinning over, but even as Dave -looked at it black smoke belched out from under the engine cowling, and -licking tongues of flame went darting backward. - -"Poor devils, just the same," Dave heard his own voice mutter. "But -they're probably stone dead now, anyway, so the fire won't add to -their--" - -He never finished the rest. Rather, he finished it with a wild shout -of anger and maddening defeat. The pilot and gunner of the other -Devastator were not dead. By a miracle the withering fire from Dave's -guns and from Freddy's guns had passed them by. On the contrary, they -were very much alive. Out of anger-filmed eyes, Dave saw both of them -push up out of their bullet-shattered greenhouse and leap out into -space and down toward the rolling blue waters of the Pacific. - -Both the pilot and gunner were alive! Both had bailed out with their -parachutes! Both would land in the water--and both could very easily be -picked up by either of the onrushing Japanese cruisers. The gods of war -were screaming with glee. A valiant effort by two valiant war eagles -serving Uncle Sam was going for a complete loss, would completely fail -in its purpose. - - - - -CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - -_Eagle Madness_ - - -A thousand little demons seemed to be screaming their mocking laughter -in Dave's ears as he watched the two parachute envelopes billow out and -catch in the wind. Seething white rage boiled up within him, and he -impulsively started to kick his Devastator around and down toward those -two flying garbed figures swaying like clock pendulums at the ends of -their parachute shroud lines. But even as he started to drop down, he -made strangling noises in his throat and pulled the Devastator up onto -even keel. - -"I can't do it!" he cried hoarsely. "I can't shoot them like a couple -of helpless dogs. That's murder. That's the Nazi way. That's not our -way. I just can't do it." - -"But we've got to do something, Dave!" Freddy Farmer screamed in his -ear. "Satan himself must have saved them. And look, Dave! That leading -cruiser! She's shot one of her scouting planes off the forward -catapult. A seaplane! They're going to land and try to pick them up, -sure as you're born. That means they know perfectly well who those two -beggars are, and what they've got." - -Dave nodded grimly, but didn't bother to make any reply for the moment. -Icy fingers were once again coiling about his heart. He knew that -Freddy Farmer had spoken the truth, if the truth had ever been spoken -by anyone. Yes, it was certain that the commanders of those two Jap -cruisers knew that the two U. S. Naval Aviation clad figures floating -slowly down toward the water possessed the information that the entire -Jap Navy had been waiting to receive. - -Word of what had happened aboard the Indian in San Diego harbor a -few weeks before had of course leaked ashore. Axis Fifth Columnists -had gathered up that news and passed it on higher up. It was a dead -certainty that the instant the Indian had weighed anchor and sailed -out of San Diego harbor, word had been flashed to the Japanese Navy -command, and from there to all of the Nipponese sea units on patrol. -True, they probably didn't know where the Indian was bound, or what -she would do when she reached her destination. Dave felt very sure -that the secret of the surprise attack on the Marshall Island group -was something the Japs still didn't know, or even suspect. However, it -was equally certain that they knew that two of their spies were aboard -the Indian. And, also, that they possessed information that was worth -a major naval victory to the Japanese. For that reason every unit of -the Jap Navy was on the lookout for the Indian. And every one of its -brown-skinned rats, from the admirals down, had been waiting with -savage expectancy for the spies to make some kind of contact. - -That contact was now close to being made. It was unquestionably luck -that had sent the bogus Miller and Kaufman off on this particular -patrol. And it was undoubtedly luck that had placed these two Jap -cruisers just a little north of the end of the plotted patrol course. -However, war without luck, and miracles happening left and right, just -isn't war. And now there were the two Axis spies floating down toward -the water, and there were the two Nipponese cruisers. And one of them -had already catapulted one of its scouting seaplanes to land and pick -up the two airmen. - -All that, and more, whizzed through Dave's brain in nothing flat. Then -he tore his eyes off the two men going down by parachute and fastened -them on the Jap cruiser's seaplane skimming along the surface of the -water. One look, and then he went into