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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..bb8250d --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #55965 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55965) diff --git a/old/55965-0.txt b/old/55965-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index b58a59a..0000000 --- a/old/55965-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6681 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Air Monster, by Edwin Green - - -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: Air Monster - - -Author: Edwin Green - - - -Release Date: November 14, 2017 [eBook #55965] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AIR MONSTER*** - - -E-text prepared by Roger Frank - - - -AIR MONSTER - -by - -EDWIN GREEN - - - - - - -The Goldsmith Publishing Company -New York - -Copyright 1932 -The Goldsmith Publishing Company - -Made in U. S. A. - - - - -CONTENTS - - I. On Secret Duty - II. The Air Monster - III. Mystery Plane - IV. Danger in the Air - V. No Clues - VI. The Night Alarm - VII. Suspicions - VIII. Mysterious Moves - IX. On the East Side - X. The Neptune Sails - XI. In the Hangar - XII. Trial Flight - XIII. Wings of the Storm - XIV. Flood Relief - XV. In Northern Seas - XVI. Rescue in the Arctic - - - - -AIR MONSTER - -CHAPTER I - -On Secret Duty - - -Lights glowed brightly in the large, bare tower room which was the -headquarters of the Gerka, secret police organization of Rubania. It was -midnight and a meeting of the supreme council of the Gerka at that hour -could mean only the most urgent business. - -Residents of Kratz, the capital of Rubania, who happened to be in the -streets that night and who saw the lights in the tower of the government -palace shook their heads and hurried on their way with fear in their -hearts for the Gerka was the most dangerous organization in all Rubania -and for that matter one of the most powerful groups of secret police in -the whole world. - -The creation of the new Europe which had followed the World War had -resulted in the formation of Rubania, a rich, fertile land east of -Prussia. It had been made a free state but Alex Reikoff, an unscrupulous -dictator with a lust for world power, had risen to supreme command of -the government, crushing out all opposition. He had built up the armed -forces of his country until Rubania was recognized as a world power, -feared for the might of its armada of submarines and the power of its -fleets of airplanes, for Reikoff believed in the power of aircraft as an -instrument of war. - -That the midnight meeting of the Gerka was of unusual importance was -borne out when Reikoff himself strode into the room and took his place -at the head of the table around which a half dozen men were seated. They -looked expectantly at him. Reikoff, short and dark with closely cropped -hair, stroked his bristly mustache. He looked intently at the men before -him. One after another met his gaze until his eyes looked into those of -Serge Larko, in the uniform of a lieutenant of the air force. - -“Ah, Serge,” said Reikoff, “I’m glad that you could leave your beloved -flying machines long enough to answer my call.” - -“Yes, Excellency,” smiled Serge. “I came at once but there is much that -remains to be done on the new XO5 before it will be ready for the long -flights for which it has been designed.” - -“The XO5 must be ready for a six thousand mile non-stop trip by the day -after tomorrow,” replied Reikoff, his words short and sharp. “I shall -inform the commander of your field that you are to be given every -possible assistance. An emergency has come up which makes it imperative -that you go soon on a special mission.” - -Serge, who was one of the newest members of the secret police, gasped at -the news that he was to be assigned to special work. He had been trained -in Germany at Friedrichshafen for service in the lighter-than-air -division of the Rubanian air force and only recently had been shifted -unexpectedly and without explanation to the airplane division where he -had been given an intensive course in the handling of long-distance -planes. For the last month he had been supervising the construction of -the XO5, the latest type in Rubanian super air cruisers. Surprised -though he was at the news that he had been selected for a special -mission. Serge felt that he was ready for whatever task might be -ordered. - -The dictator of Rubania spoke again, his words cracking through the -midnight stillness of the room. - -“You are all well aware,” he said, “that the United States is our only -rival in the building of dirigibles. Their Los Angeles is antiquated now -but their new Akron is superior to anything in the world. It is even a -mightier fighting craft than the new Blenkko which we will launch next -month. This must not be. We must be supreme in the air!” - -Reikoff hammered the table with his fists to emphasize his determination -and his face reddened at the thought that some nation might have men -with more brains and skill than his own engineers. - -“And now,” he continued, “comes more bad news. The National Airways, -Inc., largest passenger aviation company in the United States, has -turned to dirigibles. They have been granted a large subsidy by the -federal government and now have under construction an airship that will -dwarf anything the world has ever known. It is intended primarily for -passenger carrying, between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, but, it is -so designed that it can be turned into a powerful fighting craft, a -floating mother ship in the sky that will be capable of housing a large -number of fighting planes. If this dirigible, which has been named the -Goliath, is completed and flies, America will remain supreme in the air -for at least four more years. It would take us that long to build such a -craft as their Goliath in our Blenkko aircraft plant. For America to -continue supreme in the air is not in line with my plans. I do not -intend that the Goliath shall rule the air.” - -Serge heard the last words with a sinking heart. He sensed what his -mission would be. He knew now why they had rushed the XO5 to completion. - -Reikoff was talking again. - -“Lieutenant Larko,” he said, “your mission will take you on a non-stop -flight to the United States in the new XO5. Complete details will be -given you later but this you must remember. On reaching the United -States it is essential that you crash your plane in some manner so that -identification will be impossible. You will then proceed to Bellevue -where the Goliath is under construction and join the staff of the -National Airways.” - -When the dictator paused, Serge rose to ask a question. - -“But won’t they question my appearance at Bellevue?” - -“That will be arranged,” promised Reikoff. “Before you leave Rubania you -will be supplied with the credentials of a dirigible expert from the -Friedrichshafen works in Germany. I warn you, however, that your mission -will be dangerous. The American secret service knows that I will let -nothing stand in the way of Rubania’s supremacy in the air and they have -been guarding this new dirigible with the greatest secrecy. Our agents -in the United States have known for some months that the National -Airways was building a ship to enter the transcontinental passenger -service but it was only two days ago that they learned the details of -the plans. Boris Dubra, one of our cleverest agents in America, has -secured employment at the main assembly plant under the name of Cliff -Bolton. You will work with him in the accomplishment of your mission. -Completion of the Goliath will mean domination of the skies for America. -It must not be.” - -There was a chorus of agreement from the members of the supreme council -of the Gerka grouped around the table. - -“The National Airways have ambitious plans for the Goliath,” went on -Reikoff. - -“Capt. John Harkins, probably the best dirigible commander in the world, -will be in charge of the big ship,” he said, fingering the yellow sheets -of flimsy, the wireless reports from the American branch of the Gerka -which had brought news of the Goliath and its menace to Rubania’s air -leadership. - -“Construction at Bellevue is under the direction of Charles High, vice -president in charge of operations, and his son, Andy, who is reported to -be an unusually resourceful young scientist and who will be Captain -Harkins’ first assistant.” - -“Your duty,” went on Reikoff, addressing himself directly to Serge, -“will be to win the confidence of Andy High. In America you will be -known as Herman Blatz. Once you have done that you should be in a -position to bring about the destruction of the Goliath. You must learn -its every secret. If necessary that the ship be allowed to fly in order -to accomplish that goal, do not interfere until you have mastered every -secret of these American aircraft builders. When you have done that, -destroy the Goliath!” - -Serge nodded slowly. So this was why he had been drafted into the secret -police. He was to destroy the new king of the skies. Serge loved the -great, gracefully looking airships on which he had been trained at -Friedrichshafen and the thought of destroying one of them sickened him. -But he was a Rubanian, a member of the great army which lived as Alex -Reikoff dictated and he finally forced himself to accept the mission. - -The meeting of the supreme council adjourned at two o’clock and Serge -drove hastily through the deserted streets of the capital until he -reached the flying field where he was supervising the final work on the -XO5, the new distance plane. - -Mechanics were routed from their beds and set to work preparing the big -monoplane for its long flight across the Atlantic. For eighteen hours -Serge worked feverishly over the craft, making test flights over the -field and checking every detail of the preparations. Satisfied that his -craft was ready, he rolled into a bed at the field and slept for twelve -hours. Awakened at dawn the second day following the secret meeting of -the supreme council, he found Reikoff at the field to see him off. - -Last minute instructions followed, a checking of weather maps, -acceptance of the secret papers which would put him in touch with the -American headquarters of the Gerka and the last words from Reikoff. - -“Learn the secrets of the Goliath; then destroy that air monster.” - -With those words ringing in his ears. Serge climbed into the cockpit of -the dull-gray low-winged monoplane, opened the throttle, shot his squat -looking craft down the field and into the air. He circled the field once -while gaining altitude. Then the young lieutenant of the Rubania air -force headed his ship westward. He had started his 6,000 mile flight to -America, a mission of destruction which was to involve the Goliath, its -builders and especially Andy High, young assistant pilot. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -The Air Monster - - -Before Andy High and the construction experts of the National Airways -had arrived to supervise the building of the Goliath, Uncle Sam’s newest -bid for supremacy in the skies, Bellevue had been a sleepy little -village in the heart of the bluegrass section of Kentucky. It had been -selected as the construction site for several reasons. One of the most -important was its location between two long rows of hills which insured -it of protection from high winds. Another was its comparative isolation. -There were no main highways leading into the bluegrass town and only -one branch line railroad, which, however, was sufficient to handle the -shipments of supplies. - -The secrecy which shrouded the building of the Goliath was another -factor in the selection of Bellevue, for the isolated little village was -hard to get to without being seen and it was a comparatively easy thing -to guard all entrances to the valley. - -Construction headquarters had been set up almost two years before the -spring in which the Goliath was scheduled for trial tests. First had -come freight trains heavily laden with building materials. A little -village of construction houses had gone up alongside the railroad to -shelter the workmen whose task it was to build the great hangar which -was to house the Goliath. - -As mighty as the hangar of the Akron was, that of the Goliath was even -larger. It measured 1,400 feet from one of its “orange peel” doors to -the other and was broad enough for the Goliath, when completed, to nest -comfortably alongside the Los Angeles, when that dirigible hopped over -from Lakehurst for a friendly call. - -Andy High, son of the vice president of operations of National Airways, -had arrived with the first of the construction crews and had hardly left -the village during the two intervening years. His father, Charles High, -and Capt. John Harkins, who was to be in command of the new sky king, -had shuttled back and forth between the assembly plant at Bellevue and -the various factories in other cities which were supplying materials -which went into the construction. It had been Andy’s duty to stay on the -job at Bellevue and see that every part of the carefully organized -construction machine kept to its schedule for every day represented -thousands of dollars to the National Airways and they made each working -minute count. - -The hangar had been completed and parts of the dirigible, much of which -had been fabricated at the Zeppelin plant at Akron, arrived by the -train-load to be assembled in the big dome-shaped shed just outside -Bellevue. - -On this particular spring morning, Andy was in his office just outside -the hangar, pouring over the set of blueprints for the big gondola which -was being assembled for the forward end of the dirigible. He was -engrossed in the blueprints and failed to hear Bert Benson, who was to -be chief radio operator on the Goliath, enter the room. - -“Hello, Andy,” said Bert quietly. - -The unexpected greeting startled the young aircraft engineer and he -jumped involuntarily. When he saw that his visitor was Bert he grinned -sheepishly. - -“Sorry I jumped like that,” he said, “but we’ve been having so many -mishaps in the last two weeks my nerves are on edge.” - -“I know it,” replied Bert gravely. “It’s been just one thing after -another. First something goes wrong here and then something turns up in -another part of the plant. Seems as though there was a hoodoo on this -valley.” - -“I wouldn’t exactly call it a hoodoo,” said Andy, “but we’ve certainly -been having our share of tough breaks. I’ll be glad when Dad and Captain -Harkins get back from Akron. Then we’ll be able to give more of our time -to closer supervision of the plant and these accidents may be stopped.” - -The words were barely out of Andy’s mouth when Bert, who had been -looking toward the far end of the hangar, gripped the young engineer -hard. - -“Look, Andy,” he cried, “one of the doors at the other end of the hangar -is opening!” - -Andy looked in the direction Bert pointed. There was no mistake. One of -the huge “orange peel” doors which sealed the ends of the hangar was -swinging back on the railroad track on which it was mounted. - -“Something’s gone wrong down there,” said Andy sharply. “A crew is -working on top of that door this morning. They may be brushed off if -that door isn’t stopped at once.” - -Bert realized the danger to men working on the top of the 225 foot, 600 -ton door, and he nodded grimly. There was something decidedly wrong, for -specific orders had been issued that the doors were never to be opened -unless Andy or Capt. Harkins were at the controls of the motors which -moved the giant doors. - -“Come on,” cried Andy. “We’ve got to stop that door.” - -They left the office and jumped into Andy’s roadster which was parked -nearby. With a clashing of hastily shifted gears, they roared along the -outside of the hangar. While they dashed toward the end, the door -continued its slow, relentless movement. At the top they could see a -half dozen men clinging to the girders. The control room for the doors -was on the other side and Andy whipped his roadster around the end of -the hangar. He was out of the machine before it stopped and raced toward -the motor room with Bert at his heels. - -There was no one at the control board and the powerful motors were -humming softly. With one swift movement Andy shut off the power and the -great door stopped. - -“Run outside and tell that crew on top of the door to hang on for -another five minutes,” Andy told Bert. “Warn them to hold on tight when -I start rolling the door in.” - -The radio operator departed on the run and Andy, looking through a -window, saw Bert megaphone with his hands and shout the warning to the -desperate crew clinging on top of the door. - -Andy threw over the controls and turned on the motors. He let the clutch -which operated the door mechanism in easily and the great “orange peel” -moved slowly back into place. - -While the motors sang at their task, Andy’s mind was busy over this near -tragedy. It could not have been an accident by the furthest stretch of -the imagination for motors do not start all by themselves and clutches -do not jump into place without a guiding hand. In the last two weeks -there had been one minor accident after another. It had been maddening. -The Goliath was scheduled to make its trial flights in two more months -and there wast much remaining to be done. Each little delay meant -valuable time lost and Andy had about come to the conclusion that a -deliberate attempt was being made to delay the construction of the great -ship. He promised himself that there would be a thorough investigation -of this latest incident. - -The door finally rolled into place and the half dozen men who had been -in danger of their lives quickly climbed down to a place of safety. - -Andy disengaged the clutch and shut off the motors. Bert returned and -they made a thorough inspection of the little room but found nothing -which would identify the man who had started the motors. - -“Now I’ll tell you why I came into your office,” Bert told Andy after -they had securely locked the control room. “Last night someone tampered -with my radio equipment and broke up a lot of it.” - -Andy’s lips snapped into a thin, straight line. - -“How much damage was done?” he asked. - -“Not as much as I first feared,” replied Bert. “As luck would have it -whoever used the hammer destroyed experimental equipment and the -installation for the Goliath is almost intact. He must have been an -amateur at the job or he would have singled out the set for the Goliath -and smashed it.” - -“What you’ve told me and what’s just happened,” said Andy grimly, “makes -me positive that there is a well-defined plot under way to injure the -Goliath in every way possible. I thought we had a hand-picked crew that -couldn’t be bribed but it looks like I was wrong.” - -From the timber-covered hills behind the hangar came the sharp crackle -of rifle fire, which was followed by a tense quiet as every man in the -great hangar stopped work. When the rifle fire was not repeated, the -crews slowly resumed their work and Andy and Bert headed for the hills -on the run. - -Since the Goliath had been partially financed by a government -appropriation and its construction embodied secrets valuable to the war -department, a military guard had patrolled the construction site from -the day the hangar had been completed and the actual assembly of the -dirigible started. On a number of occasions they had apprehended men -trying to make their way into Bellevue and without exception the secret -service detail at the hangar had found them to be agents of foreign -governments. They had been quietly sent to military prisons but in the -last few weeks there had been no such arrests and the vigilance of the -guards had been relaxed somewhat. - -Andy and Bert were half-way up the slope to the guard line when they met -Merritt Timms, chief of the secret service unit at Bellevue, coming down -the hill. - -“Anybody hurt at the hangar?” asked Timms anxiously. - -“No,” replied Andy. “We stopped the door in time. What happened on top -of the hill?” - -“The guard had to stop a man who was trying to get away,” explained -Timms. “I’ve been suspecting one of the motor mechanics for some time of -sabotage and only ten minutes ago saw him sneak out of the control room -door. A second later one of the doors started to open and I knew what he -had been up to. I saw you coming to shut off the power and I took after -this fellow. He knew he’d have to make a quick get-away and he tried to -get past the guard line.” - -“Did he refuse to stop?” asked Bert. - -“Not only that,” replied the secret service chief, “but he attempted to -shoot and the guard fired, but he wasn’t seriously wounded.” - -“I can’t feel very sorry for him,” said Andy, “when I think of the -half dozen men, on top of the door, he almost killed. If the door had -run to the end of its track with the power still on it would have ripped -away from its fastenings and perhaps have crushed an end of the hangar.” - -“Which is exactly what this chap wanted,” added Timms. “I’ve got a -little leather packet here in which he carried some secret papers. We’ll -have a look at them.” - -The name on the leather folder was that of Cliff Bolton, a common enough -American name, but the secret service man and Andy and Bert were in for -a surprise when they examined the contents. Documents there showed the -true name of the spy to have been Boris Dubra, an agent of the dreaded -Rubanian Gerka, whose reputation for unscrupulous methods was known even -in Bellevue. - -“This puts a new angle on the whole case,” said Timms gravely. “Of -course you know that Alex Reikoff, dictator of Rubania, is determined -that his air force shall be the most powerful in the world. Until just -now we hadn’t discovered a single Rubanian agent trying to get through -the lines but it certainly looks as though Reikoff is definitely -interested in the Goliath, all of which means we will have to redouble -our vigilance.” - -“But why should Reikoff have designs against the Goliath?” asked Bert. - -“It’s a long story,” replied the secret service chief, “but to boil it -down it means that he plans to make Rubania a world power through the -development of a great air force. When his planes and dirigibles are the -peer of anything else in the world, he will strike out for world power.” - -“Which would mean another war,” said Andy quietly. - -“Just exactly,” replied Timms, “and when the Goliath is completed and in -the air it will dwarf even the great dirigibles Reikoff has turned out -at his Blenkko plant in Rubania. Now you understand why the Rubanian -secret police, or Gerka as it is better known, is interested in the -Goliath. So far we’ve been pretty successful in checking sabotage and -this mechanic was the only man they could get into the plant.” - -“He was enough,” said Andy, “for had his plan succeeded and the door -have crushed an end of the hangar we might have been delayed for -months.” - -They walked slowly back toward the hangar, discussing further the events -which had just taken place and planning for the tightening of the guard -lines around the plant. - -“As soon as this agent of the Gerka is patched up in the hospital I’ll -go over and give him a thorough grilling,” said Timms as they reached -the hangar. - -“Let me know when you go,” said Andy. “I’d like to see what he has to -say.” - -“I’ll do that,” promised the secret service agent as Andy and Bert got -into the young engineer’s roadster. - -When they reached the little building which served as Andy’s office, -they found a messenger boy with a telegram for Andy. - -“Must be from Dad,” he said as he ripped open the envelope, “and believe -me I’ll be glad to have him back here in charge of things.” - -Andy scanned the telegram; then he read it again hardly able to believe -the words which were typed on the yellow sheet. - -“What’s the matter?” asked Bert anxiously. - -“Nothing wrong,” grinned Andy, “but it’s news, big news!” With eyes -aglow and face reflecting his own enthusiasm he handed the telegram to -Bert. - -“Rush work with all possible speed,” said the message. “Have just -completed plans for Goliath’s first official flight this summer which -will take us to North pole for an exchange of mail with the Submarine -Neptune, which will be commanded by Gilbert Mathews.” - -“My gosh,” exclaimed Bert, “a trip to the North pole. Well, that is -news.” - -“I’ll say,” replied Andy. “Watch us make time from now on for there -won’t be any more accidents with this Rubanian secret agent out of the -way.” - - - - -CHAPTER III - -Mystery Plane - - -The change of the seasons was at hand and the last dirty patches of snow -melted under the rays of the March sun. Andy spread the news that the -first official flight of the Goliath would take it into the polar -regions and the crews inside the lofty hangar were filled with new -enthusiasm and energy. They were making history, placing America in the -forefront of the air-minded nations, and they thrilled at their task. - -In the afternoon Andy helped Bert check over the damage which the agent -of the Gerka had done to the radio apparatus and they were greatly -relieved to find that the set intended for installation on the Goliath -worked perfectly. - -When Andy returned to his office, Bert accompanied him and they -discussed the outlook for the polar flight. - -“It will be a real test of the Goliath,” said Andy, “and it means we’ll -make plenty of trial flights before we undertake a cruise into the -northland.” - -“Why do you suppose your father decided on such a daring trip?” asked -Bert. - -“There has been some criticism of the government for appropriating a -part of the money necessary for the construction of the Goliath,” -explained Andy. “This was especially true when it became known that the -dirigible would eventually be used for transcontinental passenger -traffic. What most people do not realize is that the Goliath will be a -veritable airship of the skies, a craft that can be turned from a -peace-time airship into an aerial battleship if the United States is -ever attacked by an enemy force. With its enormous cruising radius of -15,000 miles without refueling it will be able to scout far from our -own shores and uncover the approach of any enemy fleet.” - -“Then the whole idea of the polar flight will be to popularize the -Goliath with the general public,” said Bert. - -“I expect that’s about how Dad’s figured it,” agreed Andy. “The trial -flights will take us to a good many cities in various sections and as -soon as people get a glimpse of the Goliath they’ll be glad Uncle Sam -appropriated funds to help build it. Once they’ve seen the airship -they’ll follow its polar flight with double interest and when the -Goliath comes back from the north it will be a familiar name to everyone -in the country.” - -“Sounds like a good idea,” nodded Bert. “This country needs to be -air-minded or foreign nations like Rubania, which have dictators -ambitious to extend their powers, will put us on a shelf.” - -The afternoon mail arrived and with it was a letter addressed to Andy -and from the war department. - -“Wonder what’s up now?” he mused as he silt open the envelope. He read -the letter carefully for the war department communications were usually -lengthy affairs which required careful scrutiny. - -“We’re going to have company,” Andy told Bert when he finished. “The war -department has granted permission for a dirigible expert from the -Friedrichshafen works in Germany to come down here and study the general -plans for the Goliath. He will probably remain until after the trial -flights have been completed.” - -“How about our construction secrets we’ve been guarding so closely?” -asked Bert. “It doesn’t seem right that we should let this fellow have -the run of the works.” - -“We won’t exactly do that,” explained Andy, “for this letter outlines -definitely just what information to which the Friedrichshafen man is to -have access. Our own research department has had much help and advice -from Dr. Hugo Eckener and his co-workers in Germany and it is only fair -that we return the favor as long as we do not divulge any of the -military secrets of the Goliath.” - -“Wonder what kind of a fellow he’ll be?” asked Bert. - -“You know as much about him as I do,” replied Andy. “Except that I have -been told his name is Herman Blatz.” - -“That sounds like a brand of near beer,” grinned Bert. “Wonder if he’ll -be able to talk much English?” - -“I expect so,” nodded Andy. “Those chaps at the Friedrichshafen -works are cosmopolitan; they have to be the way the Graf Zeppelin -has been hopping from one hemisphere to another. A fellow certainly -has to hand it to Doctor Eckener for his work in proving how capable -lighter-than-air craft can be.” - -“When will this expert from Germany arrive?” Bert wanted to know. - -“This letter doesn’t give an exact date, but I should imagine it would -be within the week. I’ll show it to Merritt Timms so he won’t have his -secret service men chasing Blatz out of here when he tries to get -through the guard line.” - -Bert stepped to the door of Andy’s small office and scanned the clear -afternoon sky. He sniffed at the air eagerly. There was no mistaking it. -There was a real tang and zest of spring on the breeze. Beyond the great -doors of the home of the Goliath stretched a meadow which had been -turned into an airport for the aviation experts who made visits to -Bellevue usually came in their own plane and ships of the National -Airways dropped down several times a day. - -“It’s a wonderful afternoon,” said Bert suggestively. - -Andy left his desk with its blue prints and stepped to the door. He -chuckled as he looked at the sky and then at the wind sock on the beacon -tower. - -“That wasn’t, by any chance, a hint that it would be a nice afternoon -for a little vacation in the clouds?” he grinned. - -“Take it that way if you want to,” chuckled Bert. “There’s nothing that -would suit me better than a hop over the hills. I’ve been on the ground -for nearly a month; it’s been slushy and muddy underfoot and I’d like -nothing better than a joy hop.” - -“Tell you what,” said Andy. “I feel the same way about it but I’ve got -to check over the final specifications on the assembly of the control -room in the gondola. I’m about half through now. It will take half an -hour to finish the job. As soon as I’m done I’ll meet you down on the -field and we’ll take a ride in my sportster. The sunset this afternoon -is going to be grand.” - -“I’ll be waiting,” promised Bert and he left Andy alone to study over -the intricate set of blueprints. Final assembly of the main control room -was to start the next day and Andy wanted to be sure that he had every -detail in mind. In the absence of Captain Harkins this task would -require his closest personal supervision and the son of the vice -president in charge of operations for the National Airways concentrated -on his task before him. - -Andy was a natural airman. He had first flown a plane at fifteen and at -eighteen had qualified for a transport license, which he had never had -time to use for from that time on he had devoted his attention to -dirigibles. A year at Friedrichshafen under Doctor Hugo Eckener had -given him a firm foundation for his later experiments in his father’s -own laboratory and he had watched the building of the Akron at the -Goodyear-Zeppelin plant in Ohio. When the National Airways had decided -to go into the dirigible field and construct the Goliath, suitable for -passenger service in peace time or as a battleship of the skies in time -of war, Andy had been given an important role in the construction -program. His technical advice was sound, based on his thorough schooling -at Friedrichshafen and Akron, and his more advanced ideas were supported -by the experiments he had made in his father’s laboratory. - -Plans for the Goliath had been worked out by Charles High, Andy’s -father, Captain Harkins, the chief engineer and pilot, and a special -board of army experts designated by the war department. If the Goliath -lived up to the expectations of its builders, more ships of the same -type would be constructed in the Kentucky hills while the aircraft plant -at Akron was enlarged to handle the construction of other ships the size -of the Goliath. Secret plans of the National Airways and the war -department called for the eventual construction of ten of the giant sky -liners, five of them at the Bellevue plant of the National Airways and -the rest at the Goodyear-Zeppelin factory at Akron. - -Andy completed his minute study of the blueprints and straightened up. -He was six feet one tall, with broad shoulders and a well-developed body -that revealed his love for sports in his hours away from his work. His -eyes were a clear, bright blue and his light hair had just a tinge of -red, an indication of his temper when he was aroused to a fighting -pitch. - -The sun had dropped behind the arched roof of the main hangar when Andy -left his office and started for the meadow beyond the huge structure. He -had been inside it at least a dozen times that day to watch the progress -of the work on the Goliath but now, with the crews through for the day, -he couldn’t resist the urge to step in and gaze in silent admiration at -the great hulk that was soon to rule the skies. - -The hangar was silent except for a few birds, which made their home -there. They wheeled high over the framework of the Goliath, chirping -their defiance. - -Structural work on the Goliath had been completed several months before -and crews of riggers had been busy since then testing and placing the -great gas bags which would contain the precious helium, the life-blood -of the great craft. - -Specifications for the Goliath called for 12 of the large gas bags, -which in reality were balloons held captive by the duralumin framework -with its covering of sturdy metal cloth. Ten of the large bags had been -tested and were in place while the last two would be in place before the -end of the week. There would be six in the forward half of the Goliath -and six in the after section. In the space between them was the -especially designed hold which in peace time would be used for -cargo-carrying and in war as the hold in which the Goliath would carry -its swarm of fighting planes. - -The framework of the Goliath was 850 feet long, sixty-five feet longer -than that of the Akron. It’s diameter was 135 feet, only three feet more -than the Akron but a new manufacturing process had increased the tensile -strength of the duralumin used in the Goliath so that it could stand -double the strain of the metal used in any previously constructed -airship. This process, which had been worked out by Captain Harkins with -the assistance of Andy, was one of the great features of the Akron. It -was expected that the ship would be able to withstand any storm of less -than cyclonic intensity and such an accident as befell the Shenandoah -was practically impossible. - -The increased strength of the Goliath’s framework also allowed the -mounting of more powerful engines, which meant greater speed. If the -hopes of Andy and the other engineers were realized, the great craft -would cruise at 100 miles an hour with a top speed of 120, a decided -advantage over any other craft then in service. - -Mechanics had been busy the last three weeks mounting the 12 engines -which were to provide the power. Each engine was mounted in a separate -engine room, completely insulated from the rest of the ship to do away -with the danger of fire and lessen noise. Power shafts would project -through the side with six propellers on each side. - -All of these facts Andy knew by heart and in the silence of the sunset -hour he stood in awe before the sky king he was helping to create. In -two more months the great doors would roll open, the huge mooring mast, -with the Goliath in tow, would waddle out on the concrete runway, and -the world’s greatest airship would be introduced to its public, some of -whom would welcome it enthusiastically while others would gaze at it -with questioning eyes, waiting for its trial flights to prove the claims -of its builders. - -Andy knew that Bert was waiting for him out on the field and he finally -forced himself to leave the hangar. He had lived with the Goliath for -months and the great ship was almost a part of him. - -Mechanics had warmed up Andy’s plane and the trim red sportster was -ready for the late afternoon spin. - -“I thought you weren’t going to show up,” Bert shouted. “Been in -‘talking’ with the Goliath?” - -Andy grinned and nodded. - -“I don’t blame you,” shouted back Bert. “I go in there every once in a -while and just sit down and look at it. Some ship!” - -“I’ll say,” replied Andy. “You’d better get into a sheepskin coat. The -air will be a little nippy when we get up five or six thousand feet.” - -Bert agreed with the suggestion and ran to one of the airplane hangars, -which was dwarfed in the lengthening shadows from the Goliath’s home. He -returned with two coats, one for himself and one for Andy. - -The sportster was an Ace two-place biplane with stubby wings, painted -silver, and a crimson fuselage. Andy had ordered up dual controls the -week before and had promised to give Bert flying instructions whenever -they had a spare hour during the spring. - -“Let your feet and hands rest lightly on the controls,” Andy told his -friend, “and whatever you do, don’t hang onto them. If you do I may have -to clout you over the head with a wrench.” - -They slipped into their parachute harnesses for Andy was a safe and sane -flyer who believed in taking commonsense precautions. Bert climbed into -the forward cockpit and Andy slipped into the rear seat. - -The motor was warm but he tested it thoroughly before waving to the -mechanics to pull the blocks. The sun was a great red disk of flame when -they skipped down the meadow and raced into the air. - -Bert, who had learned his radio knowledge at a department of commerce -station, had never had the opportunity to do much flying until he joined -the National Airways radio force and was assigned to Bellevue to take -charge of the installation of the equipment on the Goliath. He had -arrived the previous fall and during the winter had become Andy’s -closest friend. They were almost inseparable and Andy, realizing Bert’s -ambition to become a flyer, had promised to give his friend -instructions. - -Bert studied each move of the controls and its effect on the maneuvers -of the plane. At Andy’s suggestion he had read up on the principles of -aeronautics and understood the reason for the shifts in the stick and -the rudder bar. - -At three thousand feet Andy leveled off and waggled the stick, -indicating that Bert was to take control. The chunky little radio -operator felt his heart go into his throat, but he took a firm grip on -the stick and moved it cautiously backward. The nose came up slowly. He -moved it ahead. The nose went down ever so slightly. He could fly; he -was flying! - -He turned around and shouted at Andy in his excitement. The next moment -his head was snapped back against his seat. He gasped and jerked around -to look at the controls. To his surprise the nose of the plane was in a -steep dive and he felt the pit of his stomach start to turn a flip flop. - -He knew the thing to do was to pull back on the stick and he did so -enthusiastically. The nose came up, the ground disappeared and he found -himself staring toward a bank of fleecy clouds that rolled along lazily. -His safety belt snapped tight and to his astonishment the ground whirled -into view again. - -Andy was signaling for the stick and Bert gladly turned over the -controls. Andy throttled down and grinned at the radio operator. - -“Nice work,” he shouted. “I guess you’ve set a record. At least you’re -the only fellow I know who looped on his first flight.” - -“Who what?” cried Bert. - -“You looped,” replied Andy. “You did a nice piece of flying but I’ll bet -it was more luck than sense.” - -“You’re right,” admitted Bert, who slumped down in his seat, glad enough -that Andy was back at the controls. - -Andy loafed around the field in easy circles, gradually gaining -altitude. The sun was dropping over the horizon and the purple shadows -that preceded night were wrapping the countryside in their soft shroud. -It was a glorious feeling to be able to take to the air and for the -moment forget the pressing cares which he felt around him every minute -he was on the ground. - -The sportster handled beautifully and Andy found himself at the six -thousand foot level almost before he knew it. The air was growing colder -and the shadows below deepened rapidly. He throttled down, preparatory -to drifting down when he heard a cry from Bert. - -The radio operator was shouting and pointing excitedly toward a bank of -clouds in the east. - -Andy turned and saw a large gray monoplane, traveling fast and high, -above the cloud bank. The plane was different from any machine with -which he was familiar and he decided to get a closer look at the -stranger. - -The other machine must have been up 10,000 feet and Andy opened the -throttle and sent the Ace scooting upward. At eight thousand he knew the -pilot of the other ship had seen him and the gray machine seemed to leap -ahead with a sudden burst of speed. They were directly over Bellevue, a -prohibited flying area for any except army or National Airways ships, -and Andy was curious to know who this flyer was who dared to defy strict -air regulations. - -The sportster was fast but in less than a minute he knew the other ship -was superior in speed. It was a squat, low-winged craft, evidently an -all-metal machine and distinctly foreign looking in appearance. Andy -made a mental note that he’d get out his design guides when he landed -and find out just what make of plane it was that could pull away from -his with such apparent ease. It was a useless chase and after five more -minutes Andy gave up and swung the Ace back toward Bellevue while the -strange ship disappeared in the south. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -Danger in the Air - - -The landing field at Bellevue was shrouded in heavy shadows of the -fast-coming night when Andy dropped his Ace sportster down after the -futile pursuit of the strange plane. - -Merritt Timms, the secret service chief, was waiting for them when the -young engineer and the radio operator climbed out of the fuselage. - -“Did you get the department of commerce number on the fellow I saw you -chasing?” he asked. - -“I should say we didn’t,” replied Andy. “He was too fast for one thing -and for another, he didn’t have any number on his wings that I could -see.” - -“Outlaw plane?” asked Timms. - -“Yes,” replied Andy, “and a strange machine. I’ve never seen one exactly -like it. I’m going over to the office and see if I can check up on its -design. I’ve some guide books there that may help us.” - -“How’s the Rubanian agent that was winged earlier this morning?” Bert -asked the secret service man. - -“He’ll come through nicely,” replied Timms, “and probably spend about -the next five years in a military prison wondering what it is all -about.” - -“Have you had a chance to talk to him?” Andy wanted to know. - -“Not yet. I’m going over after supper. Want to come along?” - -“Yes,” said the young engineer. “How about you, Bert?” - -“Count me in,” replied the radio operator. “It’s too bad he’s wounded. -I’d like to give him a punch on the nose after all the damage he did to -my radio room.” - -“I don’t blame you,” chuckled Andy. “He certainly did mess things up but -if he had been very intelligent he’d have recognized the installation -for the Goliath and have smashed it all to pieces. I guess we’ve been -lucky after all.” - -When they reached the office Andy dug some reference books on airplane -design out of a box and sat down to hunt for a description of the type -of craft that he had encountered only a few minutes before. - -“I don’t think it was an American-made machine,” he said, “so we won’t -waste time hunting there. Let’s try the foreign designers first.” - -British, French, Italian and German divisions failed to furnish any -designs similar to the craft he had pictured in his mind’s eye. - -The Russians had a low-winged monoplane but the wing mounting was too -high to answer the description of the craft Andy and Bert had seen. - -Andy turned on to the section devoted to the aviation activities and -designs of the Rubanian air force. Here was something nearer what he -sought. Pictured on one page was a low-winged machine with a streamlined -fuselage that very nearly answered the description of the machine he had -seen. A footnote added that planes of this type were in production at -the Blenkko works near Kratz, the Rubanian capital, but that it was -possible minor changes might be made in them when they were put through -actual air tests. - -“How does this picture strike you?” Andy asked Bert. - -“Looks almost exactly like the monoplane we chased,” replied the chubby -radio operator. - -Merritt Timms was intensely interested in the description of the -Rubanian plane. - -“I’m not surprised,” he said, “and I have a hunch we’ll find that it was -a Rubanian monoplane.” - -“But how could it get clear over here?” asked Bert. - -Timms pointed at the specifications of the monoplane which were printed -under the picture. - -“Cruising range 7,000 miles,” read Bert. - -“That would give a good flyer an ample margin to fly from Rubania to -Bellevue,” said Timms, “and such a feat isn’t at all impossible.” - -“You talk as though you thought the Goliath was in great danger of -damage by Rubanian agents,” said Bert. - -“I don’t think now; I know,” replied Timms gravely, “for you may be sure -that there is danger connected with anything in which Alex Reikoff, -dictator of Rubania, is interested. Will you write a brief description -of this plane?” he asked, turning to Andy. - -“It won’t take five minutes,” promised Andy. - -“Thanks,” said Timms. “I’ll have a complete description broadcast and -we’ll be sure to pick him up somewhere. He can’t fly on forever and -he’ll find that disobeying Uncle Sam’s orders and flying over a -forbidden area is not to be joked with.” - -Andy wrote a brief but thorough description of the mystery plane and -Timms departed to get his message on its way to the broadcasting -stations from which a complete description and warning to watch out for -the gray monoplane would soon be sent to hundreds of thousands of -listeners. - -“Think Timms will be able to pick up the flyer of this Rubanian plane?” -Bert asked. - -“It will be something out of the ordinary if he doesn’t,” replied Andy. -“Timms may be a little slow to get started but once he is on the job he -is like a bull dog; he never gives up.” - -Andy made sure that all of the precious specifications for the Goliath -were in the big steel vault before he locked the office. They walked -down to the one hotel, where they had made their home while in Bellevue, -and cleaned up for supper. A regular mess hall had been built at the -plant for the crews, who worked, ate and slept in the buildings erected -beside the hangar, but technicians and crew foremen lived at the hotel. - -The two long tables in the dining room were well filled when Andy and -Bert entered and they were joined a minute or two later by Timms. - -“The alarm will be all over the country in another fifteen minutes,” -said the secret service man, “and we ought to have some news either -tonight or the first thing in the morning.” - -Structural experts, gas experts, motor specialists and expert fitters -were at the table and the talk, as it always did, centered on the -Goliath, how much progress had been made that day, what they would do -the next and to speculation on the exact day the big ship would take the -air and what would be its destination on its first official flight. - -“Any news on where we’ll go on our first long trip?” one of the motor -experts asked Andy. - -“Sure,” replied the young engineer. “We’re going to the North pole to -exchange mail with the submarine Neptune this summer.” - -“What!” - -“Quit your kidding.” - -“Say it again.” - -“You’re dreaming.” - -These and a chorus of similar exclamations greeted Andy’s quiet -statement. He said it in such a matter-of-fact way that most of the men -in the room thought he was joking and he had to repeat his statement two -more times before they took him seriously. - -“Wait a minute,” he added. “I’ll read you the telegram that came this -afternoon.” - -He pulled the message from his pocket and read his father’s words. When -he had finished they were all grave. There was no question now. They -were going to the North pole on their first great test of the new -airship. Every man in the room knew something of the dangers of a polar -flight and they admired Andy’s father for his courage in sending the -Goliath on such a voyage. - -“We’ll make a lot of flights to various cities in this country,” -explained Andy, “before we start on the long trip north so the ship will -have a thorough test and we’ll know just exactly what she’ll do.” - -“She’ll do everything the specifications call for and more too,” -exclaimed one of the rigging foremen and his words represented the -sentiment of every expert in the room for they all had explicit -confidence that the Goliath would live up to expectations of her -designers and builders. - -“When do you think we’ll be ready for the test flights?” one of the -helium experts asked Andy. - -“With the polar trip definitely decided on,” replied Andy, “we’ll have -to be in the air before the end of the next sixty days. That means we -can’t afford even a single hour’s delay on the assembly schedule and we -may have to lengthen the shifts in order to get through.” - -“We’ll work 24 hours a day if we have to,” said one of the enthusiastic -foremen, for after nearly two years of exacting construction work, they -were all anxious to see the Goliath test its wings. - -The remainder of the supper hour was devoted to heated discussions of -the various features of the dirigible, and who would be selected for the -crew. Every man in the room hoped that he would get by the final weeding -out process and win a permanent berth on the world’s largest airship. - -Timms was waiting for Andy and Bert after supper in the lobby of the -hotel. - -“I’m going over and talk to the Rubanian,” he said. “Better come along.” - -They were about to leave the lobby when the program of dance music which -was coming in on the radio stopped abruptly for a station announcement. - -“Wait a minute,” said Bert. “They haven’t stopped for the usual station -identification. They cut that piece off in the middle.” - -They went closer to the receiver and it seemed as though the announcer -in the station miles away had seen their movement for he started his -announcement at once. - -“We have just received a special bulletin,” said the voice on the ether -waves. “A powerful monoplane, of low-winged construction, was sighted -just at sunset near Bellevue, Ky. It was flying over a restricted area -in violation of department of commerce rules. The machine is fast and -slate-gray in color. There appeared to be only one man in the machine -and from the description at hand it is evidently of foreign make. It is -possible that some European flyer, on a secret long-distance flight, has -crossed the Atlantic, and, unaware of the department of commerce -regulation, flew over Bellevue, home of the giant airship Goliath. Now, -news hounds, get busy and let’s see what you can find out about this -strange, low-winged monoplane. Any information should be sent direct to -this station. Our program of music will continue.” - -The voice stopped and the dance band which was featured at that hour on -the air resumed. - -“That ought to get results,” said Andy. “Anyone listening in on this -program who has heard or seen a plane in the last two hours will -undoubtedly send in a report.” - -“We’ll have a lot of misinformation,” said Timms, “but a real clue may -develop.” - -“How many stations carried that announcement?” asked Bert. - -“The message was sent to about 50 of the major broadcasters,” replied -Timms, “and every one of them will put it on the air.” - -“In other words, you covered the whole country,” grinned Bert. - -“That’s what I hoped to do,” replied Timms. “Now we’ll see just how much -value the radio is to the secret service in an emergency when we need -the cooperation of the public.” - -“You’ll have something definite before midnight,” predicted Bert, who -was quick to rise to the defense of his chosen profession. - -“It’s seven-thirty now,” said Andy, glancing at the clock in the lobby. -“That gives you four and a half hours.” - -“That’s enough,” replied Bert. “If there isn’t some real clue by that -time I’ll buy your suppers tomorrow night.” - -“And if you win?” Andy asked. - -“Then I’ll eat supper tomorrow night and the next on you two,” grinned -Bert. - -“I’ll buy your suppers for a week,” promised Timms, “if we know by -midnight where this mysterious plane went.” - -The doctor in charge of the little emergency hospital which was a part -of the National Airways equipment at Bellevue informed them that Dubra, -or Cliff Bolton as he had been listed on the payroll, was resting easily -and in condition to talk. - -The Gerka agent was in a private room and a soldier was seated across -the hall, facing the door. The windows were barred and there was little -chance that Reikoff’s secret agent would go free until Uncle Sam decided -he had paid the penalty for his treachery. - -Dubra was propped up on pillows, reading an evening paper. He looked up -expectantly when they entered but the moment he saw Timms he became -sullen. The radio down the hall was plainly audible and Andy recognized -the music of the dance band they had heard over the receiving set at the -hotel. Unquestionably Dubra had heard the emergency announcement. Andy -wondered if there had been any connection between Dubra’s attempt to -wreck the hangar that morning and the arrival of the Rubanian plane. It -was logical to believe that it was part of a carefully laid out plot. He -had thought the Goliath safe from an air attack by a jealous foreign -country but if the gray plane they had sighted that afternoon proved to -be a Rubanian ship, they would have to station several fast army pursuit -ships at the field or perhaps install searchlights to ward off any night -attack. Possibilities of destruction of the Goliath by an air attack -were limitless and Andy grew sick at the thought that the great ship, -which represented the labor and love of hundreds of men, was in danger -and he looked at the wounded agent of the Gerka with little sympathy. - -“How do you feel tonight?” Timms asked Dubra. - -“How do you suppose?” was the sullen reply. “I’ve got two bullet holes -in my right leg and another in my left one.” - -“You’re lucky you didn’t get one through the heart,” replied Timms -cheerfully. - -“You’ll suffer for this outrage,” promised Dubra, whose eyes shifted -from the secret service agent to Andy, then to Bert, and back to Timms. - -“Just as soon as my government learns of this unwarranted attack you’ll -be in enough trouble to last you the rest of your life.” - -Dubra’s bravado angered Timms, who spoke fiercely. - -“Shut up and listen to me,” said the secret service agent. “You’re a -Rubanian resident who posed as a naturalized American. You entered this -country unlawfully, you’re a secret agent of the Gerka, you attempted to -commit murder this morning when you turned on the power of the hangar -door and almost killed a half dozen men working on it, you attempted to -escape from a military reservation and were shot when you failed to obey -repeated commands to halt. A full report of this has been forwarded to -the department of justice. You’ll be lucky if you don’t spend the rest -of your life behind the bars at a military prison for remember, Dubra, -that military, not civil, courts will deal with your offense and army -courts are well known for the severity of their sentences on scoundrels -such as you.” - -The concise, bitter indictment by Timms broke Dubra’s spirit of bravado -and the agent of the Gerka cringed as he thought of his black future. - -“How much were you to be paid for wrecking the hangar?” asked Timms. - -Dubra refused to answer. - -“How much?” Timms repeated the question. - -Still no answer. - -“All right, boys,” said the secret service agent. “We’ll just turn off -the light and leave Dubra alone in the dark tonight. He has plenty to -think about. Oh, yes, I’ll tell the orderly down the hall Dubra’s to -have no water to drink and any calls from this room are not to be -answered.” - -Timms reached for the light switch and Dubra suddenly changed his mind. - -“I’ll talk, I’ll talk,” he cried, “only don’t leave me alone in the -dark. Something might happen. What do you want to know?” - -“Are you the only agent of the Gerka in the plant now?” asked Timms, his -words snapping through the quiet of the room. - -“Yes,” replied Dubra so quickly that the others were convinced he had -told the truth. - -“And your job was to wreck the hangar and delay construction until -another and more powerful agent could get here and finish the job of -sabotage against the Goliath?” went on Timms. - -This time there was no reply to the question and Dubra turned his face -toward the wall. - -“I’ll give you a minute to make up your mind,” said Timms. - -The seconds ticked away and there was no sound from any of the four in -the small room. - -“Make up your mind,” warned Timms. “Ten more seconds and the lights go -out.” - -The secret service chief, Andy and Bert turned to leave the room. They -were on the threshold when Dubra called them back. - -“My job was to wreck the hangar,” he confessed, the words coming slowly -and evidently with the greatest reluctance. - -“Who is going to attempt to wreck the Goliath?” demanded the secret -service chief. - -“I don’t know,” whispered Dubra. “The Gerka doesn’t work that way. Each -of us is assigned a specific task to carry out independent of anyone -else.” - -“Then you don’t know who flew that gray monoplane over here this -afternoon?” asked Andy. - -“I didn’t know a monoplane came over.” - -“Don’t lie,” said Timms. “If you didn’t hear the noise you certainly -heard the announcement over the radio just a few minutes ago. Did you -expect someone to make a long-distance flight from Rubania for the -purpose of destroying the Goliath?” - -“I didn’t expect anyone,” replied Dubra. - -“But someone else was to carry out the attack on the Goliath?” persisted -Timms. - -“Yes,” whispered Dubra. - -“That’s enough for the present,” said Timms. “Let’s go, boys.” - -“You promised Dubra some pretty rough treatment if he wouldn’t talk,” -said Bert when they left the hospital. - -“It was bluff, pure and simple,” smiled Timms, “but he’s in a precarious -situation and is smart enough to realize that his case will be handled -by a court-martial. He’s between two fires. If he talks too much his own -organization, the Gerka, will revenge themselves on him. If he refuses -to talk to us, his penalty will be doubly severe.” - -“At least the talk with Dubra did one thing,” said Andy gravely. “We -know for sure that the Goliath is in grave danger and that the man -selected to carry out its destruction has not yet arrived at Bellevue.” - - - - -CHAPTER V - -No Clues - - -On leaving the hospital after questioning the agent of the Gerka, Andy, -Bert and the secret service chief walked over to Andy’s office. There -they discussed plans for additional precautions in the guarding of the -Goliath. - -“I’m convinced now,” said Andy, “that the plane we sighted this -afternoon was a Rubanian ship. Either the pilot had made a non-stop -flight across the Atlantic or he stopped at some remote place where -there was little chance that news of his landing would spread, took on -additional fuel, and continued here.” - -“The fact that we were up sky-larking may have prevented a bomb attack -on the Goliath,” said Bert. - -“That’s possible,” conceded Timms, “but I doubt that Rubania would dare -to use such an open and violent method. An air attack would mean war -with popular sentiment of the world with the United States.” - -“A more likely explanation,” said Andy, “is that the agent who is to -carry on the actual campaign of destruction against the Goliath arrived -in the plane we sighted.” - -“I’m inclined to believe as you do,” Timms told Andy. “Our first step, -after doubling the guards around Bellevue, will be to trace this strange -craft. I’m hopeful that the radio appeal will bring results.” - -“I know it will,” said Bert confidently. - -“Dad will be back within a day or two,” said Andy, “and I’ll be mighty -glad to turn the responsibility of this whole affair over to him. When -he’s back on the job, we’ll take a whirl at finding this unknown agent -of the Rubanian Gerka who is to destroy the Goliath,” he told Bert. - -Timms was busy with a long-distance call to the department of justice in -Washington, informing his chief there of the latest development at -Bellevue. When he finished, he turned to talk with Andy and Bert. - -“Half a dozen army pursuit planes, fully equipped for combat, will drop -down here tomorrow morning,” he said. “They’ll remain until the Goliath -is ready to take the air and after that at least two of them will -accompany the big ship on all of its trial flights. In addition, an -anti-aircraft battery with complete night lighting equipment will arrive -before sundown tomorrow.” - -“That ought to insure us against the success of any attack from the -air,” said Andy. - -“From the air, yes,” conceded Timms, “but our danger will lie from an -attack within. Everyone who comes on the reservation from now on will be -doubly checked.” - -By ten o’clock that night every possible precaution to safeguard the -Goliath had been taken. The military guard around the grounds of the -National Airways reservation had been doubled, and extra watchmen had -been placed at the hangar. It didn’t seem humanly possible for anyone to -get within the lines without discovery. - -Descriptions of the mysterious plane had been broadcast hourly from the -principal radio stations and a mass of information had been received, -telegrams having been relayed from the radio stations to which they had -been sent. - -These messages were checked, one by one, against the large map which had -been hung on one wall of Andy’s office. On this map had been worked out -the probable course of the strange plane. It had come out of the -northeast, swung over the home of the Goliath, and then darted away in a -southeasterly direction, heading toward the mountains. - -Telegrams which failed to indicate a plane in this general line of -flight were consigned to the wastebasket. The few that might furnish -information were studied carefully but in a majority of cases the -description of the plane which the sender of the message had seen failed -to come close to that of the machine they sought. - -Timms found several messages which appeared worth telephone calls to the -senders but on each occasion he was doomed to disappointment. - -“I thought you said we’d have some definite news before midnight,” he -told Bert. - -“There’s nearly two more hours,” replied the radio operator hopefully. “I -won’t concede defeat until the last minute.” - -Timms snorted and turned to another handful of telegrams that had just -been forwarded. He was half-way through the pile when an exclamation -brought Andy and Bert to his side. - -“Read that,” said the secret service agent, tossing a yellow sheet to -them. - -The message had been sent from Alden, a small town in the mountains of -southeast Kentucky. - -“Plane crashed near here early tonight. Description appears to tally -with that broadcast. From wreckage it must have been a low-winged -monoplane, painted gray. No trace found of pilot.” The message was -signed by Frank Hacke, editor, the Alden Advocate. - -“Who said the radio wouldn’t bring results?” demanded Bert. “This message -looks like a real tip.” - -“It does,” agreed Timms, reaching for the phone and placing a long -distance call for the editor of the Alden paper. - -Half an hour elapsed before the operator was able to get the call -through and Timms fumed with impatience. When the wire was finally -cleared for his conversation, he fairly leaped at the telephone. -Question after question was fired over the wire and Andy and Bert, from -the very tenseness of Timms’ attitude, knew that the secret service man -was getting valuable information. His final words were highly -significant. - -“I’ll be there as soon as possible. If I can fly in, have auto lights -turned on to mark the boundaries of a field that is safe for a landing.” - -Timms banged the receiver on the hook and turned to Andy and Bert. - -“We’ve found the wreckage of the gray plane,” he said. “It smacked into -the side of a mountain about three miles from Alden. The editor of the -paper was one of the first ones to reach the scene but they were unable -to find any trace of the pilot. We’ve got to get to Alden at once for we -mustn’t let that flyer get away. He’s the man who is slated to bring -about the actual destruction of the Goliath.” - -The words rang through Andy’s head. The pilot had somehow escaped in the -crash. It was possible to crack up a ship without injury but it was more -likely that the man they sought had jumped while the plane was in -flight, drifting down in his chute and leaving the plane to crash to its -own destruction. - -Andy heard Timms asking if he could fly him to Alden that night. He -replied almost mechanically and then hastened out of the office and down -the field to rout out several mechanics, who rolled his red sportster -out on the concrete apron and checked it thoroughly. The motor sent -echoes blasting through the stillness of the night as Andy himself -tested it. - -He was joined several minutes later by Bert and the secret service -agent. - -Timms climbed into the forward cockpit and Bert started to crowd in with -him. - -“Sorry, Bert,” called Andy. “You’ll have to stay on the ground this -trip. The Ace is only a two-place job and I can’t afford to overtax its -capacity tonight. I’ll need all my speed and climbing ability in dodging -over the mountains.” - -Bert was keenly disappointed but he knew the truth of Andy’s words and -he dropped back to the ground. - -“I’ll warn Alden that you’re coming by air,” he said, “and they’ll be -sure to have a field marked in some way.” - -“Fine,” yelled Andy. “See you tomorrow.” - -Flame licked around the exhaust vent of the motor as Andy opened the -throttle. The Ace came to life with a quick flirt of its tail. The -riding lights gleamed sharply in the night; then were swallowed in the -haze of dirt swept up from the field by the wash of the propeller. - -Alden was just a little under an hour of fast flying from Bellevue and -Andy opened the Ace up until they were skimming through the half clear -night at a hundred and twenty miles an hour. The lights of Bellevue -disappeared as if blotted out by the hand of an unseen giant and they -were alone in the sky. - -Andy had plotted a compass course and he followed it closely for Alden -was tucked away in the mountains and he could easily miss the village if -slightly off course. - -By the end of the first half hour the clouds had cleared and a thin moon -tried vainly to dissipate the blackness of the night. Lights on the -ground were few and far between with midnight almost at hand. The air -was raw and Andy snuggled deeper into the sheepskin he had donned for -the trip. He checked the time and compass again. Alden should show on -the horizon any moment if his calculations were correct. Another two -minutes passed and he sighted a glow of light to the left. He nosed the -Ace over and dropped lower. - -Lights below flashed on and off. He blinked his riding lights and those -on the ground answered. There was no way of detecting the direction of -the light wind and Andy had to take a chance that there were no bad -ground currents. He skimmed over the field to determine its length. It -appeared to be on a side-hill for level stretches of land were few and -far between in that section of the state. The field was long enough for -an easy landing and he cut the motor and slid down the invisible trail. - -He was going in too fast and he opened the throttle and zoomed into the -sky for another try. The second time he stalled all the way down, -drifted over the top of the car whose lights marked the near end of the -field, and dropped to an easy landing. He swung the Ace around and -taxied back over the uneven field. A group was waiting when they climbed -down from the cockpits. - -Fred Hacke, the editor, stepped up and introduced himself. With him was -Sheriff Jud Barnes, a six foot two man of the mountains who was proud of -his great, booming voice. - -“Get in my car,” said the sheriff, “and I’ll run you over to the hill -where that airplane busted.” - -For half an hour they bounced over a rough mountain road and were glad -enough when the sheriff stopped the car and led the way through a patch -of timber. The grade was steep and they were compelled to rest several -times. Finally they came to a small clearing, crossed this and just -beyond saw a darker mass against the trees. The sheriff turned his -flashlight on a tangled pile of cloth and metal, the broken remnants of -the machine Andy had chased only a few hours before. - -The editor and his party came up and they made a thorough inspection of -the wreckage. Motor numbers and the name of the maker had been filed -away, the plates on the fuselage had been removed and every means of -absolute identification taken off. In spite of this Andy and the secret -service agent were positive that the plane was of Rubanian make and that -an agent of the Gerka had been at the controls when it had been sighted -at Bellevue. - -“We haven’t found the flyer yet,” said the sheriff. “Maybe he spilled -out somewhere before the wreck. We’ll search the hills in the morning.” - -“I don’t think it will do any good,” replied Andy. “The chap that was -flying this machine undoubtedly took to his parachute. He may have -landed some miles away. If the controls were locked before he jumped, -the ship could have cruised alone for three or four minutes on a quiet -night like this.” - -“We’ll have a look anyway,” said the sheriff, and Andy and Timms decided -to remain at least until noon to see if the searching parties discovered -anything of importance. - -They returned to Alden, took a room at the hotel, and slept until dawn. -Andy went out to the field where they had landed and went over the Ace -carefully while Timms accompanied the sheriff into the hills. - -The secret service agent returned at noon and announced that the search -had proved fruitless. There were no more clues, either at the scene of -the wreck or in the nearby hills, and they decided to return to Bellevue -at once. - -Andy got the Ace off the improvised airport without trouble and they -headed for home through the bright rays of the spring sun. As they sped -over the tree-covered hills, Andy flew mechanically, his mind busy on -the new problem which confronted them. There was no question now. The -Goliath was in serious danger and every means at their command must be -used to protect the great airship, destruction of which would mean the -ruin of the National Airways, which had invested millions in its -construction. But more than the mere financial loss which it would mean -was the month of labor by the loyal crew, the years of planning on the -part of his father and Captain Harkins, and his own love for the great -craft. - -An attack from the air was improbable for the Rubanian agent had wrecked -his own plane deliberately. Whatever happened would be caused by someone -who had easy access to the hangar and Andy resolved that he would be -doubly vigilant in the days to come. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -The Night Alarm - - -When Andy taxied the Ace across the field at Bellevue and up to the -concrete apron, he found Bert waiting for him. The radio operator was -nearly bursting with curiosity to learn what Andy and the secret service -chief had found at Alden. - -“Control yourself, Bert, control yourself,” grinned Andy as he hoisted -himself out of the cockpit and slid to the ground. - -“You can’t blame me for being curious,” replied Bert, “when I’ve been -marooned here for the last twelve hours while you’ve been chasing -excitement all over southeastern Kentucky.” - -“That’s just it,” said Andy. “We were only chasing. We didn’t find a -thing to give us thrill.” - -“No trace of the mysterious flyer?” asked Bert. - -“Nary a sign,” replied Andy. “We found where his plane had attempted to -bore its way through the side of a hill but he had evidently dropped out -some time before in his chute. He’s probably securely hidden waiting for -a chance to bring about the destruction of the Goliath.” - -“That won’t be an easy thing to accomplish,” said Bert. “The guard lines -have been tightened so a bird can hardly fly over them without being -stopped. The army planes came in before noon and any flyer who violates -the department of commerce regulations by flying over this air -reservation will find a handful of slugs singing through his wings.” - -Andy nodded grimly as he looked at the group of army machines in front -of a hangar further down the field. - -“We’re ready for business now,” he said. “I’d like to meet the officer -in command.” - -“He’s a fine fellow,” enthused Bert. “Not much older than we are. His -name is Lieutenant Jim Crummit of Selfridge Field, Mich. He’s one of the -ace pursuit flyers of the air force and the rest of the fellows with him -are not far behind when it comes to handling a plane with a machine gun -on the business end of it. They’re just itching for something to -happen.” - -“I’m afraid they’ll be disappointed,” said Merritt Timms, who had just -emerged from the cockpit, having experienced some trouble in unfastening -his safety belt. “They would have had plenty of fun if they had been -here yesterday but from now on the game will be played on the ground or -aboard the Goliath when it goes on its trial flights.” - -“Here comes Lieutenant Crummit now,” said Bert, stepping forward to -greet the tall young officer in command of the detachment from Selfridge -Field. - -Bert introduced the lieutenant to Andy and the secret service agent, who -cordially welcomed the army man to Bellevue. - -“Our field is a little bumpy but we’ll try and make up in hospitality -what we lack in air accommodations,” said Andy. - -“The field is O.K.,” smiled Lieutenant Crummit. “A couple of the boys -came in too fast and bounced a little high but they’ll soon get over -that. We’re all glad to be here where we can watch the completion of the -Goliath.” - -“I understand several ships will be detailed to accompany us on all -trial flights,” said Andy. - -“Those are the orders direct from Washington,” said the lieutenant. “Now, -somebody tell me what all the fuss is about?” - -They walked over to the office where Andy and the secret service chief -explained in detail every event of the preceding twenty-four hours. - -“That does look serious,” said Lieutenant Crummit, “especially since you -have an admission from the agent of the Gerka you caught here that an -attempt was to be made to destroy the Goliath. At least you can feel -reasonably safe from an air attack. Anti-aircraft equipment with night -lights will be in tonight and the unit also carries special microphones -for the detection of planes in flight. Any craft approaching here will -be known while it is miles away and we can give it a warm reception.” - -Assignment of the army flyers to quarters had been held up pending -Andy’s return and he arranged for them to have accommodations at the -hotel, six of the construction foremen agreeing to give up their double -rooms and move over to the company houses on the reservation proper. - -It was late afternoon before Andy was alone in his office with an -opportunity to go over the day’s mail There were several important -looking letters on top but he shuffled through the stack until he came -to one in his father’s familiar writing. He slit it open and read it -eagerly. It was with a real feeling of relief that he learned his father -and Captain Harkins would return late the next day, coming in on a -special National Airways plane. His father wrote that final arrangements -had been finished for all of the delicate apparatus which was to go into -the control room of the Goliath and that, unless there were unforeseen -developments, everything was now lined up so that construction would be -completed ahead of schedule. - -The afternoon freight train brought the anti-aircraft unit, with its -searchlights, field pieces and other equipment. The twenty-five men of -this company were housed in company quarters, which had been vacated -only the week before by a crew which had finished its work. - -Before nightfall Bellevue had been turned into a truly military camp -with its strict guard around the grounds of the National Airways plant, -the army planes ready to take the air at any time of day or night, and -the great searchlights, crouching under their shrouds of canvas, eager -to send their searing blue-white beams tracing through the night sky. - -“When a fellow looks over the field now,” said Bert as they walked to -the hotel for supper, “he realizes just how valuable the Goliath is to -Uncle Sam.” - -“We’ve got the jump on them now,” said Andy. “Dubra failed in his -attempt to damage the hangar and is now in our hands. That means the -‘inside man’ on whom Reikoff had counted for cooperation with this -newcomer from Rubania is out of the picture and our guard lines have -been tightened until it is almost physically impossible for anyone to -get through. But even with all those precautions, we’ll continue to keep -our eyes and ears open.” - -Supper that night was a jolly affair, with introductions of Lieutenant -Crummit and his companions to the engineers and foremen in charge of the -building of the Goliath. The army flyers were keenly interested in the -construction of the great dirigible and Andy enjoyed Lieutenant -Crummit’s practical inquiries on the stability of the big gas bag, what -it was expected to do when in the air and its availability for war-time -use. - -“We know in a general way,” he said, “but nothing very definite has -appeared on the actual capability of the craft.” - -Andy had an enthusiastic second in Bert and they went over a complete -outline of the Goliath and its range, both in peace and war times, for -the army men. By the time they were through, supper was over and the -group broke up in twos and threes and straggled into the lobby of the -old-fashioned hotel. The air was chilly and a great fire had been built -in the fireplace. Lights were low and there was a general spirit of -comradeship in the room. The radio had ceased its accustomed blare and a -really excellent orchestra, devoid of the usual advertising propaganda, -was playing familiar airs. - -Someone started humming and in another minute the room was filled with -lusty voices that took up the refrain. For half an hour they enjoyed the -impromptu concert until a messenger boy came in with a telegram for -Bert. - -The young radio operator looked surprised as he fingered the yellow -envelope, turning it over as though half expecting to find the address -of the sender on the back. - -“Now who under the sun could be telegraphing me?” he asked. - -“Better open it and find out,” suggested Andy. - -“A most original proposal,” replied Bert tartly. “It’s from Harry -Curtis,” he cried as he read the message. “He’s going to the North pole -as radio operator for Gilbert Mathews on the submarine Neptune.” - -“My gosh,” Bert continued in the same breath. “That means we’ll meet -Harry at the North pole sometime this summer.” - -“Well, that is a coincidence,” said Andy, who had met Harry Curtis the -year before. Bert and Harry had served the department of commerce -together and were close friends, a friendship which had not dimmed by -their separation. Andy had taken a liking to Harry on their first -meeting. Harry had visited at Bellevue during the preceding summer and -their friendship had developed rapidly. - -“What a thrill we’ll have saying ‘hello’ to each other in the Arctic,” -he said. - -“But that isn’t all,” added Bert. “It seems that your father and Mathews -have agreed to keep in touch with each other by radio so Harry has been -ordered here to check up on our radio equipment with me. We’ll arrange -for complete synchronization of the sets so that we’ll be able to get -through to each other at any time.” - -“That sounds like Dad,” said Andy. “He’s always looking ahead and -planning for any emergency. It will take careful timing to bring both -the Neptune and the Goliath to the pole at the same time. Believe me, -Bert, you’re going to have an important job when the Goliath finally -sticks her nose into the air and heads north.” - -“I’m commencing to realize how really important it is,” said Bert -soberly. - -“Hey, wait a minute,” he added. “I almost forgot one of the most -important parts of this telegram. Harry said he was starting at once for -Bellevue.” - -“Good,” said Andy. “Where was the message sent from?” - -“New York,” replied Bert. - -“That means it will be tomorrow afternoon before he arrives,” reasoned -Andy as he mentally outlined the train schedules between the metropolis -and the isolated Kentucky valley. - -The group in the hotel lobby broke up, most of the men going to their -rooms to write letters or read while a few gathered around a chess -board. Andy had some correspondence to finish and he walked down to his -office. Reports for the day showed better than average progress had been -made on the Goliath and he wrote these into the permanent record of the -construction of the mammoth craft. - -For an hour he worked at his desk, catching up on the mail which had -come in that morning. All of it was routine with the exception of -another short notice from the war department that Herman Blatz, the -civilian observer from Friedrichshafen, would arrive at Bellevue the -next day. It added that every courtesy of the National Airways plant -should be made available to the newcomer. - -The note irritated Andy. He was inclined to be suspicious of any -newcomer now but he realized that he would have to master that feeling -for they were deeply indebted to Doctor Eckener for his many -contributions to the advancement of dirigibles. Andy filed the letter -from the war department and was about to leave his office and return to -the hotel when the blast of a siren cracked the night wide open. It was -shrill, penetrating, alarming—the kind of noise that creeps up and down -the spine and makes the short hair at the back of the neck stand -straight up. - -Lights flashed on in the anti-aircraft battery down the field. Hangar -doors swung open. Mechanics popped out of beds and into their clothes. -Canvas hoods were ripped off the searchlights and the dynamos hummed -with energy. - -The microphones had picked up the sound of an approaching airplane. -Propellers of the army planes spun. Flame whimpered around the exhaust -stacks. Ammunition belts were fed into the black, deadly little guns. - -Andy ran along the line of fighting planes. They were poised; eager for -the word to go. Every other light in Bellevue had been put out. There -was only the occasional flicker of the exhaust of one of the waiting -planes. He felt out of the picture; the army was in command. He stopped -beside Lieutenant Crummit’s plane and the army officer leaned down. - -“Room enough in here if you want to pile in and see this shindig,” he -shouted. - -The invitation was followed by the acceptance in action and Andy vaulted -into the cockpit of the speedy fighter. It was lucky they were both -slender but even then it was a tight squeeze. - -“How do you know when to go?” asked Andy. - -“The plane was ten miles away and heading this way when the ‘mike’ -picked it up,” replied Lieut. Crummit. He glanced at his wrist watch. - -“The searchlights will go on in ten more seconds. We’ll start up the -minute they fasten on anything.” - -The words were hardly out of his mouth when the night awoke to a -blue-white brilliance as the searchlights sent their beams soaring into -the sky. Back and forth moved the giant fingers of light, each one -covering a certain area. Any plane near the reservation was certain of -detection. - -There was a cry from Lieutenant Crummit. - -“There it is,” he shouted as he gunned the pursuit ship. It seemed to -Andy that they jumped straight into the air, so fast was the rise of -their craft. Up and up they went, the brilliant light from below -pointing an unerring path toward the plane they sought. It was a black -biplane, fast and streamlined. - -The pilot was twisting and turning to get away from the pursuing beams -of light but his task was useless with the army pursuit ships rising -from below in an angry swarm. - -They were at two thousand feet in no time and level with the craft they -sought. Lieutenant Crummit pressed the trigger of his machine gun and a -stream of tracer bullets coursed through the night, singing past the -machine ahead. - -Andy saw the pilot turn a desperate, terror-stricken face in their -direction. Someone in the forward cockpit was waving. They drew closer. -The plane was giving up. A white handkerchief was being waved by the -passenger. - -Lieutenant Crummit drew closer and signaled for the black biplane to -follow him down. The pilot waggled his wings to indicate that he -understood the order and they began the strange descent, Lieutenant -Crummit and Andy in the leading plane, then the strange biplane followed -by the five other army ships. - -The operators of the searchlights changed the direction of their beams, -turning them on the field to make it easy for the night landing. - -As soon as their own plane had stopped rolling, Andy leaped out and ran -toward the black biplane. Lieutenant Crummit was only one stride behind -and in his right hand he carried a service automatic. - -Andy was astounded to hear a familiar voice from the black plane. - -“What kind of a reception is this?” was the demand and he looked up into -the face of Harry Curtis, radio operator of the Neptune, whom they had -not expected until the following day at the earliest. - -“Who is this fellow?” Lieutenant Crummit wanted to know. - -Andy explained that Harry had been ordered to Bellevue to plan for the -radio communication between the Goliath and Neptune during their Arctic -trips and Lieutenant Crummit broke into a broad smile. - -“At least we gave you a real army welcome,” he chuckled. “It’s lucky one -of the other boys didn’t reach you first, though. This is restricted -flying territory and he might not have sent his first burst of tracers -alongside just as a warning.” - -“I was scared to death,” confessed Harry, who had climbed down from the -plane just in time to receive a hearty greeting from Bert. “Believe me I -sure scrambled around trying to get a handkerchief out of my pants -pocket.” - -The civilian pilot of Harry’s plane came in for a severe reprimand from -Lieutenant Crummit, who warned him not to repeat the offense again. - -Dynamos for the searchlights were turned off, planes wheeled back into -the hangars and Bellevue turned on its lights once more. They had had -their first night alarm and the army men on the job had proved their -ability to handle the emergency. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -Suspicions - - -Andy, Bert and Harry talked until far into the night, discussing the -proposed meeting of the Goliath and the submarine Neptune at the North -Pole. - -“There’s no doubt in my mind,” said Andy, “that the Goliath will be able -to make the trip on schedule. What I’m wondering about is the tin fish.” - -“You can cease worrying right now,” replied Harry. “The Neptune isn’t -a cast-off navy submarine refitted for a polar cruise. It’s a -long-distance underwater cruiser of the latest type and only a -multi-millionaire explorer like Gilbert Mathews could afford to operate -such a craft. Believe me, it’s some boat.” - -“And believe me,” added Bert, “the Goliath is some airship. Wait until -you see it in the daylight. Its size will fairly take your breath away.” - -“I can believe you easily enough,” replied Harry, “for the eastern -newspapers have been carrying a great many feature stories about the -Goliath. Only the National Airways haven’t been giving out a lot of -actual facts and with reporters barred from the plant here, they’ve had -to guess at part of the stories they’ve been printing. Everyone is -anxious for an actual view of the big ship.” - -“You’ll be in on all of the previews,” Andy promised, “and if you stay -with us long enough I can promise you several trial flights.” - -“Bert and I will probably be through in a month,” said Harry. “Then I’ll -have to hop down to Brooklyn and make the final adjustments on the set -aboard the Neptune. After that’s done I may be able to get back here for -a few days. I’d certainly like to go along on the trial runs.” - -There were no more alarms that night and finally the three young -enthusiasts ceased talking and dropped into deep slumber. - -The next day was clear with a warm sun and a definite note of spring was -in the air. Birds, on their northward flight, wheeled over the hangar -and the grass was a fresher, brighter green. - -Andy made the rounds at the hangar with Harry, an eager observer, at his -side. Assembly of the main gondola was starting, a task which Andy was -to personally supervise. In this large car would be located the control -room and the passengers quarters with their individual staterooms, -dining salons and lounging quarters. Quarters for the crew were built -inside the hull and in the middle of the ship between the banks of gas -cells. - -Harry was properly impressed with the size of the Goliath and exclaimed -at the engineering progress which had been made in its construction. - -Andy explained how the double-strength duralumin had increased the -strength of the frame to such a point that a disaster such as had -befallen the Shenandoah could not strike the Goliath. - -“How many passengers will you be able to carry when the ship goes into -transcontinental service?” Harry asked. - -“We’ll have sleeping accommodations for 200,” replied Andy, “and during -daytime runs between large cities will be able to carry an extra 100.” - -“Will the fares be pretty stiff?” asked Harry. “Not as much as you would -expect. They will average railroad plus Pullman.” - -“In that case,” said Harry, “you can be sure of capacity business for a -good many years.” - -“We’ll have to if National Airways is to break even on the operation of -the Goliath,” said Andy. - -Bert, who had remained in the office to check over blueprints on an -especially complicated piece of radio equipment for the Goliath, hurried -up. - -“Andy,” he said. “Herman Blatz is here.” - -“Who?” asked Andy. - -“Blatz,” repeated Bert, “Herman Blatz. He’s the civilian observer from -Friedrichshafen.” - -“Of course,” grinned Andy. “I’d forgotten the name for a moment. What -does he look like?” - -“Fine looking sort of a fellow,” replied Bert. “He’s just about our own -age; not quite as tall as you are and dark; brown eyes and hair that is -almost coal black.” - -“If you don’t mind running back to the office,” said Andy, “tell him -that I’ll be along presently. I want to make sure that the assembly of -the gondola starts smoothly.” - -Andy became engrossed in the direction of the subforemen and their crews -and he even forgot Harry, much less the newcomer who was waiting for him -in the office. - -An hour later Bert returned. - -“What’s the idea?” he demanded. “I thought you said you’d be along right -away. Blatz has been cooling his heels for more than an hour.” - -“Sorry,” grinned Andy, who had been helping with the assembly. “I was so -interested I forgot all about him. I’ll come along with you.” - -The young engineer crawled out from beneath the duralumin frame on which -he had been working, wiped his hands on a piece of waste, brushed off -his dungarees, the universal uniform of engineers, foremen and mechanics -at the Bellevue plant. - -Andy stepped into his office, blinked his eyes to accustom them to the -dark interior, and looked into the face of Lieut. Serge Larko, secret -agent of Alexis Reikoff’s Grega, who had been assigned the task of -bringing about the destruction of the Goliath. But Andy was to know the -visitor as Herman Blatz, civilian observer from Friedrichshafen, and he -stepped forward with a cordial greeting. - -“We shall be delighted to have you with us,” said Andy, “and I must -apologize for my tardiness in greeting you. We have just started the -assembly of the main gondola and I have been giving it my personal -supervision.” - -“The Goliath is that near completion?” asked Lieutenant Larko, who from -here on we shall speak of in his new role as Herman Blatz. - -“We’ll be making trial flights in less than two months,” replied Andy -enthusiastically. - -“It was well that I arrived at this time,” said Blatz, “for I will be -able to remain long enough for the trial flights.” - -“The war department communications indicated that you would probably -accompany us on the test trips,” said Andy. - -“Yes,” replied Blatz. “Europe is greatly interested in the Goliath and I -feel it a rare privilege that I have been assigned here.” - -The young German’s pronunciation of English was clear and precise, his -words close-clipped in the Teuton manner. - -“I understand that you have been at Friedrichshafen some time,” said -Andy. - -“Yes,” replied Blatz, who dreaded questions about the Germany airship -base. He wondered how much this young American might really know about -him; how much he might suspect for he had sensed instantly that Andy was -suspicious of every newcomer. - -“I spent a year at Friedrichshafen,” said Andy. “It is possible that we -know a number of the same men there. Do you recall Bauer and Schillig, -who were the aces of the navigation class in 1929?” - -“The names are familiar,” replied Blatz, “but I went through navigation -the preceding year.” Harry and Bert came into the office and Andy -introduced the German expert and the radio operator of the Neptune. - -“You are going to carry a submarine radio operator on an airship?” asked -Blatz. - -“Oh, no,” replied Bert quickly. He was about to explain that the Goliath -and the Neptune were to meet at the North pole that summer but a warning -glance from Andy silenced him, and he added, rather lamely. - -“Harry and I were department of commerce operators and he’s down here -helping me with the final assembly of the set for the Goliath.” - -“Very fortunate. I’m sure,” said Blatz. - -“You understand,” said Andy, “that there are certain construction -secrets which I can not divulge?” - -“Of course,” replied Blatz, “and I assure you that you need have no -worry on that score.” - -Andy suggested that they make a tour of the plant and Blatz readily -assented for he was anxious to see the Goliath. He had received some -idea of the size when he had flown over at sunset two days before and -glimpsed the hangar. As they walked toward the huge structure, he -wondered who had chased him in the red plane. He had been tired after -the long flight across the Atlantic and had lost his way after striking -the Atlantic coast. He had not intended coming as close to Bellevue but -when he finally got his bearings he was less than a hundred miles away -and he could not resist the temptation. But it had been a foolish move -for a little red plane had darted out of the shadows below and pushed -him hard before he had escaped into the coming night. Another hundred -miles and he had slipped out of the cockpit of the Blenkko which had -served him so faithfully in the long flight from Rubania, and had -dropped through the night in his chute. He had clutched a suitcase with -fresh clothes and his precious identification papers as Herman Blatz in -his arms. - -The landing had been easy and after washing the grime of the long flight -off in a nearby creek, he had changed clothes; then burned his old -clothes, the parachute and the suitcase. Into the fire had gone -everything which would identify him as Lieut. Serge Larko of the -Rubanian air force on special duty as an agent of the Gerka. Out of the -timber and onto the highway had stepped Herman Blatz, who had -hitch-hiked to the nearest town where he had rested for a day, bought a -fresh wardrobe, and then continued by train and auto to Bellevue. - -A suppressed excitement gripped his whole being He had done the -seemingly impossible, flown the Atlantic and made his way into this -carefully guarded dirigible plant, thanks to the clever subterfuge -Reikoff must have used in getting permission for a civilian observer to -visit Bellevue. He would get in touch with Boris Dubra, the mechanic who -was a member of the Gerka, at the first opportunity. - -They entered the hangar and Blatz stopped involuntarily. Andy had -expected that reaction and it told him that the newcomer was a true -airman for the majestic bulk of the Goliath usually struck those who -were viewing it for the first time speechless. - -“It’s inspiring,” gasped Blatz. “I never dreamed an airship could be so -large.” - -“Of course it looks larger in the hangar than it really is,” said Andy, -“but we’re rather proud of the Goliath.” - -“Friedrichshafen has never done anything like it,” said Andy. “Or, for -that matter, has anyone else in the world.” - -“You’re right,” nodded Blatz. “I wonder that you ever tore yourself away -from here and came out to meet me.” - -“I’ve just about lived with the Goliath,” admitted Andy, “for Dad and -Captain Harkins have been forced to make many trips to see about -materials. They will return this afternoon to greet you.” - -“I look forward to meeting two such famous men. The honor is great.” - -They continued through the hangar, Andy pointing out and explaining the -progress which had been made on the component parts of the great -airship. - -“One of the pleasantest years of my life,” said Andy, “was the one -passed at Friedrichshafen. I recall the day I went up in one of the -small dirigibles, the Strassburg, I believe. Karl Staab was at the -controls and a wind squall hit us. It pushed us clear across Lake -Constance and we were lucky to get home the same day. Karl was a great -joker but a wonderful navigator despite that.” - -“Yes, you’re quite right,” nodded Blatz. “He always enjoyed a good -laugh.” - -Andy’s eyes narrowed and he looked closely at the newcomer. He started -to say something; then thought better of it and quickly switched the -conversation from reminiscences of days at Friedrichshafen to the -present. - -Andy, Bert, Harry and Blatz lunched together at the hotel where Andy -introduced the German expert to the heads of the construction staff at -Bellevue. Blatz was accorded a warm welcome and after lunch resumed his -tour of the plant with Andy. - -In mid-afternoon a National Airways plane dropped in from the north. The -army flyers, warned of its coming, did not roar into the sky in angry -pursuit, but squatted beside their planes and watched the cabin -monoplane skid to a stop in front of one of the smaller hangars. - -Andy excused himself and ran toward the plane. The first man out of the -cabin was his father, and Andy received an affectionate greeting. - -“Everything going O.K. son?” asked the vice president of the National -Airways. - -“We’ve had a little excitement. Dad,” replied Andy, “but it didn’t -affect the work on the Goliath. We’re well ahead of schedule.” - -“Fine,” replied Andy’s father. “We’ll need all of the extra time for -trial flights before we start our northward trip.” - -“Then it’s definitely settled that we’ll meet the Neptune at the North -pole?” - -“Very definitely settled,” replied Charles. High. “The contracts were -signed yesterday. Captain Harkins has our copies with him.” - -The tall, bronzed airman who was the chief designer and captain of the -Goliath stepped out of the cabin of the monoplane. - -“Hello, Andy,” he said, extending his hand for a cordial greeting. “Have -you started the assembly of the main gondola?” - -“Work got under way on that project this morning,” replied Andy, “and -the crews are making unusually good time.” - -“I’ve decided on several minor changes,” said Captain Harkins, “but they -need not delay the general construction work on the main car.” - -As they walked toward the office buildings, Andy briefly explained what -had happened during their absence, how Dubra had attempted to damage the -hangar, the passage and pursuit of the foreign plane, the arrival of the -army patrols and Dubra’s admission that an attempt was under way to -destroy the Goliath. - -“The wonder of it is,” said Andy’s father, “that some foreign power -hasn’t made the attempt before. Now that we are fore-warned, there is -little chance of success in damaging the big ship.” - -Andy saw Herman Blatz waiting for him some distance away and he spoke to -his father and Captain Harkins in low tones, explaining that Blatz had -been sent to Bellevue on special orders of the war department. - -“I can see no objection to that,” said Captain Harkins. “Doctor Eckener -at Friedrichshafen has placed us deeply in his debt through suggestions -on the improvement of our general design and one of his observers is -welcome as far as I am concerned.” - -“National Airways feels the same way,” added Andy’s father. - -Andy took his father and Captain Harkins over to Blatz where he made the -necessary introductions. They were soon engaged in a spirited discussion -of the improvements in aircraft building which were represented in the -Goliath and Andy left them to walk back to his own office. - -The arrival of Blatz had disturbed him strangely. He had hoped that he -would be able to welcome the newcomer with real cordiality but instead -he found a mounting barrier of resentment rising between himself and the -German. - -Blatz’ story didn’t ring true. Andy had tested him that afternoon when -he had recalled the incident at Friedrichshafen when he and Karl Staab -had been blown across Lake Constance in the old Strassburg. Blatz had -recalled knowing Staab when, in reality, there was no such navigator at -Friedrichshafen. The whole story and the name had been invented by Andy -to test Blatz. If, as he claimed, he had been connected with the -Friedrichshafen plant for a number of years, he could not have -remembered a man who did not exist. Blatz had agreed too readily. Andy’s -suspicions were aroused and he promised himself an investigation. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -Mysterious Moves - - -When Herman Blatz, alias Lieut. Serge Larko of the Rubanian secret -police, was alone in his room late that afternoon preparing for supper, -he was torn between conflicting emotions. He had reached Bellevue -safely. He was even inside the plant of the National Airways, accepted -as a German civilian observer. The opportunity for him to wreck the -Goliath might present itself at any moment but two mighty emotional -forces were at work. One was his inherent love for anything man-made -that could conquer the elements. Only that afternoon he had viewed the -greatest of all airships and he quailed inwardly at the thought that his -task was to destroy the mighty craft. - -He heard the call for supper and descended to the dining room where he -was seated at the head table with Andy, Bert, Harry, Andy’s father and -Captain Harkins. There was a vacant chair at his left and he wondered -who the late-comer would be. - -Conversation at the table was devoted almost solely to topics centering -around the Goliath and the young Rubanian airman reveled in the sheer -joy it brought him. For the time he forgot his ominous mission and was -light-hearted and gay. - -Supper was half over when a quiet man slipped into the chair beside him. -Andy turned and introduced the late arrival. - -“Mr. Blatz,” he said, “I want you to know Merritt Timms, chief of the -secret service agents here.” - -Blatz acknowledged the introduction mechanically and Andy, watching his -every move and facial expression, failed to see any note of alarm. It -was well for Blatz that Andy’s eyes could not penetrate beneath the -surface for Blatz’s mind was working rapidly. - -The chief of the secret service agents at Bellevue seated beside him! -Had he aroused suspicion already? Had there been a slip somewhere along -the line; could these alert Americans know his identity and be playing -with him, waiting for him to make a slip so they could send him to some -military prison? - -He knew the careful workings of the Gerka and he doubted that a slip had -been made. That thought gave him some reassurance and his gay attitude -returned. - -They finished the meal and chairs were pushed back. - -“I’m going over to the hospital,” said Timms to Andy. “Want to go along -and hear what Dubra has to say?” - -Andy darted a glance at Blatz. He saw the civilian observer start ever -so slightly. It was hardly more than a tremor but it helped to verify -Andy’s suspicions. - -“I’ll go,” he replied. “Perhaps Blatz here would like to come with us?” - -“Yes, of course,” replied the other. “Some mechanic hurt?” - -“A little,” replied Timms. “A couple of bullets hurt him. He was an -agent of the Gerka, Rubanian secret police organization, planted here to -damage the hangar. He failed and the guards didn’t miss when he tried to -escape.” - -“I’m surprised to hear that,” said Blatz. “I didn’t suppose anyone would -direct any destructive efforts toward the Goliath.” - -“We’ll be surprised if anyone else does,” said Timms, “for we know that -Alex Reikoff, dictator of Rubania, would like nothing better than to -hear about the destruction of the Goliath. As a result, we’ve taken -every precaution that is humanly possible.” - -“That is wise,” said Blatz, “for in Europe we have come to fear Reikoff -as a menace to the peace of the world.” - -They were in the doorway of the hospital now and Blatz saw Andy’s keen -blue eyes boring into him, probing as though questioning the truth of -his words. He felt that his answers, especially the reference to Reikoff -as a menace, had been well put. - -A slight infection had set in on Dubra’s right leg and the Rubanian was -restless with pain. - -“Hello, Dubra,” said the secret service chief. “Just dropped in to see -how you are getting along.” - -“They’re killing me,” cried the man on the bed. “My leg hurts so.” - -“They’re doing no such thing,” replied Timms. “The doctor here is making -every effort to save your worthless life. Have you got anything else to -add to what you said the other night?” - -Dubra’s eyes were bright with fever but his mind was clear and he shook -his head. - -Blatz kept well in the background. He had lost the ally Reikoff had told -him he would have. Dubra, over-anxious to cause harm, had been caught -and wounded. His usefulness as an agent of destruction was at an end and -Blatz would have to go on alone. Perhaps it would be easier that way. - -There was no more information to be had from the wounded Rubanian and -they left the hospital. When they returned to the hotel, Blatz excused -himself and went to his room. Timms signified his intention to do -likewise but changed his mind when Andy insisted that they take a walk -together. - -“What’s the idea?” the secret service chief asked when they were well -away from the hotel and walking in the open. - -“It’s Blatz,” said Andy. “There’s something about him that doesn’t ring -true.” - -The assistant pilot of the Goliath related the incident of the afternoon -with the fake story of the adventure at Friedrichshafen. - -“That sounds a little fishy,” admitted Timms, “but that’s not enough to -accuse a man of being a spy.” - -“I realize that,” admitted Andy, “but you should have seen him tonight -when you asked me if I wanted to go to the hospital and see Dubra. -Blatz’s face paled and he trembled ever so slightly. No one else noticed -it but I had been watching him closely.” - -“Still there is nothing definite,” insisted Timms. - -“There’s enough so that I’m not going to let him get very far away from -me,” replied Andy. “Can’t you start a quiet tracer through the secret -service; find out where and when he landed; how he came to receive the -permission from the war department and anything else your people in -Europe can dig up?” - -“It might be rather serious if your suspicions proved unfounded,” said -Timms. - -“I’m willing to take the risk,” replied Andy. - -“Then I’ll see what can be done,” promised the secret service chief. - -Events during the next month at Bellevue were quiet enough. Andy kept a -close watch of Blatz, but the German observer’s conduct was model. He -confined his activities solely to observance and taking notes on the -parts of the Goliath to which he was allowed access and he made no move -to delve into the military secrets which were a part of the giant craft. - -Bert and Harry had been busy with the installation of the intricate -radio equipment which was a part of the Goliath. Late in April they -completed their joint task and Bert announced that the communications -apparatus was ready. - -Assembly of the gondola had been completed, motor crews were busy tuning -up the 12 giant engines which were to provide the power and fitters -worked overtime on the installation of the luxurious furnishings of the -lounge and sleeping quarters in the passenger cabins. - -The gondola of the Goliath was a two-deck affair. In the fore part of -the lower deck was the control and operations room with the -communications room just behind. The main lounge was located on this -deck with the dining room and the chef’s quarters at the rear of the -gondola. An enclosed promenade deck, encircled the lounge and dining -room. The upper deck was devoted solely to passenger cabins, which were -fitted like the staterooms of a Pullman. Every modern convenience for -the comfort of travelers had been built into the gondola and the Goliath -was truly a revelation in luxury. - -Blatz was enthusiastic in his praise of the great machine and Andy was -forced to admit to himself that his earlier suspicions appeared -unfounded. He relaxed his vigilance somewhat and the secret agent of the -Gerka sensed this change in the assistant pilot’s attitude. Between them -a real friendship started to develop and it was only natural that Bert -and Harry were included in this feeling of comradeship. - -On more than one occasion Blatz proved his sound technical knowledge, -which could have been gained only at Friedrichshafen, a fact which -influenced Andy in quieting his suspicions. In addition, there had been -no report from the Washington headquarters of the secret service and it -appeared that Blatz’s record was all right. - -Shipments of helium, the life-blood of the Goliath, were arriving daily -from the Texas gas fields. The long, narrow cylinders were stacked in -rows outside the hangar. When needed they would be trucked inside, the -valves opened, and their contents would flow into the gas cells inside -the duralumin hull. In this respect the United States led all the other -nations in its precious supply of helium, a non-inflammable gas. Some of -the Europeans were forced to use hydrogen, a highly inflammable gas, the -use of which had resulted in some of the major dirigible catastrophes. - -Work on the Goliath was well ahead of schedule and when Bert and Harry -finished their work on the radio equipment, Harry announced that it -would be necessary for him to return to Brooklyn at once for a final -test of the equipment of the Neptune. - -The submarine was to leave soon and Andy and Bert obtained leave to -accompany Harry on his return east. When Blatz heard of the plans, he -asked permission to accompany them. It would give him an opportunity to -visit the American headquarters of the Gerka in New York. - -“You might just as well make it a real holiday,” Andy’s father said when -apprised of their plans. “One of our cabin monoplanes will be in -tomorrow and I’ll see that you are given the use of it for a week. Then -you can fly east together.” - -The suggestion appealed to them and they accepted with enthusiasm. Two -days later they were ready to depart. After stowing their luggage into -the baggage compartment of the trim, fast National Airways monoplane, -they each took farewell looks at the Goliath and then climbed into their -places. - -Andy was at the controls with Blatz in the seat beside him. Bert and -Harry were sprawled in comfortable wicker chairs to the rear. The plane -skimmed across the field and took off in a steep climb, circled the -field once, and then headed northeast in a bee-line for New York. - -The mountains, their crests covered with the fresh green of early spring -foliage, reared their misty heads to the east. They would cut diagonally -across them and Andy held the stick back and watched the altimeter -climb. At five thousand he leveled off and settled down to the trip. -They had plenty of gas to make it on one long hop. - -Blatz was enjoying the trip, the rolling country beneath, the mountains -which they were approaching and even the thrill of being in the air, -which never grew old to him. His eyes sparkled and there was a bright -glow to his cheeks. He’d like to get his hands on the controls and see -how this American commercial job handled. - -An hour later Andy turned to Blatz. - -“Ever handled a ship like this?” he asked. - -“I’ve done a little flying,” admitted the European. - -“Think you could handle it?” - -Blatz nodded eagerly and Andy slipped out from behind the controls which -the other took over. - -Andy watched him keenly and noticed that Blatz settled into his chair -like a veteran. His touch on the controls was firm but light and, unlike -the beginner, he did not over-control. - -The air over the mountains was rougher and Andy wondered how Blatz would -come through. His question was soon answered. A down draft swirled them -downward three hundred feet in the twinkling of an eye. A novice would -have been panic-stricken, but Blatz gave her the gun and flipped out of -it nicely. - -“Good work,” said Andy. - -“More luck than anything else,” was the reply, but Andy was very much -inclined to disagree. There was no question in his mind now. Blatz was -not only a good dirigible man but he was an expert flyer as well. The -long-allayed suspicions Andy had harbored in the first weeks the -civilian observer had been at Bellevue were re-awakened. He would -communicate his distrust to Bert and Harry when they had a chance to -talk alone. Until now he had kept his misgivings to himself but he felt -that it was time the others knew how he felt. - -They lunched over eastern Pennsylvania with the plane clipping the miles -off at 110 an hour. Sandwiches had been brought in a liberal supply but -the cool air had whetted their appetites and the basket of lunch soon -disappeared. - -“Oh, boy,” said Bert. “Wait until I get to New York and sink my teeth in -a big, juicy steak. Honestly, I’m almost starved. Those sandwiches were -just teasers.” - -“How long before we’ll be in?” asked Harry, who likewise confessed that -the lunch had not satisfied his hunger. - -“Another hour,” replied Andy, who was back at the controls. “Next time -we’ll bring a restaurant along. From the way you fellows complain -someone might get the idea you’d been working this morning.” - -Fifty-five minutes later they dipped over the National Airways field on -the Jersey side and Andy nosed down to land. Blatz touched his arm. - -“If Bert and Harry won’t starve for five more minutes,” he said, “I’d -like to see New York from the air.” - -“We’ll manage to hold out another few minutes,” conceded the hungry -pair, and Andy headed the monoplane east across the Jersey flats. - -They dipped a wing in salute as the Statue of Liberty was passed and -climbed steeply as they approached the Battery. On up town they sped -over the canyons between the skyscrapers where hurrying crowds of -shoppers were thronging the streets. The Empire State’s gleaming tower -was ahead, then beside, and then behind them. The Chrysler spire -glittered in the sun and they looked down on the crowds in Times Square. -Central Park was a fleeting panorama. Then they were over the Hudson, -back to Jersey and sliding down out of the skyway with motor idling. -They touched gently and rolled to a landing in front of the main control -station where the number of their plane was taken and they were assigned -to a hangar. Andy taxied the monoplane down the line to the No. 5 hangar -where mechanics were ready to take it in charge. - -“How did you like your aerial view of New York?” Andy asked Blatz. - -“It was marvelous, breath-taking,” laughed the other. “In Europe we have -no city to compare with it. Your buildings; they go into the clouds.” - -“I’ll say,” replied Harry. “I’ve been on the Empire State tower when the -clouds were so thick you couldn’t see the street.” - -They entered the main administration building at the airport, cleaned -up, and then took a taxi for New York. Through Jersey City and under the -Hudson they went in the Holland Tubes and then through the maze of -mid-afternoon traffic to their hotel just off Times Square. - -While Andy was registering for the party, Bert saw the sign above the -door of the grillroom, and, with a “See you later,” departed to order -the steak he had promised himself. - -Andy, Blatz and Harry went up to their rooms, assured themselves that -the double quarters were satisfactory, and then went down to join Bert -in the grill. - -“I ordered steaks for everyone,” said the radio operator of the Goliath. -“Anyone have any objections?” - -There was no vocal protest and the steaks were placed before them a -minute later. - -“I’ve got to go over to the shipyard and report that I’m in town,” said -Harry. “Anyone like to run over to Brooklyn now and see what the Neptune -looks like?” - -“Count me in,” replied Bert. “I want to see what kind of a tin can -you’re going to use in your attempt to reach the North Pole.” - -“How about you two?” asked Harry, turning to Andy and Blatz. - -“I’ll be glad to go in the morning,” said Blatz, “but just now I’m a -little tired. I’ll stay here at the hotel, rest a while, and then -perhaps stroll out and look around the city a bit.” - -“You’ll have to count me out, too,” said Andy. “I’ve a few errands that -must be attended to and the sooner they are out of the way the more time -I’ll have to spend over at the shipyard.” - -Harry and Bert departed, after promising that they would return early in -the evening so they could enjoy a show together. Blatz went up to their -double room and Andy sat down at a writing desk to pen several important -notes. He had been writing not more than five minutes when he looked up -and saw a familiar figure going through the main doorway. He recognized -the German civilian observer. But Blatz had just said that he was tired -and was going to his room to rest? - -Without waiting to ponder the question, Andy picked up the note he had -been writing, stuffed it in his pocket, and hurried toward the entrance. - -It was late afternoon and dusk had settled but he reached the street -just in time to see Blatz step into a cab. There was something furtive, -mysterious in the other’s manner and Andy decided to follow. He motioned -for a cab cruising by to stop. The driver was an alert, keen looking -fellow and he responded instantly when Andy spoke to him. - -“Keep that cab ahead in sight,” said Andy, “and there’s an extra five -for you.” - -Gears meshed harshly as the cab lurched ahead and Andy started on one of -the strangest adventures of his life. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -On the East Side - - -Lieutenant Larko, or Blatz as he was known to his American friends, -wanted to get his visit to the American headquarters of the Gerka over -as soon as possible. He did not look forward to it with pleasure and was -anxious to return to his friends. The deeper he got into the intrigue -the less he liked the mission which had been assigned to him by the -dictator of Rubania. - -On leaving the hotel, he sank back in the cushions of the taxicab and -marveled at the dexterity of the driver, who guided his car between the -moving streams of traffic with amazing skill. They worked away from the -mid-town section, getting over on the east side where the streets were -narrower, the lights dimmer and the pavement rough and bumpy. - -Occasionally the gleam of the headlights of another car flashed in the -mirror over the driver’s head, but Blatz thought nothing of it until the -driver leaned back as he slowed for a turn. - -“There’s another cab been following us ever since we left the hotel,” he -said. “Want me to try and shake them?” - -“Not right now,” replied Blatz. “Keep going; I’ll watch them.” - -He turned and looked out the rear window. There was no mistake on the -part of the driver; another machine was following, making every turn -they did, maintaining the same speed and keeping about a block to the -rear. Had the American secret service become suspicious of him and -placed him under surveillance? - -The thought alarmed Blatz and he ordered the driver to attempt to lose -the pursuing machine. For fifteen minutes they turned and twisted from -one street to another, darted through alleys and doubled back onto -thoroughfares. At last the lights of the other machine vanished and -Blatz felt sure that they had lost their pursuers. - -He gave the order to continue to the address he had given the driver and -relaxed again. He would be glad to get back to the hotel and rejoin his -friends. - -The American headquarters of the Gerka were located on the fifth floor -of a warehouse building on the east side, a district which was anything -but reassuring after dusk had fallen. Street lights cast their feeble -rays at infrequent intervals and there was no traffic on the street. One -dusty electric globe hung in the little cubby which was marked -“watchman’s office.” - -“Want me to wait?” asked the taxi driver. - -“That’s not necessary,” replied Blatz. “I’ll call a cab when I’m ready -to return.” - -The taxi lurched down the street and Blatz walked up to the watchman’s -window. - -The password of the Gerka was in Rubanian and Blatz spoke a guttural -phrase. - -The watchman, a middle aged man with distinct Rubanian features, stepped -to a phone and made sure that Blatz was really an agent of the Gerka. -Informed that the newcomer was to be shown to the headquarters, he took -Blatz into the dim confines of the building and showed him into a -freight elevator. They were lifted slowly to the fifth floor and when -the door opened, Blatz stepped out into a comfortably furnished suite of -rooms. - -A secretary took his number and mission and five minutes later he was -ushered into the inner chamber, to face Lothar Vendra, head of the -American branch of the Gerka. - -Vendra was an impressive individual. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and -handsome in a bitter sort of way. - -“I am most happy to greet you,” he told Blatz, extending his hand in -welcome. - -“I am happy to be here,” replied Blatz, with an enthusiasm that he did -not honestly feel. - -“Sit down,” motioned Vendra, “and tell me all that has happened since -you arrived at Bellevue and how you happen to be in New York at this -time.” - -Blatz recounted in detail the events that had taken place since he had -arrived at the home of the Goliath. When he mentioned the name of Boris -Dubra, the mechanic who had been wounded in his attempt to damage the -Goliath’s hangar, Vendra’s face clouded with anger. - -“I had heard of that,” he said. “Dubra was a fool. We are just as well -off without him. You will be able to accomplish the task alone.” - -“I’m not so sure that I will fulfill my mission,” replied Blatz. - -“What’s that?” demanded Vendra. - -“I have a feeling that the Americans, especially Andy High, are -suspicious,” explained Blatz. “When I left the hotel a few minutes ago I -was followed and only by the amazing dexterity of my taxi driver was I -able to elude my pursuer.” - -“You must have been mistaken,” insisted Vendra. “Your papers are in -perfect order.” - -“I was not mistaken,” said Blatz, clearly and decisively. “Every -precaution must be taken or I will find myself in an American military -prison.” - -“I agree that you must be careful,” admitted Vendra, “but His Excellency -is most anxious that the Goliath be destroyed at once. In his latest -communication he especially stressed this point. This air monster must -never become the king of the skies!” - -The words came to Blatz through a mist of memories. He could see the -silver sides of the Goliath as the great ship lay in its hangar, hear -the tap of hammers and cries of the workmen as they rushed it to -completion, see the pride and joy in Andy’s eyes as the young engineer -looked at the great skycraft he had helped to create. And his job was to -destroy all this. The airman in him rebelled and Vendra, sensing the -emotional conflict, moved closer. - -“Remember,” he warned. “You are a Rubanian, a member of the Gerka, who -is pledged to duty even unto death!” - -Blatz nodded dismally. There was no getting away from the facts. He -would have to destroy the Goliath. - -“You may inform His Excellency,” he said, “that I will do my best.” - -He was about to leave when a buzzer rang sharply. Vendra seized the -telephone and a look of alarm came over his face. - -“There’s trouble down at the entrance,” he said. “The watchman just -found a man prowling around. He knocked him out and is bringing him up -here.” - -Andy’s pursuit of the German observer had not been successful for his -driver had finally lost the cab in the maze of quick turns Blatz’s -driver had made after being ordered to shake off pursuit. - -But Andy was not easily discouraged and he ordered his own taxi to -return to the street on which they had been when Blatz had started his -zig-zig tactics. There was a possibility that the cab he sought might -return and continue its journey from that point. His hunch was correct -and within ten minutes the machine he had lost rolled down the street. -This time his driver put out his lights and they followed, Andy in the -meantime having agreed to fend off any police charges that might be -brought for running without lights. - -He was less than two hundred yards away when Blatz entered the warehouse -and Andy was slipping into the building when the night watchman returned -and caught him. - -The challenge was in Rubanian, a language unfamiliar to Andy. He replied -in American, explaining that he was looking for a friend who was to meet -him at that address. - -The explanation failed to satisfy the watchman, who ordered Andy out. -The watchman was too anxious to get rid of him and Andy refused to -leave. The attack followed almost instantly, and the burly watchman -hurled himself at the slender airman with surprising speed. - -Taken unaware, Andy went down in a heap. He struggled to his feet and -turned to face the next rush by the watchman. He partially fended off -the first blow but another, starting low and coming up with tremendous -force, caught him on the point of the chin. His knees wobbled, a mist -clouded his eyes, his mouth was strangely dry and he had a sensation of -falling from a great height. Then a curtain of darkness descended. - -The watchman picked him up carried him into the elevator, and finally -walked into Vendra’s office with the unconscious Andy in his arms. - -Blatz started back in white-faced amazement. - -“Is he badly hurt?” he asked. - -“No,” grunted the watchman. “He’ll come around in a few minutes. He -struck his head against a door sill when I knocked him down.” - -“This is terrible,” said Blatz. “Now Andy’s suspicions of me will be -confirmed. It will be no use for me to return to Bellevue after this.” - -“What do you mean?” asked Vendra. - -“Just this,” explained Blatz. “Your bulldog watchman here has knocked -out Andy High, son of Charles High, executive vice president of the -National Airways who is in charge of the building of the Goliath. Andy -is my ‘chaperon’ at Bellevue and the only one who has appeared to be -suspicious of me. He must have followed me from the hotel.” - -Vendra was silent for a minute, pondering the situation which confronted -them. - -“It is regrettable,” he said. “You must return to Bellevue to fulfill -your mission of destroying the Goliath, the air monster.” - -“But I can’t go back now,” protested Blatz. - -“Return to your hotel at once,” said Vendra. - -“When anyone asks where you have been, tell them on a long taxi ride -through the city and Central Park.” - -“Andy will never believe such a story,” protested Blatz. - -“He won’t be able to disprove it,” countered Vendra. “As soon as you -leave I’ll take him out of here. We’ll leave him in another street -before he recovers consciousness. He’ll never be able to find his way -back here and you’ll make a complete denial if he ever openly accuses -you. It is ticklish, I admit, but it is the only way out.” - -Blatz finally agreed and hastened from the room, to return at once to -the hotel where he found Bert and Harry waiting. - -“Where’s Andy?” asked Bert. - -“I don’t know,” replied Blatz. “I’ve been on a long taxi ride.” Which, -he told himself, was quite true. - -An hour later Andy arrived in a cab, his clothes so dirty and disheveled -that he attracted open attention as he walked through the fashionable -lobby of the hotel. The clerks eyed him with disgust but they dared not -protest at his appearance. When he appeared in his room, he was greeted -with exclamations of astonishment. - -“What under the sun happened to you?” asked Bert. “Did a taxi walk all -over you?” - -“Something, hit me,” said Andy, “while I was down on the east side. The -next thing I knew I was lying in a street and a policeman was shaking -me. I finally convinced him that I was sane and sober, and he let me -come back here. I haven’t figured it out just yet; my head’s too dizzy.” - -He looked straight at Blatz when he added: - -“But I have a hunch I’ll get it straight when I get over this headache.” - - - - -CHAPTER X - -The Neptune Sails - - -Andy was shaky from his experience over on the east side and while Bert, -Harry and Blatz went out to a show, he remained at the hotel to rest and -think things over. - -He was positive that he had seen Blatz go into the warehouse and the -conviction grew that the German civilian observer was not all that he -claimed to be. Andy felt a crisis coming, something he couldn’t exactly -put into words, but a vague feeling that trouble was just around the -corner. He was asleep when the others returned at midnight from the -theater and they did not waken him. - -Andy felt much refreshed the next morning and they decided to accompany -Harry on his visit to the shipyard. - -“It’s the finest tin fish I’ve ever seen,” said Bert, who had visited -the Neptune the afternoon before. “They’ve got just about everything -they need in it.” - -“It is a wonderful boat,” admitted Harry proudly, “but I’ll have to -confess that traveling in the Neptune won’t be able to compare with the -Goliath. When we’re submerged the air isn’t any too good if we’re down -three or four hours and we’re pretty cramped for space.” - -“Let’s get under way,” said Andy. “I’m anxious to see this wonderful tin -fish.” - -They took a taxi across town, rolled over the Brooklyn bridge and -fifteen minutes later were walking into the shipyard where the Neptune -was being groomed for its polar trip. - -The submarine was lying beside a stubby wharf with its main hatch open. -Workmen were busy passing supplies down into its depths as Andy and his -party arrived. - -“My gosh,” exclaimed Andy. “I didn’t suppose you had a submarine of this -type. It’s almost as big as one of the navy’s super-cruisers.” - -“Just about,” agreed Harry. “As a matter-of-fact, this sub was built for -naval purposes by the Seabright yards. They used it as a demonstrator in -selling similar models to South American navies. It has just about every -modern gadget on it that inventors could devise. As a result of this -working model, the Seabright people landed contracts for about 25 -million in work. The Neptune had served its purpose and they were -willing to sell it to Gilbert Mathews at a very reasonable figure when -he started looking for a ship in which to make the polar trip. The -Seabright engineers have made all of the necessary changes for polar -cruising and have just put their official approval on the Neptune, which -means we’ll be starting north within a few days.” - -“I’d like to see inside the Neptune,” said Blatz, adding, “I’ve never -been in a submarine before.” - -“All right,” agreed Harry, “but we’ll have to keep out of the way of the -crew bringing in stores Let’s go.” - -They scrambled down the ladder and reached the rivet-studded deck of the -Neptune. There was a lull in the steady stream of boxes being carried -into the interior and they hurried through the main hatch and into the -conning tower, then down into the main control room. - -Andy looked about in amazement at the compactness of the instruments in -the “brains” of the submarine. There was not an inch of waste space in -the spotlessly white interior of the steel fish. - -Harry led them through the forward engine room and into the crew -quarters where double-decked bunks lined the walls. Just ahead were the -officers’ quarters, slightly better furnished than those of the crew and -beyond this was the radio cubby where Harry would practically live from -the time they left the Brooklyn shipyard until they returned from the -desolate ice wastes of the far north. - -They went on ahead into the room usually used as a torpedo room. This -had been fitted with scientific equipment for sounding the ocean depths, -and determining the material at the bottom of the Arctic. In addition to -the scientific paraphernalia, the forward room contained the all -important rescue chambers. In this room was located the powerful drill -which was capable of boring fifty feet upward straight through the ice, -opening a tunnel large enough for a man to wriggle through in case the -submarine became trapped by ice. There was also an escape passage -through the forward torpedo tubes. - -The inspection of the forward half of the sub completed, they turned to -the after quarters. Another large engine room was located after the main -control room and beyond this was another room with double-decked bunks -while just back of that was the galley. - -“You’ve got a place to cook food,” said Bert, “but where do you eat?” - -“Just about any place we find convenient,” replied Harry. “There are a -number of folding tables that can be pulled out in the crews’ quarters -but if the going is rough or we’re busy, we take on food when and where -we can get it.” - -“When you’re pitching around on the North Atlantic and trying to connect -a little food with that hungry mouth of yours, just remember what a -pleasant time I’ll be having on the Goliath where there’s plenty of room -to stretch and plenty of room to eat,” said Bert. - -“I’ll probably remember that a good many times,” grinned Harry, “but if -you radio me a description of some of those nice meals of yours. I’ll -refuse to answer.” - -They completed their inspection of the Neptune and had climbed back to -the wharf when a roadster rolled through the shipyard gate. - -“Just a minute, fellows,” said Harry. “Here comes Gilbert Mathews. I’d -like to have you meet him.” - -The commander of the Neptune was tall and broad-shouldered. His walk was -vigorous and he was hatless. His brown hair was slightly gray at the -temples and he might be anywhere from 35 to 45 years old. - -“Hello, Harry,” he said as he came up. “Your radio equipment all ready?” - -“Everything’s tested and in fine shape,” replied the radio operator. “I’d -like to have you meet my friends.” - -“Delighted,” said the explorer, and he greeted Blatz, Bert and Andy -cordially. - -“I’ve had some very pleasant conferences with your father,” he told -Andy. “Will we meet at the North pole this summer?” - -“I sincerely hope so,” replied Andy. “Bert is chief radio operator on -the Goliath and I will make the trip as assistant to Captain Harkins.” - -“Then I am sure that we will meet again,” replied Mathews. He turned to -Harry. - -“Did the orders reach you at your hotel before you left this morning?” -he asked. - -“No sir,” replied Harry. - -“Then this will come as somewhat of a surprise,” smiled Mathews. “We’ll -leave at sunrise and every member of the crew has been ordered on board -tonight.” - -“It certainly is a surprise,” gasped Harry, “but I’ll be aboard ship -tonight.” - -“You’re leaving almost two weeks earlier than you had first planned,” -said Andy. - -“Conditions in the Arctic are more open than they have been for a number -of years,” replied the explorer, “and I am anxious to get the Neptune -into the ice as soon as possible.” - -“We probably will not see you again,” said Andy, “but we wish you every -good fortune and we’ll see you at the North pole.” - -“Thank you for your good wishes,” replied Mathews. “In return, I wish -the Goliath a fair voyage and a fast one.” - -The explorer left them and hurried down the ladder to supervise the -final preparations for the departure of the Neptune. - -Harry was busy the remainder of the day, finishing the task of getting -his kit together and sending goodbye telegrams to relatives, for his -parents lived in Illinois and would not be able to reach New York before -sailing time. - -Hotel reporters learned that the assistant pilot of the Goliath was in -the city and when they returned to the hotel in late afternoon, half a -dozen were waiting for Andy. - -They plied him with questions. How long would it be before the Goliath -was ready to take the air; what would the big ship do; where would it go -on its trial flights; was it true that attempts had been made to destroy -the ship in its hangar; when would it start on the cruise into the -Arctic regions? - -To all these questions Andy was able to give only the most general of -answers for he was bound in secrecy not to reveal definite information -about the Goliath or the plans for its trial flights. Andy and his -friends posed while flashlights flared but finally they were alone in -their rooms. - -Harry had finished the score of small tasks which had been necessary -when the final sail order, was given and he stretched out on one of the -beds, his hands clasped above his head. - -“Tonight we’re all here together,” he said. “Tomorrow I’ll be going down -the sound in the tin fish; next week you’ll be aloft as the Goliath -tries its wings, and the next time we meet will be at the North pole. -Believe me, that’s adventure.” - -“How I envy you all,” said Blatz, his voice low and earnest, and Andy -actually felt sorry for the European whom he had come to firmly -suspicion. If he could wipe those doubts out of his mind, he would -thoroughly like Blatz for the foreigner was a born airman and would be a -real asset to the technical staff of National Airways. - -“When you sail away for the North pole in the Goliath,” he told Andy, -“I’ll stay on the ground at Bellevue and watch you fade into the north -but I’ll glory with you in success.” - -“I’m hungry,” announced Bert. “Let’s go down and get something to eat. -If we sit around here we’ll all get blue for we’re going to miss Harry a -lot. There’s just this one consolation. We’ll be able to talk back and -forth daily on our low wave sets unless the Arctic puts up a wall of -static we can’t break through.” - -Their last meal together was a quiet affair despite Bert’s efforts to -make it jolly and cheerful. With Harry going aboard ship within the next -hour or so and the Neptune casting off at dawn, they knew the start of -the great adventure was at hand and it awed them all. - -A messenger paged Harry in the dining room and handed him a telegram. -The Neptune’s radio operator tore it open with fingers that shook just a -little and read it hungrily. His face whitened for a moment and he -folded the message carefully and placed it in an inner pocket. There was -a suspicion of a tear in one eye. - -“A wire from Dad and Mother,” he said. “They’re the best ever.” - -An hour later they stepped out of a taxi on the Brooklyn wharf. Lights -glowed over the Neptune; cars hurried up to disgorge other members of -the crew, newspaper men were buzzing around, flashlights blazed and over -the whole scene there was a feeling of tension. - -Gilbert Mathews was at the head of the ladder, checking in every man as -he came aboard. Harry reported and was checked off the list. He turned -to his friends from Bellevue. - -“I can’t say very much,” he told them. “Everything is sort of choked up -in my throat. Bert, old scout, I’ll be tuning up for your messages. -Don’t forget me.” - -“I won’t,” promised the Goliath’s operator. - -“So long, fellows,” said Harry and he turned and hastened down the -ladder to the deck of the Neptune. He paused for a moment and waved -before stepping inside the steel hull. - -When they returned to their hotel, Blatz stopped at a newsstand to buy -an early edition of one of the morning papers. They were so much more -comprehensive than the Rubanian papers to which he had been accustomed -and he thoroughly enjoyed reading them. In the quiet of his room he -digested the news of the day. A story on an inside page caught and held -his attention. The dateline was “KRATZ, Rubania.” The story told of the -growing unrest against the regime of Dictator Reikoff, adding that this -bad feeling was centered in the powerful air corps, the largest unit of -the Rubanian army. - -Blatz knew what they meant. Reikoff had been making unjust demands of -his airmen and he was sitting on an open powder keg which was likely to -explode with disastrous results to himself. Blatz almost wished that -revolution would sweep the country and rid Rubania of its dictator. He -was thoroughly disgusted and out of sympathy with the task to which he -had been assigned, that of destroying the Goliath, and he would welcome -any opportunity to escape but as long as Reikoff lived and ruled it -would mean death for Blatz if he failed to carry out his mission. - -Andy stepped through the door which connected the double room. - -“Any objections to our returning to Bellevue in the morning?” he asked. - -“No, why?” replied Blatz. - -“Oh, there’s no reason for us to stay on longer here but I thought you -might have some business over on the east side to transact.” - -Andy’s keen eyes were watching Blatz’s face, searching for some change -of expression that would indicate his alarm. There was none; the -civilian observer outwardly appeared cool and unruffled but it was well -that Andy could not see the flash of fear that seared across his mind. -It was true, then, that Andy did suspect him. He was warning him in this -way to watch his step. Undoubtedly he would tell the secret service. If -he, Blatz, were to accomplish his mission of destruction it must be -immediately after his return to Bellevue. - -“There is nothing to keep me in the city,” replied Blatz, “and I am -anxious to get back and see the finishing touches put on the Goliath.” - -“Then we’ll get an early start,” said Andy, “drop down the harbor and -say goodbye to the Neptune and then head for home. We ought to be there -in time for lunch.” - -They were up shortly after dawn but it was eight o’clock by the time -they reached the airport of the National Airways in Jersey, had stowed -their baggage in the monoplane and were ready to take the air. Andy took -over the controls, Blatz climbed in beside him and Bert stowed his more -ample bulk in a chair just behind and beside a window where he could -wave when they passed the Neptune. - -Satisfied that the motor of the monoplane was functioning perfectly, -Andy sent the plane speeding over the crushed rock runway and into the -slanting rays of the sun. He circled the field until he had plenty of -altitude, and then cut across the Jersey flats where the blue Atlantic -gleamed in the distance. - -The Neptune must have started at the crack of dawn, for the submarine -was far down the bay when they finally picked it up. The Neptune was -running on the surface at ten knots an hour, its sharp nose cleaving -through the sparkling waves and its decks almost awash. The main hatch -was open and half a dozen of the crew were on top of the conning tower. - -Andy sent the monoplane down in a gentle glide, levelled off, and -skimmed over the water with motor on full. They flashed past the -Neptune, raced out to sea, turned and roared back: Someone on the -conning tower was waving frantically. - -The three in the monoplane caught a fleeting glimpse of Harry as they -sped past. The Neptune was off, headed for Plymouth, England, on the -first leg of its long and adventurous trip into the Arctic. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -In The Hangar - - -The return flight to Bellevue was uneventful and the monoplane settled -down beside the Goliath’s hangar shortly after noon. Andy taxied the -plane up to the apron and they piled out and hurried into the main -hangar to see what progress had been made on the Goliath since their -departure. - -Even in the short time they had been away the crews had put on the -finishing touches. The great silver hull gleamed in the softened light -of the hangar. The main gondola had been completed, the observation -cockpits on top of the big bag were in place and hundreds of helium -tanks were piled along the walls of the hangar—empty. That meant that -the gas cells had been filled with the precious gas. The Goliath was -almost ready to take the air. - -Charles High and Captain Harkins hurried up to them. - -“How does the Goliath look today?” Andy’s father asked. - -“Wonderful, Dad, simply wonderful,” replied Andy. “When will you make -the first test?” - -“We may walk it out of the hangar tomorrow but we won’t make a real -flight for several days,” replied the vice president in charge of -operations for the National Airways. “The army has a finger in the pie -and when we actually take the air several members of the general staff -and a dozen air corps experts will want to be aboard to see if it -behaves to specifications.” - -“I’m sure it will,” put in Blatz. “I’ve seen a good many of Doctor -Eckener’s ships at Friedrichshafen and with all due respect to the Herr -Doctor, the Goliath is the finest, most carefully designed and built -aircraft I have ever seen.” - -“That’s a real compliment,” chuckled Bert. “It isn’t very often a -European will concede superiority to an American in anything.” - -“Blatz is right,” said Captain Harkins quietly. “There is no question -about the Goliath being the finest airship ever built. I expect it to -live up to our every hope in its performance in the air.” - -“We were surprised when Gilbert Mathews informed Harry of the advance in -sailing plans,” Andy told his father. - -“I was a trifle surprised, too,” admitted the vice president of National -Airways. “Mathews wired me the same day of the change in plans and I -replied that the Goliath would be able to advance its air tests and keep -the date to meet him at the pole even with the earlier sailing. I can’t -blame him, though, for wanting to take advantage of the favorable ice -conditions which are reported in the north now.” - -“The Neptune is a great submarine,” said Bert, “as far as subs go but -I’ll take an airplane or dirigible any day. Being shut up in one of -those things is like sailing around in a tub. I wouldn’t trade my radio -cubby on the Goliath for a dozen jobs on the Neptune.” - -“Someone had to go on the Neptune and we’ll give Harry plenty of credit -for his nerve,” said Andy. “Will you be able to pick up his message -tonight?” - -“I promised him I’d tune in every night at eight,” replied Bert. “We -ought to hear him plainly.” - -Captain Harkins asked Andy to accompany him to the main office to check -over the final construction reports on the Goliath while Andy’s father -took Blatz on an inspection trip over the big bag. They entered the -luxuriously furnished gondola with its lounge and radio room, the dining -salon and the glass enclosed promenade. Then to the upper deck of the -gondola where the passenger cabins were located. The interior finish was -in a cool, pleasing gray, a favorable contrast to the silver of the -metalized hull. - -After leaving the gondola, they walked down the main runway which was -built lengthwise down the middle of the Goliath. In the earlier -dirigibles this had been little more than a catwalk and none too safe. A -plunge off would have meant crashing through the outer fabric and a fall -to earth. In the Goliath the main runway was a substantial affair six -feet wide. Made of duralumin, it was strong but light and guard rails -proved ample protection for members of the crew or passengers who might -be permitted to view the interior of the big airship. - -The gas bags were inflated with, helium and held rigidly in place, six -of them in the forward part of the ship and six of them in the after -section. The transverse rings built of girders of duralumin separated -each bag and there was a narrow catwalk between each large gas cell to -facilitate the stopping of any possible leaks. - -The motor gondolas were built inside the hull with the flexible -propeller shafts sticking through the side. There were six of the motor -gondolas on each side and each car was carefully insulated so that fire -could be confined to one section of the dirigible. - -The mid-section of the Goliath was forbidden ground to Blatz for it was -here that space had been provided for the storing of airplanes in time -of war. A special device which hooked onto the planes while they were in -flight and lifted them into the hold in the center of the airship had -been perfected by Captain Harkins and Blatz was anxious to see this. He -was in for a disappointment that afternoon for Charles High did not take -him back that far. Instead, they stopped at the fourth transverse girder -where a stairway led to the top of the dirigible. There were six of -these stairs all told, each running to the top and giving access to the -observation cockpits. There was a runway on top of the Goliath with -strong cables stretched along the side but it would be almost worth a -man’s life to attempt to walk on it while the dirigible was in motion -and especially if the air happened to be the least bit rough. A fine -place, thought Blatz, for anyone who was inclined to be seasick. - -They walked along the outer runway toward the rear of the Goliath and -from this elevation Blatz had a real opportunity to realize the size of -the new king of the air—the craft which Reikoff had termed an “air -monster.” When they reached the after part of the dirigible with its -great fin and elevators, they descended into the interior. Motor crews -were busy tuning up the engines and the air was filled with the -tenseness of preparation. - -At dinner that night Captain Harkins announced that he had received word -from the army air corps that the officers who would report on the trial -flights of the Goliath would be at Bellevue before noon the next day. - -“That means we’ll walk the Goliath out at one o’clock if the wind and -weather are favorable.” - -The words came to Blatz through a daze. He had seen Andy and Merritt -Timms of the secret service conferring before dinner and from the look -Timms had shot his way he knew that he had been the object of their -discussion. The Goliath would be out of its hangar tomorrow. Army -officers would arrive and from then on there would be little opportunity -to damage the big ship. Tonight was the time! Even though Andy might be -suspicious, he would hardly believe him capable of so daring an attempt -on the Goliath. Blatz set his jaw firmly. It was going to be a task he -did not fancy for his love for the Goliath had grown until he quailed at -the thought of its destruction. But he was a Rubanian, a member of the -Gerka. He could not escape from his duty. - -Andy found an item of interest in the evening paper which he showed -Blatz. It was another bulletin from Rubania. Revolution was threatening. -Reikoff’s power was tottering. - -Blatz read it eagerly. Perhaps he would not be forced to destroy the -Goliath after all. If he could only wait a few more days. But the one -big opportunity was at hand. Tonight was the logical one for his task. - -Andy noticed the European’s hands shook as he read the item, but Blatz’s -face showed no change of emotion. - -“Come on, you two,” called Bert. “Let’s get over to my radio shack and -we’ll see if we can pick up Harry somewhere off Long Island in his tin -fish.” - -It was nearly eight o’clock when they reached the radio shack just -outside the main hangar and it took Bert some time to time up his -apparatus. He plugged in on the main transmitter and a minute later -turned around with a grin. - -“Harry is burning up the air,” chuckled Bert. “I was late coming in and -wants to know what I’d been doing. Accuses me of over-eating. Imagine.” - -The stream of dots and dashes which had been flickering through the air -ceased. - -“We’re going to try the radiophone now,” explained Bert, “and we’ll be -able to talk back and forth.” - -When Bert completed the proper adjustments Andy almost fell out of his -chair as Harry’s voice echoed in the little room. - -“Hello Bert. Hello Andy,” said Harry, eight hundred miles away and under -water in the radio room of the Neptune. “Tell Blatz hello, too, if he’s -with you,” added Harry. - -“The three of us are in the radio shack,” replied Bert, “and I resent -your implication that I overate tonight. I over-talked.” - -“Which is just as bad,” came back the voice over the ether waves. - -Andy picked up the microphone and spoke to Harry. - -“How is the trip going?” he asked, “and where are you?” - -“We’re about 130 miles out of New York harbor,” replied Harry. “The sea -is a little choppy but nothing to write home about. Everything is -running smoothly so far and we ought to put in at Plymouth in about 12 -days.” - -“How’s the air in your tin fish?” Bert wanted to know. - -“Fine,” replied Harry. “The main hatch has been open all of the time and -I haven’t a thing to complain about. I’ll have to sign off now and send -some messages for Mr. Mathews. I’ll buzz you again at eight in the -morning.” - -“Be sure you make it at eight o’clock our time,” warned Bert as he -signed off. - -Bert had some work to do on his reserve radio equipment and Andy went to -his own office to look over the correspondence which had accumulated -during his absence in New York. - -Blatz, professing to be tired after the flight down from New York, said -he would go to the hotel and retire early. Andy watched until the German -civilian observer bad crossed the track and was well on his way to the -hotel. He had told Timms of his experience in New York but the secret -service man was still inclined not to doubt Blatz’s right to be at -Bellevue. Whatever watching of the observer was done would have to be by -Andy. - -The assistant pilot of the Goliath was busy half an hour reading and -sorting the mail. It was unusually quiet around the hangar that night so -the scuffing of something against a stick caught Andy’s attention. -Someone was walking cautiously toward the hangar! - -Andy remained in his chair, fingering through the pile of letters before -him. The guarded sound came again. At the end of a minute he turned out -the light and slipped out of his office. A small door which led into the -main hangar was open. - -Andy returned to his office to get his flashlight. Remembering that he -had left it at the hotel, he found some matches beside a half dozen red -lanterns which were used to mark danger places on the field. Since the -Goliath used helium there was no danger of an explosion from striking a -match in the hangar or, for that matter, aboard the Goliath itself. - -The assistant pilot of the dirigible stepped quickly through the door -and paused to accustom his eyes to the heavy darkness of the interior. -He slipped off his shoes and then moved slowly toward the lighter -outline of the silvered hull of the Goliath. - -Andy paused. Someone was moving slowly just ahead of him. The young -airman groped his way ahead, hands outstretched. The next second he was -clutching someone’s coat. - -They came to grips, but only for a second. The unknown invader of the -hangar slipped out of his coat and Andy heard him running out of the -hangar. - -Muttering to himself in disgust, Andy stooped to strike a match and look -at the coat he had seized. As he struck a match, he slipped and stumbled -headlong. The match dropped into a chunk of oily waste. It flared and -burst into flame but Andy remained motionless on the floor, his head -resting against a heavy wood block it had struck. - -The fire in the waste glowed brightly and leaped higher as it fed on the -oil which saturated the waste. Unless help reached Andy soon the fire -would spread to other parts of the hangar and the Goliath itself would -be in danger of destruction! - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -Trial Flight - - -While Andy lay senseless on the floor of the hangar with the flames from -the oil-soaked waste mounting higher, a shadow appeared in the doorway. -It was Blatz, whom Andy had surprised in the hangar as he was about to -attempt the destruction of the Goliath. - -The German observer crept closer to the flames and it was not until he -was almost at the blaze that he discerned the inert form of the -assistant pilot. - -“Andy,” he cried, “Andy!” - -There was no answer and Blatz acted with sudden determination. He picked -up the coat which Andy still clutched and used the garment to beat out -the flames. That task accomplished he turned on his flashlight and bent -down to examine the lump on Andy’s forehead. The young airman groaned -and Blatz chuckled grimly. The game was nearly over. He was glad. - -He managed to pick Andy up and carried the now half-conscious American -out of the hangar and into his office, where he turned on the light. - -Andy came to several minutes later and finally focused his eyes long -enough on one spot to see Blatz standing in front of him. - -“I’m on to you,” cried Andy, struggling to get out of his chair. “You’re -trying to destroy the Goliath.” - -“Easy, Andy, easy,” urged Blatz. “You’ve had another nasty bump on your -head. The Goliath is all right.” - -“The last I remember is falling,” said Andy. “How did I get in here and -what are you doing around the hangar at this time of night?” - -“You took a tumble, all right,” agreed Blatz, “and the match you had in -your hand fell into a handful of greasy waste. You’d chased me out of -the hangar but if I hadn’t been curious when you failed to follow, the -whole thing might have burned up. As it was, I got back in time to put -out the fire before it got to you or the Goliath.” - -Andy looked at the speaker with incredulous eyes. - -“If that’s true,” he said, “I have done you a great wrong.” - -Before the observer could reply, Bert burst through the door. - -“Big news,” he said. “The Rubanian air force rebelled this afternoon and -forced Dictator Reikoff clear out of the country. I just got that -bulletin over in the radio shack.” - -“You’re sure there’s no mistake?” asked Blatz. - -“Positive,” replied Bert. “It was an Associated Press dispatch -broadcast through the courtesy of one of the Louisville papers.” - -Blatz looked at Andy and they smiled understanding. - -“What’s the joke,” demanded Bert. - -“There isn’t any joke,” replied Blatz gravely, “and I can now tell you -the truth. I am Lieut. Serge Larko of the Rubanian air force. I was -assigned to special duty as an agent of the Gerka, our secret police, -and my mission was to make a non-stop flight to the United States, make -my way to Bellevue and bring about the destruction of the Goliath.” - -Bert stared at him in speechless wonder but Andy nodded and said. - -“Then you were piloting the gray monoplane we chased that afternoon?” - -“Right,” said Serge. “You gave me a real scare.” - -“And you went into that warehouse on the east side while we were in New -York?” continued Andy. - -“Right again.” - -“And tonight you went into the hangar for the purpose of destroying the -Goliath?” - -“I started in with that purpose,” admitted Serge, “but I’m too much of -an airman. After I got inside I couldn’t bring myself to damage that -beautiful craft. I was about to leave when you entered and we met in the -dark. You know the rest of the story.” - -“I know that it was mighty fortunate for me that you came back,” replied -Andy and be grasped Serge warmly by the hand. “Now that the menace of -Reikoff has been removed from your homeland, I’m sure we’ll become real -friends. We’ll see Dad and Captain Harkins about having you added to the -permanent staff of the National Airways.” - -“I’d like that,” smiled Serge happily, “but they’ll probably order me -away from Bellevue or the secret service may take a hand in my case.” - -“I think Merritt Timms can be made to see things my way,” replied Andy. - -“When did you first suspect me?” asked Serge. “Almost as soon as you -arrived,” admitted Andy. “If you remember I questioned you about -Friedrichshafen and suggested that you might know Karl Staab? When you -admitted that you knew Staab I decided something was wrong for as far as -I know Staab never existed outside of my own mind.” - -“But I really have been at Friedrichshafen,” replied Serge. - -“I believed that,” said Andy, “for your technical knowledge showed you -had been trained with the Germans. Now let’s go over to the hotel and -see Dad and Captain Harkins.” - -The conference at the hotel was interesting and successful and before -the long evening drew to a close it was agreed that Serge Larko, who had -assumed his real identity, should become a permanent member of the -Goliath’s crew. - -Even though the next day promised to be unusually busy, it was midnight -before they were in bed but they were up at the crack of dawn. - -Serge was happier than he had been in months and Andy felt that a great -weight had been lifted from his mind. There was no further danger to the -Goliath from inside sources and they were practically ready for the test -flights. - -Lieut. Jim Crummit, in command of the army pursuit ships at Bellevue, -stopped them as they left the hotel. - -“Will you want us to stand by this afternoon in case you decide to take -the Goliath aloft?” he asked Captain Harkins. - -“I hardly think that will be necessary, Lieutenant!” replied the -commander of the Goliath. “Any flight we might make would be confined to -the limits of the field.” - -“Right, sir,” said the army officer as he turned and walked toward the -hangars which housed the army ships. - -At eight o’clock Andy, Serge and Bert gathered in the radio shack and -Bert turned his set to talk with the Neptune. There was a steady crackle -of interference but Bert stepped up the power with the hope that he -would get through to the Neptune. - -“Looks like we’re out of luck this morning,” he finally announced, “but -I’ll give it one more try.” He turned to the dial again, tuning so -carefully the black disks hardly moved. - -“Harry’s coming in now,” he said. “I’ll have it strong in a minute.” - -Bert switched over to the radiophone loudspeaker and the boys heard -Harry calling, “Hello Bellevue. Good morning.” - -“Good morning yourself,” replied Bert. “Have fish for breakfast?” - -“Not this morning,” replied Harry. “Besides, it’s mid-forenoon out where -we are. How’s the Goliath?” - -Andy picked up the microphone and told Harry briefly what had taken -place the night before, adding that Serge had been added to the crew of -the Goliath and would make the trip to the North pole. - -“I’m glad to hear that,” replied Harry over the magic waves which -bridged the hundreds of miles between them. “I’ll say hello to Serge if -he’ll take the mike now.” - -The young Rubanian conversed with Harry for several minutes and then the -operator of the Neptune signed off. - -“I’ll be back on the air tonight at eight,” he told Bert. “Be sure and -let me know how the Goliath behaves on her first trip out of the -hangar.” - -The interior of the great hangar was alive with activity that morning. -Final weight checks were being made for the war department. -Specifications on the total weight were very strict and builders of -dirigibles were always prone to exceed the specification limit. - -Captain Harkins and Andy’s father were at first one end of the Goliath -and then at the other supervising the countless last minute tasks. - -A tri-motor droned over the field at 11 o’clock, circled and dropped -down to waddle across the fresh green of the meadow. It stopped at one -side of the Goliath’s hangar and a dozen army officers, all with the -wings of the air corps on their collars, descended and walked toward the -hangar. - -Captain Harkins and Andy’s father hastened to make them welcome and -assure them that the Goliath would be ready for a walk-out test -immediately after lunch. - -While the builders and chief engineers of the Goliath entertained the -visiting army delegation at the hotel at noon, Andy and Serge made the -final inspection of the big ship. The ground crew had been drilled in -its task and the operator of the portable mooring mast to which the nose -of the Goliath had been fastened had thoroughly rehearsed his part. - -At one o’clock the army officers, accompanied by Captain Harkins and -Charles High, returned from the hotel. For the next hour the army men -went over the Goliath, inspecting every yard of fabric and testing every -duralumin beam. Motors were put on test, Bert demonstrated the power of -his radio equipment and even the passenger cabins came in for a rigid -inspection. - -At two o’clock Captain Harkins stepped into the control room at the -forward end of the gondola. - -“Everything ready?” he asked Andy, in whom he had placed a large share -of responsibility for the successful flight. - -“Everything ready, sir,” replied Andy. - -Captain Harkins took over the controls. The army officers lined the -windows of the control room. Andy leaned out one window on the right -side and placed a whistle to his mouth. He was wearing a telephone -headset while on the wall of the control room was a compact little -switchboard so that he could instantly communicate with any part of the -dirigible whenever Captain Harkins gave a command. - -The great moment was at hand. The Goliath was ready for its first test, -the walk-out from the hangar. Months of work and planning were -represented in the great ship; would it live up to expectations? - -Andy sounded a shrill blast on the whistle. The ground crew, which had -been waiting for the signal, leaped to its stations. The operator of the -portable mooring mast started the engine of the big tractor-truck which -carried the mast. - -The assistant pilot of the Goliath looked at Captain Harkins, who nodded -quietly. - -Andy sounded two long blasts on the whistle. The shackles which had held -the Goliath in the hangar for so many months were loosened. The great -airship quivered slightly as though eager to test its power. - -The blasts of the whistle echoed through the hangar and the operator of -the huge tractor ahead eased in the clutch and started forward. The -Goliath lurched slightly at the tug of the mooring mast, and then slowly -started ahead. The ground crew steadied the great hulk as it was eased -out of the shed. There was no wind and in ten minutes the Goliath was -outside the hangar in which it had been born and in which it had grown -to such proportions that it was king of all the skycraft. - -The Goliath moved steadily ahead until it was well away from the hangar. -Captain Harkins signaled Andy and another blast of the whistle stopped -the portable mooring mast. - -Captain Harkins conferred with the ranking air corps officer and Andy -caught a snatch of their conversation. They were going to take the -Goliath up. The big ship was behaving perfectly and the army men were -anxious for an air test. Captain Harkins assented and turned to Andy. - -“Have the motors started at once,” he ordered. - -Andy cut in a main phone connection so that he could talk to each of the -12 motor rooms at the same time. - -“Start your motors,” he said, “and stand by for flight.” - -Sharp, joyous answers echoed in his ears as the engineers hastened to -start the engines which were capable of sending the Goliath through the -air at a maximum speed of 120 miles an hour. - -The rear engine crews were the first to get their motors turning over -but within a minute the steady pulse of the 12 powerful engines could -be heard. Engine room after engine room reported to Andy and he checked -each one off as they reported ready. In three minutes he turned to -Captain Harkins and said: - -“The engineers are ready.” - -The Goliath was ready to test its wings. For a moment it hung, poised -just above the ground. Then Captain Harkins nodded again, Andy’s whistle -shrilled the “lines away” call and the Goliath floated upward into the -heavens. For the moment it was the world’s largest balloon, drifting -upward in the warm rays of the afternoon sun, lifted higher and higher -by the buoyancy of its helium gas. - -Andy, Bert and Serge were grouped at one of the windows in the control -cabin together. The ground simply floated away from them. There was no -sense of sudden rising; no undue motion to the great craft. - -Fifty, one hundred and then two hundred feet the Goliath climbed into -the skies, its powerful motors purring smoothly and ready to take up -their task. - -Andy cut in the general connection to all of the engine rooms and warned -the engineers to stand by for further orders. - -When the Goliath was three hundred feet above the field, Captain Harkins -turned to Andy and gave the order for slow speed ahead. - -“Slow speed ahead,” Andy repeated into the transmitter. - -The Goliath came to life almost instantly. The great gas bag shook -itself as though getting accustomed to its new power and then moved -slowly ahead, the ground beneath drifting away in a fascinating -panorama. - -Captain Harkins, at the controls, moved the wheel which operated the -elevators at the tail of the Goliath, and the earth dropped rapidly away -from them as they climbed for altitude and circled over the home field. -Andy, looking down, could see the members of the ground crew, faces -upturned, watching their every move. - -The great moment had come and passed. The Goliath had soared aloft and -even now was proving the claims of its builders. Captain Harkins ordered -half speed ahead and Andy repeated the command to the engine rooms. The -speed quickened as the beat of the motors increased but so carefully -insulated were the engine rooms that there was no unpleasant or -disturbing noise. - -The air corps officers appeared elated at the ease with which the -Goliath handled and they were outspoken in their praise of the engineers -and staff which had constructed the new king of the skies. - -For half an hour the Goliath cruised leisurely around the field, now -climbing, now dipping lower at the will of the silent man at the -controls. - -Andy turned his telephone set over to Bert to relay Captain Harkins’ -commands to the engine rooms and in company with his father, made an -inspection of the whole ship. - -There had been no shifting of the big gas bags and stress and strain -indicators on the transverse rings of duralumin, the real backbone of -the dirigible, exceeded their expectations. Engine performance was more -than satisfactory and before returning to the control cabin, they -mounted one of the stairways to an observation cockpit on the top of the -Goliath. - -Ahead and behind them stretched the smooth, silvered surface of the -Goliath. Far to the east, were the haze enshrouded mountains while below -them was the rich, fresh green of the countryside in spring. - -Andy stood close to his father for he knew how much the successful -flight of the new dirigible meant to the vice president of the National -Airways. His father, with Captain Harkins, had dreamed and planned for -years for the Goliath, and the culmination of their hopes meant their -life careers. Andy, himself, had shouldered no small part of the burden -in the studying and engineering necessary for the construction of the -huge ship but he felt his own share small in comparison to the manifold -burdens which his father had carried. They stood together in the -observation cockpit, happy in the knowledge that the Goliath represented -a great task well done. - -“Son,” said Charles High, “I’m mighty proud of all that you’ve done in -the building of the Goliath.” - -“And I’m mighty proud of you, Dad,” said Andy, “for I have some idea of -the obstacles you’ve had to face and the problems you’ve been called on -to solve. The Goliath is certainly an accomplishment for which the world -will pay you tribute.” - -“I’m not looking for tribute or praise,” replied his father. -“Satisfaction in knowing that the job is done, and done well, is all -that I ask. Now I’m looking forward to the day when our plant here at -Bellevue and the Goodyear-Zeppelin people at Akron will be busy all the -time turning out air cruisers like the Goliath; when the country will be -crossed with a network of dirigible lines carrying passengers, express -and valuable freight at a high rate of speed and much more safely than -airplanes.” - -“The day is coming and it is not so far in the dim and distant future,” -said Andy confidently. - -A telephone in the observation cage buzzed and Andy answered the call. -It was Bert, warning them that Captain Harkins was about to descend. - -“We’d better get back to the control cabin,” said Andy’s father, and -they hurried down the ladder, along the main interior runway, and into -the control room where Captain Harkins was giving Bert orders to relay -to the engine rooms. - -With power on, the Goliath nosed down for its first landing. The ground -crew was strung out along the field, ready to grasp the lines which -would be dropped while the portable mooring mast had been maneuvered -into position for the landing. - -They were dropping rapidly but smoothly and there was only a slight -feeling of downward motion. Captain Harkins checked the forward speed of -the Goliath, lines were dropped, and the big ship was back to earth -after a flight in which it had lived up to the fondest hopes of its -designers and builders. - -The nose was pushed up against the mooring mast where the automatic -coupling was made and the slow entry into the berth in the hangar -started with the mooring mast, on its tractor-truck, waddling along -ahead and the Goliath following obediently. - -In fifteen minutes the big ship was in its berth and the “orange peel” -doors were rolling shut. - -Before leaving the gondola, Captain Harkins and Andy’s father held a -conference with the air corps officers who had made the trip with them -and definite plans for the first long trial flight were made. Captain -Harkins turned to Andy when the conference was over. - -“See that orders are issued for the crew to be aboard ship and ready to -depart at three in the morning,” he said. “We’re going to make a -surprise visit to Washington if the weather reports at 2 A. M. are -fair.” - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -Wings of the Storm - - -Captain Harkins’ announcement that the Goliath would make its first long -test flight the next morning meant hours of work ahead for Andy but the -assistant pilot of the airship threw himself into the task with his -usual unfailing energy. He had able assistants in Serge and Bert. - -The visit to Washington was to be a complete surprise and every effort -was made to keep the news from getting out from Bellevue. If all went -well the first intimation the capital would have of the visit of the new -sky king would be when the rising sun silvered the nose of the Goliath -with its rays. - -Andy received detailed reports from each of the engine rooms on the -performance during the trip over the field and found them highly -satisfactory. Fuel consumption had been less than he had anticipated. -Supplies for the flight the next day must be ordered and placed aboard -for breakfast and lunch would be served to the army officers and to the -members of the crew. Serge volunteered to attend to that task while Bert -kept his radio busy getting the latest weather reports. He asked the -Washington bureau for a special report at two o’clock the next morning -and Washington came back with: - -“What’s up? Are you chaps going to make a trial flight at that hour of -the night?” - -Bert refused to give the curious operators at Washington any information -but secured the promise that he could have a special meteorological -report at the desired hour. - -Preparations for the flight were completed by early evening and members -of the crew were ordered to bed by nine o’clock. They would be aroused -shortly after two if the weather report at that hour was favorable for -their plans. - -At eight that night the three young friends gathered in Bert’s radio -shack to talk with Harry, now well out to sea in the Neptune. They -picked up Harry’s signal on time to the minute and learned that the -Neptune had been having a bad time of it. - -“I’ve been sick most of the day,” said Harry miserably. “The sea got -mighty choppy this morning and we’ve been tossed all over the inside of -this tin fish. The air’s bad, too, and it’s been so rough we couldn’t -have eaten much if we had felt like it.” - -“That’s too bad,” replied Bert, “but it’s just what you get for -gallivanting around the world in a cast-iron cigar.” - -“When is the Goliath going to test its wings?” asked Harry. - -“Can’t tell you,” replied Andy, who had picked up the microphone. - -“You mean you won’t tell me,” said Harry. - -“I guess that’s it,” admitted Andy, “but the first long flight is -supposed to be a surprise trip and if I told you where and when we were -going to take the air someone with a low wave set might pick it up and -the newspapers would spread it all over their front pages.” - -“I get you,” replied Harry. “When shall I come on the air again.” - -Andy turned to Bert, cutting off the mike temporarily. - -“We ought to be over Washington around six o’clock,” he said. “How about -having Harry tune in then and we’ll talk to him while we’re circling -over the capital?” - -“Fine idea,” replied Bert enthusiastically. “Make it six o’clock and -I’ll make a note of it now and put it on my instrument board on the -Goliath. If I don’t I may get so excited I’ll forget to call Harry and -he’ll be sitting around out there in the ocean wondering what has -happened.” - -Andy cut in the mike again. - -“Turn on your juice tomorrow morning at six o’clock, eastern standard -time,” he told Harry. “I’m going to sign off now. We’re rolling out -early in the morning and I need a little ‘shut-eye’.” - -Andy, accompanied by Bert and Serge, made a final inspection of the -Goliath. Everything was in readiness for the early morning flight. They -returned to their rooms at the hotel but sleep was a long time in coming -for Andy. He had worked so many long months over the plans and on the -actual construction of the Goliath that their realization had seemed, -until now, an almost unattainable dream. But now the Goliath was ready -to claim its place as the king of all the man-made crafts which cruised -the heavens for only that afternoon the great dirigible had tested its -wings and found them strong and reliable. On the morrow it would sail -away into the eastern sky on its first long trip. - -Andy finally fell asleep but in his ears was the steady beat of the -Goliath’s engines, the sweetest music of all to him. - -Bert had left a call at the hotel desk for 1:45 o’clock and he was at -his receiving set promptly at two for the special meteorological report -from Washington. - -The report promised fair weather with a light west wind and an unlimited -ceiling. - -Bert copied the report in triplicate, placed one copy in his own files -for a record and hastened back to the hotel with the other two. He -awakened Andy and read the report to the assistant pilot. - -“That means we sail at three,” said Andy, as he rubbed the sleep from -his eyes and hurriedly got into his clothes. - -“I’ll go wake Dad and Captain Harkins,” he added. - -“Here’s a copy of the report for them,” said Bert as he handed Andy the -third tissue he had made. - -Andy awakened his father and the commander of the Goliath and they -agreed that weather conditions were ideal for the flight to Washington. - -By two-thirty the hangar was ablaze with light as the members of the -crew, their eyes still heavy with sleep, hurried to their posts. Motors -were given a final going over, rigging was thoroughly checked, the water -ballasts tanks and the water condenser at the top of the big bag were -inspected. Finally the Goliath was pronounced ready to go. - -At two forty-five the big doors at the end of the hangar started to roll -back on their tracks and Andy, from his post in the control room, could -hear the roar of engines as the army pilots, assigned to fly with the -Goliath on any of its longer trips, warmed up their craft. Four of the -army planes under the command of Lieutenant Crummit would accompany the -Goliath on the trip to Washington. - -The air corps board which was to pass on the performance of the -dirigible climbed aboard. Captain Harkins took his place at the main -control station and Andy’s whistle shrilled for the ground crew to take -hold. - -The whistle sounded again and the tractor-truck with the portable -mooring mast lurched into motion and the Goliath moved slowly ahead. The -big ship was walked out into the soft moonlight, which bathed it with -its radiance. - -Andy gave a general order for the 12 engine rooms to stand by. Then -followed the order to start the engines and the night was broken by the -subdued roar of the powerful motors. - -“All lights out except the riding lights,” said Captain Harkins and Andy -turned to the bank of switches to carry out the command. Only the shaded -lights over the instruments in the control room and those in the engine -rooms were left on. - -Down the field Andy could see the sputtering stream of fire from the -exhausts of the four army planes which were to escort them on the flight -to Washington. They would take off as soon as the Goliath was clear of -the field. - -Reports checked back to Andy from the engine rooms indicated that every -motor was functioning perfectly and Andy relayed the report on to -Captain Harkins. - -Bert, who had kept tuned in on Washington, hurried into the control -room, a hastily penciled message in his hand. - -Captain Harkins took the message, held it down under one of the shaded -lights, and read it aloud so that everyone in the control room could -hear. - -“Weather from Kentucky east to Atlantic seaboard fair; light west wind; -unlimited visibility.” - -“The weather reports continues favorable,” said Captain Harkins. Then, -turning to Andy, he said: - -“Give the signal for the ground crew to let go.” - -Andy stepped to the open window. In the moonlight below he could see the -line of workmen stretched back into the shadows under the great hulk. -His whistle shrilled the release signal. The ground crew let go their -hold on the great gas bag and at the same moment the operator of the -mooring mast released the automatic coupling. - -There was only the slightest tremble as the Goliath started upward. The -ground dropped silently away. Below Andy could see the streaks of flame -from the exhausts of the fast army planes. A few lights glowed in -Bellevue itself but the rest of the country seemed asleep. The Goliath -rose to a level with the hills which enclosed the valley and drifted -steadily upward, the beat of its engines muffled by the interior engine -room as the powerful motors waited for the command to start driving the -dirigible through the air. - -“Tell the engine rooms to stand by,” said Captain Harkins. A moment -later Andy got the command of slow speed ahead and he felt the Goliath -gather itself for the trip through the night. The big ship felt steadier -with the power on and he leaned from his window to listen to the steady -monotone of the muffled exhausts. - -Lights of the field drifted out of sight and they slipped over the hills -on the start of their surprise visit to Washington. Gradually the speed -was stepped up. Forty, fifty, sixty miles an hour they pushed their way -through the moonlit sky, soaring through the heavens. The altimeter -showed a steady climb and Captain Harkins kept the nose of the Goliath -up until they had reached the ten thousand foot level. At that height -the muffled sound of the airship’s engines could not be heard on the -ground and it was doubtful if anyone would see the great silver craft -slipping through the sky. - -The army planes caught up with them, circled around once or twice, and -then climbed five thousand feet above the Goliath, riding the high -heavens in unceasing vigilance. - -Bert came into the control room again and spoke to Captain Harkins. - -“Washington wants to know what’s up,” said Bert. “What shall I tell -them?” - -Captain Harkins looked at his watch. It was three-thirty. - -“Tell them they’ll have a surprise for breakfast,” he said, and Bert -returned to his radio cubicle to dispatch the message. - -The army inspectors were busy going over the Goliath, checking every -detail of the airship’s operation, rate of climb, maneuverability, -speed, engine performance, fuel consumption and the hundred and one -specifications which Uncle Sam had decided must be met by the Goliath -before it would be acceptable and the remainder of the federal -appropriation paid to the National Airways. - -With the engines thoroughly warmed to their task. Captain Harkins -increased the speed until the Goliath was racing along at an even 100 -miles an hour. There was no sense of motion or undue speed; only the -ground slipping away beneath in an ever-changing pattern of lights and -shadows. Occasionally the streaking lights of a train would be visible -or a larger town could cast its reflection upward, but Captain Harkins -shifted his course to avoid the larger cities. Some enterprising -newspaperman might catch the muffled beat of the engines and take the -surprise element out of their visit to the capital. - -Andy checked their position on the map and stepped over to Captain -Harkins. - -“We’ll be over Washington about five-thirty if we maintain our present -rate of speed,” he said. - -“That’s too early,” replied the commander. “Order the engines down to -half speed. We can speed up later if we find we’re a little behind.” - -Andy phoned the order to the engine rooms and the Goliath slowed down to -a steady fifty miles an hour, with the distance slipping off its -silvered sides like magic miles. - -The assistant pilot got permission to leave his post and make a tour of -inspection. He stopped at Bert’s cubby on his way back into the -interior. - -“Washington is about crazy with curiosity,” grinned Bert, who had a -headset on, “He knows we’ve left the field because our signals are -stronger but he doesn’t believe we’re on our way east. Bet he stretches -his neck when we arrive.” - -“A good many thousand people are going to have Stiff necks before the -day’s over,” smiled Andy. “See you later. I’m going to make a swing -around this big weiner.” - -All lights in the main gondola, except