action again. - -"That's their mistake!" he shouted, and slammed the Devastator's nose -down. "Like picking off clay ducks in a shooting gallery. But those rat -Japs are asking for it. So they get it!" - -Dave emphasized the last with a savage nod of his head and slid his -finger over the trigger button. By then the Jap seaplane pilot saw -what was going to happen. He hauled the nose of his plane up as though -to give battle. Almost immediately, though, he got cold feet and went -cartwheeling around toward the east. But it didn't do him any good. He -might just as well have tried to zoom up and hide behind the setting -sun. Dave had him cold in his sights, and the Jap was caught like a rat -in a trap. - -One long burst from Dave's wing guns. Another long burst from Freddy -Farmer's guns, as Dave banked off and gave his pal an aim, and that was -that. The slow Jap seaplane came apart as though it had flown full tilt -into a brick wall. It seemed to explode all over the place and hit the -water in a shower of small pieces. Dave instantly nosed up and twisted -around for another look at the steaming cruisers still a considerable -distance away. Even as he spotted them, he saw tongues of flame stab -out from their forward decks, and the air about him was filled with a -roar akin to that of an express train racing into the yawning mouth of -a tunnel. A blood-chilling roar, and then the Pacific sky was splotched -with bursting anti-aircraft shells that glowed red and orange and -yellow all at the same time. - -Dave grinned, tight-lipped, and instantly nosed down. It had been -a pretty rotten bit of shooting, even for Jap gunners. But maybe -they weren't to blame. Dave's Devastator was too low for their angle -of fire, and the shells exploded well above the Devastator. Just -the same it was no cause for great joy. On the contrary it was an -advanced warning of what the Jap cruiser commanders intended to do. A -ten-year-old child could guess what it was, too. - -Realizing that it was useless to pick up the two parachutists by -seaplane, the Japs were going to hold Dave and Freddy at bay by the -sheer power of their concentrated fire, and steam alongside the two -spies, who were no longer floating down through the air, but had hit -the water and were floating around in their orange-colored life -jackets. Dave cast a quick glance down at those two gobs of orange in -the water, and groaned in bitter exasperation. How simple if Freddy and -he were fighting on Adolf Hitler's and Hirohito's side! All he would -have to do would be to stick the nose down at those two orange spots in -the water and no more than brush his finger across the trigger button -of his guns. Just a short burst and two rats would be dead, never to -reveal what they knew. How simple, how easy it would be to do it that -way! - -But he couldn't. And he knew that deep in his heart, and in his soul. -No matter how much he hated the Nazis and the Japs, and all the -ruthless, rotten things they stood for, it wasn't a hate that could -make him murder in cold blood. He and Freddy would have to accomplish -their purpose some other way. - -Some other way? Those three words exploded in his brain like bombs. As -more shells from the cruisers' guns exploded well overhead, he twisted -around in the seat and stared at Freddy Farmer. The English youth was -gripping his guns with white knuckles and staring down at the floating -spies. But stamped on Freddy's face was the very same thing that was -in Dave's brain. It would be so very, very simple. Yet it couldn't be -done. It wasn't the way of the civilized white man. - -"We've got to try it, Freddy!" Dave shouted, and was conscious of the -dry tightness in his throat. "It's our only hope--our only one. If -either cruiser gets alongside those two rats in the water--" - -Dave stopped and let a shrug speak the rest. Freddy turned his eyes -from the surface of the water, looked at him, and nodded grimly. - -"Quite!" he said, tight-lipped. "Us against those two blasted cruisers. -We're mad even to try it. If a single one of their shells gets close -before we've got rid of our torpedo and bombs, why then--" - -It was Freddy's turn to cut off his words, and let a gesture of his -hand finish the sentence. - -"Yeah, we'd probably come down on the moon, or on a star!" Dave -shouted, and banked the Devastator around toward the north. "We can -get one with our torpedo, and go after the other with our bombs. Darn -it, anything to stop them from picking up those two rats, finding out -things, and getting busy on the radio. It's a job that can't be done, -Freddy. But, heck! We've got to _do_ it!" - -"Then get on with it!" the English youth cried. "They may try to -catapult more planes, and we certainly can't do a million different -things at once." - -"Here we go!" Dave roared, and pushed the Devastator's nose down. "Good -luck to us both, Freddy. And it's been nice knowing you, pal!" - -If Freddy Farmer made any reply, Dave didn't hear it. The engine in the -nose was roaring out full blast, and the gunners aboard the two Jap -cruisers, realizing what was happening, were opening up with everything -they had. The din that hammered and pounded through that section of the -Pacific sky was akin to that of worlds colliding. Hunched tight-lipped -over the stick, Dave sent the torpedo bomber all the way down until -its belly was almost slapping the water. There he leveled off, banked -around to the left and headed directly for a broadside shot at the -leading Japanese cruiser. - -Squinting ahead was like looking into the mouth of an exploding blast -furnace. Every gun, from small machine guns and pom-poms to the big -stuff, was hurling roaring steel in his direction. Everything else -seemed to fade out of his vision. He could see nothing but that moving -wall of spouting flame and smoke directly ahead. Split seconds seemed -to take years in passing. A hundred times he was tempted to release -the torpedo and zoom up for safe altitude. But each time he killed the -desire. - -The Devastator carried one torpedo, and he had to make it good. He -couldn't take any chances of missing the sleek side of that steaming -cruiser. He had to get in close, real close, and then slam home the -steel fish. A bow hit or a stern hit wouldn't count. It had to be -square amidships, where the explosion would tear the heart out of the -Jap craft and sink it like a rock. He had to-- - -The Devastator suddenly seemed to half stop and lurch crazily to the -side as a furious blast of fire from the enemy cruiser's guns crashed -into it. Dave had the feeling that he had been slapped in the face with -a barn door. He went dumb and stiff from the top of his head to the -bottom of his feet. Everything turned into spinning red light before -his eyes. He knew that he was lashed to the seat, and that both hands -gripped the controls with fingers of steel. But he wasn't sure. - -He wasn't sure of anything any more! Was Freddy Farmer still with him -in the Devastator? Was the plane still with him, for that matter? Or -had the withering blast of gunfire from the Japanese cruiser sent him -sailing off into thin air and death? - -He mustn't die now. Not yet! The suicide mission had only begun. The -aerial torpedo was still in its rack under the Devastator's belly. Or -was it? Had the cruiser's gunfire touched it off--and had Freddy and he -failed? - -"Freddy! Freddy Farmer! Are you with me, fellow? Are you still there, -pal?" - -Was that his own voice he heard--that faint little squeak that sounded -in his ears? If only he could see something besides the darned dancing -balls of light. If only he could get his muscles to move. But they -wouldn't move. His whole body had been turned to stone, and he was -falling straight down through a world of blazing flame. He was-- - -Suddenly it was as though a gigantic invisible hand had reached out and -wiped away all the dancing colored light from in front of his eyes. -Like a man waking up from a heavy sleep, he found himself staring at -the instrument panel of the Douglas Devastator. He lifted his gaze, -stared through the bullet-shattered front of his glass hatch, at the -nose of the plane with its whirling prop--and at the shadow-filled -Pacific sky beyond! - -"You're nuts, you're completely cockeyed. You should be falling down, -not zooming _up_!" - -The sound of his own voice seemed to come to him from a great distance. -He tried to shake his head, and found that he could. The movement -dashed some of the cobwebs and the fog from his brain. He started to -turn around in the seat when something hit him a terrific clip on -the shoulder. It was Freddy Farmer's fist, and the English youth was -yelling his head off. - -"Bull's-eye, Dave! A perfect bull's-eye! But I thought for fair you -were going to ram us straight into the cruiser's fighting top. Look -at her! Look at her! Goodbye, you dirty brown rats! I only wish your -big-toothed Emperor was with you. Make war on decent people, will you, -you rotten beggars!" - -"Hey! What gives?" Dave cried, as his still slightly benumbed brain -refused to grasp the true meaning of Freddy Farmer's half screamed -words. "What in thunder are you raving about?" - -"What's _that_?" Freddy cried, and peered at him in dumbfounded -amazement. "You don't--" - -The English youth choked himself off, and the amazement in his eyes -changed to a look of alarm. At almost the same instant Dave began to -feel a dull ache on the left side of his head. He impulsively reached -up his hand and touched strips of his torn helmet. The strips were wet -and sticky, and when he lowered his hand it was to see his fingers -stained with his own blood. - -"Well, knock me for a loop!" he gulped foolishly. "Somebody, or -something, must have slugged me!" - -"I'll say!" Freddy cried. "A piece of shrapnel, I guess. A lot of it -hit us. But are you all right, Dave? Does it hurt much? Had I better -take over the controls? The other cruiser is--" - -"_Cruiser?