those in the control and radio -rooms were out, but enough moonlight came through the windows of the -promenade deck for Andy to see his way clearly back to the main catwalk -in the interior. The catwalk was well lighted and he passed along under -the towering gas cells, filled with the precious helium. The stress and -strain meters showed that the duralumin framework was reacting even more -favorably than they had dared hope to under the test of actual flight. - -Andy continued on until he was in the middle of the ship where the great -cargo hold was located. It yawned an empty, dimly lighted space. In the -fore part were the quarters for the members of the crew and officers and -Andy stepped into the tiny cabin he shared with Bert. The night had been -raw when he started and he had put on an extra jacket of heavy brown -suede but it was not needed now for with their approach to the eastern -seaboard the temperature was climbing steadily. - -After leaving his cabin, Andy ran up one of the ladders which led to the -top of the dirigible and its observation cockpits. He saw the shadow of -someone ahead of him and discovered that Serge, who had been making a -trip through the interior, could not resist the temptation and had also -gone up top. - -“You Americans should be very proud of the Goliath,” said Serge. “I have -never dreamed of anything so complete. It is a Pullman of the air; every -comfort thought of and anticipated.” - -“The thing that pleases me,” said Andy, “is that the ship is so far -exceeding every specification set for it. The army men haven’t said very -much but I can tell that they are highly pleased.” - -They remained up top for ten of fifteen minutes as the new king of the -skies slid through its domain. The sky was reddening in the east with -the approach of the new day. The mountains were in the west, smeared -with the sullen shadows of a night which seemed reluctant to leave. -Before them stretched the smoother country of Virginia. - -“We’re climbing again,” said Andy. “Captain Harkins must be going up so -high we won’t be heard or seen on the ground.” - -The army planes, faithful guardians through the night, circled far -overhead. - -“I don’t envy those chaps,” grinned Serge. “We are moving so slowly they -must find it hard to stay anywhere near us. Lieutenant Crummit told me -their low cruising speed was 100 miles an hour. Look how they zig-zag -back and forth.” - -“They’ll leave us when we get over Washington and drop down on Bolling -field to refuel,” said Andy. “By the time we get back to Bellevue -they’ll be pretty much all in. Handling one of those delicate pursuit -ships for eight or ten hours is no picnic.” - -The red disk of the sun popped into view and Andy and Serge left the -observation cockpit and returned to the control room. Captain Harkins -had hardly moved since leaving Bellevue but now he turned the main -controls over to Andy. - -“The course is north, northeast,” he said. “Hold her as she is and at -12,000 feet.” - -“North by northeast,” replied Andy, “and at 12,000 feet. Yes sir.” - -The steward had been busy for the last hour and a hot breakfast was -served to the army observers and officers of the dirigible in the main -dining salon while the crew had its breakfast in the dining room -midships. - -Bert brought Andy a cup of coffee and a sandwich but the assistant pilot -was too interested in the way the Goliath handled to think of asking for -relief so he could go back and have the hot cereal, toast and jam that -the others enjoyed. - -He was master of their dirigible, the king of the skies, the greatest -airship ever built by man! Andy’s hands firmly grasped the wheels which -controlled the elevators and the rudder. The Goliath responded easily -and he swung it a point or two off course to see just how it handled. - -Captain Harkins returned from breakfast while Andy was bringing the -Goliath back on course. - -“Experimenting a little to see how the big boy handles?” asked the -commander. - -“I couldn’t resist,” replied Andy. - -“I know how you feel,” smiled Captain Harkins. “I did a little of it -myself while we were over the mountains.” He turned to Serge. - -“Step up here and take control,” he told the young Rubanian, whose -mission had once been the destruction of the craft in which they now -rode in comfort and security. - -Serge smiled gratefully as he accepted Captain Harkins’ invitation. It -had been months since he had stood at the controls of a dirigible. The -last time had been early in the winter when he had guided one of the -large Blenkkos over Kratz, the capital of Rubania. The day following -that trip he had been ordered into the Gerka and then put on the long -distance planes, with the result that he was now in the United States, a -member of the crew of the Goliath. It all seemed like a vague dream, his -long flight across the ocean, his acceptance at Bellevue as a civilian -observer from Friedrichshafen and the final discovery of his identity by -Andy and the downfall of Alex Reikoff, dictator of Rubania. Within the -hour he would soar over Washington, the capital of the United States, -and he felt his body glow with the happiness and contentment that was -his. - -Captain Harkins checked the position of the Goliath and ordered a slight -increase in speed. The sun cleared away the morning mists and the entire -countryside lay below them, clothed with the green freshness of the -spring. - -The commander took over the controls and Andy returned to his station at -Captain Harkin’s right where he was in a position to relay instantly -orders to the engine crews. - -Andy, watching ahead intently, was the first to catch the white gleam of -the Washington monument and a minute later the dome of the capitol was -sighted. The Potomac curved lazily below and they soared over -Alexandria, Va; In order to reach Washington at six, Captain Harkins had -dipped further into Virginia than he had first intended and approached -Washington from the south and east. - -The assistant pilot of the Goliath had made many air trips to Washington -but he had never viewed the city from that height and he marveled at the -beauty of the capital; its great, gleaming white buildings, its broad -boulevards and its stately memorials. - -It was just six o’clock when Bert hurried out of the radio room. - -“Harry just came in on the air,” he said. “Can you get off a minute and -we’ll say good morning to him?” - -Serge relieved Andy at the phones and the assistant pilot accompanied -Bert back to the radio cubby, where he was handed a headset. - -“Harry wants to know what’s up?” chuckled Bert. - -“All right,” grinned Andy. “Cut him in and then listen to him explode.” - -Bert made the necessary adjustments and Andy heard Harry’s familiar -voice. - -“Hello, hello, hello,” said Andy. “This is the dirigible Goliath, now -over the city of Washington, in a special broadcast to the Arctic -submarine Neptune, en route from Brooklyn, New York, to Plymouth, -England, on the first leg of its trip to the North pole where it will be -met this summer by the Goliath for an exchange of mail. This is a -beautifully clear spring morning with a light west wind. We are paying a -surprise visit to the capital after an unannounced departure this -morning at three o’clock from the Goliath’s home field at Bellevue, Ky.” - -Andy heard an excited exclamation and then Harry, now far out to sea in -the Neptune, started plying him with questions. - -“Are you really over Washington now? How is the Goliath behaving? Why -didn’t you tell a fellow what you were going to do?” - -One by one Andy answered them and before he signed off Harry gave three -stirring cheers for the Goliath and the success of its first long -flight. - -“The weather is still bad,” he said as he signed off, “and if you don’t -get me at eight tonight, don’t worry. I’m more than a little seasick and -I may not feel up to talking with anyone but I’ll be on sure tomorrow -morning at eight.” - -Andy met his father on the way back to the control room and found him -jubilant. - -“The army board is more than enthusiastic about the performance,” he -told Andy, “and there is no question but what we will get an immediate -approval and payment of the balance of the government appropriation.” - -“I’m mighty glad to know that, Dad,” replied Andy, “for I realize how -much the success of the Goliath means to you. It will prove the -practicability of these big ships for commercial service and mean we can -build more of them for National Airways.” - -When Andy returned to his post in the control room, they were circling -over the heart of the city and losing altitude rapidly for Captain -Harkins was coming down to give the early morning risers a close view of -the world’s largest airship. - -They swung out over the Potomac and the crew of the night boat, up from -Norfolk, Va., which was just steaming into the tidal basin, waved as the -Goliath drifted overhead, its speed now cut down to a mere thirty miles -an hour. They cruised over the city at a thousand feet. - -News of the Goliath’s arrival spread rapidly and hundreds of people -flocked into the streets to see the big airship. - -Captain Harkins headed for the White House and dropped the airship down -to seven hundred and fifty feet. Back of the White House a group of men -ceased their game of medicine ball to gaze up at the great silver hulk. - -Andy nudged Serge and pointed downward. - -“There’s the president and his ‘medicine ball’ cabinet,” he said. - -“What kind of a cabinet is that?” asked Serge. - -“It’s the group of men with which the president plays medicine ball,” -explained Andy. “They get together every morning for their exercise. -There’s usually the president’s personal physician, at least one of his -private secretaries and several cabinet members and usually a justice of -the supreme court.” - -Officers and crew of the Goliath lined the windows as they passed over -the White House and waved at the group below, which returned the -greeting enthusiastically. - -Captain Harkins dipped the bow of the airship in salute and then threw -over the elevator controls and sent the Goliath to a safer altitude. For -an hour they cruised over the capital and its environs, now swinging -down into Virginia, idling slowly over Arlington and then back over the -capital. - -Several of the army officers had been in the radio room, getting in -touch with their superiors. When they returned they went into a -conference with Captain Harkins and Andy’s father. The assistant pilot -caught snatches of the conversation. He heard Baltimore, New York and -Philadelphia mentioned and his heart leaped as Captain Harkins turned to -him and handed over the controls. - -“Make one more circle over the city,” he said, “and then set your course -for Baltimore.” - -“Yes sir,” said Andy. “After Baltimore do we start home?” - -“Not yet,” replied Captain Harkins, his fine eyes twinkling. “The army -men are anxious that New York and Philadelphia get a glimpse of the -Goliath so we won’t be home until night.” - -They made a final circle of the city and Andy set the course for -Baltimore. Serge, at the telephone, relayed the order for the engines to -increase their speed to eighty miles and hour and in less than half an -hour they were within sight of the city that made the oyster famous. - -News that they had headed toward Baltimore had preceded them and the -streets were thick with thousands of people craning their necks to see -the sky king. They gave Baltimore a half hour view at two thousand feet -and by that time the air was full of planes which circled around them. -The faithful army ships had rejoined them and had a busy time chasing -newspaper planes whose ambitious photographers insisted on getting too -close to the Goliath. - -The ever-growing procession left Baltimore and headed north for -Philadelphia, which was also given a half hour view of them before they -proceeded on toward New York. - -Captain Harkins took charge again and set the speed so the Goliath would -reach the metropolis during the noon hour when the thousands of down -town workers would be out to lunch and free to watch the maneuvers of -the airship. - -Bert stuck his head out of the radio room and called to Andy. - -“I’ve just picked up a message from Washington to Lakehurst,” he said. -“The Akron and the Los Angeles are being ordered out to join us in a -parade over New York.” - -“I’d almost like to be on the ground to see it,” said Andy, “but I guess -I’ll be contented and stay here.” - -The sun mounted toward its zenith as New Jersey unfolded below them and -the hangars at Lakehurst grew from tiny dots into good-sized mushrooms, -outside which two silver ships were starting to take the air. By the -time they were over the home of the naval aircraft, the Akron and Los -Angeles were at the two thousand foot level and Captain Harkins -radiophoned to both ships to decide on the formation. It was agreed that -the Los Angeles would lead with the Akron next and the Goliath, the -giant of them all, bringing up the rear, a pageant of the progress of -aircraft. - -The Los Angeles, slimmer and more graceful than the bulkier Akron or the -giant Goliath, took the lead and the other two ships fell in behind. - -It was a magnificent fleet that paraded over the Jersey flats that -spring morning. To the east rolled the sparkling waters of the Atlantic -while ahead of them loomed the spires of Greater New York. - -The aerial argosy swung out over the bay, dipped in salute as it circled -the Statue of Liberty, and then proceeded over the Battery and up the -man-made canyon that is known the world over as Broadway. - -Whistles of tugs and ferryboats blended in a concerted shriek of welcome -and the streets below were thronged with humanity. Traffic in down town -New York was at a standstill, tied up so hopelessly that it took hours -to get it moving again. - -They passed the mooring mast atop the Empire State at fifty miles an -hour and then dipped slightly to the west to look down on Times Square. -Central park displayed its greenery ahead of them and in another minute -they were over Riverside drive and the Hudson. - -Captain Harkins shifted the course and they turned and cut across -Manhattan to give Brooklyn a view of the Goliath. For an hour and a half -the three dirigibles zig-zagged back and forth over the metropolitan -area. At one-thirty the command was given to start for home and with the -final scream of whistles in their ears, the crew of the Goliath watched -the mighty buildings of Manhattan disappear behind them. - -Lunch was served while they were on the return to Lakehurst, where the -Los Angeles and the Akron left them and they proceeded on toward -Bellevue accompanied only by the four army planes. - -Captain Harkins set a bee-line course that took them over New Jersey, -west of Philadelphia, and across the heart of the mountains to their -sheltered valley home in Kentucky. - -Bert had obtained a mid-afternoon weather forecast from Washington, -which he handed to Andy. The prediction was none too favorable. A storm -had swept down off the Great Lakes and was now over Ohio. If it -continued its present rate and course it would bisect the path of the -Goliath. Andy passed the forecast on to Captain Harkins, whose lips -tightened into a firm, straight line. - -“Looks like we’ll be in for some nasty weather before we get home,” -observed the commander of the Goliath. “Keep in touch with Washington, -Bert, and advise me at once of any changes in the weather report.” - -Captain Harkins ordered the speed stepped up until they were doing an -even ninety an hour. In calm weather they would have been averaging a -hundred but a westerly wind cut them down ten miles an hour. - -Clouds rolled out of the west and the sun was obscured by the drifting -banks of gray. - -Bert came back to the control room to say that weather reports now -indicated spotty weather all of the way home with local showers and -thunderstorms. - -They ran under a bank of rain clouds and the Goliath got its first taste -of dirty weather, but it rode through the shower without difficulty, the -rain shooting off its metalized sides in steady sheets. - -Dusk found them two hundred miles from Bellevue with storms all around -them. Lightning was flashing steadily in the northwest and the sky was -full of wind squalls with the clouds rolling and twisting in an ominous -manner. - -“Just the kind of a night for a tornado,” Andy heard his father tell -Captain Harkins in a low voice. The Commander of the Goliath, his face -lined with worry, nodded. - -The storm was thickening. It would break at any minute. They had stuck -to their course as long as they dared before Captain Harkins gave the -orders to run before the storm. The Goliath heeled sharply as a vicious -gust of wind caught it broadside while it was circling. Then they were -running into the southeast with the storm behind them. - -Electrical interference was so heavy that it was impossible for Bert to -communicate with the Washington weather bureau and learn the conditions -they were running into. They simply had to take the course of the least -resistance and hope that they could escape the fury of the elements. - -For half an hour the Goliath sped through the heavy night. Rain beat -against its silvered sides and flashes of lightning cast their glare -over the boiling clouds. If the big airship returned to Bellevue without -mishap it would certainly have won its laurels on its maiden flight. - -The weather was getting thicker and Captain Harkins ordered Andy and -Serge into the observation cockpits on top of the big bag. - -“Keep in constant touch with me,” he ordered. “If you see a break in the -storm let me know and we’ll try and run through it.” - -From their lonely posts atop the dirigible Andy and Serge, clad in -oilskins, braced themselves against the heat of the rain and the rush of -the wind. With headsets on their ears and transmitters slung across -their chests, they kept in touch with the main control room. All around -them was a sea of churning clouds, rolling thunder, bolts of glittering -blue and through it all the steady beat of the powerful engines as they -drove the Goliath on through the night. - -They were at the seven thousand foot level and Captain Harkins warned -them he was going to attempt to get above the storm. The nose shot -skyward and they pushed their way up through the clouds. Eight, nine and -ten thousand feet dropped away, but even at that level the storm raged. -There was no escape. Flickers of static played along the runway atop the -Goliath and Andy was grateful that the gas cells were filled with the -non-explosive helium. - -At ten thousand feet the Goliath was making the fight for its life. -Grim-faced engineers watched over their engines while in the control -room Captain Harkins and Andy’s father stood side by side as they guided -the great airship through the storm. The army officers, grouped close -behind, watched every move for their lives hung in the balance that -fateful night. Would the storm rip the Goliath asunder and drop it, a -broken, lifeless thing, like it had the Shenandoah? Would their fate be -the same? Those questions were in the mind of every man. - -The storm increased in violence and Andy, atop the dirigible, felt the -frame trembling under the terrific blows from the wind. He looked about -desperately for some break in the clouds that would let them through to -safety. The Goliath was making a brave battle but it was only a question -of how long it could stand such a battering. - -Bert, down in the control room, was on the other end of the phone, and -the news he gave Andy was none too encouraging. No. 5 engine had cut -out. The crew reported a burned out bearing, which meant that the engine -was disabled for the remainder of the trip. Ten minutes later No. 9 on -the opposite side developed trouble and had to be shut down. They were -cruising with 10 motors running, ample power for any average storm but -this spring disturbance of the weather was anything but usual. - -An occasional brilliant glare of lightning would reveal Serge at his -observation post further back along the top and Andy wondered how the -young Rubanian was faring. If they could only locate a break in the -clouds. Andy’s eyes swept the darkness again but it was to no avail. - -The Goliath heeled savagely and he clung to the edge of the cockpit. -They were knifing off to the right. The speed of the motors had -increased. Could the men in the control room have sighted a break or had -Serge’s eyes been keener than his own? - -The Goliath was running for its life, pulsating to the throbbing power -of the engines. They must be doing well over a hundred, thought Andy. - -The clouds ahead thinned; the rain lessened, the force of the wind -abated and in ten more minutes they were out of the main storm, sailing -through a light spring shower. Andy dropped down on a seat in the -observation cockpit. He was exhausted for he had fought every step with -the Goliath and now that safety was at hand he felt a great wave of -fatigue sweep over him. - -After a five minute rest he descended into the heart of the dirigible -and then made his way forward to the control room. Captain Harkins was -still at the controls but the lines of his face had softened. - -“We’re through the worst of it,” he told Andy. “We’ll loaf along here -until the weather north and west of us clears enough so we can get back -to Bellevue. You take charge while I go back for a bite to eat. I’m -pretty much all in.” - -All Andy knew was that they were somewhere over the western part of the -Carolinas, and he let the Goliath ease through the night at a bare -thirty-five miles an hour. The rain ceased and the moon was struggling -to break through the clouds. - -Bert had managed to get in touch with Washington and allayed the fears -of officials at the capital. He also learned that the four army planes -which had accompanied the Goliath had landed safely in West Virginia. -This was good news to Andy, who in his concern over the safety of the -Goliath had forgotten the army flyers. - -Serge came down from his observation post and Captain Harkins praised -him highly. - -“It was Serge,” he told Andy, “who spotted the break in the storm. If it -hadn’t been for his keen eyes one guess is as good as another as to -where we would be now.” - -By ten o’clock the storms had drifted away and they were free to start -the return to Bellevue. The trouble on No. 9 motor had been repaired and -with only No. 5 out, they sped toward home. - -The lights of Bellevue came into view at eleven-fifteen and ten minutes -later the Goliath drifted down to stick its squat nose into the -automatic coupling on the portable mooring mast. Eager hands steadied -the great ship as it was towed into the hangar and lodged securely in -its berth. - -Before leaving the hangar, a thorough inspection was made to ascertain -if any sections had undergone damage during the storm. The outer fabric -was in perfect condition and outside of the failure of No. 5 motor, the -Goliath had won its laurels in its first long flight. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -Flood Relief - - -News of the Goliath’s victorious battle against the most severe storm of -the spring was spread on the front page of every newspaper in the -country the next day and special writers and correspondents for the big -press associations besieged the military patrol at Bellevue. Venturesome -photographers even attempted to fly over the plant and snap pictures of -the hangar but the army planes soon put an end to that stunt. - -The insistence of the reporters compelled the attention of Andy’s father -and Captain Harkins, and they called Andy into their conference. He -advised that reporters be escorted through the hangar and taken on a -thorough trip over the dirigible. - -“We want the public to have faith in the Goliath,” counseled Andy, “and -the reporters must have the facts if they are to write intelligently.” - -“I believe you’re right,” agreed his father and Captain Harkins added a -word of approval. - -Andy and Bert were designated as the tour conductors and they met the -reporters at the hotel. Nine men and two women were in the group they -escorted to the plant. - -Andy was amused by their exclamations of wonder at the size of the -Goliath and he was pleased at their open praise of the beauty of the -great ship. The inspection tour required two hours that afternoon for -they went into every part of the dirigible, even up to the observation -cockpits on top and several of the more daring reporters walking along -the upper catwalk. - -When they returned to the main cabin, they found that Captain Harkins -had ordered the steward to serve tea. It was late afternoon by the time -the reporters departed, but they left highly elated over their -expedition and promised that glowing stories of the Goliath would appear -in their papers and on the press association wires. - -When they had gone, Andy and Bert sat down on the steps of the hotel. -The tension of fighting with the Goliath through the storm of the night -before had carried them along but now they relaxed and an enveloping -cloak of fatigue settled over them. - -“I’m so tired I can hardly wiggle,” groaned Bert. - -“I’m just about that bad,” agreed Andy. “Believe me, I’ll go to bed early -tonight.” - -“Wonder what’s happened to Harry and the Neptune?” said Bert. “I managed -to roll out this morning in time to tune in at eight o’clock but I -didn’t get even a peep out of him.” - -“I must have been sound asleep when you got up,” said Andy, “for I -didn’t hear a thing.” - -“I came back to bed after failing to get in touch with Harry,” replied -Bert. “I’ll try again tonight at eight. Hope I have better luck. I -wouldn’t trust one of those tin fish as far as I could throw my hat. -They don’t look safe to me.” - -“I expect a sailor feels the same way about an airship,” said Andy. “It -all depends on what you’re used to.” - -After dinner that night Andy’s father announced that special tests would -be made the next week, including the attaching of a plane to the Goliath -while in flight. This had been successfully accomplished by the Akron -and they expected no difficulty. The special rigging was already at -Bellevue and it would be only the matter of a few days to complete the -installation. The Goliath differed from the Akron in one capacity. Where -the Akron could carry a single plane slung underneath in a special -carriage, the Goliath had a special hold midships where the planes could -be raised and stored. It could accommodate four fast pursuit ships, -launching them as it sped through the air at one hundred miles an hour. -It was from this viewpoint that the Goliath held unusual value to the -army officers. - -Shortly before eight o’clock Andy and Bert went to the radio room, where -Bert tuned up his receiver for a talk with Harry, now far out to sea in -the Neptune. - -He turned on the power at eight o’clock and waited patiently for a -signal from the submarine. When it failed to come he tried calling Harry -but even then failed to get a reply. - -Bert worked for an hour hoping that he could get some answer from the -Neptune but at nine o’clock was forced to admit defeat. - -“I’m getting worried,” confessed Bert. “It was too stormy to make -contact last night so it’s been nearly 36 hours since we’ve heard from -Harry and anything can happen out there in mid-ocean.” - -“Don’t let your imagination run away with you,” counseled Andy, who -admitted to himself that he was afraid some accident had befallen the -Neptune. “They’ve probably run into a streak of bad weather and may have -submerged to try and ride it out.” - -“I’ll try again the first thing in the morning,” said Bert. “We’ve just -got to hear from Harry,” he added desperately. - -In spite of their fatigue, Andy and Bert passed a restless night and -they were up with the first sign of the dawn. Without waiting for -breakfast they hurried to the radio room where Bert tuned in on the wave -length used for communication between the station at Bellevue and the -Neptune. - -“Someone’s on the air,” he said quickly. “I can hear the hum of his -transmitter; sounds like Harry’s set.” - -“Hello, Neptune,” said Bert. “This is the station at Bellevue, Ky., -calling for the submarine Neptune, now en route to Plymouth, England. -Hello, Neptune, hello!” - -Andy bent close to the loud speaker, waiting eagerly for the ether waves -to bring a reply to Bert’s call. - -It failed to come and Bert repeated his call. Still there was no answer -and the call went out a third and then a fourth time. - -“I can’t understand his failure to reply,” said Bert. “His set is -running.” - -“Try it once more,” urged Andy. “Maybe we’ll have better luck.” - -Bert repeated his call and then gazed at Andy incredulously as Harry’s -familiar voice replied almost immediately. - -“You must be a prophet,” Bert told Andy. “Where in the dickens have you -been for the last two days?” he asked Harry. “We’ve been scared stiff -for fear your tin fish might have sunk.” - -“No such luck,” replied Harry. “I’ve been so seasick I couldn’t even sit -up. This is my first message since I last talked with you two days ago.” - -“Been running into rough weather?” asked Andy. - -“I never dreamed the ocean could be so nasty,” replied Harry in a hollow -voice. “We’ve been tossed around like a cork and half the crew has been -under the weather. This morning is the first time in 48 hours we could -cruise on the surface with any degree of comfort.” - -“Don’t blame us for your predicament,” said Bert unfeelingly. “I warned -you to keep out of the submarine. But, no, you knew best.” - -“Listen,” replied Harry. “I couldn’t let you go to the North Pole and -slip one over on me so when I heard the Neptune was going to make the -trip I signed up. You fellows wait until old man weather gets a real -good shot at you and you won’t think it is quite so funny.” - -“We’ve had our turn,” said Andy, and he told Harry in detail of the -events which had occurred on their return from New York and of their -strenuous battle against the elements. - -“Looks to me like the Goliath and the Neptune proved their ability at -about the same time,” said Harry. “After the last two days in the -Neptune, I’ve got every confidence in it.” - -“I called you for fifteen minutes before you answered,” said Bert. “Your -transmitter was on the air but I couldn’t get any reply.” - -“The answer is simple,” replied Harry. “I wasn’t here. As I said before, -I’ve been feeling pretty rocky. Well, I came up to the radio room and -turned on the set, intending to call you. Then I got shaky again and had -to go back and lie down. Guess I forgot to turn off the set and it kept -buzzing away.” - -“How much longer will it take you to reach Plymouth?” asked Andy. - -“With the delay we’ve encountered on account of the storm, it will take -nearly another week,” replied Harry, “and here’s hoping that we’ll have -fair weather from now on.” - -They signed off a few minutes later after agreeing to talk again that -night at eight o’clock. - -The remainder of that day and the rest of the week was devoted to the -installation of the special landing apparatus which would snare a plane -out of mid-air and haul it safely into the inner hold of the Goliath. - -Andy and Bert talked with Harry every day and learned that the Neptune, -aided by favorable weather, was making good progress. The sea had -steadied down and Harry had found his sea legs and his appetite had -returned. - -“Which means,” laughed Bert, “that the cook aboard that sub is going to -have a man-sized job keeping Harry filled with food.” - -Air corps officers from various posts flew in to inspect the Goliath -while the members of the official board which had accompanied the -airship on its flight to New York remained at hand for further tests. It -was Tuesday of the following week before the installation of the special -gear had been completed and the Goliath pronounced ready for further -tests. - -The pursuit ship of Lieutenant Crummit was also fitted with special -rigging and when this was completed they were ready for another trial. - -Tuesday was an ideal spring day with plenty of sunshine and only a -slight breeze from the south. The Goliath was walked out of its hangar -and, with Captain Harkins at the controls and Andy at his side, made its -third trip aloft. - -When they were well under way, Andy went back midships to supervise the -contact with the pursuit plane. - -Lieutenant Crummit buzzed nervously about the Goliath in his fast -single-seater. The airship gradually stepped up its speed until it was -doing a hundred miles an hour, going fast enough for the contact to be -made. - -Back in the cavernous hold of the Goliath a tense crew was waiting to -leap to its task. Andy’s father came back to watch the operation. - -A great arm hung beneath the dirigible and from this arm extended a -V-shaped coupler into which the coupler on the plane would fit. -Synchronization of speed was the main thing upon which success depended -and it was up to Lieutenant Crummit to creep up under the Goliath at -just a trifle more than a hundred miles an hour. - -From the observation windows in the keel Andy watched the approach of -the pursuit plane. Lieutenant Crummit was coming in as slowly as he -dared, maneuvering carefully in an attempt to make the coupling on the -first contact. - -The triangular coupling mounted on the upper wing of the army plane -slipped into the “V” of the arm below the Goliath. There was a slight -jolt at the shock of contact and Lieutenant Crummit, assured that the -coupling was fast, cut the switches on his motor and looked up -expectantly. - -Andy threw over the switch on the main control. The large trap door at -the bottom of the Goliath rolled back. Simultaneously the arm which held -the army plane fast in its grip moved upward rapidly, bringing the -pursuit ship with it. In another thirty seconds the army fighter was -deposited safely in the hold, the trap door was back in place and the -powerful crane, or arm, which had caught and lifted the plane, was back -in position. - -Lieutenant Crummit leaped from the cockpit and ran toward Andy. - -“That’s the greatest aerial stunt I’ve ever seen,” he said. “Why, it’s -as simple as falling off a log. I couldn’t miss that big ‘V’ and the -next thing I knew the plane was being whirled upward.” - -Army officers who had watched the operation from the control room came -back to interview the lieutenant and get his report. It was decided to -repeat the maneuver, only this time the plane would be set into flight -from the Goliath. - -The large crane was lifted back into the hold and made fast to the -plane. When Lieutenant Crummit signalled he was ready, Andy opened the -trap door and dropped the plane through. The army flyer switched on his -inertia starter, the warm motor caught the first time over and the -propeller went into its dazzling whirl. - -Lieutenant Crummit threw up his left arm as a signal for the release and -the big crane relinquished its grip on the pursuit ship. The army plane -dropped down and away from the Goliath, then climbed and raced wildly -around the mother ship. The Goliath had passed another one of its -exacting tests successfully and Andy returned to the main control room -and relieved Serge, who had taken his place during his absence in the -hold. - -Instead of heading back for Bellevue, the Goliath swung north and Andy -looked inquiringly at his father, who had just returned from a -conference with the army men. - -“We’re going to give Cincinnati a treat,” said the vice president of the -National Airways. “We can make the trip up there and be back home before -dark.” - -With Lieutenant Crummit’s plane and another army craft as escorts, the -Goliath roared northward at a hundred miles an hour, knifing its silver -hull through the lazy, fleecy clouds. - -The Ohio river, heavy-burdened with a spring flood, rolled ahead of them -and just beyond was the haze which hung over Cincinnati. It was a -surprise visit but the townspeople were not long in hurrying into the -streets to glimpse the king of the air. They wheeled and turned over -Cincinnati for a half hour before heading back for Bellevue. - -Bert, who had left his radio room, leaned out a window and looked down -at the swollen Ohio. - -“There’s plenty of water rolling down to the Gulf,” he told Andy, “and -from all reports the Ohio isn’t the only river on a rampage. Almost -every large tributary of the Mississippi is at flood stage, which means -plenty of trouble for people living down in the lower river country. It -will take several days for the flood waters to get there, but when they -do the country is going to forget about the Goliath and think about the -flood.” - -“You’re a cheerful sort of a soul,” smiled Andy. - -“Just mark my words,” insisted Bert. “I predict a big flood on the lower -portions of the Mississippi.” - -They returned to Bellevue as twilight was draping its mantle of soft -purple over the valley and it was dark, by the time the Goliath was in -its berth. - -There were minor adjustments and changes to be made on the Goliath and -the next three days were busy ones for the officers and members of the -crew. - -Bert’s prediction was coming true, if the stories appearing in the -papers were not exaggerating the situation. From Memphis down the -Mississippi was on a rampage, crashing through the man-made barriers -that had been erected to keep it in its channel and spreading death and -destruction over large areas of fertile land. - -The Friday morning paper, which reached Bellevue by bus shortly after -noon, emphasized the need for relief measures, stressing that refugees -were without proper clothes or food. The national Red Cross had stepped -in and was making every effort to relieve the situation but it was -impossible to reach some of the more isolated regions and women and -children were believed to be in want. - -“What they need is a dirigible,” said Andy. “Why, we could load the -Goliath with tons of food and clothing, cruise over that area at a low -altitude, and drop supplies for hundreds of refugees.” - -“Why don’t you suggest it to your father?” said Bert. - -“I’ll do it right now,” said Andy, and he started toward the hotel. - -Charles High heard his son’s story without comment and when Andy was -through, spoke with his characteristic decision. - -“I’ll put through a call to the national Red Cross office in -Washington,” he said, “and if the need is as serious as you feel, we’ll -start before dawn.” - -The national headquarters of the Red Cross confirmed the emergency and -welcomed the offer of the National Airways to send the Goliath into the -flood region. Arrangements were made to bring in supplies on a special -train from Cincinnati and the loading of the Goliath was set for shortly -after midnight. - -The special train arrived an hour late and the crew of the airship -worked with feverish haste to transfer the clothes and food from the -express cars to the Goliath. The task was completed at four o’clock and -with the first tints of dawn in the sky, the Goliath was taken out of -its hangar and started on its errand of mercy. - -Captain Harkins held the big ship at a steady eighty miles an hour and -by mid-forenoon they were well below Memphis and swinging over the flood -area. The Mississippi had turned its valley into an immense brown lake. -The waters had swilled through towns, inundating streets and sweeping -houses from their foundations. - -Many of the towns had been deserted while others, on higher ground, were -completely cut off by the flood. It was to the latter that the Goliath -was directed. - -Bert kept in touch with the latest radio reports on the conditions and -the Goliath swung from one village to another. Andy, back in the hold, -superintended the dropping of food and clothes. The food was put into -bundles of clothes and then dropped overboard, the Goliath descending -until it was a bare fifty feet above the towns to which it brought -relief. With motors shut off, it was possible for Andy to carry on a -conversation with the marooned people and ascertain their needs. Serge -was with Andy and they directed the crew in the relief work. - -Through the morning and afternoon they worked and their supply of food -and clothing dwindled at a surprising rate. Two more towns to serve and -they would be through. They dropped food and clothing to the first one -and hurried on to supply the second. After that they would start for -home. - -Lieutenant Crummit and another army flyer had stuck with them all day -long, leaving only when it was necessary to fly to some city and -replenish their fuel supply, but one of the army pursuit ships had -always been on duty. - -A scene of complete desolation greeted them as they neared the last town -to which they were bringing assistance. Flood waters were pouring -through every street and the inhabitants who had not escaped were -huddled on house tops. More than fifty men, women and children were -congregated on the flat roof of a garage, the largest building in the -town. Out of the northwest a chill wind was presaging a raw, bitter -night and Andy shivered as he thought of the suffering which the little -band on the rooftop would undergo before rescuers could reach them by -boat. - -“Why don’t we drop down and take them aboard?” suggested Bert. “With -much more exposure some of those people will have pneumonia.” - -“It might be possible,” agreed Andy. “We’ll see Captain Harkins.” - -They presented their suggestion to the commander of the Goliath, and, -after a careful survey, Captain Harkins agreed. Orders were given for -the descent of the Goliath and Andy went back midships to supervise the -dropping of a flexible steel ladder. The Goliath could not land directly -on the roof, but would hover just above it. The refugees would have to -climb the ladder to safety. - -With a megaphone in his hands, Andy directed the rescue work. The -Goliath, its motors turning over just enough to hold it above the roof, -hung almost motionless. The excited townspeople grasped the ladder, -which four men held fast to the rooftop. The ladder was none too steady -but the refugees, preferring the climb to the airship to another night -on the rooftop, bravely made their way aloft. Women came up alone with -the boys and girls following them. Babes in arms were carried up by the -men. In fifteen minutes the transfer had been completed, the ladder was -drawn up, the command given to proceed and the refugees hurried forward -into the main cabin where it was warm and where the stewards had -prepared a hot meal. - -It was a grateful group that came into the control room later to express -their thanks to Captain Harkins, but the commander referred them to -Andy, saying: - -“You can thank Andy High, assistant pilot, for he was the one who -directed the rescue.” - -They made the run back to Memphis without difficulty but it was well -after dark when they soared over the city. Bert had radioed the story of -the rescue and the news that they would stop at Memphis and leave the -refugees. The airport was aglow with lights and when the Goliath nosed -down for an easy landing, police were taxed to the utmost to keep back -the cheering throng. - -Flashlights boomed as newspaper photographers snapped the refugees as -they disembarked. The Red Cross was on hand to care for the unfortunate -townspeople and after ascertaining that the weather was fair, the -Goliath continued its homeward journey. - -The next month was a succession of busy days with further tests for the -giant airship. Reports from Harry indicated the daily progress of the -Neptune toward its goal in the Arctic, first to Plymouth, England, on to -Bergen, Norway, then toward the Arctic with the last stop at King’s Bay, -Spitzbergen. - -Preparations at Bellevue were now centering on the flight to the Arctic. -Special oils for the motors were arriving as well as equipment and -clothing for the officers and crew. Insulation of the engine rooms and -the gondola was increased to stand the colder temperatures of the -northland. The tentative date for the start of the flight was set for -July 10th and the month of June rolled away as though on magic wheels. - -Harry radioed from King’s Bay that the Neptune was about ready to start -the final dash to the pole. On the 20th of June he reported that they -were nosing out of the bay, running on the surface. A few hours later -came the news that the Coast of Spitzbergen was disappearing over the -horizon and that the Neptune was headed north into the land of eternal -ice and snow. - -The exchange of mail by the Goliath and Neptune had attracted the -attention of stamp collectors in all parts of the world and extra mail -clerks were brought to Bellevue to handle the hundreds of letters which -had been sent there for mailing aboard the Goliath, which would transfer -the pouches when it met the Neptune at the North Pole. The amount of -mail had been limited to five tons, a total which was reached long -before the date for closing the pouches was reached. A special -cancellation stamp had been devised to show that the letters had been -sent by the Goliath. - -With the Neptune definitely slipping through the broken ice of the -Arctic, the importance of Bert’s task of keeping in touch with the -Neptune increased and he almost lived in the radio room of the Goliath. - -The days marched by in a steady procession. Daily reports from Harry -indicated that ice conditions were most favorable and that the Neptune -was finding much clear water. Occasionally it was necessary to dive -under some particularly stubborn ice field but this had not happened -often. - -Then things changed; high winds prevailed in the northland; progress was -retarded; ice jammed in front of the Neptune; static set up a wall of -interference that was almost impossible to break through; messages from -Harry were few and far between, and lines of worry deepened as Bert and -Andy waited anxiously in the radio room. - -On the 28th of June a wave of static turned back every query sent into -the Arctic. On the 29th the same conditions prevailed. When the static -cleared on the 30th of June, Bert called in vain for the Neptune but -there was no answer. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -The Northern Seas - - -After a rough crossing of the Atlantic from New York to Plymouth, -England, where the Neptune had put in to replenish its supply of fuel, -the cruise of the polar submarine had been much smoother and Harry had -really enjoyed his trip. The daily talks by radiophone with Bert, Serge -and Andy were the high spots of the day for he missed the pleasure of -their companionship. - -His first days aboard the Neptune had been miserable with the weather -rough and his stomach turning flip-flops every time he tried to eat. But -after leaving Plymouth and heading north for Bergen he had found the sub -and its tricks to his liking. Bob Smith, first officer of the Neptune, -was not much older than Harry. Bob was a navy man, loaned to Gilbert -Mathews especially for the Polar cruise, and he was thoroughly at home -in the underwater craft. - -From Bergen to King’s Bay, Spitzbergen, was a lonely voyage for there -are few ships in the Arctic. An occasional gull wheeling overhead, stray -bergs drifting by, and the eternal blue of the cold North Atlantic was -all they saw day after day. Harry kept the radio humming with the press -messages which the explorer sent back to his syndicate in New York. One -method Mathews had used in spreading out the cost of the trip was the -sale of exclusive stories of what went on aboard the Neptune to a -newspaper syndicate. Morning and afternoon stories were required and -Harry, who was adept at writing a readable story, was often pressed into -service to write the daily dispatch. - -Weather favored them all the way to King’s Bay, where they were to make -their final stop for supplies, which had been sent on ahead by steamers. - -Harry deserted his post and went up on deck when Bob called down to -inform him that they were slipping into King’s Bay, scene of the start -of many a famous Arctic flight. It was from here that Byrd and Floyd -Bennett had made their dash to the North pole, to be followed a few days -later by Nobile and Ellsworth in the Italian dirigible Norge. It was -here that Wilkins and Eielson had landed after their long flight from -Alaska across the barrens of the Arctic and it was from here that the -ill-fated Norge had made a second expedition into the Arctic. - -By the time the sleek, black submarine had nosed its way up to the large -coal dock, the entire population of King’s Bay was down to greet it. The -crew and officers welcomed the opportunity to leave the Neptune and -stretch their legs on land, but preparations for the trip into the -Arctic were pushed with all possible haste. The weather was too -favorable for any unnecessary delay and the crew worked steadily at the -task of refilling fuel tanks and taking on fresh stores of food. - -On the morning of the 20th of June they cast their lines off the coal -dock, the big Diesels turned over smoothly, and the Neptune backed away -and turned its nose toward the open bay. - -As many of the crew of 31 as could crowd onto the deck watched the -changing scene, and listened to the wishes for good fortune shouted by -the townspeople on the dock. There was a fresh breeze in the outer bay -and they were forced below by the crisp wind which sent waves slapping -over the deck in steady succession. - -They were in the land of the midnight sun where in summer there is no -night, only a dusk as the sun dips to the horizon. At dusk the mainland -of Spitzbergen was to the rear and they were slipping past Amsterdam -island, which lay to their right. Ahead of them was the uncharted -mystery of the Arctic ocean. - -Harry was surprised at the comparative mildness of the Arctic summer but -the temperature of the Arctic sea was not such that a fall overboard was -inviting and as a result the outer hull of the craft was ice-cold. -Special electrical heating devices had been installed in the living -quarters and the control room so it was fairly comfortable inside the -sub. - -As they pushed northward, Gilbert Mathews and the two scientists with -him kept busy in the forward torpedo room where they made soundings of -the ocean depth and drew off samples from the bottom to determine the -nature of the floor of the Arctic. Because of the scientific -investigations, the Neptune made slow progress and it was the fourth day -out before they encountered much pack ice. - -Conditions were favorable for the progress of the Neptune, for the ice -fields were open with wide leads between them. Occasionally a small berg -scraped the side of the submarine and on the fifth day, when they -encountered a solid mass of ice, the diving order was given and the -Neptune, its special electrical feelers projecting ahead, slipped under -the wall of ice and into the open water on the other side. Such an -operation was under the direct charge of Bob Smith, who demonstrated his -ability in that one brief maneuver. - -The weather remained fair and on the 26th and 27th, the Neptune -increased its speed for the ice was fairly open. They were following -almost the same route taken by Byrd and Bennett in their successful dash -by air to the North Pole. On the twenty-eighth the sky closed in on -them. A cold Arctic fog obscured the sun and a wall of static shut them -off from communication with the outside world. They were now well into -the unknown regions of the Arctic, further north than any vessel had -previously penetrated, in the region which had been seen by man only -from the air. - -On the night of the twenty-eighth a bitter wind whipped down out of the -northwest and the leads commenced to close under the pressure of the -drifting ice. The Neptune scuttled from one open area to another seeking -safety but the gravity of the situation increased every minute. With the -ice pack closing in, it was possible that the submarine might be caught -between the ice and crushed like an egg shell for despite its sturdy -construction it could not withstand the enormous pressure which the ice -would exert. - -Bob was glued to the controls while Gilbert Mathews searched madly for -an opening through which the Neptune might slip to safety. There was -none and reluctantly the order was given to submerge. - -They would be safe down below for the time being but they would be -unable to tell in what direction safety lay. They would have to feel -their way almost blindly under the ice, hoping that they would -eventually find an opening where they could rise to the surface. - -Bob sent the Neptune down five fathoms and they slipped under the ice -pack. - -Hour after hour passed as the Neptune crept under the great mass of ice. -At times it was necessary to go down to 10 and 12 fathoms but for the -most part they were only five or six fathoms under the ice. The Neptune -was a good underwater boat, steady and smooth-riding and the crew -experienced little discomfort. There was plenty of air for 40 hours -under the ice and they felt no alarm, when, at the end of twenty hours, -they had failed to find an opening. - -They stopped and made a test with the ice drill which had been -especially designed and installed for just such an emergency but the -device jammed tight before they could get it working and that avenue of -escape was cut off. - -When another ten hours had elapsed and they were still groping blindly -under the ice. Bob expressed his private opinion that they were in a -tight situation. Harry agreed as he stood beside the first officer in -the control room. Another three hours slipped away and the air was -heavy. Harry’s head felt light and the blood raced through his veins. -Unless they found an opening soon it would be curtains for the Neptune -and its crew. Gilbert Mathews relieved Bob at the main controls and the -first officer walked back to the radio cubby with Harry. - -“If we don’t get out of this,” he said, “no one will ever know what -happened to us. They’ll have plenty of guesses and some of them will be -right, but they’ll never really know. I wish you could get a message -through.” - -“So do I,” said Harry, “but that won’t be possible until we emerge.” - -“I’m all in,” confessed Bob, “and I don’t suppose worrying will help us -any. Wake me up in half an hour,” he added as he slumped down in the one -comfortable canvas chair in the room. - -Harry returned to the control room where a white-faced, worried crew -stuck grimly to their stations. - -The air was bad; lights dim. They were barely creeping forward. Several -of the men dropped at their posts and were carried away by more -fortunate companions. Others took their places. The chief engineer, a -quiet Yankee, came in to tell the explorer that the power was going. The -batteries wouldn’t last more than another hour. - -There was nothing Harry could do in the control room and he returned to -his own quarters. Bob was sound asleep in the chair. One dim light -glowed over the now useless radio set. Harry sat down and picked up a -message blank. He’d write a note to Andy and Bert. Someone might find -the hulk of the submarine some day; a freak of the Arctic might cast it -where it would again be viewed by man. - -Harry had just started the note when he was startled by a sudden bumping -and scraping. The Neptune tilted sharply. Were they headed for the -bottom; crushed under the ice pack? The thought shot through Harry’s -mind as he roused Bob. - -There were cries from the control room. They were going up. They had -found an opening in the ice pack. - -Three minutes later the main hatch was thrown open and a wave of cool, -fresh air swept down into the dank, stinking interior of the submarine. - -They were in a small lead between the sheer walls of the ice pack. The -Neptune had nosed into it blindly at a time when officers and crews had -despaired of their own lives. - -As soon as the batteries had been charged sufficiently, Harry tried to -send out a call but the wall of static still engulfed the Arctic and his -efforts were futile. - -“I don’t think I got out more than a hundred miles,” he told Bob, “and -there isn’t one chance in a thousand that anyone heard us.” - -The Neptune remained securely in the sheltered lead all day on the 30th, -crew and officers resting after the strenuous ordeal they had been -through. Above them and over the ice pack a high wind raged and toward -the close of day there were ominous crackings and rumblings in the ice. - -With the exception of one man left in the conning tower, the crew of the -Neptune was sound asleep at midnight. Two hours later they were awakened -by the alarmed cries of the watch. An eerie rumbling and groaning filled -the night. When they tumbled out on deck a terrifying sight greeted -them. The walls of the ice pack were closing in. They were trapped in -the lead! - -The rapid movement of the ice was astounding. Orders cracked from the -lips of Gilbert Mathews and Bob Smith. The crew tumbled back into the -submarine. The main hatch was slammed and battened down. A crash dive -was in order. They were going under the ice again. - -Harry dreaded the thought. The last time their margin of safety had been -slim; too slim. This time they might not come up. - -The tension inside the Neptune was terrific as Bob gave the orders for -the dive. Valves were opened wide; water roared into the diving tanks. -The Neptune settled swiftly. The conning tower was almost under when -there was a terrific bump. Their downward motion stopped. The water -continued to rush into the diving tanks but the depth indicated remained -motionless. - -“We’re caught on an ice shelf,” cried the explorer. - -“Blow the tanks and we’ll get back to the surface,” commanded Bob. “We -won’t have a chance if we’re caught by the ice under water.” - -Compressed air whistled into the diving tanks and the needle of the -depth gauge quivered and moved upward. With a rush they were back on the -surface. - -The walls of the ice had moved closer. There was the steady thunder of -the pack as the pressure increased and miles of ice, driven by the -biting gale, moved forward, crushing all before it. - -Under Gilbert Mathews’ direction, members of the crew made hasty -soundings. To their dismay it was found that the tremendous pressure of -the advancing ice had driven a shelf of it under them. There wasn’t a -single hole large enough to allow them to dive through to the -comparative safety of the depths. - -In the next seconds a tremendous decision must be made: Should they stay -with the Neptune or abandon the submarine and attempt to escape over the -ice? - -The walls of ice were moving forward relentlessly, closing the gap foot -by foot. - -Gilbert Mathews, white-faced, grim, spoke. - -“Get out the emergency equipment,” he said. “We’ll abandon the Neptune.” - -For the next ten minutes the crew worked desperately. Food, tents, -snowshoes, medical supplies, and the portable radio and stoves were -rushed up from below. The Neptune was nosed over against the nearest -wall of ice and the supplies tossed on the pack. Others of the crew, -hurrying over the treacherous ice, carried the supplies back to a place -of safety for the tremendous pressure which would be exerted when the -walls of ice met might cause an explosion. - -Harry took a final look at his beloved set before abandoning the -Neptune. He tried one more desperate call but the static strangled his -cry for help. They were alone in the desolate Arctic. - -The Neptune abandoned to its fate, the crew retired from the edge of the -ice pack. From a distance of half a mile they watched the walls of ice -come together. Gilbert Mathews turned away when the first of the -rumbling explosions shattered the air. Ice rose in great pyramids, -shattering and flying in every direction. The pack on which they were -standing quivered and moved dangerously. In several places wide gaps -appeared but they were fortunate enough not to fall in. - -When the pressure eased, they returned to the place where they had left -the Neptune. Instead of a haven of open water they found great masses of -ice, twisted and piled in grotesque fashion as though some giant of the -north had been playing a game all his own. - -“We’ve seen the last of the Neptune,” said Bob Smith sadly. “It was a -good tub but not good enough to beat the Arctic.” - -But Bob was wrong for on the far side of the twisted mass of ice they -came upon the bow of the Neptune. From all appearances the shell of the -submarine had withstood the terrific pressure and the undersea craft had -been hurled out of the water and caught fast in the ice. - -It would be impossible to use the Neptune as a means of travel but if -the ice held its grip, they could live in the submarine until a rescue -expedition could reach them. - -Axes were brought from the supplies they had taken off the Neptune and -the crew turned to the task of chopping a hole through the ice until -they reached the main hatch. Working in shifts, it took them two hours -to accomplish the task. - -When the hatch was finally opened, Gilbert Mathews insisted that he be -the first to enter for the danger of chlorine gas lurked inside the -Neptune. If the batteries had upset, the deadly gas might have formed. -Anxiously the crew awaited the return of their leader. They cheered -wildly when he called that there was no sign of gas and they tumbled -back inside for a thorough inspection. Seams had been wrenched so -severely that the Neptune would sink like a rock if it ever slid into -the ocean but it was dry and comfortable inside and there was plenty of -fuel oil in the tanks to keep them warm for months to come. - -The first thing was to send word of their plight to the outside world. - -The portable radio with its aerial was set up on the ice outside and -Harry sat down to send out the first message and ask for relief. The -static had cleared since his last attempt and he finally picked up an -amateur station at Hopedale, Labrador, to which he communicated the -events which had befallen the Neptune. As nearly as possible, Harry gave -their position and asked that the officers of the Goliath at Bellevue, -Ky., be notified at once. - -The operator at Hopedale, after recovering from the astonishment of -Harry’s message, promised to relay it at once. - -The hours dragged by and there was no reply from the operator at -Hopedale, except that he had relayed the message to Montreal for further -transmission. - -The tent which had been erected around Harry’s portable set was little -protection from the bitter wind and he was numb from cold and miserable -when the Hopedale operator finally came back at him. The message had -reached Bellevue. The reply was on the way. It cracked through the -ether. - -“Goliath leaves at midnight. Estimate distance to you is 5,500 miles. -Should make it in 60 hours after departure. Signed, Andy High, Assistant -Pilot.” - -Harry ran to the Neptune with the message and the news it contained -cheered them greatly. With the wind rapidly whipping into a storm, they -took refuge in the warmth of the Neptune and awaited the coming of the -Goliath. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -Rescue in the Arctic - - -For two days after the static cleared, there was no word from the silent -northland. Bert, Serge, and Andy remained in the radio room -continuously, calling vainly for the Neptune but each time their call -went unheeded. - -“Something mighty serious has happened to the Neptune,” declared Bert, -“or Harry would have answered just as soon as the static cleared.” - -“I’m afraid you’re right,” said Andy. “They were getting into dangerous -water when we last heard from them. Personally, I’ve doubted all along -that the Neptune would ever get to the North Pole. The ice pack there is -too solid. They’d have to do too much underwater cruising.” - -“Do you think they’ve been trapped under the ice?” asked Bert anxiously. - -“No,” replied Andy, “for they have the ice drill to cut a path to -safety. But a submarine has so many things that can go wrong.” - -Late the second day Andy’s father returned from Washington and they -informed him of the gravity of the situation. - -“How long would it take to get the Goliath ready for a polar trip?” he -asked Andy. - -“Not much more than six hours,” Andy replied. - -“Better warn the crew to stand by. If we don’t hear from the Neptune in -another 48 hours we’ll start north in an attempt to locate them.” - -Two hours later the Canadian station at Montreal broke in with an urgent -message. - -“Amateur operator at Hopedale, Labrador, has just messaged that -submarine Neptune is disabled and caught in ice. Crew safe. Approximate -position: latitude 82° 21'; longitude, east 9° 31'. Ask relief -expedition.” - -Bert copied the message with a hand that shook so much the words were -little more than a scrawl. - -“Tell Montreal to stand by,” said Andy, “while I rush this over to Dad -and Captain Harkins.” Andy found his father and the commander of the -Goliath at the hotel where he burst in on their conference, the message -in his hand. - -“I was afraid of something like this,” said Andy’s father. “The navy -people in Washington were inclined to be pretty pessimistic when I -talked with them, yesterday. Well, what do you say Captain?” - -The commander of the Goliath asked Andy for the latest weather report. -It was favorable. - -“We’ll start north at midnight,” he said. - -“Will you be able to make the trip, Dad?” asked Andy. - -“Sorry, son, but I’m due back in Washington tomorrow for a conference -that may mean the construction of more ships like the Goliath. The army -people have been tremendously pleased with the performance and are -anxious for more, semi-commercial, semi-military dirigibles.” - -Andy hurried back to the radio room where he communicated the news to -Bert and Serge. The message that the Goliath would start north at -midnight flashed to Montreal but static delayed its transmission to -Hopedale, to which it was finally relayed and from there sent on to the -waiting crew of the Neptune. - -Reporters assigned to Bellevue to cover various trial flights of the -Goliath sent out the news of the Neptune’s fate and the word that the -Goliath was starting north at midnight. Through the early hours of the -night the hangar was ablaze with light as final preparations were made. - -Every motor was thoroughly checked, extra helium put in the gas cells -and every precaution taken to insure the success of the long flight. - -Andy and Captain Harkins studied charts of the northland, plotting their -proposed course. - -It was finally agreed that they would fly north and east to Montreal and -then almost due north nearly 3,000 miles along the 76th meridian until -they reached Etah, Greenland, on the northwestern tip of that -ice-covered land. At Etah they would swing east, skirting the north -coast of Greenland, then out over the desolate waste of ice on the last -leg of their trip to find the crew of the Neptune. - -By eleven-thirty every member of the crew selected for the rescue trip -was aboard, including two mail clerks. There would be no transfer of the -mail to the Neptune but the postoffice department had rushed a special -cancellation from Washington and letters already aboard would be carried -into the Arctic. At the scene of the rescue of the Neptune’s crew the -postal clerks would cancel the letters with the special stamp. - -When the Goliath started out of its hangar at midnight on the second of -July, there were 62 men aboard, including the two postoffice clerks. The -crew had been reduced to a minimum for they would pick up the 31 men -from the Neptune. - -A typical July heat wave had gripped the nation for three days and they -were glad to soar into the cooler heights. A thin moon peeped down at -them as the great silver airship climbed into the sky and started north -on its mission of rescue. - -Lights of Bellevue vanished in the night. They went up to eight thousand -feet and headed for Montreal. Bert, in the radio room, advised the -Canadian station of their start and asked that the news be sent on to -the Neptune, via the station at Hopedale. - -Andy made a thorough trip over the Goliath while Serge remained in the -control room as first assistant to Captain Harkins. In the last month -Serge had proved invaluable. He was thoroughly capable of handling the -Goliath and had the ability to size up an emergency in an instant and -make the right decision. - -A little more than an hour after leaving Bellevue, the lights of -Pittsburgh appeared to their right. Tongues of flame from the steel -furnaces along the Monongahela shot into the night as though in greeting -to the king of the skyways. - -The sky was brightening with the rose of a summer dawn when they passed -over Buffalo and headed down Lake Ontario. - -Captain Harkins, who had been at the controls, complained of a severe -abdominal pain and retired into the main lounge, leaving Andy in charge. -As they neared Montreal, the commander’s suffering became more intense. - -“I’m going to radio ahead and have a doctor meet us at Montreal,” said -Bert. “Captain Harkins is a mighty sick man and unless I miss my guess, -the trouble is acute appendicitis.” - -Andy agreed and told Serge to make preparations to land the Goliath when -they reached the airport outside Montreal. Fortunately there was a -mooring mast that had been used by British dirigibles in their -trans-Atlantic flights. - -It was eight o’clock when the Goliath nosed over Montreal and prepared -to descend after its 750 mile flight from its home field. A company from -a Canadian regiment stationed in the city had bean turned out and was -ready to assist in bringing down the big airship. News that the Goliath -would stop had spread over the city and roads leading to the airport -were jammed with cars. - -With Andy at the main elevator and rudder controls and Serge beside him -with a megaphone to direct the actions of the ground crew, they brought -the Goliath to an easy landing. As soon as the big ship was fastened -securely to the mooring mast Andy hastened back into the main salon -where a doctor, who had boarded it the moment they landed, was examining -Captain Harkins. - -“Acute appendicitis,” was the verdict and the doctor added: “To continue -on this flight will undoubtedly cost Captain Harkins his life.” - -“We’ve got to go on,” protested the commander of the Goliath. “The lives -of 31 men in the Neptune, trapped in the Arctic, depend on us.” - -“You’ve got to think of yourself once in a while,” replied the surgeon -tartly. - -“We can take the Goliath on, Captain Harkins,” said Andy. “Serge has -demonstrated that he is an expert pilot and navigator. Between the two -of us we can handle the ship.” - -Captain Harkins smiled through pain-tightened lips. - -“I’m sure you can,” he said, “but you’d better get an official O. K. -from your father. He planned to fly back to Washington but you may be -able to get him at Bellevue before he starts.” - -Bert got through to Bellevue at once and in five minutes Andy was -talking with his father by radiophone. - -“We’ve got to go on,” said the assistant pilot of the Goliath, “and -Captain Harkins is desperately ill. Serge and I can take the Goliath -through if you’ll give your permission.” - -“Then don’t waste any time,” replied the executive vice president of the -National Airways. “Tell Captain Harkins I’ll fly up to see him as soon -as possible. Good luck, son, and the best of weather.” - -Breakfast was served to the crew while the Goliath was moored at the -Montreal airport and at nine o’clock Andy gave orders to resume the -flight. - -Captain Harkins refused to leave the airport until the Goliath was under -way and he watched the big ship move away from the mooring mast and soar -into the sky from his cot beside an ambulance. Andy dipped the nose of -the Goliath in salute to its commander and then headed the dirigible due -north, following just east of the 76th meridian. - -The day was clear and warm with a slight breeze from the south to speed -them on their way and they roared into the northland at a steady hundred -miles an hour. The fertile lands around Montreal were replaced by the -heavier forests of middle Quebec and as the sun sped on its western path -they looked down on a desolate land of brush, swamp and giant mosquitoes -which infested the region in summer. There was little habitation in the -country below them for it was a quagmire in summer and a frozen waste in -winter. - -There were innumerable lakes and rivers sighted during the day but by -sundown these had thinned out into a few streams which sent their waters -westward into Hudson Bay. - -Bert kept in almost constant communication with Montreal for the rescue -flight of the Goliath was the news of the hour for every paper in the -United States and Canada. - -Serge had taken a long afternoon shift at the controls while Andy slept -and at sundown they changed, Serge going back into the main cabin for a -warm supper and a few hours sleep. At midnight he would relieve Andy. - -The wind had died down to a whisper. The sky was brilliant with stars -and the Goliath made steady progress northward. There was a chill in the -air by midnight and Serge had on his sheepskin when he came forward to -relieve Andy. - -“They’re having trouble with No. 5 engine again,” said Andy, “and I’m -going back and see what’s up. I’ll have them cut it off until they find -out just what’s the matter.” - -Serge nodded, squinted at the chart and compass, and swung the nose of -the Goliath one point east. - -Back in No. 5 engine room Andy found the motor crew battling a stubborn -piece of machinery. The motor would turn over all right but they -couldn’t get the necessary speed. Andy slipped into a pair of coveralls -and worked with the crew. The trouble was in the timing and it took them -two hours to do the job. - -When Andy returned to the main gondola, the sky was light in the east -for they were getting into a latitude where the summer nights were short -and the days extremely long. Andy stepped into the control room and -Serge pointed ahead of them to a blue expanse of water. - -“Hudson Strait,” he cried and Andy, hardly believing the words, looked -at the chart. An hour later they were cutting across a corner of Fox -Land. Then the Goliath was over Baffin Land with the waters of Baffin -Bay ahead and to their right. - -At five a.m. Andy, who had slept for two hours, relieved Serge. A sharp -wind had come out of the north and the Goliath’s speed was down to -seventy miles an hour. - -The broad expanse of Baffin Bay was dotted with ice. They nosed out over -Home Bay with the open area of the South water beneath them. Ahead was -the great area of everlasting ice known as the Middle ice. For three -hours the Goliath fought its way over the ice sheet. Then came the 25 -mile stretch of open water known as Middle water and then another sheet -of desolate ice. It was noon when the Goliath finally left the Middle -ice and looked down on the berg-dotted stretch of North water. To their -right was that majestic land of eternal ice—Greenland, while to their -left was the desolate reaches of Ellesmere island. - -Serge took over the controls but Andy, instead of going back to rest, -remained at the window, looking down at the ever-changing panorama. - -Bert had managed to pick up the wireless station at Etah and had asked -for a weather report. - -“Clear but a thirty mile wind from the north,” Etah had replied, when -the operator had recovered from his astonishment at learning of the -proximity of the Goliath. - -With their speed greatly curtailed by the strong wind and a desire to -economize as much as possible on fuel, it was late in the day when the -Goliath stuck its nose into Smith Sound and looked down at Etah, the -farthest north year-round settlement of Greenland. - -The Goliath dropped low over Etah in salute to its residents. Then the -motors of the Goliath echoed their power through the stillness of the -Arctic, Andy brought the nose up, and they proceeded up Smith’s Sound -and into Kane Basin. - -Ahead of them loomed a gray blanket of fog and Andy sent the Goliath -climbing for altitude. Four, five, six, even seven thousand feet they -fought their way against the bitter wind but the drifting mist of gray -enveloped them. They came down to eight hundred feet but there was no -escape. The fog clung to the earth and it was impossible to see more -than two hundred feet ahead of the control room. Double lookouts were -posted and extra men ordered into the observation cockpits atop the -Goliath with telephone sets strapped to them so they could communicate -any possible danger or send news of a break in the fog bank. - -The Goliath crept ahead under reduced speed, barely feeling its way -along. Andy knew that below them was the great ice cap which covered -Greenland and in the region over which they were now flying an -occasional mountain peak reared its head through the eternal blanket of -ice and snow. The danger of colliding with such a peak was known to -every member of the crew and not a man so much as closed his eyes while -the Goliath battled the fog. - -The real danger from the fog, which only Andy and Serge realized, was -ice. In less than half an hour the outer covering of the Goliath was -sheathed in ice. The sides of the gondola were covered with the -treacherous stuff and even the windows froze over. It was necessary to -lower them and the cold fog swept into the control room. Sheepskins were -buttoned close as the Goliath moved slowly ahead. - -Serge kept his eyes on the altimeter. The needle was wavering at eight -hundred feet. Then it dropped to seven-fifty and finally to seven -hundred. The weight of the ice was forcing them down. - -Serge nudged Andy and pointed significantly to the needle. It was down -to six seventy-five. Andy nodded grimly and ordered more speed, at the -same time trying to nose the Goliath higher with the increased lifting -power of the additional speed. - -They gained a bare hundred feet, held it for five minutes, and then saw -the needle of the altimeter start down. - -“Take the controls,” Andy told Serge. “I’m going to ask for volunteers -to go on top with me and try and chop the ice loose.” - -“You can’t do that,” protested Serge. “The risk is too great. Someone -will slip off and be killed.” - -“It’s either going up top and trying to clear off the ice or wait here -until we’re forced down and crash into something, which would mean the -loss of the Goliath and the end of the rescue flight to the Neptune. -I’ve got to go.” - -There was no hesitancy among the crew in volunteering for the dangerous -task. They equipped themselves with short axes and steel bars, special -steel cleated shoes and ropes fastened around their waists. Andy divided -his crew of volunteers, four of them going aft and three of them -accompanying him aloft at the bow of the Goliath. - -When they emerged in the observation cockpit where another member of the -crew was huddled trying to peer into the fog, they found themselves in a -world alone. Ahead, behind, and on each side stretched the solid wall of -cold, gray mist. The top of the Goliath shone dully under the sheet of -ice, the depth of which was increasing every minute. - -“Lash yourselves to the steel cable along the catwalk,” Andy cautioned -them, “and be careful in using the axes. Don’t chop through the -metalized covering if you can help it.” - -The men nodded grimly and crept cautiously out on the catwalk, each one -careful to fasten the rope around his body. Setting the spikes on their -shoes firmly into the ice, they began hacking away at the menacing -shield which covered the Goliath. - -It was a slow, tedious task and the air was bitter cold. They cleaned -off the forward part of the catwalk and then started cautiously out on -top of the Goliath. Great sheets of ice slipped away under the prying of -their bars but it seemed that new sheets formed almost as fast as they -pried the old ones loose. - -Andy’s hands became numb and his face felt like an icy mask. - -The lookout in the observation cockpit shouted at them. - -“Control room says we’re holding steady now at five hundred feet. Asks -if you want more help.” - -“Tell them to send up a relief crew,” replied Andy. Ten minutes later -three fresh men were working with him and they attacked the ice with -renewed vigor. Andy felt fortunate that there had been no accident so -far but the thought was hardly in his mind when one of the new men, -overly-enthusiastic, slipped and disappeared in the fog. His safety rope -was fastened to the cable along the catwalk, but he had been in too much -haste to tie it securely and Andy saw the rope slipping. Somewhere over -the side of the Goliath this man was hanging, undoubtedly feeling the -quiver of the rope as the knot slipped. - -Forgetting his own danger, Andy hurled himself along the catwalk. He -seized the other man’s safety rope just before the knot gave way. Andy’s -arms jerked out straight and he cried aloud at the sudden pain. He -wrapped his legs around the cable on the catwalk and sprawled out on top -of the Goliath, head-foremost toward the edge over which the other man -had disappeared. - -Andy’s cries brought the attention of the watch in the observation -cockpit and the other two men working on top with him. As fast as the -treacherous condition of the catwalk would permit, they hastened toward -him but to Andy their progress was painfully slow. - -The rope was slipping through his hands. His fingers tightened until it -seemed they would crack but they were so numb from cold he couldn’t put -his full strength on the rope. It was slipping faster and faster. -Somewhere on the other end the man who had been working beside him only -a minute before was swinging like a pendulum along the side of the -ice-encrusted dirigible. - -Andy cried out again. He saw the three coming to his aid hurl themselves -toward him. He closed his eyes. The rope was slipping faster. Something -hit him so hard that he gasped for breath and the rope raced through his -fingers. He clutched at it and his fingers closed against his own palms. - -When Andy opened his eyes one of the crew was bending over him while the -other two were pulling their companion up over the side of the Goliath. -They had reached Andy just as his numbed fingers let go their hold. - -A minute later the man who had been looking death in the face was safe -on the catwalk, grateful to Andy for the risk he had taken. - -Bert, who had sensed something wrong when the watch in the forward -cockpit had failed to answer, came charging up. Andy was in no condition -to remain up top longer and Bert made him go below into one of the -engine rooms to thaw out. - -Crews on top of the Goliath were changed every half hour and in this -manner the dirigible wallowed through the fog. It was mid-forenoon -before the haze showed any signs of lifting but at noon there was a -definite break and the Arctic sun soon dispelled the menace in gray. - -When Andy was able to shoot their position again, he found that the -Goliath was approaching Cape Morris Jessup, the northernmost tip of -Greenland. - -There were irregular leads in the ice pack which surrounded the cape, -but these soon dropped behind and the Goliath moved out over the white -expanse of the silent Arctic. They were on the last leg of their long -flight, heading east and north now for the position from which Harry had -sent his appeal for help. The second day slipped away and they recorded -the coming of the third in their log book. - -They were fifty-five hours out from Bellevue. The sky was clear but the -chill wind still swept out of the north. The interior of the main cabin -and control room was warm again and the crew experienced no discomfort -in its flight. - -They crossed the Greenwich meridian at noon the third day. The Neptune -was somewhere east of them by nine degrees and 31 minutes and about two -degrees north. Andy altered the course slightly and the Goliath swept -nearer the North Pole, although still some three hundred miles from that -visionary goal. - -Every man who was not on duty in the control or engine rooms was at the -windows or stationed in the observation cockpits atop the dirigible, -straining ahead for some glimpse of the Neptune and its marooned crew. - -Static had been bad all morning but Bert kept up an incessant call for -Harry. It was an hour after crossing the Greenwich meridian when he -received his first answer and his wild whoop of joy brought Andy into -the radio room on the run. - -“I’m talking with Harry now,” cried Bert. “He says to hurry. The pack -ice is breaking up and the Neptune may be lost at any minute.” - -“Tell them to get out of the tin tub and get onto the ice where they’ll -be safer,” replied Andy. “We’ll be there within another hour.” - -“Two members of the crew are sick,” replied Bert. - -“Then they’ll have to fix up some kind of shelter on the ice,” said -Andy. - -“And Harry says it looks like a norther is coming up,” added the radio -operator. - -“Tell him we’re coming at full speed. Have him keep his set going and -use your radio compass in guiding us to him.” - -Bert agreed and Andy hastened back to the control room. - -“Bert’s just talked with Harry,” he told Serge, “and Harry says it looks -like a bad storm is brewing. We’ll put on full speed and pick them up -just as soon as possible.” - -Word telephoned down from the observation cockpits warned the control -room that clouds to the north looked bad. This news added confirmation -to that received from Harry and the Goliath raced over the waste of ice -and snow at a hundred miles an hour. Every eye was strained ahead to -catch some sign of the trapped submarine and its crew. - -“The ice is more open here,” Andy told Serge. “I wouldn’t be surprised -if the Neptune has disappeared by the time we reach there. Harry said -the ice was getting dangerous and I warned them to get out at once.” - -“I’ve had enough of the Arctic right now,” said Serge. “The experience -with the fog scared me half to death. I thought sure we were going to -crash over Greenland and we would if you hadn’t gone aloft and kept -enough of it chopped off.” - -“We ought to be near the Neptune now,” said Andy, “unless my -calculations are way off.” - -“Want me to start circling from here?” asked Serge. - -Before Andy could reply, Bert came from the radio room. - -“The Neptune is due north of us,” he cried. “Harry sent a flash. Said he -caught a glimpse of us with the sun slanting off the silver sides.” - -Serge swung the rudder over hard and the Goliath, its motors working -rhythmically, bored into the heart of the northland. Ahead a solid wall -of gray was mounting toward the heavens. In less than an hour the -blizzard would be on them. - -Five minutes later the watch in the No. 1 cockpit on top phoned that he -had sighted the Neptune. - -“Crew’s on the ice,” was the terse message. “The sub’s still in sight -but the ice is moving and it won’t be long until the sub is gone.” - -Andy’s keen eyes were the first in the control room to sight the -marooned crew of the Neptune. Behind them he saw the great ridge of ice -in which the Neptune had been caught. The dark nose of the undersea -craft was still in sight but the ice was heaving and churning under the -pressure of the moving ice pack. - -Fissures in the ice were widening and the wind swooped out of the north -with an ominous roar. Flurries of snow swept past them. The temperature -was dropping fast. The rescue must be a matter of minutes or the Arctic -might claim the Goliath as well as the Neptune. - -“You’re better at a landing than I am,” Serge told Andy. “Take over.” - -Andy stepped into the place of command and under his skillful hands the -Goliath slid down toward the crew of the Neptune. Steel cables, with -heavy grapnels, had been rigged especially for a landing on the ice. -When Andy gave the order to shut off the engines, the steel hooks were -dropped. They caught on the uneven ice and electric winches to which -they were fastened rapidly drew the Goliath down until the main gondola -rested just above the ice pack. - -Harry was the first to reach the gondola where he was greeted -enthusiastically by Andy, Bert and Serge. - -“You’re just in time,” he told them. “The ice is breaking up. That means -the end of the Neptune and this blizzard would probably have finished -us.” - -While Harry was talking, the sound of the coming storm was drowned by a -series of splintering crashes. The ice ahead of them heaved and buckled. - -Great chunks were hurled into the air. The nose of the Neptune was -pushed straight up. For a moment the submarine hung in this position. -Then, to the accompaniment of the steady booming of the ice, the sleek, -steel hull slid from view. It was gone in ten seconds—devoured by the -ever-hungry Arctic. - -Gilbert Mathews, who had aged years in the last few days, stumbled -across the ice. - -“Thank heaven you’ve arrived,” he cried. “We must hurry. The blizzard is -almost upon us.” - -In twos and threes the crew of the Neptune hurried toward the Goliath. A -twilight had settled over the scene and the lights from the cabin -windows of the Goliath shone strangely through the dusk of the coming -storm. - -Serge and a crew from the Goliath brought the two men from the Neptune -who were ill aboard. Some of them carried a few personal possessions. -Most of them had only the clothes they wore but they were thankful to -have even those. - -The last hours aboard the Neptune had been hours of terror with the -constant danger of the ice breaking up and dropping them into the depths -of the Arctic. With rescue at hand, some of them were almost hysterical -with joy. Mathews spoke to Andy. - -“I know the Arctic,” he said. “Get out of here as soon as you can. This -storm is going to be terrific. As soon as the last man is aboard, take -off.” - -Every motor was running smoothly and easily. - -“Stand by for a quick take off and a run before the storm,” he warned -the engineers. “Our lives will depend on you. We’ve got to make time.” - -Back in one of the cabins the postal clerks were busy cancelling the -letters which had been the only pay cargo aboard the Goliath on the -polar trip. They were obvious to the dangers of the coming storm and -Andy envied them their lack of worry. - -“Everybody on,” reported Serge. “Let’s go.” - -“Let’s go,” echoed Andy and the command was flashed back to the engine -rooms. The Goliath quivered to the pulsation of the powerful motors. To -save time, the steel cables with the grapnels were dropped on the ice -and the Goliath shook its nose at the gathering storm as it roared -aloft. - -The take-off had not come a moment too soon. The Goliath had barely -turned around and headed south, when the blizzard struck in all its -fury. A dry, biting snow enveloped the dirigible and the lights from the -cabin windows made only faint glows in the sea of swirling white. - -With motors turning over at full speed, the Goliath raced due south. But -fast though the Goliath traveled, the storm kept pace. Andy was thankful -for one thing. The snow was dry. It wouldn’t freeze to the sides and -force them down. - -The air outside was bitter cold and despite the heating system in the -gondola, a penetrating chill crept in. - -“How about the two men who are sick?” Andy asked the explorer. - -“It’s flu,” replied Mathews. “They’re over the worst of it but so weak -they can hardly move. However, if they had been exposed to many -hardships, it would have turned into pneumonia and they wouldn’t have -had a chance.” - -Bert had managed to send out a flash on the rescue of the crew of the -Neptune and had added that they were running before an Arctic blizzard. -This meager information was relayed by the Hopedale station and for -hours a waiting world wondered and waited for news of the Goliath and -its daring crew. They knew the king of the skies was battling for its -life somewhere in the northland; they knew that its commander was ill in -a Montreal hospital and they wondered at the stuff of which Andy and his -assistants were made. Could they bring the Goliath through the dangers -and rigors of a blizzard in the Arctic? - -Radio stations all over the northland tuned their sensitive ears for -some word from the Goliath, but the wall of static had dropped and their -calls went unanswered. - -In the meantime, the Goliath was racing south, its motors on full as it -sped through the storm. They were doing a hundred and thirty miles an -hour but the snow stayed with them and the cold was even more intense. - -The great ship was running blind. The only direction was south. Anything -to escape the tearing savagery of the Arctic. Serge stood silent at the -controls while Andy went on a tour of inspection. The engine crews were -getting drowsy from their long vigil and he ordered the steward to serve -a hot lunch for everyone. - -Andy was in the rear of the Goliath, leaving the last engine room, when -he heard a peculiar whistling sound. A draft of cold air struck him and -he turned quickly toward the tail of the ship, stopping only long enough -to get a flashlight from the engine room. He worked his way along the -narrow catwalk in the tail. The blast of air was stronger. The beam of -his flashlight traced a finger of light through the duralumin girders -and cables which formed and controlled the main elevator. - -The light fastened on one section of the right elevator. There was a -great tear in the metalized fabric through which the wind was whistling -in an increasing crescendo. Unless the tear was repaired at once, the -Goliath would be in grave danger of getting out of control for the -opening was growing larger and would soon render the elevators useless. - -Andy ran back to the engine room where he telephoned Serge to reduce -their speed to a minimum. The same call brought Bert and Harry back on -the run and another call brought two expert riggers with a roll of the -metal cloth and a can of cement, which they heated in the engine room. - -The chief rigger, Mac Glassgow, looked at the rip in the elevator. - -“It’s a mean one to fix,” he asserted, “but we’ll do the job.” - -“We’ve got to,” urged Andy. “It’s growing larger every minute.” - -“An inside job won’t be so hard,” said Mac, “but to make it stick, it -should be patched from the outside.” - -“There’s no place to land and do that,” protested Bert. - -“I know, I know,” said Mac, “but an inside patch will never hold.” - -“You mean someone ought to go up top, lower themselves down on the -outside, and make the patch?” asked Andy. - -Mac nodded. - -“That’s the ticket,” he said. “I’m a bit too old and stiff or I’d do it -in a minute. The Graf Zeppelin’s crew had to do it one time off the -Atlantic coast in weather about as bad as this.” - -“I’ll go up,” replied Andy. “Get the patch ready, Mac. Bert and Harry -will come along to lower me away.” - -Andy’s friends protested that it was a foolhardy attempt, but he refused -to listen to them. - -“We are all in grave danger,” he said. “The attempt must be made. As -long as you fellows hang onto the rope I’ll be in no danger.” - -Other members of the crew were summoned and under Mac’s expert direction -a temporary patch was placed inside the elevator fin. While this was -being accomplished, Andy prepared for the outside job. - -A harness of leather straps was rigged around his shoulders and body and -to this was attached a strong new one inch rope. Mac had cut the patch -to the proper size and the cement had been placed in a double bucket to -retain its heat. The motors were turning over just fast enough to give -the Goliath steerage way. - -Andy and his two companions ascended the ladder to the rear right -cockpit, from which the commander of the Goliath was to be lowered over -the side. - -The wind was blowing a gale that chilled them instantly. - -“You’ll freeze to death before you get down to the fin,” said Bert. - -“I’ll hug this cement pot,” replied Andy. “All set?” - -Andy slid over the side and Bert and Harry lowered away on the rope. -Foot by foot Andy eased down over the smooth side of the Goliath. -Twenty, thirty, forty feet he went out and down. Just below he caught -the glow of light inside the fin and the outline of the makeshift patch -which Mac and his rigger had slapped on inside. - -The young pilot sprawled flat on the surface of the fin, arms -outstretched. The cloth to complete the patch was fastened on his back. - -With chilled hands he opened the top of the cement pot and seized the -brush. The rip in the fin was about twelve feet long and two feet wide. -Andy slapped the cement on the back end first, shut the top of the pot, -readied for the patch, and put the end in place before the cement had a -chance to cool. The Goliath was drifting through the storm and Andy had -patched the end of the hole which received the greatest force of the -wind. - -He worked forward carefully, stopping now to apply the cement liberally, -then unrolling the patch, and moving ahead another foot to repeat the -operation. In the fin beneath, he could hear Mac, the rigger, shouting -encouragement. He needed it. He was worn almost to the breaking point by -the responsibility which had been on his shoulders ever since the -Goliath left the airport at Montreal. Tears froze to his cheeks and he -cried aloud at the pain in his cold white hands. His movements were -mechanical. Slap on the cement, unroll the patch, slap on the cement, -unroll the patch. - -Suddenly there was no more cement to put on, no more cloth to unroll. -The job was done. The danger that the fin might be ripped off by the -wind was over. Andy closed his eyes and his numbed hands slipped. There -was a sensation of falling and he knew that he was slipping off the fin -but he was in a lethargy, unable to help himself. He felt himself dip -over the edge of the fin; knew he was falling into the storm and -darkness. - -When he opened his eyes half an hour later he was in the warmth of one -of the rear engine rooms. Bert and Harry were beside him. - -“What happened while I was on the fin?” demanded Andy. - -“The cold got you,” replied Bert, “and you slipped off. Good thing we -had a rope around you.” - -“Is the fin all right?” Andy asked eagerly. - -Mac Glassgow, the chief rigger who had remained in the background, -stepped up. - -“Best job of patching I ever saw,” he exclaimed. “We’ll have no more -trouble with that fin this trip.” - -“How’s the storm?” was Andy’s next question. - -“We’re running out of it now,” replied Harry. - -“Serge just phoned back that the sky was clearing and it is much -warmer.” - -Despite Andy’s protest, they made him go to bed, and Harry sat down to -see that their wishes were enforced. - -When Andy awoke again the sky had cleared and the Goliath was cruising -through brilliant sunshine. The events of the storm were like a -nightmare. - -Serge was still at the controls. He was tired and worn by the long -ordeal, but he smiled happily when he saw Andy. - -Bert came out of the radio room with a sheaf of messages. - -“I’ve sent out a complete story of our trip,” he informed Andy, “and -messages are coming in almost every minute now. Here’s a couple you’ll -want.” The first was from Andy’s father, then in Washington. - -“Have just learned of fine work of yourself and crew of Goliath. I’m -proud of you, son.” - -The other was from Captain Harkins. It read: “Great work, Andy. My -congratulations to Bert, Harry and Serge. Many happy landings.” Andy -passed the messages along to Harry and Serge, who read them eagerly. - -“You’ve done a fine piece of work in taking the Goliath into the Arctic -and bringing back the Neptune’s crew,” said Harry. “You deserve all the -congratulations.” - -“They’re embarrassing,” grinned Andy, “for you fellows deserve just as -much credit as I do.” - -“We won’t quarrel over that,” said Serge. “Incidentally, if anyone is -curious, that point of land to our left is Cape Bismark and that rather -inhospitable-looking stretch of ice and snow beyond is King William -land.” - -“Which means nothing at all to me,” replied Bert. - -“If you could read a chart,” replied Serge lightly, “you’d know that we -are now off the east coast of Greenland, proceeding south by west at -ninety miles an hour with clear skies and a favoring tail wind. Also, -I’m going to bed.” - -With motors tuned perfectly to their task, the Goliath sped southward -toward New York, where it would stop to land the crew of the Neptune. -Andy, again at the controls, smiled happily for the Goliath had proved -beyond any question that it was master of the elements—king of the -skies. - - - - -THE GO AHEAD BOYS SERIES - -By ROSS KAY - - On Smuggler’s Island - The Treasure Cave - Mysterious Old House - In the Island Camp - And the Racing Motor - And Simon’s Mine - -These stories will appeal to any boy who is imbued with “The Go Ahead” -spirit. Whether on Smuggler’s Island, at Simon’s Mine or in The Treasure -Cave, the boys have adventures that are as thrilling as they are -unusual. The scene of each volume is laid in some beautiful and historic -part of our country. 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After you have read the first book -and followed the fortunes of the “Chums,” you will realize the pleasure -the other seven volumes have in store for you. - -These rollicking lads know field, forest, mountain, sea and stream—and -the books contain much valuable information on woodcraft and the living -of an outdoor life. - -The Goldsmith Publishing Co. - -NEW YORK - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AIR MONSTER*** - - -******* This file should be named 55965-0.txt or 55965-0.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/5/9/6/55965 - - -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 <a -href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. 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.</p> -<p>Title: Air Monster</p> -<p>Author: Edwin Green</p> -<p>Release Date: November 14, 2017 [eBook #55965]</p> -<p>Language: English</p> -<p>Character set encoding: UTF-8</p> -<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AIR MONSTER***</p> -<p> </p> -<h3>E-text prepared by Roger Frank</h3> -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> - -<div> -<h1 class='c000'>AIR MONSTER</h1> -<p class='c001'>BY</p> -<p class='c002'>EDWIN GREEN</p> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<p class='c001'>THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING COMPANY</p> -<p class='c003'>NEW YORK</p> -</div> - -<div class='c004'> -<p class='c005'>Copyright 1932</p> -<p class='c003'>The Goldsmith Publishing Company</p> -<p class='c006'>Made in U. S. A.</p> -</div> - -<div class='c004'> -<p class='c007'>CONTENTS</p> - -<div class='c008'> - <div class='c009'> - <p class='c010'> - <a href='#ch01'>I. On Secret Duty</a><br /> - <a href='#ch02'>II. The Air Monster</a><br /> - <a href='#ch03'>III. Mystery Plane</a><br /> - <a href='#ch04'>IV. Danger in the Air</a><br /> - <a href='#ch05'>V. No Clues</a><br /> - <a href='#ch06'>VI. The Night Alarm</a><br /> - <a href='#ch07'>VII. Suspicions</a><br /> - <a href='#ch08'>VIII. Mysterious Moves</a><br /> - <a href='#ch09'>IX. On the East Side</a><br /> - <a href='#ch10'>X. The Neptune Sails</a><br /> - <a href='#ch11'>XI. In the Hangar</a><br /> - <a href='#ch12'>XII. Trial Flight</a><br /> - <a href='#ch13'>XIII. Wings of the Storm</a><br /> - <a href='#ch14'>XIV. Flood Relief</a><br /> - <a href='#ch15'>XV. In Northern Seas</a><br /> - <a href='#ch16'>XVI. Rescue in the Arctic</a> - </p> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<p class='c011'>AIR MONSTER</p> - -<h2 id='ch01' class='c012'>CHAPTER I<br />On Secret Duty</h2> - -<p>Lights glowed brightly in the large, bare tower room which was the -headquarters of the Gerka, secret police organization of Rubania. It was -midnight and a meeting of the supreme council of the Gerka at that hour -could mean only the most urgent business.</p> - -<p>Residents of Kratz, the capital of Rubania, who happened to be in the -streets that night and who saw the lights in the tower of the government -palace shook their heads and hurried on their way with fear in their -hearts for the Gerka was the most dangerous organization in all Rubania -and for that matter one of the most powerful groups of secret police in -the whole world.</p> - -<p>The creation of the new Europe which had followed the World War had -resulted in the formation of Rubania, a rich, fertile land east of -Prussia. It had been made a free state but Alex Reikoff, an unscrupulous -dictator with a lust for world power, had risen to supreme command of -the government, crushing out all opposition. He had built up the armed -forces of his country until Rubania was recognized as a world power, -feared for the might of its armada of submarines and the power of its -fleets of airplanes, for Reikoff believed in the power of aircraft as an -instrument of war.</p> - -<p>That the midnight meeting of the Gerka was of unusual importance was -borne out when Reikoff himself strode into the room and took his place -at the head of the table around which a half dozen men were seated. They -looked expectantly at him. Reikoff, short and dark with closely cropped -hair, stroked his bristly mustache. He looked intently at the men before -him. One after another met his gaze until his eyes looked into those of -Serge Larko, in the uniform of a lieutenant of the air force.</p> - -<p>“Ah, Serge,” said Reikoff, “I’m glad that you could leave your beloved -flying machines long enough to answer my call.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, Excellency,” smiled Serge. “I came at once but there is much that -remains to be done on the new XO5 before it will be ready for the long -flights for which it has been designed.”</p> - -<p>“The XO5 must be ready for a six thousand mile non-stop trip by the day -after tomorrow,” replied Reikoff, his words short and sharp. “I shall -inform the commander of your field that you are to be given every -possible assistance. An emergency has come up which makes it imperative -that you go soon on a special mission.”</p> - -<p>Serge, who was one of the newest members of the secret police, gasped at -the news that he was to be assigned to special work. He had been trained -in Germany at Friedrichshafen for service in the lighter-than-air -division of the Rubanian air force and only recently had been shifted -unexpectedly and without explanation to the airplane division where he -had been given an intensive course in the handling of long-distance -planes. For the last month he had been supervising the construction of -the XO5, the latest type in Rubanian super air cruisers. Surprised -though he was at the news that he had been selected for a special -mission. Serge felt that he was ready for whatever task might be -ordered.</p> - -<p>The dictator of Rubania spoke again, his words cracking through the -midnight stillness of the room.</p> - -<p>“You are all well aware,” he said, “that the United States is our only -rival in the building of dirigibles. Their Los Angeles is antiquated now -but their new Akron is superior to anything in the world. It is even a -mightier fighting craft than the new Blenkko which we will launch next -month. This must not be. We must be supreme in the air!”</p> - -<p>Reikoff hammered the table with his fists to emphasize his determination -and his face reddened at the thought that some nation might have men -with more brains and skill than his own engineers.</p> - -<p>“And now,” he continued, “comes more bad news. The National Airways, -Inc., largest passenger aviation company in the United States, has -turned to dirigibles. They have been granted a large subsidy by the -federal government and now have under construction an airship that will -dwarf anything the world has ever known. It is intended primarily for -passenger carrying, between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, but, it is -so designed that it can be turned into a powerful fighting craft, a -floating mother ship in the sky that will be capable of housing a large -number of fighting planes. If this dirigible, which has been named the -Goliath, is completed and flies, America will remain supreme in the air -for at least four more years. It would take us that long to build such a -craft as their Goliath in our Blenkko aircraft plant. For America to -continue supreme in the air is not in line with my plans. I do not -intend that the Goliath shall rule the air.”</p> - -<p>Serge heard the last words with a sinking heart. He sensed what his -mission would be. He knew now why they had rushed the XO5 to completion.</p> - -<p>Reikoff was talking again.</p> - -<p>“Lieutenant Larko,” he said, “your mission will take you on a non-stop -flight to the United States in the new XO5. Complete details will be -given you later but this you must remember. On reaching the United -States it is essential that you crash your plane in some manner so that -identification will be impossible. You will then proceed to Bellevue -where the Goliath is under construction and join the staff of the -National Airways.”</p> - -<p>When the dictator paused, Serge rose to ask a question.</p> - -<p>“But won’t they question my appearance at Bellevue?”</p> - -<p>“That will be arranged,” promised Reikoff. “Before you leave Rubania you -will be supplied with the credentials of a dirigible expert from the -Friedrichshafen works in Germany. I warn you, however, that your mission -will be dangerous. The American secret service knows that I will let -nothing stand in the way of Rubania’s supremacy in the air and they have -been guarding this new dirigible with the greatest secrecy. Our agents -in the United States have known for some months that the National -Airways was building a ship to enter the transcontinental passenger -service but it was only two days ago that they learned the details of -the plans. Boris Dubra, one of our cleverest agents in America, has -secured employment at the main assembly plant under the name of Cliff -Bolton. You will work with him in the accomplishment of your mission. -Completion of the Goliath will mean domination of the skies for America. -It must not be.”</p> - -<p>There was a chorus of agreement from the members of the supreme council -of the Gerka grouped around the table.</p> - -<p>“The National Airways have ambitious plans for the Goliath,” went on -Reikoff.</p> - -<p>“Capt. John Harkins, probably the best dirigible commander in the world, -will be in charge of the big ship,” he said, fingering the yellow sheets -of flimsy, the wireless reports from the American branch of the Gerka -which had brought news of the Goliath and its menace to Rubania’s air -leadership.</p> - -<p>“Construction at Bellevue is under the direction of Charles High, vice -president in charge of operations, and his son, Andy, who is reported to -be an unusually resourceful young scientist and who will be Captain -Harkins’ first assistant.”</p> - -<p>“Your duty,” went on Reikoff, addressing himself directly to Serge, -“will be to win the confidence of Andy High. In America you will be -known as Herman Blatz. Once you have done that you should be in a -position to bring about the destruction of the Goliath. You must learn -its every secret. If necessary that the ship be allowed to fly in order -to accomplish that goal, do not interfere until you have mastered every -secret of these American aircraft builders. When you have done that, -destroy the Goliath!”</p> - -<p>Serge nodded slowly. So this was why he had been drafted into the secret -police. He was to destroy the new king of the skies. Serge loved the -great, gracefully looking airships on which he had been trained at -Friedrichshafen and the thought of destroying one of them sickened him. -But he was a Rubanian, a member of the great army which lived as Alex -Reikoff dictated and he finally forced himself to accept the mission.</p> - -<p>The meeting of the supreme council adjourned at two o’clock and Serge -drove hastily through the deserted streets of the capital until he -reached the flying field where he was supervising the final work on the -XO5, the new distance plane.</p> - -<p>Mechanics were routed from their beds and set to work preparing the big -monoplane for its long flight across the Atlantic. For eighteen hours -Serge worked feverishly over the craft, making test flights over the -field and checking every detail of the preparations. Satisfied that his -craft was ready, he rolled into a bed at the field and slept for twelve -hours. Awakened at dawn the second day following the secret meeting of -the supreme council, he found Reikoff at the field to see him off.</p> - -<p>Last minute instructions followed, a checking of weather maps, -acceptance of the secret papers which would put him in touch with the -American headquarters of the Gerka and the last words from Reikoff.</p> - -<p>“Learn the secrets of the Goliath; then destroy that air monster.”</p> - -<p>With those words ringing in his ears. Serge climbed into the cockpit of -the dull-gray low-winged monoplane, opened the throttle, shot his squat -looking craft down the field and into the air. He circled the field once -while gaining altitude. Then the young lieutenant of the Rubania air -force headed his ship westward. He had started his 6,000 mile flight to -America, a mission of destruction which was to involve the Goliath, its -builders and especially Andy High, young assistant pilot.</p> - -<h2 id='ch02' class='c013'>CHAPTER II<br />The Air Monster</h2> - -<p>Before Andy High and the construction experts of the National Airways -had arrived to supervise the building of the Goliath, Uncle Sam’s newest -bid for supremacy in the skies, Bellevue had been a sleepy little -village in the heart of the bluegrass section of Kentucky. It had been -selected as the construction site for several reasons. One of the most -important was its location between two long rows of hills which insured -it of protection from high winds. Another was its comparative isolation. -There were no main highways leading into the bluegrass town and only -one branch line railroad, which, however, was sufficient to handle the -shipments of supplies.</p> - -<p>The secrecy which shrouded the building of the Goliath was another -factor in the selection of Bellevue, for the isolated little village was -hard to get to without being seen and it was a comparatively easy thing -to guard all entrances to the valley.</p> - -<p>Construction headquarters had been set up almost two years before the -spring in which the Goliath was scheduled for trial tests. First had -come freight trains heavily laden with building materials. A little -village of construction houses had gone up alongside the railroad to -shelter the workmen whose task it was to build the great hangar which -was to house the Goliath.</p> - -<p>As mighty as the hangar of the Akron was, that of the Goliath was even -larger. It measured 1,400 feet from one of its “orange peel” doors to -the other and was broad enough for the Goliath, when completed, to nest -comfortably alongside the Los Angeles, when that dirigible hopped over -from Lakehurst for a friendly call.</p> - -<p>Andy High, son of the vice president of operations of National Airways, -had arrived with the first of the construction crews and had hardly left -the village during the two intervening years. His father, Charles High, -and Capt. John Harkins, who was to be in command of the new sky king, -had shuttled back and forth between the assembly plant at Bellevue and -the various factories in other cities which were supplying materials -which went into the construction. It had been Andy’s duty to stay on the -job at Bellevue and see that every part of the carefully organized -construction machine kept to its schedule for every day represented -thousands of dollars to the National Airways and they made each working -minute count.</p> - -<p>The hangar had been completed and parts of the dirigible, much of which -had been fabricated at the Zeppelin plant at Akron, arrived by the -train-load to be assembled in the big dome-shaped shed just outside -Bellevue.</p> - -<p>On this particular spring morning, Andy was in his office just outside -the hangar, pouring over the set of blueprints for the big gondola which -was being assembled for the forward end of the dirigible. He was -engrossed in the blueprints and failed to hear Bert Benson, who was to -be chief radio operator on the Goliath, enter the room.</p> - -<p>“Hello, Andy,” said Bert quietly.</p> - -<p>The unexpected greeting startled the young aircraft engineer and he -jumped involuntarily. When he saw that his visitor was Bert he grinned -sheepishly.</p> - -<p>“Sorry I jumped like that,” he said, “but we’ve been having so many -mishaps in the last two weeks my nerves are on edge.”</p> - -<p>“I know it,” replied Bert gravely. “It’s been just one thing after -another. First something goes wrong here and then something turns up in -another part of the plant. Seems as though there was a hoodoo on this -valley.”</p> - -<p>“I wouldn’t exactly call it a hoodoo,” said Andy, “but we’ve certainly -been having our share of tough breaks. I’ll be glad when Dad and Captain -Harkins get back from Akron. Then we’ll be able to give more of our time -to closer supervision of the plant and these accidents may be stopped.”</p> - -<p>The words were barely out of Andy’s mouth when Bert, who had been -looking toward the far end of the hangar, gripped the young engineer -hard.</p> - -<p>“Look, Andy,” he cried, “one of the doors at the other end of the hangar -is opening!”</p> - -<p>Andy looked in the direction Bert pointed. There was no mistake. One of -the huge “orange peel” doors which sealed the ends of the hangar was -swinging back on the railroad track on which it was mounted.</p> - -<p>“Something’s gone wrong down there,” said Andy sharply. “A crew is -working on top of that door this morning. They may be brushed off if -that door isn’t stopped at once.”</p> - -<p>Bert realized the danger to men working on the top of the 225 foot, 600 -ton door, and he nodded grimly. There was something decidedly wrong, for -specific orders had been issued that the doors were never to be opened -unless Andy or Capt. Harkins were at the controls of the motors which -moved the giant doors.</p> - -<p>“Come on,” cried Andy. “We’ve got to stop that door.”</p> - -<p>They left the office and jumped into Andy’s roadster which was parked -nearby. With a clashing of hastily shifted gears, they roared along the -outside of the hangar. While they dashed toward the end, the door -continued its slow, relentless movement. At the top they could see a -half dozen men clinging to the girders. The control room for the doors -was on the other side and Andy whipped his roadster around the end of -the hangar. He was out of the machine before it stopped and raced toward -the motor room with Bert at his heels.</p> - -<p>There was no one at the control board and the powerful motors were -humming softly. With one swift movement Andy shut off the power and the -great door stopped.</p> - -<p>“Run outside and tell that crew on top of the door to hang on for -another five minutes,” Andy told Bert. “Warn them to hold on tight when -I start rolling the door in.”</p> - -<p>The radio operator departed on the run and Andy, looking through a -window, saw Bert megaphone with his hands and shout the warning to the -desperate crew clinging on top of the door.</p> - -<p>Andy threw over the controls and turned on the motors. He let the clutch -which operated the door mechanism in easily and the great “orange peel” -moved slowly back into place.</p> - -<p>While the motors sang at their task, Andy’s mind was busy over this near -tragedy. It could not have been an accident by the furthest stretch of -the imagination for motors do not start all by themselves and clutches -do not jump into place without a guiding hand. In the last two weeks -there had been one minor accident after another. It had been maddening. -The Goliath was scheduled to make its trial flights in two more months -and there wast much remaining to be done. Each little delay meant -valuable time lost and Andy had about come to the conclusion that a -deliberate attempt was being made to delay the construction of the great -ship. He promised himself that there would be a thorough investigation -of this latest incident.</p> - -<p>The door finally rolled into place and the half dozen men who had been -in danger of their lives quickly climbed down to a place of safety.</p> - -<p>Andy disengaged the clutch and shut off the motors. Bert returned and -they made a thorough inspection of the little room but found nothing -which would identify the man who had started the motors.</p> - -<p>“Now I’ll tell you why I came into your office,” Bert told Andy after -they had securely locked the control room. “Last night someone tampered -with my radio equipment and broke up a lot of it.”</p> - -<p>Andy’s lips snapped into a thin, straight line.</p> - -<p>“How much damage was done?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Not as much as I first feared,” replied Bert. “As luck would have it -whoever used the hammer destroyed experimental equipment and the -installation for the Goliath is almost intact. He must have been an -amateur at the job or he would have singled out the set for the Goliath -and smashed it.”</p> - -<p>“What you’ve told me and what’s just happened,” said Andy grimly, “makes -me positive that there is a well-defined plot under way to injure the -Goliath in every way possible. I thought we had a hand-picked crew that -couldn’t be bribed but it looks like I was wrong.”</p> - -<p>From the timber-covered hills behind the hangar came the sharp crackle -of rifle fire, which was followed by a tense quiet as every man in the -great hangar stopped work. When the rifle fire was not repeated, the -crews slowly resumed their work and Andy and Bert headed for the hills -on the run.</p> - -<p>Since the Goliath had been partially financed by a government -appropriation and its construction embodied secrets valuable to the war -department, a military guard had patrolled the construction site from -the day the hangar had been completed and the actual assembly of the -dirigible started. On a number of occasions they had apprehended men -trying to make their way into Bellevue and without exception the secret -service detail at the hangar had found them to be agents of foreign -governments. They had been quietly sent to military prisons but in the -last few weeks there had been no such arrests and the vigilance of the -guards had been relaxed somewhat.</p> - -<p>Andy and Bert were half-way up the slope to the guard line when they met -Merritt Timms, chief of the secret service unit at Bellevue, coming down -the hill.</p> - -<p>“Anybody hurt at the hangar?” asked Timms anxiously.</p> - -<p>“No,” replied Andy. “We stopped the door in time. What happened on top -of the hill?”</p> - -<p>“The guard had to stop a man who was trying to get away,” explained -Timms. “I’ve been suspecting one of the motor mechanics for some time of -sabotage and only ten minutes ago saw him sneak out of the control room -door. A second later one of the doors started to open and I knew what he -had been up to. I saw you coming to shut off the power and I took after -this fellow. He knew he’d have to make a quick get-away and he tried to -get past the guard line.”</p> - -<p>“Did he refuse to stop?” asked Bert.</p> - -<p>“Not only that,” replied the secret service chief, “but he attempted to -shoot and the guard fired, but he wasn’t seriously wounded.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t feel very sorry for him,” said Andy, “when I think of the -half dozen men, on top of the door, he almost killed. If the door had -run to the end of its track with the power still on it would have ripped -away from its fastenings and perhaps have crushed an end of the hangar.”</p> - -<p>“Which is exactly what this chap wanted,” added Timms. “I’ve got a -little leather packet here in which he carried some secret papers. We’ll -have a look at them.”</p> - -<p>The name on the leather folder was that of Cliff Bolton, a common enough -American name, but the secret service man and Andy and Bert were in for -a surprise when they examined the contents. Documents there showed the -true name of the spy to have been Boris Dubra, an agent of the dreaded -Rubanian Gerka, whose reputation for unscrupulous methods was known even -in Bellevue.</p> - -<p>“This puts a new angle on the whole case,” said Timms gravely. “Of -course you know that Alex Reikoff, dictator of Rubania, is determined -that his air force shall be the most powerful in the world. Until just -now we hadn’t discovered a single Rubanian agent trying to get through -the lines but it certainly looks as though Reikoff is definitely -interested in the Goliath, all of which means we will have to redouble -our vigilance.”</p> - -<p>“But why should Reikoff have designs against the Goliath?” asked Bert.