_" Dave boomed. And then like a curtain snapping up to flood -his brain with light, he suddenly remembered where he was, why, and -what had happened. He _had_ actually fired the torpedo at the cruiser. - -Ignoring another question that spilled off Freddy's lips, he twisted -in the seat, automatically shoved the Devastator down onto even keel -and stared down over the side. What he saw made his breath catch in his -throat, and his heart stand still in awe and gruesome horror. - -One of the cruisers was way over on its side and well down by the -stern--that is, what little he could see of her. Mostly it was a -boiling patch of red flame in the water that fountained upward and -outward to hurl licking tongues of fire out in all directions. In -a crazy sort of way he knew that the cruiser's powder magazine had -probably exploded. At any rate, the craft was being ripped to shreds as -though her steel plates were so much paper. - -Then, suddenly, as he moved his gaze across the water, he saw a sight -that made him cry out in terror, and shudder violently. He saw two tiny -spots of orange almost directly in the path of the keeled over cruiser. -And then he didn't see them any more. A tongue of boiling flame, -perhaps an oil drum or something on fire, came slashing straight out -of the smoke-filled air and down on that spot. The flames splashed out -like drops of molten metal, and white spray rose up like a cloud. The -two spots of orange that were the life jackets worn by the two spies -disappeared from view as though by magic. When the flames and the spray -melted away, the two spots of orange weren't there any more. There was -nothing but a smoking slick of oil. - -"Poor devils!" Dave muttered shakily. "What a horrible way to die. They -were rats, but--but that was a terrible way for even rats to die. -They--" - -The last was cut off as though by a knife. A section of the sky seemed -to drop down and explode right on the nose of the Devastator. For a -brief instant Dave found himself in a world of utter darkness. Then -the plane went tearing out into clear light again. It was shuddering -and trembling like a spent race horse. He knew without looking that -the right wing had been blasted by bits of shrapnel, and that the tip -was beginning to flutter. Instinct and instinct alone caused him to -shove the nose down and lose altitude fast. But even as he went down he -knew that losing altitude wasn't going to help much. The second of the -Japanese cruisers was just ahead and below. And every gun aboard her -was thundering away at the Devastator at practically point blank range. - - - - -CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - -_Death Hates To Lose_ - - -"Our bombs, Dave! Can you get us down lower and right over the blasted -thing?" - -Above the thundering roar of bursting anti-aircraft shells, Freddy -Farmer's voice came to Dave as little more than a whisper. He heard it -nevertheless, and nodded his head vigorously to let the English youth -know that he had heard. They were right in the middle of the cruiser's -fire now. It was just as safe to keep on going down on her as it was -to try and break away. So long as he was able to dive, the Devastator -presented a difficult target for the Jap gunners. But should he pull -out of the dive, and arc off to either side, the Devastator would then -instantly become a target tripled in size. - -No, there was but one thing to do: to go on down on her and then let -go with their wing bombs in the last instant allowed. That their bombs -might put the cruiser out of action, to say nothing about sinking -her, was completely out of the question. It was plain silly even to -hope that such a miracle as that would come to pass. But it would be -possible to put some of her guns out of action. And it was just barely -possible, too, that the bombs might damage the craft enough to force -the Jap commander to reduce her speed. That at least would be something. - -Yes, indeed. If the cruiser was forced to reduce speed, she would at -least have to give up the search for the Carrier Indian. And now that -the two spies were gone, it was only logical that the Jap commander -would go steaming southward in a desperate effort to find the Indian -and pounce upon her in the dark. - -"Sure, give her all you can!" Dave muttered as he hunched forward over -the stick of the diving plane. "But don't kid yourself why. You know -why, and _how_ you do! Her fire has you bracketed. You'll catch it -cold no matter which way you turn. So there's only one thing you _can_ -do. Slam down and give her all you've got left before your number and -Freddy's number go up. Down--and give her all you can, while you can." - -A wild desire to twist his head around and see how Freddy Farmer was -taking it possessed Dave for a moment--but only for a moment. Just as -suddenly he didn't want to see Freddy's face. Because of the look of -certain death he felt sure he would see there? He didn't know. Because -he was afraid that Freddy might read the truth in his own eyes? He -didn't know. Only one thing seemed certain. Freddy Farmer and Dave -Dawson had at long last come to the end of the trail. Their luck, if -luck it was, had run out. - -He wasn't afraid to die, though. Perhaps that was because he had faced -death so many, many other times and managed to skin through. Anyway, he -did not feel fear inside of him. Funny, but the sensation that rippled -through him was one of fierce satisfaction. Satisfaction at completing -a job that had seemed utterly impossible right from the very start. -Bull luck? Blind luck? Okay, call it anything you wanted to, but the -fact remained that two murdering Axis agents had failed to win through -at the very last moment. They were dead, and all they knew was dead -with them. Their corpses were but two of the hundreds the exploding -cruiser had scattered all over that section of the Pacific. Yes, they -were dead. Their information was lost to the Japs. And Freddy Farmer -and he had paid back a little bit on the Pearl Harbor account. They -had blasted a Jap cruiser out of the war and the world for keeps. That -was something, anyway--little something extra for the Old Man with the -whiskers, Uncle Sam. - -Too bad the Devastator didn't carry a couple of torpedoes, so that they -could slam a death blow into the second cruiser as they went down the -long trail that has no end. Too bad, but no sense crying about it. The -plane had carried only one torpedo, and they had made full use of that -one. There were only the bombs left--bombs that might spill a lot of -Jap blood over the cruiser's decks, but would never go through her deck -plates to do real damage below. And so-- - -"So here goes!" Dave whispered softly as the gun-spitting cruiser -seemed to come sweeping up toward his spinning propeller. "Here goes -Freddy--and here I go. Something to remember us by!" - -A sob rose up in Dave's throat and stuck. He winked his eyes that had -suddenly begun to sting. Then he grinned, and the grin grew into a -harsh, defiant laugh. The last split second had arrived. He had to -pull out and give Freddy a chance to release their wing bombs, or dive -on straight into the cruiser. He was tempted to do that last thing: -to slam straight in and go out in a roaring blaze of glory. But cold -fighting sense refused to permit him to do it. - -He braced himself, hauled back on the stick, brought the nose up and -shot straight forward not twenty feet above the cruiser's fighting top. -One second more and he would streak right over the up-tilted muzzles of -the forward anti-aircraft guns. A target a blind man couldn't miss. A -target you could hit with rocks. One second more. Two at the most. Dump -the bombs, Freddy! Slam them down and blast some of those dirty brown -devils to the place where they and all their filthy back-stabbing breed -belong. Give it to them, Freddy. Give them all we've got left! - -Dave didn't know whether he was roaring out the words, or whether -they were simply echoing around in his brain. He simply knew that the -Devastator was perched on the very brink of all eternity, and that he -was banging out the last of his bullets as a sort of final touch. He -only knew that-- - -But he didn't. He didn't know anything any more. He was completely lost -in a huge black cloud that pressed in on him from all sides. He was -right in the middle of it, and sailing away and away. The light of day -was gone, and night was all about him. Was it night, or was this what -death was like? Darkness. Thick darkness with a faint roaring in the -distance, and drifting to him from all sides. - -"I can't be dead--my head hurts too darned much!" - -The sound of his own voice in that cloud of darkness startled him so -that he cried out in fear. Then suddenly he felt himself sink down; -felt water in