</p> - -<p>“It’s a long story,” replied the secret service chief, “but to boil it -down it means that he plans to make Rubania a world power through the -development of a great air force. When his planes and dirigibles are the -peer of anything else in the world, he will strike out for world power.”</p> - -<p>“Which would mean another war,” said Andy quietly.</p> - -<p>“Just exactly,” replied Timms, “and when the Goliath is completed and in -the air it will dwarf even the great dirigibles Reikoff has turned out -at his Blenkko plant in Rubania. Now you understand why the Rubanian -secret police, or Gerka as it is better known, is interested in the -Goliath. So far we’ve been pretty successful in checking sabotage and -this mechanic was the only man they could get into the plant.”</p> - -<p>“He was enough,” said Andy, “for had his plan succeeded and the door -have crushed an end of the hangar we might have been delayed for -months.”</p> - -<p>They walked slowly back toward the hangar, discussing further the events -which had just taken place and planning for the tightening of the guard -lines around the plant.</p> - -<p>“As soon as this agent of the Gerka is patched up in the hospital I’ll -go over and give him a thorough grilling,” said Timms as they reached -the hangar.</p> - -<p>“Let me know when you go,” said Andy. “I’d like to see what he has to -say.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll do that,” promised the secret service agent as Andy and Bert got -into the young engineer’s roadster.</p> - -<p>When they reached the little building which served as Andy’s office, -they found a messenger boy with a telegram for Andy.</p> - -<p>“Must be from Dad,” he said as he ripped open the envelope, “and believe -me I’ll be glad to have him back here in charge of things.”</p> - -<p>Andy scanned the telegram; then he read it again hardly able to believe -the words which were typed on the yellow sheet.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Bert anxiously.</p> - -<p>“Nothing wrong,” grinned Andy, “but it’s news, big news!” With eyes -aglow and face reflecting his own enthusiasm he handed the telegram to -Bert.</p> - -<p>“Rush work with all possible speed,” said the message. “Have just -completed plans for Goliath’s first official flight this summer which -will take us to North pole for an exchange of mail with the Submarine -Neptune, which will be commanded by Gilbert Mathews.”</p> - -<p>“My gosh,” exclaimed Bert, “a trip to the North pole. Well, that is -news.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll say,” replied Andy. “Watch us make time from now on for there -won’t be any more accidents with this Rubanian secret agent out of the -way.”</p> - -<h2 id='ch03' class='c014'>CHAPTER III<br />Mystery Plane</h2> - -<p>The change of the seasons was at hand and the last dirty patches of snow -melted under the rays of the March sun. Andy spread the news that the -first official flight of the Goliath would take it into the polar -regions and the crews inside the lofty hangar were filled with new -enthusiasm and energy. They were making history, placing America in the -forefront of the air-minded nations, and they thrilled at their task.</p> - -<p>In the afternoon Andy helped Bert check over the damage which the agent -of the Gerka had done to the radio apparatus and they were greatly -relieved to find that the set intended for installation on the Goliath -worked perfectly.</p> - -<p>When Andy returned to his office, Bert accompanied him and they -discussed the outlook for the polar flight.</p> - -<p>“It will be a real test of the Goliath,” said Andy, “and it means we’ll -make plenty of trial flights before we undertake a cruise into the -northland.”</p> - -<p>“Why do you suppose your father decided on such a daring trip?” asked -Bert.</p> - -<p>“There has been some criticism of the government for appropriating a -part of the money necessary for the construction of the Goliath,” -explained Andy. “This was especially true when it became known that the -dirigible would eventually be used for transcontinental passenger -traffic. What most people do not realize is that the Goliath will be a -veritable airship of the skies, a craft that can be turned from a -peace-time airship into an aerial battleship if the United States is -ever attacked by an enemy force. With its enormous cruising radius of -15,000 miles without refueling it will be able to scout far from our -own shores and uncover the approach of any enemy fleet.”</p> - -<p>“Then the whole idea of the polar flight will be to popularize the -Goliath with the general public,” said Bert.</p> - -<p>“I expect that’s about how Dad’s figured it,” agreed Andy. “The trial -flights will take us to a good many cities in various sections and as -soon as people get a glimpse of the Goliath they’ll be glad Uncle Sam -appropriated funds to help build it. Once they’ve seen the airship -they’ll follow its polar flight with double interest and when the -Goliath comes back from the north it will be a familiar name to everyone -in the country.”</p> - -<p>“Sounds like a good idea,” nodded Bert. “This country needs to be -air-minded or foreign nations like Rubania, which have dictators -ambitious to extend their powers, will put us on a shelf.”</p> - -<p>The afternoon mail arrived and with it was a letter addressed to Andy -and from the war department.</p> - -<p>“Wonder what’s up now?” he mused as he silt open the envelope. He read -the letter carefully for the war department communications were usually -lengthy affairs which required careful scrutiny.</p> - -<p>“We’re going to have company,” Andy told Bert when he finished. “The war -department has granted permission for a dirigible expert from the -Friedrichshafen works in Germany to come down here and study the general -plans for the Goliath. He will probably remain until after the trial -flights have been completed.”</p> - -<p>“How about our construction secrets we’ve been guarding so closely?” -asked Bert. “It doesn’t seem right that we should let this fellow have -the run of the works.”</p> - -<p>“We won’t exactly do that,” explained Andy, “for this letter outlines -definitely just what information to which the Friedrichshafen man is to -have access. Our own research department has had much help and advice -from Dr. Hugo Eckener and his co-workers in Germany and it is only fair -that we return the favor as long as we do not divulge any of the -military secrets of the Goliath.”</p> - -<p>“Wonder what kind of a fellow he’ll be?” asked Bert.</p> - -<p>“You know as much about him as I do,” replied Andy. “Except that I have -been told his name is Herman Blatz.”</p> - -<p>“That sounds like a brand of near beer,” grinned Bert. “Wonder if he’ll -be able to talk much English?”</p> - -<p>“I expect so,” nodded Andy. “Those chaps at the Friedrichshafen -works are cosmopolitan; they have to be the way the Graf Zeppelin -has been hopping from one hemisphere to another. A fellow certainly -has to hand it to Doctor Eckener for his work in proving how capable -lighter-than-air craft can be.”</p> - -<p>“When will this expert from Germany arrive?” Bert wanted to know.</p> - -<p>“This letter doesn’t give an exact date, but I should imagine it would -be within the week. I’ll show it to Merritt Timms so he won’t have his -secret service men chasing Blatz out of here when he tries to get -through the guard line.”</p> - -<p>Bert stepped to the door of Andy’s small office and scanned the clear -afternoon sky. He sniffed at the air eagerly. There was no mistaking it. -There was a real tang and zest of spring on the breeze. Beyond the great -doors of the home of the Goliath stretched a meadow which had been -turned into an airport for the aviation experts who made visits to -Bellevue usually came in their own plane and ships of the National -Airways dropped down several times a day.</p> - -<p>“It’s a wonderful afternoon,” said Bert suggestively.</p> - -<p>Andy left his desk with its blue prints and stepped to the door. He -chuckled as he looked at the sky and then at the wind sock on the beacon -tower.</p> - -<p>“That wasn’t, by any chance, a hint that it would be a nice afternoon -for a little vacation in the clouds?” he grinned.</p> - -<p>“Take it that way if you want to,” chuckled Bert. “There’s nothing that -would suit me better than a hop over the hills. I’ve been on the ground -for nearly a month; it’s been slushy and muddy underfoot and I’d like -nothing better than a joy hop.”</p> - -<p>“Tell you what,” said Andy. “I feel the same way about it but I’ve got -to check over the final specifications on the assembly of the control -room in the gondola. I’m about half through now. It will take half an -hour to finish the job. As soon as I’m done I’ll meet you down on the -field and we’ll take a ride in my sportster. The sunset this afternoon -is going to be grand.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll be waiting,” promised Bert and he left Andy alone to study over -the intricate set of blueprints. Final assembly of the main control room -was to start the next day and Andy wanted to be sure that he had every -detail in mind. In the absence of Captain Harkins this task would -require his closest personal supervision and the son of the vice -president in charge of operations for the National Airways concentrated -on his task before him.</p> - -<p>Andy was a natural airman. He had first flown a plane at fifteen and at -eighteen had qualified for a transport license, which he had never had -time to use for from that time on he had devoted his attention to -dirigibles. A year at Friedrichshafen under Doctor Hugo Eckener had -given him a firm foundation for his later experiments in his father’s -own laboratory and he had watched the building of the Akron at the -Goodyear-Zeppelin plant in Ohio. When the National Airways had decided -to go into the dirigible field and construct the Goliath, suitable for -passenger service in peace time or as a battleship of the skies in time -of war, Andy had been given an important role in the construction -program. His technical advice was sound, based on his thorough schooling -at Friedrichshafen and Akron, and his more advanced ideas were supported -by the experiments he had made in his father’s laboratory.</p> - -<p>Plans for the Goliath had been worked out by Charles High, Andy’s -father, Captain Harkins, the chief engineer and pilot, and a special -board of army experts designated by the war department. If the Goliath -lived up to the expectations of its builders, more ships of the same -type would be constructed in the Kentucky hills while the aircraft plant -at Akron was enlarged to handle the construction of other ships the size -of the Goliath. Secret plans of the National Airways and the war -department called for the eventual construction of ten of the giant sky -liners, five of them at the Bellevue plant of the National Airways and -the rest at the Goodyear-Zeppelin factory at Akron.</p> - -<p>Andy completed his minute study of the blueprints and straightened up. -He was six feet one tall, with broad shoulders and a well-developed body -that revealed his love for sports in his hours away from his work. His -eyes were a clear, bright blue and his light hair had just a tinge of -red, an indication of his temper when he was aroused to a fighting -pitch.</p> - -<p>The sun had dropped behind the arched roof of the main hangar when Andy -left his office and started for the meadow beyond the huge structure. He -had been inside it at least a dozen times that day to watch the progress -of the work on the Goliath but now, with the crews through for the day, -he couldn’t resist the urge to step in and gaze in silent admiration at -the great hulk that was soon to rule the skies.</p> - -<p>The hangar was silent except for a few birds, which made their home -there. They wheeled high over the framework of the Goliath, chirping -their defiance.</p> - -<p>Structural work on the Goliath had been completed several months before -and crews of riggers had been busy since then testing and placing the -great gas bags which would contain the precious helium, the life-blood -of the great craft.</p> - -<p>Specifications for the Goliath called for 12 of the large gas bags, -which in reality were balloons held captive by the duralumin framework -with its covering of sturdy metal cloth. Ten of the large bags had been -tested and were in place while the last two would be in place before the -end of the week. There would be six in the forward half of the Goliath -and six in the after section. In the space between them was the -especially designed hold which in peace time would be used for -cargo-carrying and in war as the hold in which the Goliath would carry -its swarm of fighting planes.</p> - -<p>The framework of the Goliath was 850 feet long, sixty-five feet longer -than that of the Akron. It’s diameter was 135 feet, only three feet more -than the Akron but a new manufacturing process had increased the tensile -strength of the duralumin used in the Goliath so that it could stand -double the strain of the metal used in any previously constructed -airship. This process, which had been worked out by Captain Harkins with -the assistance of Andy, was one of the great features of the Akron. It -was expected that the ship would be able to withstand any storm of less -than cyclonic intensity and such an accident as befell the Shenandoah -was practically impossible.</p> - -<p>The increased strength of the Goliath’s framework also allowed the -mounting of more powerful engines, which meant greater speed. If the -hopes of Andy and the other engineers were realized, the great craft -would cruise at 100 miles an hour with a top speed of 120, a decided -advantage over any other craft then in service.</p> - -<p>Mechanics had been busy the last three weeks mounting the 12 engines -which were to provide the power. Each engine was mounted in a separate -engine room, completely insulated from the rest of the ship to do away -with the danger of fire and lessen noise. Power shafts would project -through the side with six propellers on each side.</p> - -<p>All of these facts Andy knew by heart and in the silence of the sunset -hour he stood in awe before the sky king he was helping to create. In -two more months the great doors would roll open, the huge mooring mast, -with the Goliath in tow, would waddle out on the concrete runway, and -the world’s greatest airship would be introduced to its public, some of -whom would welcome it enthusiastically while others would gaze at it -with questioning eyes, waiting for its trial flights to prove the claims -of its builders.</p> - -<p>Andy knew that Bert was waiting for him out on the field and he finally -forced himself to leave the hangar. He had lived with the Goliath for -months and the great ship was almost a part of him.</p> - -<p>Mechanics had warmed up Andy’s plane and the trim red sportster was -ready for the late afternoon spin.</p> - -<p>“I thought you weren’t going to show up,” Bert shouted. “Been in -‘talking’ with the Goliath?”</p> - -<p>Andy grinned and nodded.</p> - -<p>“I don’t blame you,” shouted back Bert. “I go in there every once in a -while and just sit down and look at it. Some ship!”</p> - -<p>“I’ll say,” replied Andy. “You’d better get into a sheepskin coat. The -air will be a little nippy when we get up five or six thousand feet.”</p> - -<p>Bert agreed with the suggestion and ran to one of the airplane hangars, -which was dwarfed in the lengthening shadows from the Goliath’s home. He -returned with two coats, one for himself and one for Andy.</p> - -<p>The sportster was an Ace two-place biplane with stubby wings, painted -silver, and a crimson fuselage. Andy had ordered up dual controls the -week before and had promised to give Bert flying instructions whenever -they had a spare hour during the spring.</p> - -<p>“Let your feet and hands rest lightly on the controls,” Andy told his -friend, “and whatever you do, don’t hang onto them. If you do I may have -to clout you over the head with a wrench.”</p> - -<p>They slipped into their parachute harnesses for Andy was a safe and sane -flyer who believed in taking commonsense precautions. Bert climbed into -the forward cockpit and Andy slipped into the rear seat.</p> - -<p>The motor was warm but he tested it thoroughly before waving to the -mechanics to pull the blocks. The sun was a great red disk of flame when -they skipped down the meadow and raced into the air.</p> - -<p>Bert, who had learned his radio knowledge at a department of commerce -station, had never had the opportunity to do much flying until he joined -the National Airways radio force and was assigned to Bellevue to take -charge of the installation of the equipment on the Goliath. He had -arrived the previous fall and during the winter had become Andy’s -closest friend. They were almost inseparable and Andy, realizing Bert’s -ambition to become a flyer, had promised to give his friend -instructions.</p> - -<p>Bert studied each move of the controls and its effect on the maneuvers -of the plane. At Andy’s suggestion he had read up on the principles of -aeronautics and understood the reason for the shifts in the stick and -the rudder bar.</p> - -<p>At three thousand feet Andy leveled off and waggled the stick, -indicating that Bert was to take control. The chunky little radio -operator felt his heart go into his throat, but he took a firm grip on -the stick and moved it cautiously backward. The nose came up slowly. He -moved it ahead. The nose went down ever so slightly. He could fly; he -was flying!</p> - -<p>He turned around and shouted at Andy in his excitement. The next moment -his head was snapped back against his seat. He gasped and jerked around -to look at the controls. To his surprise the nose of the plane was in a -steep dive and he felt the pit of his stomach start to turn a flip flop.</p> - -<p>He knew the thing to do was to pull back on the stick and he did so -enthusiastically. The nose came up, the ground disappeared and he found -himself staring toward a bank of fleecy clouds that rolled along lazily. -His safety belt snapped tight and to his astonishment the ground whirled -into view again.</p> - -<p>Andy was signaling for the stick and Bert gladly turned over the -controls. Andy throttled down and grinned at the radio operator.</p> - -<p>“Nice work,” he shouted. “I guess you’ve set a record. At least you’re -the only fellow I know who looped on his first flight.”</p> - -<p>“Who what?” cried Bert.</p> - -<p>“You looped,” replied Andy. “You did a nice piece of flying but I’ll bet -it was more luck than sense.”</p> - -<p>“You’re right,” admitted Bert, who slumped down in his seat, glad enough -that Andy was back at the controls.</p> - -<p>Andy loafed around the field in easy circles, gradually gaining -altitude. The sun was dropping over the horizon and the purple shadows -that preceded night were wrapping the countryside in their soft shroud. -It was a glorious feeling to be able to take to the air and for the -moment forget the pressing cares which he felt around him every minute -he was on the ground.</p> - -<p>The sportster handled beautifully and Andy found himself at the six -thousand foot level almost before he knew it. The air was growing colder -and the shadows below deepened rapidly. He throttled down, preparatory -to drifting down when he heard a cry from Bert.</p> - -<p>The radio operator was shouting and pointing excitedly toward a bank of -clouds in the east.</p> - -<p>Andy turned and saw a large gray monoplane, traveling fast and high, -above the cloud bank. The plane was different from any machine with -which he was familiar and he decided to get a closer look at the -stranger.</p> - -<p>The other machine must have been up 10,000 feet and Andy opened the -throttle and sent the Ace scooting upward. At eight thousand he knew the -pilot of the other ship had seen him and the gray machine seemed to leap -ahead with a sudden burst of speed. They were directly over Bellevue, a -prohibited flying area for any except army or National Airways ships, -and Andy was curious to know who this flyer was who dared to defy strict -air regulations.</p> - -<p>The sportster was fast but in less than a minute he knew the other ship -was superior in speed. It was a squat, low-winged craft, evidently an -all-metal machine and distinctly foreign looking in appearance. Andy -made a mental note that he’d get out his design guides when he landed -and find out just what make of plane it was that could pull away from -his with such apparent ease. It was a useless chase and after five more -minutes Andy gave up and swung the Ace back toward Bellevue while the -strange ship disappeared in the south.</p> - -<h2 id='ch04' class='c014'>CHAPTER IV<br />Danger in the Air</h2> - -<p>The landing field at Bellevue was shrouded in heavy shadows of the -fast-coming night when Andy dropped his Ace sportster down after the -futile pursuit of the strange plane.</p> - -<p>Merritt Timms, the secret service chief, was waiting for them when the -young engineer and the radio operator climbed out of the fuselage.</p> - -<p>“Did you get the department of commerce number on the fellow I saw you -chasing?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“I should say we didn’t,” replied Andy. “He was too fast for one thing -and for another, he didn’t have any number on his wings that I could -see.”</p> - -<p>“Outlaw plane?” asked Timms.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Andy, “and a strange machine. I’ve never seen one exactly -like it. I’m going over to the office and see if I can check up on its -design. I’ve some guide books there that may help us.”</p> - -<p>“How’s the Rubanian agent that was winged earlier this morning?” Bert -asked the secret service man.</p> - -<p>“He’ll come through nicely,” replied Timms, “and probably spend about -the next five years in a military prison wondering what it is all -about.”</p> - -<p>“Have you had a chance to talk to him?” Andy wanted to know.</p> - -<p>“Not yet. I’m going over after supper. Want to come along?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said the young engineer. “How about you, Bert?”</p> - -<p>“Count me in,” replied the radio operator. “It’s too bad he’s wounded. -I’d like to give him a punch on the nose after all the damage he did to -my radio room.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t blame you,” chuckled Andy. “He certainly did mess things up but -if he had been very intelligent he’d have recognized the installation -for the Goliath and have smashed it all to pieces. I guess we’ve been -lucky after all.”</p> - -<p>When they reached the office Andy dug some reference books on airplane -design out of a box and sat down to hunt for a description of the type -of craft that he had encountered only a few minutes before.</p> - -<p>“I don’t think it was an American-made machine,” he said, “so we won’t -waste time hunting there. Let’s try the foreign designers first.”</p> - -<p>British, French, Italian and German divisions failed to furnish any -designs similar to the craft he had pictured in his mind’s eye.</p> - -<p>The Russians had a low-winged monoplane but the wing mounting was too -high to answer the description of the craft Andy and Bert had seen.</p> - -<p>Andy turned on to the section devoted to the aviation activities and -designs of the Rubanian air force. Here was something nearer what he -sought. Pictured on one page was a low-winged machine with a streamlined -fuselage that very nearly answered the description of the machine he had -seen. A footnote added that planes of this type were in production at -the Blenkko works near Kratz, the Rubanian capital, but that it was -possible minor changes might be made in them when they were put through -actual air tests.</p> - -<p>“How does this picture strike you?” Andy asked Bert.</p> - -<p>“Looks almost exactly like the monoplane we chased,” replied the chubby -radio operator.</p> - -<p>Merritt Timms was intensely interested in the description of the -Rubanian plane.</p> - -<p>“I’m not surprised,” he said, “and I have a hunch we’ll find that it was -a Rubanian monoplane.”</p> - -<p>“But how could it get clear over here?” asked Bert.</p> - -<p>Timms pointed at the specifications of the monoplane which were printed -under the picture.</p> - -<p>“Cruising range 7,000 miles,” read Bert.</p> - -<p>“That would give a good flyer an ample margin to fly from Rubania to -Bellevue,” said Timms, “and such a feat isn’t at all impossible.”</p> - -<p>“You talk as though you thought the Goliath was in great danger of -damage by Rubanian agents,” said Bert.</p> - -<p>“I don’t think now; I know,” replied Timms gravely, “for you may be sure -that there is danger connected with anything in which Alex Reikoff, -dictator of Rubania, is interested. Will you write a brief description -of this plane?” he asked, turning to Andy.</p> - -<p>“It won’t take five minutes,” promised Andy.</p> - -<p>“Thanks,” said Timms. “I’ll have a complete description broadcast and -we’ll be sure to pick him up somewhere. He can’t fly on forever and -he’ll find that disobeying Uncle Sam’s orders and flying over a -forbidden area is not to be joked with.”</p> - -<p>Andy wrote a brief but thorough description of the mystery plane and -Timms departed to get his message on its way to the broadcasting -stations from which a complete description and warning to watch out for -the gray monoplane would soon be sent to hundreds of thousands of -listeners.</p> - -<p>“Think Timms will be able to pick up the flyer of this Rubanian plane?” -Bert asked.</p> - -<p>“It will be something out of the ordinary if he doesn’t,” replied Andy. -“Timms may be a little slow to get started but once he is on the job he -is like a bull dog; he never gives up.”</p> - -<p>Andy made sure that all of the precious specifications for the Goliath -were in the big steel vault before he locked the office. They walked -down to the one hotel, where they had made their home while in Bellevue, -and cleaned up for supper. A regular mess hall had been built at the -plant for the crews, who worked, ate and slept in the buildings erected -beside the hangar, but technicians and crew foremen lived at the hotel.</p> - -<p>The two long tables in the dining room were well filled when Andy and -Bert entered and they were joined a minute or two later by Timms.</p> - -<p>“The alarm will be all over the country in another fifteen minutes,” -said the secret service man, “and we ought to have some news either -tonight or the first thing in the morning.”</p> - -<p>Structural experts, gas experts, motor specialists and expert fitters -were at the table and the talk, as it always did, centered on the -Goliath, how much progress had been made that day, what they would do -the next and to speculation on the exact day the big ship would take the -air and what would be its destination on its first official flight.</p> - -<p>“Any news on where we’ll go on our first long trip?” one of the motor -experts asked Andy.</p> - -<p>“Sure,” replied the young engineer. “We’re going to the North pole to -exchange mail with the submarine Neptune this summer.”</p> - -<p>“What!”</p> - -<p>“Quit your kidding.”</p> - -<p>“Say it again.”</p> - -<p>“You’re dreaming.”</p> - -<p>These and a chorus of similar exclamations greeted Andy’s quiet -statement. He said it in such a matter-of-fact way that most of the men -in the room thought he was joking and he had to repeat his statement two -more times before they took him seriously.</p> - -<p>“Wait a minute,” he added. “I’ll read you the telegram that came this -afternoon.”</p> - -<p>He pulled the message from his pocket and read his father’s words. When -he had finished they were all grave. There was no question now. They -were going to the North pole on their first great test of the new -airship. Every man in the room knew something of the dangers of a polar -flight and they admired Andy’s father for his courage in sending the -Goliath on such a voyage.</p> - -<p>“We’ll make a lot of flights to various cities in this country,” -explained Andy, “before we start on the long trip north so the ship will -have a thorough test and we’ll know just exactly what she’ll do.”</p> - -<p>“She’ll do everything the specifications call for and more too,” -exclaimed one of the rigging foremen and his words represented the -sentiment of every expert in the room for they all had explicit -confidence that the Goliath would live up to expectations of her -designers and builders.</p> - -<p>“When do you think we’ll be ready for the test flights?” one of the -helium experts asked Andy.</p> - -<p>“With the polar trip definitely decided on,” replied Andy, “we’ll have -to be in the air before the end of the next sixty days. That means we -can’t afford even a single hour’s delay on the assembly schedule and we -may have to lengthen the shifts in order to get through.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll work 24 hours a day if we have to,” said one of the enthusiastic -foremen, for after nearly two years of exacting construction work, they -were all anxious to see the Goliath test its wings.</p> - -<p>The remainder of the supper hour was devoted to heated discussions of -the various features of the dirigible, and who would be selected for the -crew. Every man in the room hoped that he would get by the final weeding -out process and win a permanent berth on the world’s largest airship.</p> - -<p>Timms was waiting for Andy and Bert after supper in the lobby of the -hotel.</p> - -<p>“I’m going over and talk to the Rubanian,” he said. “Better come along.”</p> - -<p>They were about to leave the lobby when the program of dance music which -was coming in on the radio stopped abruptly for a station announcement.</p> - -<p>“Wait a minute,” said Bert. “They haven’t stopped for the usual station -identification. They cut that piece off in the middle.”</p> - -<p>They went closer to the receiver and it seemed as though the announcer -in the station miles away had seen their movement for he started his -announcement at once.</p> - -<p>“We have just received a special bulletin,” said the voice on the ether -waves. “A powerful monoplane, of low-winged construction, was sighted -just at sunset near Bellevue, Ky. It was flying over a restricted area -in violation of department of commerce rules. The machine is fast and -slate-gray in color. There appeared to be only one man in the machine -and from the description at hand it is evidently of foreign make. It is -possible that some European flyer, on a secret long-distance flight, has -crossed the Atlantic, and, unaware of the department of commerce -regulation, flew over Bellevue, home of the giant airship Goliath. Now, -news hounds, get busy and let’s see what you can find out about this -strange, low-winged monoplane. Any information should be sent direct to -this station. Our program of music will continue.”</p> - -<p>The voice stopped and the dance band which was featured at that hour on -the air resumed.</p> - -<p>“That ought to get results,” said Andy. “Anyone listening in on this -program who has heard or seen a plane in the last two hours will -undoubtedly send in a report.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll have a lot of misinformation,” said Timms, “but a real clue may -develop.”</p> - -<p>“How many stations carried that announcement?” asked Bert.</p> - -<p>“The message was sent to about 50 of the major broadcasters,” replied -Timms, “and every one of them will put it on the air.”</p> - -<p>“In other words, you covered the whole country,” grinned Bert.</p> - -<p>“That’s what I hoped to do,” replied Timms. “Now we’ll see just how much -value the radio is to the secret service in an emergency when we need -the cooperation of the public.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll have something definite before midnight,” predicted Bert, who -was quick to rise to the defense of his chosen profession.</p> - -<p>“It’s seven-thirty now,” said Andy, glancing at the clock in the lobby. -“That gives you four and a half hours.”</p> - -<p>“That’s enough,” replied Bert. “If there isn’t some real clue by that -time I’ll buy your suppers tomorrow night.”</p> - -<p>“And if you win?” Andy asked.</p> - -<p>“Then I’ll eat supper tomorrow night and the next on you two,” grinned -Bert.</p> - -<p>“I’ll buy your suppers for a week,” promised Timms, “if we know by -midnight where this mysterious plane went.”</p> - -<p>The doctor in charge of the little emergency hospital which was a part -of the National Airways equipment at Bellevue informed them that Dubra, -or Cliff Bolton as he had been listed on the payroll, was resting easily -and in condition to talk.</p> - -<p>The Gerka agent was in a private room and a soldier was seated across -the hall, facing the door. The windows were barred and there was little -chance that Reikoff’s secret agent would go free until Uncle Sam decided -he had paid the penalty for his treachery.</p> - -<p>Dubra was propped up on pillows, reading an evening paper. He looked up -expectantly when they entered but the moment he saw Timms he became -sullen. The radio down the hall was plainly audible and Andy recognized -the music of the dance band they had heard over the receiving set at the -hotel. Unquestionably Dubra had heard the emergency announcement. Andy -wondered if there had been any connection between Dubra’s attempt to -wreck the hangar that morning and the arrival of the Rubanian plane. It -was logical to believe that it was part of a carefully laid out plot. He -had thought the Goliath safe from an air attack by a jealous foreign -country but if the gray plane they had sighted that afternoon proved to -be a Rubanian ship, they would have to station several fast army pursuit -ships at the field or perhaps install searchlights to ward off any night -attack. Possibilities of destruction of the Goliath by an air attack -were limitless and Andy grew sick at the thought that the great ship, -which represented the labor and love of hundreds of men, was in danger -and he looked at the wounded agent of the Gerka with little sympathy.</p> - -<p>“How do you feel tonight?” Timms asked Dubra.</p> - -<p>“How do you suppose?” was the sullen reply. “I’ve got two bullet holes -in my right leg and another in my left one.”</p> - -<p>“You’re lucky you didn’t get one through the heart,” replied Timms -cheerfully.</p> - -<p>“You’ll suffer for this outrage,” promised Dubra, whose eyes shifted -from the secret service agent to Andy, then to Bert, and back to Timms.</p> - -<p>“Just as soon as my government learns of this unwarranted attack you’ll -be in enough trouble to last you the rest of your life.”</p> - -<p>Dubra’s bravado angered Timms, who spoke fiercely.</p> - -<p>“Shut up and listen to me,” said the secret service agent. “You’re a -Rubanian resident who posed as a naturalized American. You entered this -country unlawfully, you’re a secret agent of the Gerka, you attempted to -commit murder this morning when you turned on the power of the hangar -door and almost killed a half dozen men working on it, you attempted to -escape from a military reservation and were shot when you failed to obey -repeated commands to halt. A full report of this has been forwarded to -the department of justice. You’ll be lucky if you don’t spend the rest -of your life behind the bars at a military prison for remember, Dubra, -that military, not civil, courts will deal with your offense and army -courts are well known for the severity of their sentences on scoundrels -such as you.”</p> - -<p>The concise, bitter indictment by Timms broke Dubra’s spirit of bravado -and the agent of the Gerka cringed as he thought of his black future.</p> - -<p>“How much were you to be paid for wrecking the hangar?” asked Timms.</p> - -<p>Dubra refused to answer.</p> - -<p>“How much?” Timms repeated the question.</p> - -<p>Still no answer.</p> - -<p>“All right, boys,” said the secret service agent. “We’ll just turn off -the light and leave Dubra alone in the dark tonight. He has plenty to -think about. Oh, yes, I’ll tell the orderly down the hall Dubra’s to -have no water to drink and any calls from this room are not to be -answered.”</p> - -<p>Timms reached for the light switch and Dubra suddenly changed his mind.</p> - -<p>“I’ll talk, I’ll talk,” he cried, “only don’t leave me alone in the -dark. Something might happen. What do you want to know?”</p> - -<p>“Are you the only agent of the Gerka in the plant now?” asked Timms, his -words snapping through the quiet of the room.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Dubra so quickly that the others were convinced he had -told the truth.</p> - -<p>“And your job was to wreck the hangar and delay construction until -another and more powerful agent could get here and finish the job of -sabotage against the Goliath?” went on Timms.</p> - -<p>This time there was no reply to the question and Dubra turned his face -toward the wall.</p> - -<p>“I’ll give you a minute to make up your mind,” said Timms.</p> - -<p>The seconds ticked away and there was no sound from any of the four in -the small room.</p> - -<p>“Make up your mind,” warned Timms. “Ten more seconds and the lights go -out.”</p> - -<p>The secret service chief, Andy and Bert turned to leave the room. They -were on the threshold when Dubra called them back.</p> - -<p>“My job was to wreck the hangar,” he confessed, the words coming slowly -and evidently with the greatest reluctance.</p> - -<p>“Who is going to attempt to wreck the Goliath?” demanded the secret -service chief.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know,” whispered Dubra. “The Gerka doesn’t work that way. Each -of us is assigned a specific task to carry out independent of anyone -else.”</p> - -<p>“Then you don’t know who flew that gray monoplane over here this -afternoon?” asked Andy.</p> - -<p>“I didn’t know a monoplane came over.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t lie,” said Timms. “If you didn’t hear the noise you certainly -heard the announcement over the radio just a few minutes ago. Did you -expect someone to make a long-distance flight from Rubania for the -purpose of destroying the Goliath?”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t expect anyone,” replied Dubra.</p> - -<p>“But someone else was to carry out the attack on the Goliath?” persisted -Timms.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” whispered Dubra.</p> - -<p>“That’s enough for the present,” said Timms. “Let’s go, boys.”</p> - -<p>“You promised Dubra some pretty rough treatment if he wouldn’t talk,” -said Bert when they left the hospital.</p> - -<p>“It was bluff, pure and simple,” smiled Timms, “but he’s in a precarious -situation and is smart enough to realize that his case will be handled -by a court-martial. He’s between two fires. If he talks too much his own -organization, the Gerka, will revenge themselves on him. If he refuses -to talk to us, his penalty will be doubly severe.”</p> - -<p>“At least the talk with Dubra did one thing,” said Andy gravely. “We -know for sure that the Goliath is in grave danger and that the man -selected to carry out its destruction has not yet arrived at Bellevue.”</p> - -<h2 id='ch05' class='c014'>CHAPTER V<br />No Clues</h2> - -<p>On leaving the hospital after questioning the agent of the Gerka, Andy, -Bert and the secret service chief walked over to Andy’s office. There -they discussed plans for additional precautions in the guarding of the -Goliath.</p> - -<p>“I’m convinced now,” said Andy, “that the plane we sighted this -afternoon was a Rubanian ship. Either the pilot had made a non-stop -flight across the Atlantic or he stopped at some remote place where -there was little chance that news of his landing would spread, took on -additional fuel, and continued here.”</p> - -<p>“The fact that we were up sky-larking may have prevented a bomb attack -on the Goliath,” said Bert.</p> - -<p>“That’s possible,” conceded Timms, “but I doubt that Rubania would dare -to use such an open and violent method. An air attack would mean war -with popular sentiment of the world with the United States.”</p> - -<p>“A more likely explanation,” said Andy, “is that the agent who is to -carry on the actual campaign of destruction against the Goliath arrived -in the plane we sighted.”</p> - -<p>“I’m inclined to believe as you do,” Timms told Andy. “Our first step, -after doubling the guards around Bellevue, will be to trace this strange -craft. I’m hopeful that the radio appeal will bring results.”</p> - -<p>“I know it will,” said Bert confidently.</p> - -<p>“Dad will be back within a day or two,” said Andy, “and I’ll be mighty -glad to turn the responsibility of this whole affair over to him. When -he’s back on the job, we’ll take a whirl at finding this unknown agent -of the Rubanian Gerka who is to destroy the Goliath,” he told Bert.</p> - -<p>Timms was busy with a long-distance call to the department of justice in -Washington, informing his chief there of the latest development at -Bellevue. When he finished, he turned to talk with Andy and Bert.</p> - -<p>“Half a dozen army pursuit planes, fully equipped for combat, will drop -down here tomorrow morning,” he said. “They’ll remain until the Goliath -is ready to take the air and after that at least two of them will -accompany the big ship on all of its trial flights. In addition, an -anti-aircraft battery with complete night lighting equipment will arrive -before sundown tomorrow.”</p> - -<p>“That ought to insure us against the success of any attack from the -air,” said Andy.</p> - -<p>“From the air, yes,” conceded Timms, “but our danger will lie from an -attack within. Everyone who comes on the reservation from now on will be -doubly checked.”</p> - -<p>By ten o’clock that night every possible precaution to safeguard the -Goliath had been taken. The military guard around the grounds of the -National Airways reservation had been doubled, and extra watchmen had -been placed at the hangar. It didn’t seem humanly possible for anyone to -get within the lines without discovery.</p> - -<p>Descriptions of the mysterious plane had been broadcast hourly from the -principal radio stations and a mass of information had been received, -telegrams having been relayed from the radio stations to which they had -been sent.</p> - -<p>These messages were checked, one by one, against the large map which had -been hung on one wall of Andy’s office. On this map had been worked out -the probable course of the strange plane. It had come out of the -northeast, swung over the home of the Goliath, and then darted away in a -southeasterly direction, heading toward the mountains.</p> - -<p>Telegrams which failed to indicate a plane in this general line of -flight were consigned to the wastebasket. The few that might furnish -information were studied carefully but in a majority of cases the -description of the plane which the sender of the message had seen failed -to come close to that of the machine they sought.</p> - -<p>Timms found several messages which appeared worth telephone calls to the -senders but on each occasion he was doomed to disappointment.</p> - -<p>“I thought you said we’d have some definite news before midnight,” he -told Bert.</p> - -<p>“There’s nearly two more hours,” replied the radio operator hopefully. “I -won’t concede defeat until the last minute.”</p> - -<p>Timms snorted and turned to another handful of telegrams that had just -been forwarded. He was half-way through the pile when an exclamation -brought Andy and Bert to his side.</p> - -<p>“Read that,” said the secret service agent, tossing a yellow sheet to -them.</p> - -<p>The message had been sent from Alden, a small town in the mountains of -southeast Kentucky.</p> - -<p>“Plane crashed near here early tonight. Description appears to tally -with that broadcast. From wreckage it must have been a low-winged -monoplane, painted gray. No trace found of pilot.” The message was -signed by Frank Hacke, editor, the Alden Advocate.</p> - -<p>“Who said the radio wouldn’t bring results?” demanded Bert. “This message -looks like a real tip.”</p> - -<p>“It does,” agreed Timms, reaching for the phone and placing a long -distance call for the editor of the Alden paper.</p> - -<p>Half an hour elapsed before the operator was able to get the call -through and Timms fumed with impatience. When the wire was finally -cleared for his conversation, he fairly leaped at the telephone. -Question after question was fired over the wire and Andy and Bert, from -the very tenseness of Timms’ attitude, knew that the secret service man -was getting valuable information. His final words were highly -significant.</p> - -<p>“I’ll be there as soon as possible. If I can fly in, have auto lights -turned on to mark the boundaries of a field that is safe for a landing.”</p> - -<p>Timms banged the receiver on the hook and turned to Andy and Bert.</p> - -<p>“We’ve found the wreckage of the gray plane,” he said. “It smacked into -the side of a mountain about three miles from Alden. The editor of the -paper was one of the first ones to reach the scene but they were unable -to find any trace of the pilot. We’ve got to get to Alden at once for we -mustn’t let that flyer get away. He’s the man who is slated to bring -about the actual destruction of the Goliath.”</p> - -<p>The words rang through Andy’s head. The pilot had somehow escaped in the -crash. It was possible to crack up a ship without injury but it was more -likely that the man they sought had jumped while the plane was in -flight, drifting down in his chute and leaving the plane to crash to its -own destruction.</p> - -<p>Andy heard Timms asking if he could fly him to Alden that night. He -replied almost mechanically and then hastened out of the office and down -the field to rout out several mechanics, who rolled his red sportster -out on the concrete apron and checked it thoroughly. The motor sent -echoes blasting through the stillness of the night as Andy himself -tested it.</p> - -<p>He was joined several minutes later by Bert and the secret service -agent.</p> - -<p>Timms climbed into the forward cockpit and Bert started to crowd in with -him.</p> - -<p>“Sorry, Bert,” called Andy. “You’ll have to stay on the ground this -trip. The Ace is only a two-place job and I can’t afford to overtax its -capacity tonight. I’ll need all my speed and climbing ability in dodging -over the mountains.”</p> - -<p>Bert was keenly disappointed but he knew the truth of Andy’s words and -he dropped back to the ground.</p> - -<p>“I’ll warn Alden that you’re coming by air,” he said, “and they’ll be -sure to have a field marked in some way.”</p> - -<p>“Fine,” yelled Andy. “See you tomorrow.”</p> - -<p>Flame licked around the exhaust vent of the motor as Andy opened the -throttle. The Ace came to life with a quick flirt of its tail. The -riding lights gleamed sharply in the night; then were swallowed in the -haze of dirt swept up from the field by the wash of the propeller.</p> - -<p>Alden was just a little under an hour of fast flying from Bellevue and -Andy opened the Ace up until they were skimming through the half clear -night at a hundred and twenty miles an hour. The lights of Bellevue -disappeared as if blotted out by the hand of an unseen giant and they -were alone in the sky.</p> - -<p>Andy had plotted a compass course and he followed it closely for Alden -was tucked away in the mountains and he could easily miss the village if -slightly off course.</p> - -<p>By the end of the first half hour the clouds had cleared and a thin moon -tried vainly to dissipate the blackness of the night. Lights on the -ground were few and far between with midnight almost at hand. The air -was raw and Andy snuggled deeper into the sheepskin he had donned for -the trip. He checked the time and compass again. Alden should show on -the horizon any moment if his calculations were correct. Another two -minutes passed and he sighted a glow of light to the left. He nosed the -Ace over and dropped lower.</p> - -<p>Lights below flashed on and off. He blinked his riding lights and those -on the ground answered. There was no way of detecting the direction of -the light wind and Andy had to take a chance that there were no bad -ground currents. He skimmed over the field to determine its length. It -appeared to be on a side-hill for level stretches of land were few and -far between in that section of the state. The field was long enough for -an easy landing and he cut the motor and slid down the invisible trail.</p> - -<p>He was going in too fast and he opened the throttle and zoomed into the -sky for another try. The second time he stalled all the way down, -drifted over the top of the car whose lights marked the near end of the -field, and dropped to an easy landing. He swung the Ace around and -taxied back over the uneven field. A group was waiting when they climbed -down from the cockpits.</p> - -<p>Fred Hacke, the editor, stepped up and introduced himself. With him was -Sheriff Jud Barnes, a six foot two man of the mountains who was proud of -his great, booming voice.</p> - -<p>“Get in my car,” said the sheriff, “and I’ll run you over to the hill -where that airplane busted.”</p> - -<p>For half an hour they bounced over a rough mountain road and were glad -enough when the sheriff stopped the car and led the way through a patch -of timber. The grade was steep and they were compelled to rest several -times. Finally they came to a small clearing, crossed this and just -beyond saw a darker mass against the trees. The sheriff turned his -flashlight on a tangled pile of cloth and metal, the broken remnants of -the machine Andy had chased only a few hours before.</p> - -<p>The editor and his party came up and they made a thorough inspection of -the wreckage. Motor numbers and the name of the maker had been filed -away, the plates on the fuselage had been removed and every means of -absolute identification taken off. In spite of this Andy and the secret -service agent were positive that the plane was of Rubanian make and that -an agent of the Gerka had been at the controls when it had been sighted -at Bellevue.</p> - -<p>“We haven’t found the flyer yet,” said the sheriff. “Maybe he spilled -out somewhere before the wreck. We’ll search the hills in the morning.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think it will do any good,” replied Andy. “The chap that was -flying this machine undoubtedly took to his parachute. He may have -landed some miles away. If the controls were locked before he jumped, -the ship could have cruised alone for three or four minutes on a quiet -night like this.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll have a look anyway,” said the sheriff, and Andy and Timms decided -to remain at least until noon to see if the searching parties discovered -anything of importance.</p> - -<p>They returned to Alden, took a room at the hotel, and slept until dawn. -Andy went out to the field where they had landed and went over the Ace -carefully while Timms accompanied the sheriff into the hills.</p> - -<p>The secret service agent returned at noon and announced that the search -had proved fruitless. There were no more clues, either at the scene of -the wreck or in the nearby hills, and they decided to return to Bellevue -at once.</p> - -<p>Andy got the Ace off the improvised airport without trouble and they -headed for home through the bright rays of the spring sun. As they sped -over the tree-covered hills, Andy flew mechanically, his mind busy on -the new problem which confronted them. There was no question now. The -Goliath was in serious danger and every means at their command must be -used to protect the great airship, destruction of which would mean the -ruin of the National Airways, which had invested millions in its -construction. But more than the mere financial loss which it would mean -was the month of labor by the loyal crew, the years of planning on the -part of his father and Captain Harkins, and his own love for the great -craft.</p> - -<p>An attack from the air was improbable for the Rubanian agent had wrecked -his own plane deliberately. Whatever happened would be caused by someone -who had easy access to the hangar and Andy resolved that he would be -doubly vigilant in the days to come.</p> - -<h2 id='ch06' class='c014'>CHAPTER VI<br />The Night Alarm</h2> - -<p>When Andy taxied the Ace across the field at Bellevue and up to the -concrete apron, he found Bert waiting for him. The radio operator was -nearly bursting with curiosity to learn what Andy and the secret service -chief had found at Alden.</p> - -<p>“Control yourself, Bert, control yourself,” grinned Andy as he hoisted -himself out of the cockpit and slid to the ground.</p> - -<p>“You can’t blame me for being curious,” replied Bert, “when I’ve been -marooned here for the last twelve hours while you’ve been chasing -excitement all over southeastern Kentucky.”</p> - -<p>“That’s just it,” said Andy. “We were only chasing. We didn’t find a -thing to give us thrill.”</p> - -<p>“No trace of the mysterious flyer?” asked Bert.</p> - -<p>“Nary a sign,” replied Andy. “We found where his plane had attempted to -bore its way through the side of a hill but he had evidently dropped out -some time before in his chute. He’s probably securely hidden waiting for -a chance to bring about the destruction of the Goliath.”</p> - -<p>“That won’t be an easy thing to accomplish,” said Bert. “The guard lines -have been tightened so a bird can hardly fly over them without being -stopped. The army planes came in before noon and any flyer who violates -the department of commerce regulations by flying over this air -reservation will find a handful of slugs singing through his wings.”</p> - -<p>Andy nodded grimly as he looked at the group of army machines in front -of a hangar further down the field.</p> - -<p>“We’re ready for business now,” he said. “I’d like to meet the officer -in command.”</p> - -<p>“He’s a fine fellow,” enthused Bert. “Not much older than we are. His -name is Lieutenant Jim Crummit of Selfridge Field, Mich. He’s one of the -ace pursuit flyers of the air force and the rest of the fellows with him -are not far behind when it comes to handling a plane with a machine gun -on the business end of it. They’re just itching for something to -happen.”</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid they’ll be disappointed,” said Merritt Timms, who had just -emerged from the cockpit, having experienced some trouble in unfastening -his safety belt. “They would have had plenty of fun if they had been -here yesterday but from now on the game will be played on the ground or -aboard the Goliath when it goes on its trial flights.”</p> - -<p>“Here comes Lieutenant Crummit now,” said Bert, stepping forward to -greet the tall young officer in command of the detachment from Selfridge -Field.</p> - -<p>Bert introduced the lieutenant to Andy and the secret service agent, who -cordially welcomed the army man to Bellevue.</p> - -<p>“Our field is a little bumpy but we’ll try and make up in hospitality -what we lack in air accommodations,” said Andy.</p> - -<p>“The field is O.K.,” smiled Lieutenant Crummit. “A couple of the boys -came in too fast and bounced a little high but they’ll soon get over -that. We’re all glad to be here where we can watch the completion of the -Goliath.”</p> - -<p>“I understand several ships will be detailed to accompany us on all -trial flights,” said Andy.</p> - -<p>“Those are the orders direct from Washington,” said the lieutenant. “Now, -somebody tell me what all the fuss is about?”</p> - -<p>They walked over to the office where Andy and the secret service chief -explained in detail every event of the preceding twenty-four hours.</p> - -<p>“That does look serious,” said Lieutenant Crummit, “especially since you -have an admission from the agent of the Gerka you caught here that an -attempt was to be made to destroy the Goliath. At least you can feel -reasonably safe from an air attack. Anti-aircraft equipment with night -lights will be in tonight and the unit also carries special microphones -for the detection of planes in flight. Any craft approaching here will -be known while it is miles away and we can give it a warm reception.”</p> - -<p>Assignment of the army flyers to quarters had been held up pending -Andy’s return and he arranged for them to have accommodations at the -hotel, six of the construction foremen agreeing to give up their double -rooms and move over to the company houses on the reservation proper.</p> - -<p>It was late afternoon before Andy was alone in his office with an -opportunity to go over the day’s mail There were several important -looking letters on top but he shuffled through the stack until he came -to one in his father’s familiar writing. He slit it open and read it -eagerly. It was with a real feeling of relief that he learned his father -and Captain Harkins would return late the next day, coming in on a -special National Airways plane. His father wrote that final arrangements -had been finished for all of the delicate apparatus which was to go into -the control room of the Goliath and that, unless there were unforeseen -developments, everything was now lined up so that construction would be -completed ahead of schedule.</p> - -<p>The afternoon freight train brought the anti-aircraft unit, with its -searchlights, field pieces and other equipment. The twenty-five men of -this company were housed in company quarters, which had been vacated -only the week before by a crew which had finished its work.</p> - -<p>Before nightfall Bellevue had been turned into a truly military camp -with its strict guard around the grounds of the National Airways plant, -the army planes ready to take the air at any time of day or night, and -the great searchlights, crouching under their shrouds of canvas, eager -to send their searing blue-white beams tracing through the night sky.</p> - -<p>“When a fellow looks over the field now,” said Bert as they walked to -the hotel for supper, “he realizes just how valuable the Goliath is to -Uncle Sam.”</p> - -<p>“We’ve got the jump on them now,” said Andy. “Dubra failed in his -attempt to damage the hangar and is now in our hands. That means the -‘inside man’ on whom Reikoff had counted for cooperation with this -newcomer from Rubania is out of the picture and our guard lines have -been tightened until it is almost physically impossible for anyone to -get through. But even with all those precautions, we’ll continue to keep -our eyes and ears open.”</p> - -<p>Supper that night was a jolly affair, with introductions of Lieutenant -Crummit and his companions to the engineers and foremen in charge of the -building of the Goliath. The army flyers were keenly interested in the -construction of the great dirigible and Andy enjoyed Lieutenant -Crummit’s practical inquiries on the stability of the big gas bag, what -it was expected to do when in the air and its availability for war-time -use.</p> - -<p>“We know in a general way,” he said, “but nothing very definite has -appeared on the actual capability of the craft.”</p> - -<p>Andy had an enthusiastic second in Bert and they went over a complete -outline of the Goliath and its range, both in peace and war times, for -the army men. By the time they were through, supper was over and the -group broke up in twos and threes and straggled into the lobby of the -old-fashioned hotel. The air was chilly and a great fire had been built -in the fireplace. Lights were low and there was a general spirit of -comradeship in the room. The radio had ceased its accustomed blare and a -really excellent orchestra, devoid of the usual advertising propaganda, -was playing familiar airs.</p> - -<p>Someone started humming and in another minute the room was filled with -lusty voices that took up the refrain. For half an hour they enjoyed the -impromptu concert until a messenger boy came in with a telegram for -Bert.</p> - -<p>The young radio operator looked surprised as he fingered the yellow -envelope, turning it over as though half expecting to find the address -of the sender on the back.</p> - -<p>“Now who under the sun could be telegraphing me?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Better open it and find out,” suggested Andy.</p> - -<p>“A most original proposal,” replied Bert tartly. “It’s from Harry -Curtis,” he cried as he read the message. “He’s going to the North pole -as radio operator for Gilbert Mathews on the submarine Neptune.”</p> - -<p>“My gosh,” Bert continued in the same breath. “That means we’ll meet -Harry at the North pole sometime this summer.”</p> - -<p>“Well, that is a coincidence,” said Andy, who had met Harry Curtis the -year before. Bert and Harry had served the department of commerce -together and were close friends, a friendship which had not dimmed by -their separation. Andy had taken a liking to Harry on their first -meeting. Harry had visited at Bellevue during the preceding summer and -their friendship had developed rapidly.</p> - -<p>“What a thrill we’ll have saying ‘hello’ to each other in the Arctic,” -he said.</p> - -<p>“But that isn’t all,” added Bert. “It seems that your father and Mathews -have agreed to keep in touch with each other by radio so Harry has been -ordered here to check up on our radio equipment with me. We’ll arrange -for complete synchronization of the sets so that we’ll be able to get -through to each other at any time.”</p> - -<p>“That sounds like Dad,” said Andy. “He’s always looking ahead and -planning for any emergency. It will take careful timing to bring both -the Neptune and the Goliath to the pole at the same time. Believe me, -Bert, you’re going to have an important job when the Goliath finally -sticks her nose into the air and heads north.”</p> - -<p>“I’m commencing to realize how really important it is,” said Bert -soberly.</p> - -<p>“Hey, wait a minute,” he added. “I almost forgot one of the most -important parts of this telegram. Harry said he was starting at once for -Bellevue.”</p> - -<p>“Good,” said Andy. “Where was the message sent from?”</p> - -<p>“New York,” replied Bert.</p> - -<p>“That means it will be tomorrow afternoon before he arrives,” reasoned -Andy as he mentally outlined the train schedules between the metropolis -and the isolated Kentucky valley.</p> - -<p>The group in the hotel lobby broke up, most of the men going to their -rooms to write letters or read while a few gathered around a chess -board. Andy had some correspondence to finish and he walked down to his -office. Reports for the day showed better than average progress had been -made on the Goliath and he wrote these into the permanent record of the -construction of the mammoth craft.