his mouth, his nose, his eyes, and in his ears. He -gasped, and water poured down his throat--salty, smoky tasting water. -And his lungs seemed to burst right out between his ribs. His brain -refused point blank to function, but the instinct of self-preservation -came to his rescue. Without realizing it, he kicked with his feet and -struck out blindly with his hands. He couldn't move his right hand, -though. There was something hanging onto it, a dead weight that made it -impossible for him to move his arm. - -Then suddenly he was sucking and gurgling air into his lungs. Just -as suddenly the film over his eyes passed away, and he found himself -looking at a world of brilliant stars over his head. And just as -suddenly he realized that he was in the water, keeping himself afloat -with one hand, and clutching hold of Freddy Farmer's helmeted head with -the other, striving to keep the English youth's face out of water. - -It was dark as pitch all about him. Yet when he winked the water from -his eyes a weird glow of light seemed to filter down from the stars. He -saw dark objects floating about him. There were pieces of wreckage, but -for the moment he could not summon the strength to swim toward them. In -a dulled sort of way he knew that something was wrong, that something -wasn't right. Then he knew what it was. His life jacket was gone, at -least half of it. The other half was in strips and wasn't of any use. -Freddy Farmer's life jacket was gone completely. In fact, he had on -nothing but his shirt. Dave could tell that when a swell lifted the -English youth's shoulder up out of the water. - -Bit by bit Dave's brain began to click over at increased speed. -Presently it gave him the sense to take a good look at Freddy. He -pulled his pal closer, and as he did so held his breath in terror. But -God had been kind. Freddy Farmer was not dead. He was unconscious, but -he was breathing. A mighty sob of joy shook Dave's body. He clenched -his teeth, and summoned every ounce of strength in his half numb body. -He saw a large sized object floating by a few yards away. It looked -like the top side of a crate, or perhaps it was a bunk. He struck out -for it with one hand and two feet. Only a few yards away, but every -foot was a mile to Dave's straining efforts. His head pounded, and all -the colors of the rainbow flashed and whizzed around before his eyes. - -Then finally his outstretched hand clutched hold of something. It felt -like a loop of rope, and it was fastened to the floating object. He -didn't bother to find out what the object was. He was quite content to -cling to the looped rope for several minutes and fight for his breath -and his strength. Eventually, though, he shifted his position in the -water, thrust up his hand and hooked it over the side of the object. -And it was then he made the joyful discovery. It was not a crate, or a -bunk. The object was a ship's raft--a life raft constructed something -like a rubber life raft. Airtight circular drums formed the sides, and -stout planks lashed together three thick formed the bottom of the raft. - -Dave laughed and cried in the same breath, and then almost spent the -last of his strength in a mad effort to scramble onto the raft and -haul Freddy Farmer up with him. Three times he tried it, only to lose -his grip and slide back into the water, and under. He didn't try it -that way a fourth time. He forced himself to spend a good ten minutes -still clinging to the looped rope. Then, when renewed strength began -to seep slowly through his body, he worked Freddy Farmer's unconscious -body close to the raft, got one of the English youth's arms flung up -over the side, and then the other. Then inch by inch he worked the dead -weight up until Freddy went tumbling over and down onto the floor of -the raft. - -It required another rest period of some ten minutes for Dave to dig -up some more strength. Then, grabbing hold with both of his hands, he -worked his body upward, muscles straining, strength ebbing away like a -punctured balloon spilling air, and all the firecrackers in the world -going off in his brain. It took years, it seemed, but he finally made -it. He got all the way in and fell sprawling down on top of Freddy -Farmer. He tried to push himself up and crawl off his pal, but that was -the moment when all the glittering stars in the heavens fell down and -hit him on top of the head. - -His next sensation was that his whole body was on fire. He opened his -eyes, but it was like looking straight in through the opened door of a -blast furnace going full force. He closed his eyes, groaned, and tried -to move. It was then that water hit him smack in the face, and hands -took hold of