</p> - -<p>For an hour he worked at his desk, catching up on the mail which had -come in that morning. All of it was routine with the exception of -another short notice from the war department that Herman Blatz, the -civilian observer from Friedrichshafen, would arrive at Bellevue the -next day. It added that every courtesy of the National Airways plant -should be made available to the newcomer.</p> - -<p>The note irritated Andy. He was inclined to be suspicious of any -newcomer now but he realized that he would have to master that feeling -for they were deeply indebted to Doctor Eckener for his many -contributions to the advancement of dirigibles. Andy filed the letter -from the war department and was about to leave his office and return to -the hotel when the blast of a siren cracked the night wide open. It was -shrill, penetrating, alarming—the kind of noise that creeps up and down -the spine and makes the short hair at the back of the neck stand -straight up.</p> - -<p>Lights flashed on in the anti-aircraft battery down the field. Hangar -doors swung open. Mechanics popped out of beds and into their clothes. -Canvas hoods were ripped off the searchlights and the dynamos hummed -with energy.</p> - -<p>The microphones had picked up the sound of an approaching airplane. -Propellers of the army planes spun. Flame whimpered around the exhaust -stacks. Ammunition belts were fed into the black, deadly little guns.</p> - -<p>Andy ran along the line of fighting planes. They were poised; eager for -the word to go. Every other light in Bellevue had been put out. There -was only the occasional flicker of the exhaust of one of the waiting -planes. He felt out of the picture; the army was in command. He stopped -beside Lieutenant Crummit’s plane and the army officer leaned down.</p> - -<p>“Room enough in here if you want to pile in and see this shindig,” he -shouted.</p> - -<p>The invitation was followed by the acceptance in action and Andy vaulted -into the cockpit of the speedy fighter. It was lucky they were both -slender but even then it was a tight squeeze.</p> - -<p>“How do you know when to go?” asked Andy.</p> - -<p>“The plane was ten miles away and heading this way when the ‘mike’ -picked it up,” replied Lieut. Crummit. He glanced at his wrist watch.</p> - -<p>“The searchlights will go on in ten more seconds. We’ll start up the -minute they fasten on anything.”</p> - -<p>The words were hardly out of his mouth when the night awoke to a -blue-white brilliance as the searchlights sent their beams soaring into -the sky. Back and forth moved the giant fingers of light, each one -covering a certain area. Any plane near the reservation was certain of -detection.</p> - -<p>There was a cry from Lieutenant Crummit.</p> - -<p>“There it is,” he shouted as he gunned the pursuit ship. It seemed to -Andy that they jumped straight into the air, so fast was the rise of -their craft. Up and up they went, the brilliant light from below -pointing an unerring path toward the plane they sought. It was a black -biplane, fast and streamlined.</p> - -<p>The pilot was twisting and turning to get away from the pursuing beams -of light but his task was useless with the army pursuit ships rising -from below in an angry swarm.</p> - -<p>They were at two thousand feet in no time and level with the craft they -sought. Lieutenant Crummit pressed the trigger of his machine gun and a -stream of tracer bullets coursed through the night, singing past the -machine ahead.</p> - -<p>Andy saw the pilot turn a desperate, terror-stricken face in their -direction. Someone in the forward cockpit was waving. They drew closer. -The plane was giving up. A white handkerchief was being waved by the -passenger.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Crummit drew closer and signaled for the black biplane to -follow him down. The pilot waggled his wings to indicate that he -understood the order and they began the strange descent, Lieutenant -Crummit and Andy in the leading plane, then the strange biplane followed -by the five other army ships.</p> - -<p>The operators of the searchlights changed the direction of their beams, -turning them on the field to make it easy for the night landing.</p> - -<p>As soon as their own plane had stopped rolling, Andy leaped out and ran -toward the black biplane. Lieutenant Crummit was only one stride behind -and in his right hand he carried a service automatic.</p> - -<p>Andy was astounded to hear a familiar voice from the black plane.</p> - -<p>“What kind of a reception is this?” was the demand and he looked up into -the face of Harry Curtis, radio operator of the Neptune, whom they had -not expected until the following day at the earliest.</p> - -<p>“Who is this fellow?” Lieutenant Crummit wanted to know.</p> - -<p>Andy explained that Harry had been ordered to Bellevue to plan for the -radio communication between the Goliath and Neptune during their Arctic -trips and Lieutenant Crummit broke into a broad smile.</p> - -<p>“At least we gave you a real army welcome,” he chuckled. “It’s lucky one -of the other boys didn’t reach you first, though. This is restricted -flying territory and he might not have sent his first burst of tracers -alongside just as a warning.”</p> - -<p>“I was scared to death,” confessed Harry, who had climbed down from the -plane just in time to receive a hearty greeting from Bert. “Believe me I -sure scrambled around trying to get a handkerchief out of my pants -pocket.”</p> - -<p>The civilian pilot of Harry’s plane came in for a severe reprimand from -Lieutenant Crummit, who warned him not to repeat the offense again.</p> - -<p>Dynamos for the searchlights were turned off, planes wheeled back into -the hangars and Bellevue turned on its lights once more. They had had -their first night alarm and the army men on the job had proved their -ability to handle the emergency.</p> - -<h2 id='ch07' class='c014'>CHAPTER VII<br />Suspicions</h2> - -<p>Andy, Bert and Harry talked until far into the night, discussing the -proposed meeting of the Goliath and the submarine Neptune at the North -Pole.</p> - -<p>“There’s no doubt in my mind,” said Andy, “that the Goliath will be able -to make the trip on schedule. What I’m wondering about is the tin fish.”</p> - -<p>“You can cease worrying right now,” replied Harry. “The Neptune isn’t -a cast-off navy submarine refitted for a polar cruise. It’s a -long-distance underwater cruiser of the latest type and only a -multi-millionaire explorer like Gilbert Mathews could afford to operate -such a craft. Believe me, it’s some boat.”</p> - -<p>“And believe me,” added Bert, “the Goliath is some airship. Wait until -you see it in the daylight. Its size will fairly take your breath away.”</p> - -<p>“I can believe you easily enough,” replied Harry, “for the eastern -newspapers have been carrying a great many feature stories about the -Goliath. Only the National Airways haven’t been giving out a lot of -actual facts and with reporters barred from the plant here, they’ve had -to guess at part of the stories they’ve been printing. Everyone is -anxious for an actual view of the big ship.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll be in on all of the previews,” Andy promised, “and if you stay -with us long enough I can promise you several trial flights.”</p> - -<p>“Bert and I will probably be through in a month,” said Harry. “Then I’ll -have to hop down to Brooklyn and make the final adjustments on the set -aboard the Neptune. After that’s done I may be able to get back here for -a few days. I’d certainly like to go along on the trial runs.”</p> - -<p>There were no more alarms that night and finally the three young -enthusiasts ceased talking and dropped into deep slumber.</p> - -<p>The next day was clear with a warm sun and a definite note of spring was -in the air. Birds, on their northward flight, wheeled over the hangar -and the grass was a fresher, brighter green.</p> - -<p>Andy made the rounds at the hangar with Harry, an eager observer, at his -side. Assembly of the main gondola was starting, a task which Andy was -to personally supervise. In this large car would be located the control -room and the passengers quarters with their individual staterooms, -dining salons and lounging quarters. Quarters for the crew were built -inside the hull and in the middle of the ship between the banks of gas -cells.</p> - -<p>Harry was properly impressed with the size of the Goliath and exclaimed -at the engineering progress which had been made in its construction.</p> - -<p>Andy explained how the double-strength duralumin had increased the -strength of the frame to such a point that a disaster such as had -befallen the Shenandoah could not strike the Goliath.</p> - -<p>“How many passengers will you be able to carry when the ship goes into -transcontinental service?” Harry asked.</p> - -<p>“We’ll have sleeping accommodations for 200,” replied Andy, “and during -daytime runs between large cities will be able to carry an extra 100.”</p> - -<p>“Will the fares be pretty stiff?” asked Harry. “Not as much as you would -expect. They will average railroad plus Pullman.”</p> - -<p>“In that case,” said Harry, “you can be sure of capacity business for a -good many years.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll have to if National Airways is to break even on the operation of -the Goliath,” said Andy.</p> - -<p>Bert, who had remained in the office to check over blueprints on an -especially complicated piece of radio equipment for the Goliath, hurried -up.</p> - -<p>“Andy,” he said. “Herman Blatz is here.”</p> - -<p>“Who?” asked Andy.</p> - -<p>“Blatz,” repeated Bert, “Herman Blatz. He’s the civilian observer from -Friedrichshafen.”</p> - -<p>“Of course,” grinned Andy. “I’d forgotten the name for a moment. What -does he look like?”</p> - -<p>“Fine looking sort of a fellow,” replied Bert. “He’s just about our own -age; not quite as tall as you are and dark; brown eyes and hair that is -almost coal black.”</p> - -<p>“If you don’t mind running back to the office,” said Andy, “tell him -that I’ll be along presently. I want to make sure that the assembly of -the gondola starts smoothly.”</p> - -<p>Andy became engrossed in the direction of the subforemen and their crews -and he even forgot Harry, much less the newcomer who was waiting for him -in the office.</p> - -<p>An hour later Bert returned.</p> - -<p>“What’s the idea?” he demanded. “I thought you said you’d be along right -away. Blatz has been cooling his heels for more than an hour.”</p> - -<p>“Sorry,” grinned Andy, who had been helping with the assembly. “I was so -interested I forgot all about him. I’ll come along with you.”</p> - -<p>The young engineer crawled out from beneath the duralumin frame on which -he had been working, wiped his hands on a piece of waste, brushed off -his dungarees, the universal uniform of engineers, foremen and mechanics -at the Bellevue plant.</p> - -<p>Andy stepped into his office, blinked his eyes to accustom them to the -dark interior, and looked into the face of Lieut. Serge Larko, secret -agent of Alexis Reikoff’s Grega, who had been assigned the task of -bringing about the destruction of the Goliath. But Andy was to know the -visitor as Herman Blatz, civilian observer from Friedrichshafen, and he -stepped forward with a cordial greeting.</p> - -<p>“We shall be delighted to have you with us,” said Andy, “and I must -apologize for my tardiness in greeting you. We have just started the -assembly of the main gondola and I have been giving it my personal -supervision.”</p> - -<p>“The Goliath is that near completion?” asked Lieutenant Larko, who from -here on we shall speak of in his new role as Herman Blatz.</p> - -<p>“We’ll be making trial flights in less than two months,” replied Andy -enthusiastically.</p> - -<p>“It was well that I arrived at this time,” said Blatz, “for I will be -able to remain long enough for the trial flights.”</p> - -<p>“The war department communications indicated that you would probably -accompany us on the test trips,” said Andy.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Blatz. “Europe is greatly interested in the Goliath and I -feel it a rare privilege that I have been assigned here.”</p> - -<p>The young German’s pronunciation of English was clear and precise, his -words close-clipped in the Teuton manner.</p> - -<p>“I understand that you have been at Friedrichshafen some time,” said -Andy.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Blatz, who dreaded questions about the Germany airship -base. He wondered how much this young American might really know about -him; how much he might suspect for he had sensed instantly that Andy was -suspicious of every newcomer.</p> - -<p>“I spent a year at Friedrichshafen,” said Andy. “It is possible that we -know a number of the same men there. Do you recall Bauer and Schillig, -who were the aces of the navigation class in 1929?”</p> - -<p>“The names are familiar,” replied Blatz, “but I went through navigation -the preceding year.” Harry and Bert came into the office and Andy -introduced the German expert and the radio operator of the Neptune.</p> - -<p>“You are going to carry a submarine radio operator on an airship?” asked -Blatz.</p> - -<p>“Oh, no,” replied Bert quickly. He was about to explain that the Goliath -and the Neptune were to meet at the North pole that summer but a warning -glance from Andy silenced him, and he added, rather lamely.</p> - -<p>“Harry and I were department of commerce operators and he’s down here -helping me with the final assembly of the set for the Goliath.”</p> - -<p>“Very fortunate. I’m sure,” said Blatz.</p> - -<p>“You understand,” said Andy, “that there are certain construction -secrets which I can not divulge?”</p> - -<p>“Of course,” replied Blatz, “and I assure you that you need have no -worry on that score.”</p> - -<p>Andy suggested that they make a tour of the plant and Blatz readily -assented for he was anxious to see the Goliath. He had received some -idea of the size when he had flown over at sunset two days before and -glimpsed the hangar. As they walked toward the huge structure, he -wondered who had chased him in the red plane. He had been tired after -the long flight across the Atlantic and had lost his way after striking -the Atlantic coast. He had not intended coming as close to Bellevue but -when he finally got his bearings he was less than a hundred miles away -and he could not resist the temptation. But it had been a foolish move -for a little red plane had darted out of the shadows below and pushed -him hard before he had escaped into the coming night. Another hundred -miles and he had slipped out of the cockpit of the Blenkko which had -served him so faithfully in the long flight from Rubania, and had -dropped through the night in his chute. He had clutched a suitcase with -fresh clothes and his precious identification papers as Herman Blatz in -his arms.</p> - -<p>The landing had been easy and after washing the grime of the long flight -off in a nearby creek, he had changed clothes; then burned his old -clothes, the parachute and the suitcase. Into the fire had gone -everything which would identify him as Lieut. Serge Larko of the -Rubanian air force on special duty as an agent of the Gerka. Out of the -timber and onto the highway had stepped Herman Blatz, who had -hitch-hiked to the nearest town where he had rested for a day, bought a -fresh wardrobe, and then continued by train and auto to Bellevue.</p> - -<p>A suppressed excitement gripped his whole being He had done the -seemingly impossible, flown the Atlantic and made his way into this -carefully guarded dirigible plant, thanks to the clever subterfuge -Reikoff must have used in getting permission for a civilian observer to -visit Bellevue. He would get in touch with Boris Dubra, the mechanic who -was a member of the Gerka, at the first opportunity.</p> - -<p>They entered the hangar and Blatz stopped involuntarily. Andy had -expected that reaction and it told him that the newcomer was a true -airman for the majestic bulk of the Goliath usually struck those who -were viewing it for the first time speechless.</p> - -<p>“It’s inspiring,” gasped Blatz. “I never dreamed an airship could be so -large.”</p> - -<p>“Of course it looks larger in the hangar than it really is,” said Andy, -“but we’re rather proud of the Goliath.”</p> - -<p>“Friedrichshafen has never done anything like it,” said Andy. “Or, for -that matter, has anyone else in the world.”</p> - -<p>“You’re right,” nodded Blatz. “I wonder that you ever tore yourself away -from here and came out to meet me.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve just about lived with the Goliath,” admitted Andy, “for Dad and -Captain Harkins have been forced to make many trips to see about -materials. They will return this afternoon to greet you.”</p> - -<p>“I look forward to meeting two such famous men. The honor is great.”</p> - -<p>They continued through the hangar, Andy pointing out and explaining the -progress which had been made on the component parts of the great -airship.</p> - -<p>“One of the pleasantest years of my life,” said Andy, “was the one -passed at Friedrichshafen. I recall the day I went up in one of the -small dirigibles, the Strassburg, I believe. Karl Staab was at the -controls and a wind squall hit us. It pushed us clear across Lake -Constance and we were lucky to get home the same day. Karl was a great -joker but a wonderful navigator despite that.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, you’re quite right,” nodded Blatz. “He always enjoyed a good -laugh.”</p> - -<p>Andy’s eyes narrowed and he looked closely at the newcomer. He started -to say something; then thought better of it and quickly switched the -conversation from reminiscences of days at Friedrichshafen to the -present.</p> - -<p>Andy, Bert, Harry and Blatz lunched together at the hotel where Andy -introduced the German expert to the heads of the construction staff at -Bellevue. Blatz was accorded a warm welcome and after lunch resumed his -tour of the plant with Andy.</p> - -<p>In mid-afternoon a National Airways plane dropped in from the north. The -army flyers, warned of its coming, did not roar into the sky in angry -pursuit, but squatted beside their planes and watched the cabin -monoplane skid to a stop in front of one of the smaller hangars.</p> - -<p>Andy excused himself and ran toward the plane. The first man out of the -cabin was his father, and Andy received an affectionate greeting.</p> - -<p>“Everything going O.K. son?” asked the vice president of the National -Airways.</p> - -<p>“We’ve had a little excitement. Dad,” replied Andy, “but it didn’t -affect the work on the Goliath. We’re well ahead of schedule.”</p> - -<p>“Fine,” replied Andy’s father. “We’ll need all of the extra time for -trial flights before we start our northward trip.”</p> - -<p>“Then it’s definitely settled that we’ll meet the Neptune at the North -pole?”</p> - -<p>“Very definitely settled,” replied Charles. High. “The contracts were -signed yesterday. Captain Harkins has our copies with him.”</p> - -<p>The tall, bronzed airman who was the chief designer and captain of the -Goliath stepped out of the cabin of the monoplane.</p> - -<p>“Hello, Andy,” he said, extending his hand for a cordial greeting. “Have -you started the assembly of the main gondola?”</p> - -<p>“Work got under way on that project this morning,” replied Andy, “and -the crews are making unusually good time.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve decided on several minor changes,” said Captain Harkins, “but they -need not delay the general construction work on the main car.”</p> - -<p>As they walked toward the office buildings, Andy briefly explained what -had happened during their absence, how Dubra had attempted to damage the -hangar, the passage and pursuit of the foreign plane, the arrival of the -army patrols and Dubra’s admission that an attempt was under way to -destroy the Goliath.</p> - -<p>“The wonder of it is,” said Andy’s father, “that some foreign power -hasn’t made the attempt before. Now that we are fore-warned, there is -little chance of success in damaging the big ship.”</p> - -<p>Andy saw Herman Blatz waiting for him some distance away and he spoke to -his father and Captain Harkins in low tones, explaining that Blatz had -been sent to Bellevue on special orders of the war department.</p> - -<p>“I can see no objection to that,” said Captain Harkins. “Doctor Eckener -at Friedrichshafen has placed us deeply in his debt through suggestions -on the improvement of our general design and one of his observers is -welcome as far as I am concerned.”</p> - -<p>“National Airways feels the same way,” added Andy’s father.</p> - -<p>Andy took his father and Captain Harkins over to Blatz where he made the -necessary introductions. They were soon engaged in a spirited discussion -of the improvements in aircraft building which were represented in the -Goliath and Andy left them to walk back to his own office.</p> - -<p>The arrival of Blatz had disturbed him strangely. He had hoped that he -would be able to welcome the newcomer with real cordiality but instead -he found a mounting barrier of resentment rising between himself and the -German.</p> - -<p>Blatz’ story didn’t ring true. Andy had tested him that afternoon when -he had recalled the incident at Friedrichshafen when he and Karl Staab -had been blown across Lake Constance in the old Strassburg. Blatz had -recalled knowing Staab when, in reality, there was no such navigator at -Friedrichshafen. The whole story and the name had been invented by Andy -to test Blatz. If, as he claimed, he had been connected with the -Friedrichshafen plant for a number of years, he could not have -remembered a man who did not exist. Blatz had agreed too readily. Andy’s -suspicions were aroused and he promised himself an investigation.</p> - -<h2 id='ch08' class='c014'>CHAPTER VIII<br />Mysterious Moves</h2> - -<p>When Herman Blatz, alias Lieut. Serge Larko of the Rubanian secret -police, was alone in his room late that afternoon preparing for supper, -he was torn between conflicting emotions. He had reached Bellevue -safely. He was even inside the plant of the National Airways, accepted -as a German civilian observer. The opportunity for him to wreck the -Goliath might present itself at any moment but two mighty emotional -forces were at work. One was his inherent love for anything man-made -that could conquer the elements. Only that afternoon he had viewed the -greatest of all airships and he quailed inwardly at the thought that his -task was to destroy the mighty craft.</p> - -<p>He heard the call for supper and descended to the dining room where he -was seated at the head table with Andy, Bert, Harry, Andy’s father and -Captain Harkins. There was a vacant chair at his left and he wondered -who the late-comer would be.</p> - -<p>Conversation at the table was devoted almost solely to topics centering -around the Goliath and the young Rubanian airman reveled in the sheer -joy it brought him. For the time he forgot his ominous mission and was -light-hearted and gay.</p> - -<p>Supper was half over when a quiet man slipped into the chair beside him. -Andy turned and introduced the late arrival.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Blatz,” he said, “I want you to know Merritt Timms, chief of the -secret service agents here.”</p> - -<p>Blatz acknowledged the introduction mechanically and Andy, watching his -every move and facial expression, failed to see any note of alarm. It -was well for Blatz that Andy’s eyes could not penetrate beneath the -surface for Blatz’s mind was working rapidly.</p> - -<p>The chief of the secret service agents at Bellevue seated beside him! -Had he aroused suspicion already? Had there been a slip somewhere along -the line; could these alert Americans know his identity and be playing -with him, waiting for him to make a slip so they could send him to some -military prison?</p> - -<p>He knew the careful workings of the Gerka and he doubted that a slip had -been made. That thought gave him some reassurance and his gay attitude -returned.</p> - -<p>They finished the meal and chairs were pushed back.</p> - -<p>“I’m going over to the hospital,” said Timms to Andy. “Want to go along -and hear what Dubra has to say?”</p> - -<p>Andy darted a glance at Blatz. He saw the civilian observer start ever -so slightly. It was hardly more than a tremor but it helped to verify -Andy’s suspicions.</p> - -<p>“I’ll go,” he replied. “Perhaps Blatz here would like to come with us?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, of course,” replied the other. “Some mechanic hurt?”</p> - -<p>“A little,” replied Timms. “A couple of bullets hurt him. He was an -agent of the Gerka, Rubanian secret police organization, planted here to -damage the hangar. He failed and the guards didn’t miss when he tried to -escape.”</p> - -<p>“I’m surprised to hear that,” said Blatz. “I didn’t suppose anyone would -direct any destructive efforts toward the Goliath.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll be surprised if anyone else does,” said Timms, “for we know that -Alex Reikoff, dictator of Rubania, would like nothing better than to -hear about the destruction of the Goliath. As a result, we’ve taken -every precaution that is humanly possible.”</p> - -<p>“That is wise,” said Blatz, “for in Europe we have come to fear Reikoff -as a menace to the peace of the world.”</p> - -<p>They were in the doorway of the hospital now and Blatz saw Andy’s keen -blue eyes boring into him, probing as though questioning the truth of -his words. He felt that his answers, especially the reference to Reikoff -as a menace, had been well put.</p> - -<p>A slight infection had set in on Dubra’s right leg and the Rubanian was -restless with pain.</p> - -<p>“Hello, Dubra,” said the secret service chief. “Just dropped in to see -how you are getting along.”</p> - -<p>“They’re killing me,” cried the man on the bed. “My leg hurts so.”</p> - -<p>“They’re doing no such thing,” replied Timms. “The doctor here is making -every effort to save your worthless life. Have you got anything else to -add to what you said the other night?”</p> - -<p>Dubra’s eyes were bright with fever but his mind was clear and he shook -his head.</p> - -<p>Blatz kept well in the background. He had lost the ally Reikoff had told -him he would have. Dubra, over-anxious to cause harm, had been caught -and wounded. His usefulness as an agent of destruction was at an end and -Blatz would have to go on alone. Perhaps it would be easier that way.</p> - -<p>There was no more information to be had from the wounded Rubanian and -they left the hospital. When they returned to the hotel, Blatz excused -himself and went to his room. Timms signified his intention to do -likewise but changed his mind when Andy insisted that they take a walk -together.</p> - -<p>“What’s the idea?” the secret service chief asked when they were well -away from the hotel and walking in the open.</p> - -<p>“It’s Blatz,” said Andy. “There’s something about him that doesn’t ring -true.”</p> - -<p>The assistant pilot of the Goliath related the incident of the afternoon -with the fake story of the adventure at Friedrichshafen.</p> - -<p>“That sounds a little fishy,” admitted Timms, “but that’s not enough to -accuse a man of being a spy.”</p> - -<p>“I realize that,” admitted Andy, “but you should have seen him tonight -when you asked me if I wanted to go to the hospital and see Dubra. -Blatz’s face paled and he trembled ever so slightly. No one else noticed -it but I had been watching him closely.”</p> - -<p>“Still there is nothing definite,” insisted Timms.</p> - -<p>“There’s enough so that I’m not going to let him get very far away from -me,” replied Andy. “Can’t you start a quiet tracer through the secret -service; find out where and when he landed; how he came to receive the -permission from the war department and anything else your people in -Europe can dig up?”</p> - -<p>“It might be rather serious if your suspicions proved unfounded,” said -Timms.</p> - -<p>“I’m willing to take the risk,” replied Andy.</p> - -<p>“Then I’ll see what can be done,” promised the secret service chief.</p> - -<p>Events during the next month at Bellevue were quiet enough. Andy kept a -close watch of Blatz, but the German observer’s conduct was model. He -confined his activities solely to observance and taking notes on the -parts of the Goliath to which he was allowed access and he made no move -to delve into the military secrets which were a part of the giant craft.</p> - -<p>Bert and Harry had been busy with the installation of the intricate -radio equipment which was a part of the Goliath. Late in April they -completed their joint task and Bert announced that the communications -apparatus was ready.</p> - -<p>Assembly of the gondola had been completed, motor crews were busy tuning -up the 12 giant engines which were to provide the power and fitters -worked overtime on the installation of the luxurious furnishings of the -lounge and sleeping quarters in the passenger cabins.</p> - -<p>The gondola of the Goliath was a two-deck affair. In the fore part of -the lower deck was the control and operations room with the -communications room just behind. The main lounge was located on this -deck with the dining room and the chef’s quarters at the rear of the -gondola. An enclosed promenade deck, encircled the lounge and dining -room. The upper deck was devoted solely to passenger cabins, which were -fitted like the staterooms of a Pullman. Every modern convenience for -the comfort of travelers had been built into the gondola and the Goliath -was truly a revelation in luxury.</p> - -<p>Blatz was enthusiastic in his praise of the great machine and Andy was -forced to admit to himself that his earlier suspicions appeared -unfounded. He relaxed his vigilance somewhat and the secret agent of the -Gerka sensed this change in the assistant pilot’s attitude. Between them -a real friendship started to develop and it was only natural that Bert -and Harry were included in this feeling of comradeship.</p> - -<p>On more than one occasion Blatz proved his sound technical knowledge, -which could have been gained only at Friedrichshafen, a fact which -influenced Andy in quieting his suspicions. In addition, there had been -no report from the Washington headquarters of the secret service and it -appeared that Blatz’s record was all right.</p> - -<p>Shipments of helium, the life-blood of the Goliath, were arriving daily -from the Texas gas fields. The long, narrow cylinders were stacked in -rows outside the hangar. When needed they would be trucked inside, the -valves opened, and their contents would flow into the gas cells inside -the duralumin hull. In this respect the United States led all the other -nations in its precious supply of helium, a non-inflammable gas. Some of -the Europeans were forced to use hydrogen, a highly inflammable gas, the -use of which had resulted in some of the major dirigible catastrophes.</p> - -<p>Work on the Goliath was well ahead of schedule and when Bert and Harry -finished their work on the radio equipment, Harry announced that it -would be necessary for him to return to Brooklyn at once for a final -test of the equipment of the Neptune.</p> - -<p>The submarine was to leave soon and Andy and Bert obtained leave to -accompany Harry on his return east. When Blatz heard of the plans, he -asked permission to accompany them. It would give him an opportunity to -visit the American headquarters of the Gerka in New York.</p> - -<p>“You might just as well make it a real holiday,” Andy’s father said when -apprised of their plans. “One of our cabin monoplanes will be in -tomorrow and I’ll see that you are given the use of it for a week. Then -you can fly east together.”</p> - -<p>The suggestion appealed to them and they accepted with enthusiasm. Two -days later they were ready to depart. After stowing their luggage into -the baggage compartment of the trim, fast National Airways monoplane, -they each took farewell looks at the Goliath and then climbed into their -places.</p> - -<p>Andy was at the controls with Blatz in the seat beside him. Bert and -Harry were sprawled in comfortable wicker chairs to the rear. The plane -skimmed across the field and took off in a steep climb, circled the -field once, and then headed northeast in a bee-line for New York.</p> - -<p>The mountains, their crests covered with the fresh green of early spring -foliage, reared their misty heads to the east. They would cut diagonally -across them and Andy held the stick back and watched the altimeter -climb. At five thousand he leveled off and settled down to the trip. -They had plenty of gas to make it on one long hop.</p> - -<p>Blatz was enjoying the trip, the rolling country beneath, the mountains -which they were approaching and even the thrill of being in the air, -which never grew old to him. His eyes sparkled and there was a bright -glow to his cheeks. He’d like to get his hands on the controls and see -how this American commercial job handled.</p> - -<p>An hour later Andy turned to Blatz.</p> - -<p>“Ever handled a ship like this?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“I’ve done a little flying,” admitted the European.</p> - -<p>“Think you could handle it?”</p> - -<p>Blatz nodded eagerly and Andy slipped out from behind the controls which -the other took over.</p> - -<p>Andy watched him keenly and noticed that Blatz settled into his chair -like a veteran. His touch on the controls was firm but light and, unlike -the beginner, he did not over-control.</p> - -<p>The air over the mountains was rougher and Andy wondered how Blatz would -come through. His question was soon answered. A down draft swirled them -downward three hundred feet in the twinkling of an eye. A novice would -have been panic-stricken, but Blatz gave her the gun and flipped out of -it nicely.</p> - -<p>“Good work,” said Andy.</p> - -<p>“More luck than anything else,” was the reply, but Andy was very much -inclined to disagree. There was no question in his mind now. Blatz was -not only a good dirigible man but he was an expert flyer as well. The -long-allayed suspicions Andy had harbored in the first weeks the -civilian observer had been at Bellevue were re-awakened. He would -communicate his distrust to Bert and Harry when they had a chance to -talk alone. Until now he had kept his misgivings to himself but he felt -that it was time the others knew how he felt.</p> - -<p>They lunched over eastern Pennsylvania with the plane clipping the miles -off at 110 an hour. Sandwiches had been brought in a liberal supply but -the cool air had whetted their appetites and the basket of lunch soon -disappeared.</p> - -<p>“Oh, boy,” said Bert. “Wait until I get to New York and sink my teeth in -a big, juicy steak. Honestly, I’m almost starved. Those sandwiches were -just teasers.”</p> - -<p>“How long before we’ll be in?” asked Harry, who likewise confessed that -the lunch had not satisfied his hunger.</p> - -<p>“Another hour,” replied Andy, who was back at the controls. “Next time -we’ll bring a restaurant along. From the way you fellows complain -someone might get the idea you’d been working this morning.”</p> - -<p>Fifty-five minutes later they dipped over the National Airways field on -the Jersey side and Andy nosed down to land. Blatz touched his arm.</p> - -<p>“If Bert and Harry won’t starve for five more minutes,” he said, “I’d -like to see New York from the air.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll manage to hold out another few minutes,” conceded the hungry -pair, and Andy headed the monoplane east across the Jersey flats.</p> - -<p>They dipped a wing in salute as the Statue of Liberty was passed and -climbed steeply as they approached the Battery. On up town they sped -over the canyons between the skyscrapers where hurrying crowds of -shoppers were thronging the streets. The Empire State’s gleaming tower -was ahead, then beside, and then behind them. The Chrysler spire -glittered in the sun and they looked down on the crowds in Times Square. -Central Park was a fleeting panorama. Then they were over the Hudson, -back to Jersey and sliding down out of the skyway with motor idling. -They touched gently and rolled to a landing in front of the main control -station where the number of their plane was taken and they were assigned -to a hangar. Andy taxied the monoplane down the line to the No. 5 hangar -where mechanics were ready to take it in charge.</p> - -<p>“How did you like your aerial view of New York?” Andy asked Blatz.</p> - -<p>“It was marvelous, breath-taking,” laughed the other. “In Europe we have -no city to compare with it. Your buildings; they go into the clouds.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll say,” replied Harry. “I’ve been on the Empire State tower when the -clouds were so thick you couldn’t see the street.”</p> - -<p>They entered the main administration building at the airport, cleaned -up, and then took a taxi for New York. Through Jersey City and under the -Hudson they went in the Holland Tubes and then through the maze of -mid-afternoon traffic to their hotel just off Times Square.</p> - -<p>While Andy was registering for the party, Bert saw the sign above the -door of the grillroom, and, with a “See you later,” departed to order -the steak he had promised himself.</p> - -<p>Andy, Blatz and Harry went up to their rooms, assured themselves that -the double quarters were satisfactory, and then went down to join Bert -in the grill.</p> - -<p>“I ordered steaks for everyone,” said the radio operator of the Goliath. -“Anyone have any objections?”</p> - -<p>There was no vocal protest and the steaks were placed before them a -minute later.</p> - -<p>“I’ve got to go over to the shipyard and report that I’m in town,” said -Harry. “Anyone like to run over to Brooklyn now and see what the Neptune -looks like?”</p> - -<p>“Count me in,” replied Bert. “I want to see what kind of a tin can -you’re going to use in your attempt to reach the North Pole.”</p> - -<p>“How about you two?” asked Harry, turning to Andy and Blatz.</p> - -<p>“I’ll be glad to go in the morning,” said Blatz, “but just now I’m a -little tired. I’ll stay here at the hotel, rest a while, and then -perhaps stroll out and look around the city a bit.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll have to count me out, too,” said Andy. “I’ve a few errands that -must be attended to and the sooner they are out of the way the more time -I’ll have to spend over at the shipyard.”</p> - -<p>Harry and Bert departed, after promising that they would return early in -the evening so they could enjoy a show together. Blatz went up to their -double room and Andy sat down at a writing desk to pen several important -notes. He had been writing not more than five minutes when he looked up -and saw a familiar figure going through the main doorway. He recognized -the German civilian observer. But Blatz had just said that he was tired -and was going to his room to rest?</p> - -<p>Without waiting to ponder the question, Andy picked up the note he had -been writing, stuffed it in his pocket, and hurried toward the entrance.</p> - -<p>It was late afternoon and dusk had settled but he reached the street -just in time to see Blatz step into a cab. There was something furtive, -mysterious in the other’s manner and Andy decided to follow. He motioned -for a cab cruising by to stop. The driver was an alert, keen looking -fellow and he responded instantly when Andy spoke to him.</p> - -<p>“Keep that cab ahead in sight,” said Andy, “and there’s an extra five -for you.”</p> - -<p>Gears meshed harshly as the cab lurched ahead and Andy started on one of -the strangest adventures of his life.</p> - -<h2 id='ch09' class='c014'>CHAPTER IX<br />On the East Side</h2> - -<p>Lieutenant Larko, or Blatz as he was known to his American friends, -wanted to get his visit to the American headquarters of the Gerka over -as soon as possible. He did not look forward to it with pleasure and was -anxious to return to his friends. The deeper he got into the intrigue -the less he liked the mission which had been assigned to him by the -dictator of Rubania.</p> - -<p>On leaving the hotel, he sank back in the cushions of the taxicab and -marveled at the dexterity of the driver, who guided his car between the -moving streams of traffic with amazing skill. They worked away from the -mid-town section, getting over on the east side where the streets were -narrower, the lights dimmer and the pavement rough and bumpy.</p> - -<p>Occasionally the gleam of the headlights of another car flashed in the -mirror over the driver’s head, but Blatz thought nothing of it until the -driver leaned back as he slowed for a turn.</p> - -<p>“There’s another cab been following us ever since we left the hotel,” he -said. “Want me to try and shake them?”</p> - -<p>“Not right now,” replied Blatz. “Keep going; I’ll watch them.”</p> - -<p>He turned and looked out the rear window. There was no mistake on the -part of the driver; another machine was following, making every turn -they did, maintaining the same speed and keeping about a block to the -rear. Had the American secret service become suspicious of him and -placed him under surveillance?</p> - -<p>The thought alarmed Blatz and he ordered the driver to attempt to lose -the pursuing machine. For fifteen minutes they turned and twisted from -one street to another, darted through alleys and doubled back onto -thoroughfares. At last the lights of the other machine vanished and -Blatz felt sure that they had lost their pursuers.</p> - -<p>He gave the order to continue to the address he had given the driver and -relaxed again. He would be glad to get back to the hotel and rejoin his -friends.</p> - -<p>The American headquarters of the Gerka were located on the fifth floor -of a warehouse building on the east side, a district which was anything -but reassuring after dusk had fallen. Street lights cast their feeble -rays at infrequent intervals and there was no traffic on the street. One -dusty electric globe hung in the little cubby which was marked -“watchman’s office.”</p> - -<p>“Want me to wait?” asked the taxi driver.</p> - -<p>“That’s not necessary,” replied Blatz. “I’ll call a cab when I’m ready -to return.”</p> - -<p>The taxi lurched down the street and Blatz walked up to the watchman’s -window.</p> - -<p>The password of the Gerka was in Rubanian and Blatz spoke a guttural -phrase.</p> - -<p>The watchman, a middle aged man with distinct Rubanian features, stepped -to a phone and made sure that Blatz was really an agent of the Gerka. -Informed that the newcomer was to be shown to the headquarters, he took -Blatz into the dim confines of the building and showed him into a -freight elevator. They were lifted slowly to the fifth floor and when -the door opened, Blatz stepped out into a comfortably furnished suite of -rooms.</p> - -<p>A secretary took his number and mission and five minutes later he was -ushered into the inner chamber, to face Lothar Vendra, head of the -American branch of the Gerka.</p> - -<p>Vendra was an impressive individual. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and -handsome in a bitter sort of way.</p> - -<p>“I am most happy to greet you,” he told Blatz, extending his hand in -welcome.</p> - -<p>“I am happy to be here,” replied Blatz, with an enthusiasm that he did -not honestly feel.</p> - -<p>“Sit down,” motioned Vendra, “and tell me all that has happened since -you arrived at Bellevue and how you happen to be in New York at this -time.”</p> - -<p>Blatz recounted in detail the events that had taken place since he had -arrived at the home of the Goliath. When he mentioned the name of Boris -Dubra, the mechanic who had been wounded in his attempt to damage the -Goliath’s hangar, Vendra’s face clouded with anger.</p> - -<p>“I had heard of that,” he said. “Dubra was a fool. We are just as well -off without him. You will be able to accomplish the task alone.”</p> - -<p>“I’m not so sure that I will fulfill my mission,” replied Blatz.</p> - -<p>“What’s that?” demanded Vendra.</p> - -<p>“I have a feeling that the Americans, especially Andy High, are -suspicious,” explained Blatz. “When I left the hotel a few minutes ago I -was followed and only by the amazing dexterity of my taxi driver was I -able to elude my pursuer.”</p> - -<p>“You must have been mistaken,” insisted Vendra. “Your papers are in -perfect order.”</p> - -<p>“I was not mistaken,” said Blatz, clearly and decisively. “Every -precaution must be taken or I will find myself in an American military -prison.”</p> - -<p>“I agree that you must be careful,” admitted Vendra, “but His Excellency -is most anxious that the Goliath be destroyed at once. In his latest -communication he especially stressed this point. This air monster must -never become the king of the skies!”</p> - -<p>The words came to Blatz through a mist of memories. He could see the -silver sides of the Goliath as the great ship lay in its hangar, hear -the tap of hammers and cries of the workmen as they rushed it to -completion, see the pride and joy in Andy’s eyes as the young engineer -looked at the great skycraft he had helped to create. And his job was to -destroy all this. The airman in him rebelled and Vendra, sensing the -emotional conflict, moved closer.</p> - -<p>“Remember,” he warned. “You are a Rubanian, a member of the Gerka, who -is pledged to duty even unto death!”</p> - -<p>Blatz nodded dismally. There was no getting away from the facts. He -would have to destroy the Goliath.</p> - -<p>“You may inform His Excellency,” he said, “that I will do my best.”</p> - -<p>He was about to leave when a buzzer rang sharply. Vendra seized the -telephone and a look of alarm came over his face.</p> - -<p>“There’s trouble down at the entrance,” he said. “The watchman just -found a man prowling around. He knocked him out and is bringing him up -here.”</p> - -<p>Andy’s pursuit of the German observer had not been successful for his -driver had finally lost the cab in the maze of quick turns Blatz’s -driver had made after being ordered to shake off pursuit.</p> - -<p>But Andy was not easily discouraged and he ordered his own taxi to -return to the street on which they had been when Blatz had started his -zig-zig tactics. There was a possibility that the cab he sought might -return and continue its journey from that point. His hunch was correct -and within ten minutes the machine he had lost rolled down the street. -This time his driver put out his lights and they followed, Andy in the -meantime having agreed to fend off any police charges that might be -brought for running without lights.</p> - -<p>He was less than two hundred yards away when Blatz entered the warehouse -and Andy was slipping into the building when the night watchman returned -and caught him.</p> - -<p>The challenge was in Rubanian, a language unfamiliar to Andy. He replied -in American, explaining that he was looking for a friend who was to meet -him at that address.</p> - -<p>The explanation failed to satisfy the watchman, who ordered Andy out. -The watchman was too anxious to get rid of him and Andy refused to -leave. The attack followed almost instantly, and the burly watchman -hurled himself at the slender airman with surprising speed.</p> - -<p>Taken unaware, Andy went down in a heap. He struggled to his feet and -turned to face the next rush by the watchman. He partially fended off -the first blow but another, starting low and coming up with tremendous -force, caught him on the point of the chin. His knees wobbled, a mist -clouded his eyes, his mouth was strangely dry and he had a sensation of -falling from a great height. Then a curtain of darkness descended.</p> - -<p>The watchman picked him up carried him into the elevator, and finally -walked into Vendra’s office with the unconscious Andy in his arms.</p> - -<p>Blatz started back in white-faced amazement.</p> - -<p>“Is he badly hurt?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“No,” grunted the watchman. “He’ll come around in a few minutes. He -struck his head against a door sill when I knocked him down.”</p> - -<p>“This is terrible,” said Blatz. “Now Andy’s suspicions of me will be -confirmed. It will be no use for me to return to Bellevue after this.”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?” asked Vendra.</p> - -<p>“Just this,” explained Blatz. “Your bulldog watchman here has knocked -out Andy High, son of Charles High, executive vice president of the -National Airways who is in charge of the building of the Goliath. Andy -is my ‘chaperon’ at Bellevue and the only one who has appeared to be -suspicious of me. He must have followed me from the hotel.”</p> - -<p>Vendra was silent for a minute, pondering the situation which confronted -them.</p> - -<p>“It is regrettable,” he said. “You must return to Bellevue to fulfill -your mission of destroying the Goliath, the air monster.”</p> - -<p>“But I can’t go back now,” protested Blatz.</p> - -<p>“Return to your hotel at once,” said Vendra.</p> - -<p>“When anyone asks where you have been, tell them on a long taxi ride -through the city and Central Park.”</p> - -<p>“Andy will never believe such a story,” protested Blatz.</p> - -<p>“He won’t be able to disprove it,” countered Vendra. “As soon as you -leave I’ll take him out of here. We’ll leave him in another street -before he recovers consciousness. He’ll never be able to find his way -back here and you’ll make a complete denial if he ever openly accuses -you. It is ticklish, I admit, but it is the only way out.”</p> - -<p>Blatz finally agreed and hastened from the room, to return at once to -the hotel where he found Bert and Harry waiting.</p> - -<p>“Where’s Andy?” asked Bert.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know,” replied Blatz. “I’ve been on a long taxi ride.” Which, -he told himself, was quite true.</p> - -<p>An hour later Andy arrived in a cab, his clothes so dirty and disheveled -that he attracted open attention as he walked through the fashionable -lobby of the hotel. The clerks eyed him with disgust but they dared not -protest at his appearance. When he appeared in his room, he was greeted -with exclamations of astonishment.</p> - -<p>“What under the sun happened to you?” asked Bert. “Did a taxi walk all -over you?”</p> - -<p>“Something, hit me,” said Andy, “while I was down on the east side. The -next thing I knew I was lying in a street and a policeman was shaking -me. I finally convinced him that I was sane and sober, and he let me -come back here. I haven’t figured it out just yet; my head’s too dizzy.”</p> - -<p>He looked straight at Blatz when he added:</p> - -<p>“But I have a hunch I’ll get it straight when I get over this headache.”</p> - -<h2 id='ch10' class='c014'>CHAPTER X<br />The Neptune Sails</h2> - -<p>Andy was shaky from his experience over on the east side and while Bert, -Harry and Blatz went out to a show, he remained at the hotel to rest and -think things over.</p> - -<p>He was positive that he had seen Blatz go into the warehouse and the -conviction grew that the German civilian observer was not all that he -claimed to be. Andy felt a crisis coming, something he couldn’t exactly -put into words, but a vague feeling that trouble was just around the -corner. He was asleep when the others returned at midnight from the -theater and they did not waken him.</p> - -<p>Andy felt much refreshed the next morning and they decided to accompany -Harry on his visit to the shipyard.</p> - -<p>“It’s the finest tin fish I’ve ever seen,” said Bert, who had visited -the Neptune the afternoon before. “They’ve got just about everything -they need in it.”</p> - -<p>“It is a wonderful boat,” admitted Harry proudly, “but I’ll have to -confess that traveling in the Neptune won’t be able to compare with the -Goliath. When we’re submerged the air isn’t any too good if we’re down -three or four hours and we’re pretty cramped for space.”</p> - -<p>“Let’s get under way,” said Andy. “I’m anxious to see this wonderful tin -fish.”</p> - -<p>They took a taxi across town, rolled over the Brooklyn bridge and -fifteen minutes later were walking into the shipyard where the Neptune -was being groomed for its polar trip.</p> - -<p>The submarine was lying beside a stubby wharf with its main hatch open. -Workmen were busy passing supplies down into its depths as Andy and his -party arrived.</p> - -<p>“My gosh,” exclaimed Andy. “I didn’t suppose you had a submarine of this -type. It’s almost as big as one of the navy’s super-cruisers.”</p> - -<p>“Just about,” agreed Harry. “As a matter-of-fact, this sub was built for -naval purposes by the Seabright yards. They used it as a demonstrator in -selling similar models to South American navies. It has just about every -modern gadget on it that inventors could devise. As a result of this -working model, the Seabright people landed contracts for about 25 -million in work. The Neptune had served its purpose and they were -willing to sell it to Gilbert Mathews at a very reasonable figure when -he started looking for a ship in which to make the polar trip. The -Seabright engineers have made all of the necessary changes for polar -cruising and have just put their official approval on the Neptune, which -means we’ll be starting north within a few days.”</p> - -<p>“I’d like to see inside the Neptune,” said Blatz, adding, “I’ve never -been in a submarine before.”</p> - -<p>“All right,” agreed Harry, “but we’ll have to keep out of the way of the -crew bringing in stores Let’s go.”</p> - -<p>They scrambled down the ladder and reached the rivet-studded deck of the -Neptune. There was a lull in the steady stream of boxes being carried -into the interior and they hurried through the main hatch and into the -conning tower, then down into the main control room.</p> - -<p>Andy looked about in amazement at the compactness of the instruments in -the “brains” of the submarine. There was not an inch of waste space in -the spotlessly white interior of the steel fish.</p> - -<p>Harry led them through the forward engine room and into the crew -quarters where double-decked bunks lined the walls. Just ahead were the -officers’ quarters, slightly better furnished than those of the crew and -beyond this was the radio cubby where Harry would practically live from -the time they left the Brooklyn shipyard until they returned from the -desolate ice wastes of the far north.</p> - -<p>They went on ahead into the room usually used as a torpedo room. This -had been fitted with scientific equipment for sounding the ocean depths, -and determining the material at the bottom of the Arctic. In addition to -the scientific paraphernalia, the forward room contained the all -important rescue chambers. In this room was located the powerful drill -which was capable of boring fifty feet upward straight through the ice, -opening a tunnel large enough for a man to wriggle through in case the -submarine became trapped by ice. There was also an escape passage -through the forward torpedo tubes.</p> - -<p>The inspection of the forward half of the sub completed, they turned to -the after quarters. Another large engine room was located after the main -control room and beyond this was another room with double-decked bunks -while just back of that was the galley.</p> - -<p>“You’ve got a place to cook food,” said Bert, “but where do you eat?”</p> - -<p>“Just about any place we find convenient,” replied Harry. “There are a -number of folding tables that can be pulled out in the crews’ quarters -but if the going is rough or we’re busy, we take on food when and where -we can get it.”</p> - -<p>“When you’re pitching around on the North Atlantic and trying to connect -a little food with that hungry mouth of yours, just remember what a -pleasant time I’ll be having on the Goliath where there’s plenty of room -to stretch and plenty of room to eat,” said Bert.</p> - -<p>“I’ll probably remember that a good many times,” grinned Harry, “but if -you radio me a description of some of those nice meals of yours. I’ll -refuse to answer.”</p> - -<p>They completed their inspection of the Neptune and had climbed back to -the wharf when a roadster rolled through the shipyard gate.</p> - -<p>“Just a minute, fellows,” said Harry. “Here comes Gilbert Mathews. I’d -like to have you meet him.”</p> - -<p>The commander of the Neptune was tall and broad-shouldered. His walk was -vigorous and he was hatless. His brown hair was slightly gray at the -temples and he might be anywhere from 35 to 45 years old.</p> - -<p>“Hello, Harry,” he said as he came up. “Your radio equipment all ready?”</p> - -<p>“Everything’s tested and in fine shape,” replied the radio operator. “I’d -like to have you meet my friends.”</p> - -<p>“Delighted,” said the explorer, and he greeted Blatz, Bert and Andy -cordially.</p> - -<p>“I’ve had some very pleasant conferences with your father,” he told -Andy. “Will we meet at the North pole this summer?”</p> - -<p>“I sincerely hope so,” replied Andy. “Bert is chief radio operator on -the Goliath and I will make the trip as assistant to Captain Harkins.”</p> - -<p>“Then I am sure that we will meet again,” replied Mathews. He turned to -Harry.</p> - -<p>“Did the orders reach you at your hotel before you left this morning?” -he asked.</p> - -<p>“No sir,” replied Harry.</p> - -<p>“Then this will come as somewhat of a surprise,” smiled Mathews. “We’ll -leave at sunrise and every member of the crew has been ordered on board -tonight.”</p> - -<p>“It certainly is a surprise,” gasped Harry, “but I’ll be aboard ship -tonight.”</p> - -<p>“You’re leaving almost two weeks earlier than you had first planned,” -said Andy.</p> - -<p>“Conditions in the Arctic are more open than they have been for a number -of years,” replied the explorer, “and I am anxious to get the Neptune -into the ice as soon as possible.”</p> - -<p>“We probably will not see you again,” said Andy, “but we wish you every -good fortune and we’ll see you at the North pole.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you for your good wishes,” replied Mathews. “In return, I wish -the Goliath a fair voyage and a fast one.”</p> - -<p>The explorer left them and hurried down the ladder to supervise the -final preparations for the departure of the Neptune.</p> - -<p>Harry was busy the remainder of the day, finishing the task of getting -his kit together and sending goodbye telegrams to relatives, for his -parents lived in Illinois and would not be able to reach New York before -sailing time.</p> - -<p>Hotel reporters learned that the assistant pilot of the Goliath was in -the city and when they returned to the hotel in late afternoon, half a -dozen were waiting for Andy.</p> - -<p>They plied him with questions. How long would it be before the Goliath -was ready to take the air; what would the big ship do; where would it go -on its trial flights; was it true that attempts had been made to destroy -the ship in its hangar; when would it start on the cruise into the -Arctic regions?</p> - -<p>To all these questions Andy was able to give only the most general of -answers for he was bound in secrecy not to reveal definite information -about the Goliath or the plans for its trial flights. Andy and his -friends posed while flashlights flared but finally they were alone in -their rooms.</p> - -<p>Harry had finished the score of small tasks which had been necessary -when the final sail order, was given and he stretched out on one of the -beds, his hands clasped above his head.</p> - -<p>“Tonight we’re all here together,” he said. “Tomorrow I’ll be going down -the sound in the tin fish; next week you’ll be aloft as the Goliath -tries its wings, and the next time we meet will be at the North pole. -Believe me, that’s adventure.”</p> - -<p>“How I envy you all,” said Blatz, his voice low and earnest, and Andy -actually felt sorry for the European whom he had come to firmly -suspicion. If he could wipe those doubts out of his mind, he would -thoroughly like Blatz for the foreigner was a born airman and would be a -real asset to the technical staff of National Airways.</p> - -<p>“When you sail away for the North pole in the Goliath,” he told Andy, -“I’ll stay on the ground at Bellevue and watch you fade into the north -but I’ll glory with you in success.”</p> - -<p>“I’m hungry,” announced Bert. “Let’s go down and get something to eat. -If we sit around here we’ll all get blue for we’re going to miss Harry a -lot. There’s just this one consolation. We’ll be able to talk back and -forth daily on our low wave sets unless the Arctic puts up a wall of -static we can’t break through.”</p> - -<p>Their last meal together was a quiet affair despite Bert’s efforts to -make it jolly and cheerful. With Harry going aboard ship within the next -hour or so and the Neptune casting off at dawn, they knew the start of -the great adventure was at hand and it awed them all.</p> - -<p>A messenger paged Harry in the dining room and handed him a telegram. -The Neptune’s radio operator tore it open with fingers that shook just a -little and read it hungrily. His face whitened for a moment and he -folded the message carefully and placed it in an inner pocket. There was -a suspicion of a tear in one eye.</p> - -<p>“A wire from Dad and Mother,” he said. “They’re the best ever.”</p> - -<p>An hour later they stepped out of a taxi on the Brooklyn wharf. Lights -glowed over the Neptune; cars hurried up to disgorge other members of -the crew, newspaper men were buzzing around, flashlights blazed and over -the whole scene there was a feeling of tension.</p> - -<p>Gilbert Mathews was at the head of the ladder, checking in every man as -he came aboard. Harry reported and was checked off the list. He turned -to his friends from Bellevue.</p> - -<p>“I can’t say very much,” he told them. “Everything is sort of choked up -in my throat. Bert, old scout, I’ll be tuning up for your messages. -Don’t forget me.”</p> - -<p>“I won’t,” promised the Goliath’s operator.</p> - -<p>“So long, fellows,” said Harry and he turned and hastened down the -ladder to the deck of the Neptune. He paused for a moment and waved -before stepping inside the steel hull.</p> - -<p>When they returned to their hotel, Blatz stopped at a newsstand to buy -an early edition of one of the morning papers. They were so much more -comprehensive than the Rubanian papers to which he had been accustomed -and he thoroughly enjoyed reading them. In the quiet of his room he -digested the news of the day. A story on an inside page caught and held -his attention. The dateline was “KRATZ, Rubania.” The story told of the -growing unrest against the regime of Dictator Reikoff, adding that this -bad feeling was centered in the powerful air corps, the largest unit of -the Rubanian army.