him. - -"Dave! Speak to me, Dave! It's Freddy. Dave! Please speak! Can you hear -me? Steady, lad, steady! Relax and let me hold you. Praise be to Allah! -I've been terrified for hours that you were a goner!" - -With a tremendous effort Dave forced his eyes open. The glare of the -blast furnace was gone, but he could still feel the heat. For a few -seconds he didn't try to think. He didn't try to do anything except -relax, and let somebody hold him up, and keep the glare of that -blast furnace out of his eyes. He knew it must be Freddy Farmer. He -recognized the voice, and the voice had said so. Good old Freddy. -Always there at the right time. Never failed. One in a million. The -very best. The tops. - -"Hold it, Dave!" Freddy's voice cried in his ears again. "Don't let go, -pal. Hold it. Buck up. Come on, now. There's a lad for you. Cheeri-o, -Dave!" - -He found that his eyes were opened again, and that Freddy Farmer's -grinning face was but a foot from his own. He stared at it, grinned -himself, and suddenly strength and vitality began coursing through -his veins. He took his eyes off Freddy's face, looked about him, and -gulped. As far as he could see in any direction was nothing but a -limitless expanse of sky blue water--sky blue water filmed over with -golden light from the blazing sun hanging high in the heavens. He and -Freddy Farmer were alone in the life raft, completely alone. There -wasn't a drop of water, nor a package of food, or anything. The raft -was bare of all things that help to sustain life. Startling realization -brought sudden and violent hunger to his stomach, and a craving thirst -to his lips. He looked back to meet Freddy's eyes, and forced another -grin to his lips. - -"Guess they don't want us up at the Pearly Gates yet, pal," he said -slowly. "But maybe this is all a dream, or something." - -"It isn't!" Freddy said grimly. "I've been hoping so ever since -yesterday afternoon. But it's real, Dave. It's too blasted real, I say." - -"Easy, Freddy!" Dave cried. "_Yesterday afternoon?_ Where do you get -that stuff? Why, it can't--!" - -"It is!" Freddy interrupted. "I came to just before sundown. You were -sprawled over me. Phew! I thought you were stone dead. I managed to -wiggle out from under you, and prop you up. Bit too much for me, -though. I spent most of the night coming to and passing out again. I -felt better when dawn came. Took stock of things and saw there was -nothing to do but wait. Kept your face out of the sun, as much as -I could. And--well, I guess I prayed most of the time. Nothing has -happened, though. Nothing's passed by except some dead Japs, with some -sharks after them. They--" - -The English youth paused and shuddered. Dave reached out a hand and -pressed his arm. - -"Steady does it, Freddy," he said gently. "We're still alive. And we're -together. That's a lot in my book. And, heck! This is a whole lot -better than if that darned Jap cruiser had picked us up. I don't think -they'd have been very nice to us." - -Freddy Farmer's jaw dropped, and his eyes went wide. - -"Jap cruiser pick us up?" he gasped. "Are you balmy, Dave? It went down -like a rock. The blasted thing practically broke in two! You just -barely got us clear of the flying pieces before our wing came off and -we crashed in. Why--!" - -"Whoa, hold her!" Dave shouted, and jerked himself up straight despite -the pain and aches it caused. "You mean we got that second cruiser? -You're nuts! Our bombs wouldn't even dent her plates. They--" - -"They didn't!" Freddy cried. "A lucky hit. One went right down one of -her funnels. It must have, because I just had time to see the great -cloud of flame and smoke that belched up out of her funnel before -concussion was tossing us around like a leaf. It's the truth, Dave! -Didn't you see it? Worse than the one we'd torpedoed. She broke right -clean through. Then we crashed into the water. You yelled to me to -duck, and--well, that's the last I remember until I came to late -yesterday afternoon. How did you get us out of the wreck and aboard -this raft, anyway?" - -"The first part of that we'll never know, Freddy," Dave said in an awed -voice. "Maybe it was two other guys, or something. I don't remember -a thing from the time I leveled out of the dive until I woke up in -the water, and had you by the helmet. It was night, and all sorts of -things were floating by. I saw this raft, but thought it was a crate, -and got us over to it. I got us both inside, and then went out like a -light. Sweet tripe, Freddy! We've been floating around in this thing -for at least two days and two nights. No wonder I could eat a horse, -whole, and drink a well dry. You've--you've seen nothing, Freddy? No -ship, no plane?" - -Freddy shook his head. - -"Nothing, Dave," the English youth said in a low voice. "The Pacific's -a pretty big place, you know. It's--_Dave_! What's the matter? You look -as if you'd seen a ghost!" - -Dave shook his head, put out a hand and touched Freddy. - -"Don't move, Freddy!" he said hoarsely. "Don't even look. It--it might -not be true. But--but, it is, _it is_! Look, Freddy! To the east. A -ship! It's a destroyer. She's heading this way. Look at her spill -smoke. She's heading this way. And it's Yank. I can tell from her -lines, and stacks. _Look_, Freddy! Lady Luck was just waiting until we -both woke up, that's all. She wanted us both to be surprised. She--" - -Freddy's eyes turned to the east. - -Dave raved on like a man gone delirious with joy, and he was. Words, -all kinds of crazy words babbled off his lips. And words, all kinds of -crazy words also spilled from Freddy Farmer's tongue as together they -watched one of Uncle Sam's destroyers come tearing down on them. She -swept up on them like a thing alive, slowed down just long enough to -cast off one of her boats, and then started circling about them. In -ten minutes grinning Navy gobs helped Dave and Freddy into the boat. -And about twenty minutes after that they were in sick bay aboard the -USS Paul Jones, and receiving the very best of medical treatment. It -was all they could do to keep awake, despite their gnawing hunger. The -wild excitement of rescue had been too much for either of them. It had -sapped their strength down to almost the last drop. But they managed -to keep awake long enough to ask questions, and receive astonishing -answers from the youthful lieutenant in command of the destroyer. - -They learned that the attack on the Marshall Islands had been carried -out successfully. That a whole lot of what had happened at Pearl Harbor -had been paid back to the Sons of Nippon. They learned that they had -been afloat in the raft for three whole days and nights. They learned -that one Colonel Welsh had requested that special permission be given -Navy units in that section of the Pacific to search for them when it -was reported by scouting planes that cruiser wreckage had been seen -floating on the water. They learned that a searching plane had sighted -them from the air that very morning, although Freddy had not seen nor -heard it. The scouting plane had directed the Paul Jones to the spot. -They learned also that Jap sailors picked up from the area where the -cruisers had gone down had told of what they had done with one lone -Douglas Devastator. - -"It was that report that set this Colonel Welsh to moving Heaven, -earth, and the Navy Department, to get a search going," the destroyer's -commander finished up. "He must have had the President with him, -because darned near the whole Pacific Fleet hopped right to it. Who is -this Colonel Welsh, anyway? Can't say I ever heard of him. He must be -quite a man when it comes to getting things done." - -"Yeah," Dave mumbled drowsily. "Quite a man. Swell to work under. Got -a nice technique. Gets you so doggone mad you'd go out and fly without -wings, just to prove you could do it. Yeah, the Colonel knows his -stuff. Right, Freddy?" - -Freddy Farmer didn't agree or disagree. He was already sound asleep! - - ---THE END-- - - * * * * * - -_A Page from_ DAVE DAWSON WITH THE AIR CORPS - -Throttling the Wright powered Vultee V-12C attack bomber to cruising -speed, Dave licked his dry lips, twisted around in the seat, and winked -at Freddy Farmer in the gunner's pit. - -"How's it going, pal?" he called out. "Not nervous, or anything like -that, are you?" - -"Certainly not!" the English youth shouted back. "I stopped being -nervous hours ago. Now I'm only scared stiff! How do you feel?" - -Dave shrugged and made a little gesture with his free hand. - -"I'm not sure," he said, "but I think it's something like the way a -clay pigeon must feel. You know, hoping the guy with the trap gun will -miss? Oh well, this may be just a waste of time." - -"Not any more!" Freddy shouted, and pointed to the left. "Look!" - -Dave turned his head and felt his heart zoom up to crack against his -back teeth. About seven miles off his left wing and hugging the under -side of a towering cloud bank, he spotted no - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dave Dawson with the Pacific Fleet, by -Robert Sidney Bowen - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DAWSON WITH THE PACIFIC FLEET *** - -***** This file should be named 50217.txt or 50217.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/2/1/50217/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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