</p> - -<p>Blatz knew what they meant. Reikoff had been making unjust demands of -his airmen and he was sitting on an open powder keg which was likely to -explode with disastrous results to himself. Blatz almost wished that -revolution would sweep the country and rid Rubania of its dictator. He -was thoroughly disgusted and out of sympathy with the task to which he -had been assigned, that of destroying the Goliath, and he would welcome -any opportunity to escape but as long as Reikoff lived and ruled it -would mean death for Blatz if he failed to carry out his mission.</p> - -<p>Andy stepped through the door which connected the double room.</p> - -<p>“Any objections to our returning to Bellevue in the morning?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“No, why?” replied Blatz.</p> - -<p>“Oh, there’s no reason for us to stay on longer here but I thought you -might have some business over on the east side to transact.”</p> - -<p>Andy’s keen eyes were watching Blatz’s face, searching for some change -of expression that would indicate his alarm. There was none; the -civilian observer outwardly appeared cool and unruffled but it was well -that Andy could not see the flash of fear that seared across his mind. -It was true, then, that Andy did suspect him. He was warning him in this -way to watch his step. Undoubtedly he would tell the secret service. If -he, Blatz, were to accomplish his mission of destruction it must be -immediately after his return to Bellevue.</p> - -<p>“There is nothing to keep me in the city,” replied Blatz, “and I am -anxious to get back and see the finishing touches put on the Goliath.”</p> - -<p>“Then we’ll get an early start,” said Andy, “drop down the harbor and -say goodbye to the Neptune and then head for home. We ought to be there -in time for lunch.”</p> - -<p>They were up shortly after dawn but it was eight o’clock by the time -they reached the airport of the National Airways in Jersey, had stowed -their baggage in the monoplane and were ready to take the air. Andy took -over the controls, Blatz climbed in beside him and Bert stowed his more -ample bulk in a chair just behind and beside a window where he could -wave when they passed the Neptune.</p> - -<p>Satisfied that the motor of the monoplane was functioning perfectly, -Andy sent the plane speeding over the crushed rock runway and into the -slanting rays of the sun. He circled the field until he had plenty of -altitude, and then cut across the Jersey flats where the blue Atlantic -gleamed in the distance.</p> - -<p>The Neptune must have started at the crack of dawn, for the submarine -was far down the bay when they finally picked it up. The Neptune was -running on the surface at ten knots an hour, its sharp nose cleaving -through the sparkling waves and its decks almost awash. The main hatch -was open and half a dozen of the crew were on top of the conning tower.</p> - -<p>Andy sent the monoplane down in a gentle glide, levelled off, and -skimmed over the water with motor on full. They flashed past the -Neptune, raced out to sea, turned and roared back: Someone on the -conning tower was waving frantically.</p> - -<p>The three in the monoplane caught a fleeting glimpse of Harry as they -sped past. The Neptune was off, headed for Plymouth, England, on the -first leg of its long and adventurous trip into the Arctic.</p> - -<h2 id='ch11' class='c014'>CHAPTER XI<br />In The Hangar</h2> - -<p>The return flight to Bellevue was uneventful and the monoplane settled -down beside the Goliath’s hangar shortly after noon. Andy taxied the -plane up to the apron and they piled out and hurried into the main -hangar to see what progress had been made on the Goliath since their -departure.</p> - -<p>Even in the short time they had been away the crews had put on the -finishing touches. The great silver hull gleamed in the softened light -of the hangar. The main gondola had been completed, the observation -cockpits on top of the big bag were in place and hundreds of helium -tanks were piled along the walls of the hangar—empty. That meant that -the gas cells had been filled with the precious gas. The Goliath was -almost ready to take the air.</p> - -<p>Charles High and Captain Harkins hurried up to them.</p> - -<p>“How does the Goliath look today?” Andy’s father asked.</p> - -<p>“Wonderful, Dad, simply wonderful,” replied Andy. “When will you make -the first test?”</p> - -<p>“We may walk it out of the hangar tomorrow but we won’t make a real -flight for several days,” replied the vice president in charge of -operations for the National Airways. “The army has a finger in the pie -and when we actually take the air several members of the general staff -and a dozen air corps experts will want to be aboard to see if it -behaves to specifications.”</p> - -<p>“I’m sure it will,” put in Blatz. “I’ve seen a good many of Doctor -Eckener’s ships at Friedrichshafen and with all due respect to the Herr -Doctor, the Goliath is the finest, most carefully designed and built -aircraft I have ever seen.”</p> - -<p>“That’s a real compliment,” chuckled Bert. “It isn’t very often a -European will concede superiority to an American in anything.”</p> - -<p>“Blatz is right,” said Captain Harkins quietly. “There is no question -about the Goliath being the finest airship ever built. I expect it to -live up to our every hope in its performance in the air.”</p> - -<p>“We were surprised when Gilbert Mathews informed Harry of the advance in -sailing plans,” Andy told his father.</p> - -<p>“I was a trifle surprised, too,” admitted the vice president of National -Airways. “Mathews wired me the same day of the change in plans and I -replied that the Goliath would be able to advance its air tests and keep -the date to meet him at the pole even with the earlier sailing. I can’t -blame him, though, for wanting to take advantage of the favorable ice -conditions which are reported in the north now.”</p> - -<p>“The Neptune is a great submarine,” said Bert, “as far as subs go but -I’ll take an airplane or dirigible any day. Being shut up in one of -those things is like sailing around in a tub. I wouldn’t trade my radio -cubby on the Goliath for a dozen jobs on the Neptune.”</p> - -<p>“Someone had to go on the Neptune and we’ll give Harry plenty of credit -for his nerve,” said Andy. “Will you be able to pick up his message -tonight?”</p> - -<p>“I promised him I’d tune in every night at eight,” replied Bert. “We -ought to hear him plainly.”</p> - -<p>Captain Harkins asked Andy to accompany him to the main office to check -over the final construction reports on the Goliath while Andy’s father -took Blatz on an inspection trip over the big bag. They entered the -luxuriously furnished gondola with its lounge and radio room, the dining -salon and the glass enclosed promenade. Then to the upper deck of the -gondola where the passenger cabins were located. The interior finish was -in a cool, pleasing gray, a favorable contrast to the silver of the -metalized hull.</p> - -<p>After leaving the gondola, they walked down the main runway which was -built lengthwise down the middle of the Goliath. In the earlier -dirigibles this had been little more than a catwalk and none too safe. A -plunge off would have meant crashing through the outer fabric and a fall -to earth. In the Goliath the main runway was a substantial affair six -feet wide. Made of duralumin, it was strong but light and guard rails -proved ample protection for members of the crew or passengers who might -be permitted to view the interior of the big airship.</p> - -<p>The gas bags were inflated with, helium and held rigidly in place, six -of them in the forward part of the ship and six of them in the after -section. The transverse rings built of girders of duralumin separated -each bag and there was a narrow catwalk between each large gas cell to -facilitate the stopping of any possible leaks.</p> - -<p>The motor gondolas were built inside the hull with the flexible -propeller shafts sticking through the side. There were six of the motor -gondolas on each side and each car was carefully insulated so that fire -could be confined to one section of the dirigible.</p> - -<p>The mid-section of the Goliath was forbidden ground to Blatz for it was -here that space had been provided for the storing of airplanes in time -of war. A special device which hooked onto the planes while they were in -flight and lifted them into the hold in the center of the airship had -been perfected by Captain Harkins and Blatz was anxious to see this. He -was in for a disappointment that afternoon for Charles High did not take -him back that far. Instead, they stopped at the fourth transverse girder -where a stairway led to the top of the dirigible. There were six of -these stairs all told, each running to the top and giving access to the -observation cockpits. There was a runway on top of the Goliath with -strong cables stretched along the side but it would be almost worth a -man’s life to attempt to walk on it while the dirigible was in motion -and especially if the air happened to be the least bit rough. A fine -place, thought Blatz, for anyone who was inclined to be seasick.</p> - -<p>They walked along the outer runway toward the rear of the Goliath and -from this elevation Blatz had a real opportunity to realize the size of -the new king of the air—the craft which Reikoff had termed an “air -monster.” When they reached the after part of the dirigible with its -great fin and elevators, they descended into the interior. Motor crews -were busy tuning up the engines and the air was filled with the -tenseness of preparation.</p> - -<p>At dinner that night Captain Harkins announced that he had received word -from the army air corps that the officers who would report on the trial -flights of the Goliath would be at Bellevue before noon the next day.</p> - -<p>“That means we’ll walk the Goliath out at one o’clock if the wind and -weather are favorable.”</p> - -<p>The words came to Blatz through a daze. He had seen Andy and Merritt -Timms of the secret service conferring before dinner and from the look -Timms had shot his way he knew that he had been the object of their -discussion. The Goliath would be out of its hangar tomorrow. Army -officers would arrive and from then on there would be little opportunity -to damage the big ship. Tonight was the time! Even though Andy might be -suspicious, he would hardly believe him capable of so daring an attempt -on the Goliath. Blatz set his jaw firmly. It was going to be a task he -did not fancy for his love for the Goliath had grown until he quailed at -the thought of its destruction. But he was a Rubanian, a member of the -Gerka. He could not escape from his duty.</p> - -<p>Andy found an item of interest in the evening paper which he showed -Blatz. It was another bulletin from Rubania. Revolution was threatening. -Reikoff’s power was tottering.</p> - -<p>Blatz read it eagerly. Perhaps he would not be forced to destroy the -Goliath after all. If he could only wait a few more days. But the one -big opportunity was at hand. Tonight was the logical one for his task.</p> - -<p>Andy noticed the European’s hands shook as he read the item, but Blatz’s -face showed no change of emotion.</p> - -<p>“Come on, you two,” called Bert. “Let’s get over to my radio shack and -we’ll see if we can pick up Harry somewhere off Long Island in his tin -fish.”</p> - -<p>It was nearly eight o’clock when they reached the radio shack just -outside the main hangar and it took Bert some time to time up his -apparatus. He plugged in on the main transmitter and a minute later -turned around with a grin.</p> - -<p>“Harry is burning up the air,” chuckled Bert. “I was late coming in and -wants to know what I’d been doing. Accuses me of over-eating. Imagine.”</p> - -<p>The stream of dots and dashes which had been flickering through the air -ceased.</p> - -<p>“We’re going to try the radiophone now,” explained Bert, “and we’ll be -able to talk back and forth.”</p> - -<p>When Bert completed the proper adjustments Andy almost fell out of his -chair as Harry’s voice echoed in the little room.</p> - -<p>“Hello Bert. Hello Andy,” said Harry, eight hundred miles away and under -water in the radio room of the Neptune. “Tell Blatz hello, too, if he’s -with you,” added Harry.</p> - -<p>“The three of us are in the radio shack,” replied Bert, “and I resent -your implication that I overate tonight. I over-talked.”</p> - -<p>“Which is just as bad,” came back the voice over the ether waves.</p> - -<p>Andy picked up the microphone and spoke to Harry.</p> - -<p>“How is the trip going?” he asked, “and where are you?”</p> - -<p>“We’re about 130 miles out of New York harbor,” replied Harry. “The sea -is a little choppy but nothing to write home about. Everything is -running smoothly so far and we ought to put in at Plymouth in about 12 -days.”</p> - -<p>“How’s the air in your tin fish?” Bert wanted to know.</p> - -<p>“Fine,” replied Harry. “The main hatch has been open all of the time and -I haven’t a thing to complain about. I’ll have to sign off now and send -some messages for Mr. Mathews. I’ll buzz you again at eight in the -morning.”</p> - -<p>“Be sure you make it at eight o’clock our time,” warned Bert as he -signed off.</p> - -<p>Bert had some work to do on his reserve radio equipment and Andy went to -his own office to look over the correspondence which had accumulated -during his absence in New York.</p> - -<p>Blatz, professing to be tired after the flight down from New York, said -he would go to the hotel and retire early. Andy watched until the German -civilian observer bad crossed the track and was well on his way to the -hotel. He had told Timms of his experience in New York but the secret -service man was still inclined not to doubt Blatz’s right to be at -Bellevue. Whatever watching of the observer was done would have to be by -Andy.</p> - -<p>The assistant pilot of the Goliath was busy half an hour reading and -sorting the mail. It was unusually quiet around the hangar that night so -the scuffing of something against a stick caught Andy’s attention. -Someone was walking cautiously toward the hangar!</p> - -<p>Andy remained in his chair, fingering through the pile of letters before -him. The guarded sound came again. At the end of a minute he turned out -the light and slipped out of his office. A small door which led into the -main hangar was open.</p> - -<p>Andy returned to his office to get his flashlight. Remembering that he -had left it at the hotel, he found some matches beside a half dozen red -lanterns which were used to mark danger places on the field. Since the -Goliath used helium there was no danger of an explosion from striking a -match in the hangar or, for that matter, aboard the Goliath itself.</p> - -<p>The assistant pilot of the dirigible stepped quickly through the door -and paused to accustom his eyes to the heavy darkness of the interior. -He slipped off his shoes and then moved slowly toward the lighter -outline of the silvered hull of the Goliath.</p> - -<p>Andy paused. Someone was moving slowly just ahead of him. The young -airman groped his way ahead, hands outstretched. The next second he was -clutching someone’s coat.</p> - -<p>They came to grips, but only for a second. The unknown invader of the -hangar slipped out of his coat and Andy heard him running out of the -hangar.</p> - -<p>Muttering to himself in disgust, Andy stooped to strike a match and look -at the coat he had seized. As he struck a match, he slipped and stumbled -headlong. The match dropped into a chunk of oily waste. It flared and -burst into flame but Andy remained motionless on the floor, his head -resting against a heavy wood block it had struck.</p> - -<p>The fire in the waste glowed brightly and leaped higher as it fed on the -oil which saturated the waste. Unless help reached Andy soon the fire -would spread to other parts of the hangar and the Goliath itself would -be in danger of destruction!</p> - -<h2 id='ch12' class='c014'>CHAPTER XII<br />Trial Flight</h2> - -<p>While Andy lay senseless on the floor of the hangar with the flames from -the oil-soaked waste mounting higher, a shadow appeared in the doorway. -It was Blatz, whom Andy had surprised in the hangar as he was about to -attempt the destruction of the Goliath.</p> - -<p>The German observer crept closer to the flames and it was not until he -was almost at the blaze that he discerned the inert form of the -assistant pilot.</p> - -<p>“Andy,” he cried, “Andy!”</p> - -<p>There was no answer and Blatz acted with sudden determination. He picked -up the coat which Andy still clutched and used the garment to beat out -the flames. That task accomplished he turned on his flashlight and bent -down to examine the lump on Andy’s forehead. The young airman groaned -and Blatz chuckled grimly. The game was nearly over. He was glad.</p> - -<p>He managed to pick Andy up and carried the now half-conscious American -out of the hangar and into his office, where he turned on the light.</p> - -<p>Andy came to several minutes later and finally focused his eyes long -enough on one spot to see Blatz standing in front of him.</p> - -<p>“I’m on to you,” cried Andy, struggling to get out of his chair. “You’re -trying to destroy the Goliath.”</p> - -<p>“Easy, Andy, easy,” urged Blatz. “You’ve had another nasty bump on your -head. The Goliath is all right.”</p> - -<p>“The last I remember is falling,” said Andy. “How did I get in here and -what are you doing around the hangar at this time of night?”</p> - -<p>“You took a tumble, all right,” agreed Blatz, “and the match you had in -your hand fell into a handful of greasy waste. You’d chased me out of -the hangar but if I hadn’t been curious when you failed to follow, the -whole thing might have burned up. As it was, I got back in time to put -out the fire before it got to you or the Goliath.”</p> - -<p>Andy looked at the speaker with incredulous eyes.</p> - -<p>“If that’s true,” he said, “I have done you a great wrong.”</p> - -<p>Before the observer could reply, Bert burst through the door.</p> - -<p>“Big news,” he said. “The Rubanian air force rebelled this afternoon and -forced Dictator Reikoff clear out of the country. I just got that -bulletin over in the radio shack.”</p> - -<p>“You’re sure there’s no mistake?” asked Blatz.</p> - -<p>“Positive,” replied Bert. “It was an Associated Press dispatch -broadcast through the courtesy of one of the Louisville papers.”</p> - -<p>Blatz looked at Andy and they smiled understanding.</p> - -<p>“What’s the joke,” demanded Bert.</p> - -<p>“There isn’t any joke,” replied Blatz gravely, “and I can now tell you -the truth. I am Lieut. Serge Larko of the Rubanian air force. I was -assigned to special duty as an agent of the Gerka, our secret police, -and my mission was to make a non-stop flight to the United States, make -my way to Bellevue and bring about the destruction of the Goliath.”</p> - -<p>Bert stared at him in speechless wonder but Andy nodded and said.</p> - -<p>“Then you were piloting the gray monoplane we chased that afternoon?”</p> - -<p>“Right,” said Serge. “You gave me a real scare.”</p> - -<p>“And you went into that warehouse on the east side while we were in New -York?” continued Andy.</p> - -<p>“Right again.”</p> - -<p>“And tonight you went into the hangar for the purpose of destroying the -Goliath?”</p> - -<p>“I started in with that purpose,” admitted Serge, “but I’m too much of -an airman. After I got inside I couldn’t bring myself to damage that -beautiful craft. I was about to leave when you entered and we met in the -dark. You know the rest of the story.”</p> - -<p>“I know that it was mighty fortunate for me that you came back,” replied -Andy and be grasped Serge warmly by the hand. “Now that the menace of -Reikoff has been removed from your homeland, I’m sure we’ll become real -friends. We’ll see Dad and Captain Harkins about having you added to the -permanent staff of the National Airways.”</p> - -<p>“I’d like that,” smiled Serge happily, “but they’ll probably order me -away from Bellevue or the secret service may take a hand in my case.”</p> - -<p>“I think Merritt Timms can be made to see things my way,” replied Andy.</p> - -<p>“When did you first suspect me?” asked Serge. “Almost as soon as you -arrived,” admitted Andy. “If you remember I questioned you about -Friedrichshafen and suggested that you might know Karl Staab? When you -admitted that you knew Staab I decided something was wrong for as far as -I know Staab never existed outside of my own mind.”</p> - -<p>“But I really have been at Friedrichshafen,” replied Serge.</p> - -<p>“I believed that,” said Andy, “for your technical knowledge showed you -had been trained with the Germans. Now let’s go over to the hotel and -see Dad and Captain Harkins.”</p> - -<p>The conference at the hotel was interesting and successful and before -the long evening drew to a close it was agreed that Serge Larko, who had -assumed his real identity, should become a permanent member of the -Goliath’s crew.</p> - -<p>Even though the next day promised to be unusually busy, it was midnight -before they were in bed but they were up at the crack of dawn.</p> - -<p>Serge was happier than he had been in months and Andy felt that a great -weight had been lifted from his mind. There was no further danger to the -Goliath from inside sources and they were practically ready for the test -flights.</p> - -<p>Lieut. Jim Crummit, in command of the army pursuit ships at Bellevue, -stopped them as they left the hotel.</p> - -<p>“Will you want us to stand by this afternoon in case you decide to take -the Goliath aloft?” he asked Captain Harkins.</p> - -<p>“I hardly think that will be necessary, Lieutenant!” replied the -commander of the Goliath. “Any flight we might make would be confined to -the limits of the field.”</p> - -<p>“Right, sir,” said the army officer as he turned and walked toward the -hangars which housed the army ships.</p> - -<p>At eight o’clock Andy, Serge and Bert gathered in the radio shack and -Bert turned his set to talk with the Neptune. There was a steady crackle -of interference but Bert stepped up the power with the hope that he -would get through to the Neptune.</p> - -<p>“Looks like we’re out of luck this morning,” he finally announced, “but -I’ll give it one more try.” He turned to the dial again, tuning so -carefully the black disks hardly moved.</p> - -<p>“Harry’s coming in now,” he said. “I’ll have it strong in a minute.”</p> - -<p>Bert switched over to the radiophone loudspeaker and the boys heard -Harry calling, “Hello Bellevue. Good morning.”</p> - -<p>“Good morning yourself,” replied Bert. “Have fish for breakfast?”</p> - -<p>“Not this morning,” replied Harry. “Besides, it’s mid-forenoon out where -we are. How’s the Goliath?”</p> - -<p>Andy picked up the microphone and told Harry briefly what had taken -place the night before, adding that Serge had been added to the crew of -the Goliath and would make the trip to the North pole.</p> - -<p>“I’m glad to hear that,” replied Harry over the magic waves which -bridged the hundreds of miles between them. “I’ll say hello to Serge if -he’ll take the mike now.”</p> - -<p>The young Rubanian conversed with Harry for several minutes and then the -operator of the Neptune signed off.</p> - -<p>“I’ll be back on the air tonight at eight,” he told Bert. “Be sure and -let me know how the Goliath behaves on her first trip out of the -hangar.”</p> - -<p>The interior of the great hangar was alive with activity that morning. -Final weight checks were being made for the war department. -Specifications on the total weight were very strict and builders of -dirigibles were always prone to exceed the specification limit.</p> - -<p>Captain Harkins and Andy’s father were at first one end of the Goliath -and then at the other supervising the countless last minute tasks.</p> - -<p>A tri-motor droned over the field at 11 o’clock, circled and dropped -down to waddle across the fresh green of the meadow. It stopped at one -side of the Goliath’s hangar and a dozen army officers, all with the -wings of the air corps on their collars, descended and walked toward the -hangar.</p> - -<p>Captain Harkins and Andy’s father hastened to make them welcome and -assure them that the Goliath would be ready for a walk-out test -immediately after lunch.</p> - -<p>While the builders and chief engineers of the Goliath entertained the -visiting army delegation at the hotel at noon, Andy and Serge made the -final inspection of the big ship. The ground crew had been drilled in -its task and the operator of the portable mooring mast to which the nose -of the Goliath had been fastened had thoroughly rehearsed his part.</p> - -<p>At one o’clock the army officers, accompanied by Captain Harkins and -Charles High, returned from the hotel. For the next hour the army men -went over the Goliath, inspecting every yard of fabric and testing every -duralumin beam. Motors were put on test, Bert demonstrated the power of -his radio equipment and even the passenger cabins came in for a rigid -inspection.</p> - -<p>At two o’clock Captain Harkins stepped into the control room at the -forward end of the gondola.</p> - -<p>“Everything ready?” he asked Andy, in whom he had placed a large share -of responsibility for the successful flight.</p> - -<p>“Everything ready, sir,” replied Andy.</p> - -<p>Captain Harkins took over the controls. The army officers lined the -windows of the control room. Andy leaned out one window on the right -side and placed a whistle to his mouth. He was wearing a telephone -headset while on the wall of the control room was a compact little -switchboard so that he could instantly communicate with any part of the -dirigible whenever Captain Harkins gave a command.</p> - -<p>The great moment was at hand. The Goliath was ready for its first test, -the walk-out from the hangar. Months of work and planning were -represented in the great ship; would it live up to expectations?</p> - -<p>Andy sounded a shrill blast on the whistle. The ground crew, which had -been waiting for the signal, leaped to its stations. The operator of the -portable mooring mast started the engine of the big tractor-truck which -carried the mast.</p> - -<p>The assistant pilot of the Goliath looked at Captain Harkins, who nodded -quietly.</p> - -<p>Andy sounded two long blasts on the whistle. The shackles which had held -the Goliath in the hangar for so many months were loosened. The great -airship quivered slightly as though eager to test its power.</p> - -<p>The blasts of the whistle echoed through the hangar and the operator of -the huge tractor ahead eased in the clutch and started forward. The -Goliath lurched slightly at the tug of the mooring mast, and then slowly -started ahead. The ground crew steadied the great hulk as it was eased -out of the shed. There was no wind and in ten minutes the Goliath was -outside the hangar in which it had been born and in which it had grown -to such proportions that it was king of all the skycraft.</p> - -<p>The Goliath moved steadily ahead until it was well away from the hangar. -Captain Harkins signaled Andy and another blast of the whistle stopped -the portable mooring mast.</p> - -<p>Captain Harkins conferred with the ranking air corps officer and Andy -caught a snatch of their conversation. They were going to take the -Goliath up. The big ship was behaving perfectly and the army men were -anxious for an air test. Captain Harkins assented and turned to Andy.</p> - -<p>“Have the motors started at once,” he ordered.</p> - -<p>Andy cut in a main phone connection so that he could talk to each of the -12 motor rooms at the same time.</p> - -<p>“Start your motors,” he said, “and stand by for flight.”</p> - -<p>Sharp, joyous answers echoed in his ears as the engineers hastened to -start the engines which were capable of sending the Goliath through the -air at a maximum speed of 120 miles an hour.</p> - -<p>The rear engine crews were the first to get their motors turning over -but within a minute the steady pulse of the 12 powerful engines could -be heard. Engine room after engine room reported to Andy and he checked -each one off as they reported ready. In three minutes he turned to -Captain Harkins and said:</p> - -<p>“The engineers are ready.”</p> - -<p>The Goliath was ready to test its wings. For a moment it hung, poised -just above the ground. Then Captain Harkins nodded again, Andy’s whistle -shrilled the “lines away” call and the Goliath floated upward into the -heavens. For the moment it was the world’s largest balloon, drifting -upward in the warm rays of the afternoon sun, lifted higher and higher -by the buoyancy of its helium gas.</p> - -<p>Andy, Bert and Serge were grouped at one of the windows in the control -cabin together. The ground simply floated away from them. There was no -sense of sudden rising; no undue motion to the great craft.</p> - -<p>Fifty, one hundred and then two hundred feet the Goliath climbed into -the skies, its powerful motors purring smoothly and ready to take up -their task.</p> - -<p>Andy cut in the general connection to all of the engine rooms and warned -the engineers to stand by for further orders.</p> - -<p>When the Goliath was three hundred feet above the field, Captain Harkins -turned to Andy and gave the order for slow speed ahead.</p> - -<p>“Slow speed ahead,” Andy repeated into the transmitter.</p> - -<p>The Goliath came to life almost instantly. The great gas bag shook -itself as though getting accustomed to its new power and then moved -slowly ahead, the ground beneath drifting away in a fascinating -panorama.</p> - -<p>Captain Harkins, at the controls, moved the wheel which operated the -elevators at the tail of the Goliath, and the earth dropped rapidly away -from them as they climbed for altitude and circled over the home field. -Andy, looking down, could see the members of the ground crew, faces -upturned, watching their every move.</p> - -<p>The great moment had come and passed. The Goliath had soared aloft and -even now was proving the claims of its builders. Captain Harkins ordered -half speed ahead and Andy repeated the command to the engine rooms. The -speed quickened as the beat of the motors increased but so carefully -insulated were the engine rooms that there was no unpleasant or -disturbing noise.</p> - -<p>The air corps officers appeared elated at the ease with which the -Goliath handled and they were outspoken in their praise of the engineers -and staff which had constructed the new king of the skies.</p> - -<p>For half an hour the Goliath cruised leisurely around the field, now -climbing, now dipping lower at the will of the silent man at the -controls.</p> - -<p>Andy turned his telephone set over to Bert to relay Captain Harkins’ -commands to the engine rooms and in company with his father, made an -inspection of the whole ship.</p> - -<p>There had been no shifting of the big gas bags and stress and strain -indicators on the transverse rings of duralumin, the real backbone of -the dirigible, exceeded their expectations. Engine performance was more -than satisfactory and before returning to the control cabin, they -mounted one of the stairways to an observation cockpit on the top of the -Goliath.</p> - -<p>Ahead and behind them stretched the smooth, silvered surface of the -Goliath. Far to the east, were the haze enshrouded mountains while below -them was the rich, fresh green of the countryside in spring.</p> - -<p>Andy stood close to his father for he knew how much the successful -flight of the new dirigible meant to the vice president of the National -Airways. His father, with Captain Harkins, had dreamed and planned for -years for the Goliath, and the culmination of their hopes meant their -life careers. Andy, himself, had shouldered no small part of the burden -in the studying and engineering necessary for the construction of the -huge ship but he felt his own share small in comparison to the manifold -burdens which his father had carried. They stood together in the -observation cockpit, happy in the knowledge that the Goliath represented -a great task well done.</p> - -<p>“Son,” said Charles High, “I’m mighty proud of all that you’ve done in -the building of the Goliath.”</p> - -<p>“And I’m mighty proud of you, Dad,” said Andy, “for I have some idea of -the obstacles you’ve had to face and the problems you’ve been called on -to solve. The Goliath is certainly an accomplishment for which the world -will pay you tribute.”</p> - -<p>“I’m not looking for tribute or praise,” replied his father. -“Satisfaction in knowing that the job is done, and done well, is all -that I ask. Now I’m looking forward to the day when our plant here at -Bellevue and the Goodyear-Zeppelin people at Akron will be busy all the -time turning out air cruisers like the Goliath; when the country will be -crossed with a network of dirigible lines carrying passengers, express -and valuable freight at a high rate of speed and much more safely than -airplanes.”</p> - -<p>“The day is coming and it is not so far in the dim and distant future,” -said Andy confidently.</p> - -<p>A telephone in the observation cage buzzed and Andy answered the call. -It was Bert, warning them that Captain Harkins was about to descend.</p> - -<p>“We’d better get back to the control cabin,” said Andy’s father, and -they hurried down the ladder, along the main interior runway, and into -the control room where Captain Harkins was giving Bert orders to relay -to the engine rooms.</p> - -<p>With power on, the Goliath nosed down for its first landing. The ground -crew was strung out along the field, ready to grasp the lines which -would be dropped while the portable mooring mast had been maneuvered -into position for the landing.</p> - -<p>They were dropping rapidly but smoothly and there was only a slight -feeling of downward motion. Captain Harkins checked the forward speed of -the Goliath, lines were dropped, and the big ship was back to earth -after a flight in which it had lived up to the fondest hopes of its -designers and builders.</p> - -<p>The nose was pushed up against the mooring mast where the automatic -coupling was made and the slow entry into the berth in the hangar -started with the mooring mast, on its tractor-truck, waddling along -ahead and the Goliath following obediently.</p> - -<p>In fifteen minutes the big ship was in its berth and the “orange peel” -doors were rolling shut.</p> - -<p>Before leaving the gondola, Captain Harkins and Andy’s father held a -conference with the air corps officers who had made the trip with them -and definite plans for the first long trial flight were made. Captain -Harkins turned to Andy when the conference was over.</p> - -<p>“See that orders are issued for the crew to be aboard ship and ready to -depart at three in the morning,” he said. “We’re going to make a -surprise visit to Washington if the weather reports at 2 A. M. are -fair.”</p> - -<h2 id='ch13' class='c014'>CHAPTER XIII<br />Wings of the Storm</h2> - -<p>Captain Harkins’ announcement that the Goliath would make its first long -test flight the next morning meant hours of work ahead for Andy but the -assistant pilot of the airship threw himself into the task with his -usual unfailing energy. He had able assistants in Serge and Bert.</p> - -<p>The visit to Washington was to be a complete surprise and every effort -was made to keep the news from getting out from Bellevue. If all went -well the first intimation the capital would have of the visit of the new -sky king would be when the rising sun silvered the nose of the Goliath -with its rays.</p> - -<p>Andy received detailed reports from each of the engine rooms on the -performance during the trip over the field and found them highly -satisfactory. Fuel consumption had been less than he had anticipated. -Supplies for the flight the next day must be ordered and placed aboard -for breakfast and lunch would be served to the army officers and to the -members of the crew. Serge volunteered to attend to that task while Bert -kept his radio busy getting the latest weather reports. He asked the -Washington bureau for a special report at two o’clock the next morning -and Washington came back with:</p> - -<p>“What’s up? Are you chaps going to make a trial flight at that hour of -the night?”</p> - -<p>Bert refused to give the curious operators at Washington any information -but secured the promise that he could have a special meteorological -report at the desired hour.</p> - -<p>Preparations for the flight were completed by early evening and members -of the crew were ordered to bed by nine o’clock. They would be aroused -shortly after two if the weather report at that hour was favorable for -their plans.</p> - -<p>At eight that night the three young friends gathered in Bert’s radio -shack to talk with Harry, now well out to sea in the Neptune. They -picked up Harry’s signal on time to the minute and learned that the -Neptune had been having a bad time of it.</p> - -<p>“I’ve been sick most of the day,” said Harry miserably. “The sea got -mighty choppy this morning and we’ve been tossed all over the inside of -this tin fish. The air’s bad, too, and it’s been so rough we couldn’t -have eaten much if we had felt like it.”</p> - -<p>“That’s too bad,” replied Bert, “but it’s just what you get for -gallivanting around the world in a cast-iron cigar.”</p> - -<p>“When is the Goliath going to test its wings?” asked Harry.</p> - -<p>“Can’t tell you,” replied Andy, who had picked up the microphone.</p> - -<p>“You mean you won’t tell me,” said Harry.</p> - -<p>“I guess that’s it,” admitted Andy, “but the first long flight is -supposed to be a surprise trip and if I told you where and when we were -going to take the air someone with a low wave set might pick it up and -the newspapers would spread it all over their front pages.”</p> - -<p>“I get you,” replied Harry. “When shall I come on the air again.”</p> - -<p>Andy turned to Bert, cutting off the mike temporarily.</p> - -<p>“We ought to be over Washington around six o’clock,” he said. “How about -having Harry tune in then and we’ll talk to him while we’re circling -over the capital?”</p> - -<p>“Fine idea,” replied Bert enthusiastically. “Make it six o’clock and -I’ll make a note of it now and put it on my instrument board on the -Goliath. If I don’t I may get so excited I’ll forget to call Harry and -he’ll be sitting around out there in the ocean wondering what has -happened.”</p> - -<p>Andy cut in the mike again.</p> - -<p>“Turn on your juice tomorrow morning at six o’clock, eastern standard -time,” he told Harry. “I’m going to sign off now. We’re rolling out -early in the morning and I need a little ‘shut-eye’.”</p> - -<p>Andy, accompanied by Bert and Serge, made a final inspection of the -Goliath. Everything was in readiness for the early morning flight. They -returned to their rooms at the hotel but sleep was a long time in coming -for Andy. He had worked so many long months over the plans and on the -actual construction of the Goliath that their realization had seemed, -until now, an almost unattainable dream. But now the Goliath was ready -to claim its place as the king of all the man-made crafts which cruised -the heavens for only that afternoon the great dirigible had tested its -wings and found them strong and reliable. On the morrow it would sail -away into the eastern sky on its first long trip.</p> - -<p>Andy finally fell asleep but in his ears was the steady beat of the -Goliath’s engines, the sweetest music of all to him.</p> - -<p>Bert had left a call at the hotel desk for 1:45 o’clock and he was at -his receiving set promptly at two for the special meteorological report -from Washington.</p> - -<p>The report promised fair weather with a light west wind and an unlimited -ceiling.</p> - -<p>Bert copied the report in triplicate, placed one copy in his own files -for a record and hastened back to the hotel with the other two. He -awakened Andy and read the report to the assistant pilot.</p> - -<p>“That means we sail at three,” said Andy, as he rubbed the sleep from -his eyes and hurriedly got into his clothes.</p> - -<p>“I’ll go wake Dad and Captain Harkins,” he added.</p> - -<p>“Here’s a copy of the report for them,” said Bert as he handed Andy the -third tissue he had made.</p> - -<p>Andy awakened his father and the commander of the Goliath and they -agreed that weather conditions were ideal for the flight to Washington.</p> - -<p>By two-thirty the hangar was ablaze with light as the members of the -crew, their eyes still heavy with sleep, hurried to their posts. Motors -were given a final going over, rigging was thoroughly checked, the water -ballasts tanks and the water condenser at the top of the big bag were -inspected. Finally the Goliath was pronounced ready to go.</p> - -<p>At two forty-five the big doors at the end of the hangar started to roll -back on their tracks and Andy, from his post in the control room, could -hear the roar of engines as the army pilots, assigned to fly with the -Goliath on any of its longer trips, warmed up their craft. Four of the -army planes under the command of Lieutenant Crummit would accompany the -Goliath on the trip to Washington.</p> - -<p>The air corps board which was to pass on the performance of the -dirigible climbed aboard. Captain Harkins took his place at the main -control station and Andy’s whistle shrilled for the ground crew to take -hold.</p> - -<p>The whistle sounded again and the tractor-truck with the portable -mooring mast lurched into motion and the Goliath moved slowly ahead. The -big ship was walked out into the soft moonlight, which bathed it with -its radiance.</p> - -<p>Andy gave a general order for the 12 engine rooms to stand by. Then -followed the order to start the engines and the night was broken by the -subdued roar of the powerful motors.</p> - -<p>“All lights out except the riding lights,” said Captain Harkins and Andy -turned to the bank of switches to carry out the command. Only the shaded -lights over the instruments in the control room and those in the engine -rooms were left on.</p> - -<p>Down the field Andy could see the sputtering stream of fire from the -exhausts of the four army planes which were to escort them on the flight -to Washington. They would take off as soon as the Goliath was clear of -the field.</p> - -<p>Reports checked back to Andy from the engine rooms indicated that every -motor was functioning perfectly and Andy relayed the report on to -Captain Harkins.</p> - -<p>Bert, who had kept tuned in on Washington, hurried into the control -room, a hastily penciled message in his hand.</p> - -<p>Captain Harkins took the message, held it down under one of the shaded -lights, and read it aloud so that everyone in the control room could -hear.</p> - -<p>“Weather from Kentucky east to Atlantic seaboard fair; light west wind; -unlimited visibility.”</p> - -<p>“The weather reports continues favorable,” said Captain Harkins. Then, -turning to Andy, he said:</p> - -<p>“Give the signal for the ground crew to let go.”</p> - -<p>Andy stepped to the open window. In the moonlight below he could see the -line of workmen stretched back into the shadows under the great hulk. -His whistle shrilled the release signal. The ground crew let go their -hold on the great gas bag and at the same moment the operator of the -mooring mast released the automatic coupling.</p> - -<p>There was only the slightest tremble as the Goliath started upward. The -ground dropped silently away. Below Andy could see the streaks of flame -from the exhausts of the fast army planes. A few lights glowed in -Bellevue itself but the rest of the country seemed asleep. The Goliath -rose to a level with the hills which enclosed the valley and drifted -steadily upward, the beat of its engines muffled by the interior engine -room as the powerful motors waited for the command to start driving the -dirigible through the air.</p> - -<p>“Tell the engine rooms to stand by,” said Captain Harkins. A moment -later Andy got the command of slow speed ahead and he felt the Goliath -gather itself for the trip through the night. The big ship felt steadier -with the power on and he leaned from his window to listen to the steady -monotone of the muffled exhausts.</p> - -<p>Lights of the field drifted out of sight and they slipped over the hills -on the start of their surprise visit to Washington. Gradually the speed -was stepped up. Forty, fifty, sixty miles an hour they pushed their way -through the moonlit sky, soaring through the heavens. The altimeter -showed a steady climb and Captain Harkins kept the nose of the Goliath -up until they had reached the ten thousand foot level. At that height -the muffled sound of the airship’s engines could not be heard on the -ground and it was doubtful if anyone would see the great silver craft -slipping through the sky.</p> - -<p>The army planes caught up with them, circled around once or twice, and -then climbed five thousand feet above the Goliath, riding the high -heavens in unceasing vigilance.</p> - -<p>Bert came into the control room again and spoke to Captain Harkins.</p> - -<p>“Washington wants to know what’s up,” said Bert. “What shall I tell -them?”</p> - -<p>Captain Harkins looked at his watch. It was three-thirty.</p> - -<p>“Tell them they’ll have a surprise for breakfast,” he said, and Bert -returned to his radio cubicle to dispatch the message.</p> - -<p>The army inspectors were busy going over the Goliath, checking every -detail of the airship’s operation, rate of climb, maneuverability, -speed, engine performance, fuel consumption and the hundred and one -specifications which Uncle Sam had decided must be met by the Goliath -before it would be acceptable and the remainder of the federal -appropriation paid to the National Airways.</p> - -<p>With the engines thoroughly warmed to their task. Captain Harkins -increased the speed until the Goliath was racing along at an even 100 -miles an hour. There was no sense of motion or undue speed; only the -ground slipping away beneath in an ever-changing pattern of lights and -shadows. Occasionally the streaking lights of a train would be visible -or a larger town could cast its reflection upward, but Captain Harkins -shifted his course to avoid the larger cities. Some enterprising -newspaperman might catch the muffled beat of the engines and take the -surprise element out of their visit to the capital.</p> - -<p>Andy checked their position on the map and stepped over to Captain -Harkins.</p> - -<p>“We’ll be over Washington about five-thirty if we maintain our present -rate of speed,” he said.</p> - -<p>“That’s too early,” replied the commander. “Order the engines down to -half speed. We can speed up later if we find we’re a little behind.”</p> - -<p>Andy phoned the order to the engine rooms and the Goliath slowed down to -a steady fifty miles an hour, with the distance slipping off its -silvered sides like magic miles.</p> - -<p>The assistant pilot got permission to leave his post and make a tour of -inspection. He stopped at Bert’s cubby on his way back into the -interior.</p> - -<p>“Washington is about crazy with curiosity,” grinned Bert, who had a -headset on, “He knows we’ve left the field because our signals are -stronger but he doesn’t believe we’re on our way east. Bet he stretches -his neck when we arrive.”</p> - -<p>“A good many thousand people are going to have Stiff necks before the -day’s over,” smiled Andy. “See you later. I’m going to make a swing -around this big weiner.”</p> - -<p>All lights in the main gondola, except those in the control and radio -rooms were out, but enough moonlight came through the windows of the -promenade deck for Andy to see his way clearly back to the main catwalk -in the interior. The catwalk was well lighted and he passed along under -the towering gas cells, filled with the precious helium. The stress and -strain meters showed that the duralumin framework was reacting even more -favorably than they had dared hope to under the test of actual flight.</p> - -<p>Andy continued on until he was in the middle of the ship where the great -cargo hold was located. It yawned an empty, dimly lighted space. In the -fore part were the quarters for the members of the crew and officers and -Andy stepped into the tiny cabin he shared with Bert. The night had been -raw when he started and he had put on an extra jacket of heavy brown -suede but it was not needed now for with their approach to the eastern -seaboard the temperature was climbing steadily.</p> - -<p>After leaving his cabin, Andy ran up one of the ladders which led to the -top of the dirigible and its observation cockpits. He saw the shadow of -someone ahead of him and discovered that Serge, who had been making a -trip through the interior, could not resist the temptation and had also -gone up top.</p> - -<p>“You Americans should be very proud of the Goliath,” said Serge. “I have -never dreamed of anything so complete. It is a Pullman of the air; every -comfort thought of and anticipated.”</p> - -<p>“The thing that pleases me,” said Andy, “is that the ship is so far -exceeding every specification set for it. The army men haven’t said very -much but I can tell that they are highly pleased.”</p> - -<p>They remained up top for ten of fifteen minutes as the new king of the -skies slid through its domain. The sky was reddening in the east with -the approach of the new day. The mountains were in the west, smeared -with the sullen shadows of a night which seemed reluctant to leave. -Before them stretched the smoother country of Virginia.</p> - -<p>“We’re climbing again,” said Andy. “Captain Harkins must be going up so -high we won’t be heard or seen on the ground.”</p> - -<p>The army planes, faithful guardians through the night, circled far -overhead.</p> - -<p>“I don’t envy those chaps,” grinned Serge. “We are moving so slowly they -must find it hard to stay anywhere near us. Lieutenant Crummit told me -their low cruising speed was 100 miles an hour. Look how they zig-zag -back and forth.”</p> - -<p>“They’ll leave us when we get over Washington and drop down on Bolling -field to refuel,” said Andy. “By the time we get back to Bellevue -they’ll be pretty much all in. Handling one of those delicate pursuit -ships for eight or ten hours is no picnic.”</p> - -<p>The red disk of the sun popped into view and Andy and Serge left the -observation cockpit and returned to the control room. Captain Harkins -had hardly moved since leaving Bellevue but now he turned the main -controls over to Andy.</p> - -<p>“The course is north, northeast,” he said. “Hold her as she is and at -12,000 feet.”</p> - -<p>“North by northeast,” replied Andy, “and at 12,000 feet. Yes sir.”</p> - -<p>The steward had been busy for the last hour and a hot breakfast was -served to the army observers and officers of the dirigible in the main -dining salon while the crew had its breakfast in the dining room -midships.</p> - -<p>Bert brought Andy a cup of coffee and a sandwich but the assistant pilot -was too interested in the way the Goliath handled to think of asking for -relief so he could go back and have the hot cereal, toast and jam that -the others enjoyed.</p> - -<p>He was master of their dirigible, the king of the skies, the greatest -airship ever built by man! Andy’s hands firmly grasped the wheels which -controlled the elevators and the rudder. The Goliath responded easily -and he swung it a point or two off course to see just how it handled.</p> - -<p>Captain Harkins returned from breakfast while Andy was bringing the -Goliath back on course.</p> - -<p>“Experimenting a little to see how the big boy handles?” asked the -commander.</p> - -<p>“I couldn’t resist,” replied Andy.</p> - -<p>“I know how you feel,” smiled Captain Harkins. “I did a little of it -myself while we were over the mountains.” He turned to Serge.</p> - -<p>“Step up here and take control,” he told the young Rubanian, whose -mission had once been the destruction of the craft in which they now -rode in comfort and security.</p> - -<p>Serge smiled gratefully as he accepted Captain Harkins’ invitation. It -had been months since he had stood at the controls of a dirigible. The -last time had been early in the winter when he had guided one of the -large Blenkkos over Kratz, the capital of Rubania. The day following -that trip he had been ordered into the Gerka and then put on the long -distance planes, with the result that he was now in the United States, a -member of the crew of the Goliath. It all seemed like a vague dream, his -long flight across the ocean, his acceptance at Bellevue as a civilian -observer from Friedrichshafen and the final discovery of his identity by -Andy and the downfall of Alex Reikoff, dictator of Rubania. Within the -hour he would soar over Washington, the capital of the United States, -and he felt his body glow with the happiness and contentment that was -his.</p> - -<p>Captain Harkins checked the position of the Goliath and ordered a slight -increase in speed. The sun cleared away the morning mists and the entire -countryside lay below them, clothed with the green freshness of the -spring.</p> - -<p>The commander took over the controls and Andy returned to his station at -Captain Harkin’s right where he was in a position to relay instantly -orders to the engine crews.</p> - -<p>Andy, watching ahead intently, was the first to catch the white gleam of -the Washington monument and a minute later the dome of the capitol was -sighted. The Potomac curved lazily below and they soared over -Alexandria, Va; In order to reach Washington at six, Captain Harkins had -dipped further into Virginia than he had first intended and approached -Washington from the south and east.</p> - -<p>The assistant pilot of the Goliath had made many air trips to Washington -but he had never viewed the city from that height and he marveled at the -beauty of the capital; its great, gleaming white buildings, its broad -boulevards and its stately memorials.</p> - -<p>It was just six o’clock when Bert hurried out of the radio room.</p> - -<p>“Harry just came in on the air,” he said. “Can you get off a minute and -we’ll say good morning to him?”</p> - -<p>Serge relieved Andy at the phones and the assistant pilot accompanied -Bert back to the radio cubby, where he was handed a headset.</p> - -<p>“Harry wants to know what’s up?” chuckled Bert.</p> - -<p>“All right,” grinned Andy. “Cut him in and then listen to him explode.”</p> - -<p>Bert made the necessary adjustments and Andy heard Harry’s familiar -voice.</p> - -<p>“Hello, hello, hello,” said Andy. “This is the dirigible Goliath, now -over the city of Washington, in a special broadcast to the Arctic -submarine Neptune, en route from Brooklyn, New York, to Plymouth, -England, on the first leg of its trip to the North pole where it will be -met this summer by the Goliath for an exchange of mail. This is a -beautifully clear spring morning with a light west wind. We are paying a -surprise visit to the capital after an unannounced departure this -morning at three o’clock from the Goliath’s home field at Bellevue, Ky.”</p> - -<p>Andy heard an excited exclamation and then Harry, now far out to sea in -the Neptune, started plying him with questions.</p> - -<p>“Are you really over Washington now? How is the Goliath behaving? Why -didn’t you tell a fellow what you were going to do?”</p> - -<p>One by one Andy answered them and before he signed off Harry gave three -stirring cheers for the Goliath and the success of its first long -flight.</p> - -<p>“The weather is still bad,” he said as he signed off, “and if you don’t -get me at eight tonight, don’t worry. I’m more than a little seasick and -I may not feel up to talking with anyone but I’ll be on sure tomorrow -morning at eight.”</p> - -<p>Andy met his father on the way back to the control room and found him -jubilant.</p> - -<p>“The army board is more than enthusiastic about the performance,” he -told Andy, “and there is no question but what we will get an immediate -approval and payment of the balance of the government appropriation.”</p> - -<p>“I’m mighty glad to know that, Dad,” replied Andy, “for I realize how -much the success of the Goliath means to you. It will prove the -practicability of these big ships for commercial service and mean we can -build more of them for National Airways.”</p> - -<p>When Andy returned to his post in the control room, they were circling -over the heart of the city and losing altitude rapidly for Captain -Harkins was coming down to give the early morning risers a close view of -the world’s largest airship.</p> - -<p>They swung out over the Potomac and the crew of the night boat, up from -Norfolk, Va., which was just steaming into the tidal basin, waved as the -Goliath drifted overhead, its speed now cut down to a mere thirty miles -an hour. They cruised over the city at a thousand feet.</p> - -<p>News of the Goliath’s arrival spread rapidly and hundreds of people -flocked into the streets to see the big airship.</p> - -<p>Captain Harkins headed for the White House and dropped the airship down -to seven hundred and fifty feet. Back of the White House a group of men -ceased their game of medicine ball to gaze up at the great silver hulk.</p> - -<p>Andy nudged Serge and pointed downward.</p> - -<p>“There’s the president and his ‘medicine ball’ cabinet,” he said.</p> - -<p>“What kind of a cabinet is that?” asked Serge.</p> - -<p>“It’s the group of men with which the president plays medicine ball,” -explained Andy. “They get together every morning for their exercise. -There’s usually the president’s personal physician, at least one of his -private secretaries and several cabinet members and usually a justice of -the supreme court.”</p> - -<p>Officers and crew of the Goliath lined the windows as they passed over -the White House and waved at the group below, which returned the -greeting enthusiastically.</p> - -<p>Captain Harkins dipped the bow of the airship in salute and then threw -over the elevator controls and sent the Goliath to a safer altitude. For -an hour they cruised over the capital and its environs, now swinging -down into Virginia, idling slowly over Arlington and then back over the -capital.</p> - -<p>Several of the army officers had been in the radio room, getting in -touch with their superiors. When they returned they went into a -conference with Captain Harkins and Andy’s father. The assistant pilot -caught snatches of the conversation. He heard Baltimore, New York and -Philadelphia mentioned and his heart leaped as Captain Harkins turned to -him and handed over the controls.</p> - -<p>“Make one more circle over the city,” he said, “and then set your course -for Baltimore.”</p> - -<p>“Yes sir,” said Andy. “After Baltimore do we start home?”</p> - -<p>“Not yet,” replied Captain Harkins, his fine eyes twinkling. “The army -men are anxious that New York and Philadelphia get a glimpse of the -Goliath so we won’t be home until night.”</p> - -<p>They made a final circle of the city and Andy set the course for -Baltimore. Serge, at the telephone, relayed the order for the engines to -increase their speed to eighty miles and hour and in less than half an -hour they were within sight of the city that made the oyster famous.</p> - -<p>News that they had headed toward Baltimore had preceded them and the -streets were thick with thousands of people craning their necks to see -the sky king. They gave Baltimore a half hour view at two thousand feet -and by that time the air was full of planes which circled around them. -The faithful army ships had rejoined them and had a busy time chasing -newspaper planes whose ambitious photographers insisted on getting too -close to the Goliath.</p> - -<p>The ever-growing procession left Baltimore and headed north for -Philadelphia, which was also given a half hour view of them before they -proceeded on toward New York.</p> - -<p>Captain Harkins took charge again and set the speed so the Goliath would -reach the metropolis during the noon hour when the thousands of down -town workers would be out to lunch and free to watch the maneuvers of -the airship.</p> - -<p>Bert stuck his head out of the radio room and called to Andy.</p> - -<p>“I’ve just picked up a message from Washington to Lakehurst,” he said. -“The Akron and the Los Angeles are being ordered out to join us in a -parade over New York.”</p> - -<p>“I’d almost like to be on the ground to see it,” said Andy, “but I guess -I’ll be contented and stay here.”</p> - -<p>The sun mounted toward its zenith as New Jersey unfolded below them and -the hangars at Lakehurst grew from tiny dots into good-sized mushrooms, -outside which two silver ships were starting to take the air. By the -time they were over the home of the naval aircraft, the Akron and Los -Angeles were at the two thousand foot level and Captain Harkins -radiophoned to both ships to decide on the formation. It was agreed that -the Los Angeles would lead with the Akron next and the Goliath, the -giant of them all, bringing up the rear, a pageant of the progress of -aircraft.</p> - -<p>The Los Angeles, slimmer and more graceful than the bulkier Akron or the -giant Goliath, took the lead and the other two ships fell in behind.</p> - -<p>It was a magnificent fleet that paraded over the Jersey flats that -spring morning. To the east rolled the sparkling waters of the Atlantic -while ahead of them loomed the spires of Greater New York.</p> - -<p>The aerial argosy swung out over the bay, dipped in salute as it circled -the Statue of Liberty, and then proceeded over the Battery and up the -man-made canyon that is known the world over as Broadway.</p> - -<p>Whistles of tugs and ferryboats blended in a concerted shriek of welcome -and the streets below were thronged with humanity. Traffic in down town -New York was at a standstill, tied up so hopelessly that it took hours -to get it moving again.</p> - -<p>They passed the mooring mast atop the Empire State at fifty miles an -hour and then dipped slightly to the west to look down on Times Square. -Central park displayed its greenery ahead of them and in another minute -they were over Riverside drive and the Hudson.</p> - -<p>Captain Harkins shifted the course and they turned and cut across -Manhattan to give Brooklyn a view of the Goliath. For an hour and a half -the three dirigibles zig-zagged back and forth over the metropolitan -area. At one-thirty the command was given to start for home and with the -final scream of whistles in their ears, the crew of the Goliath watched -the mighty buildings of Manhattan disappear behind them.</p> - -<p>Lunch was served while they were on the return to Lakehurst, where the -Los Angeles and the Akron left them and they proceeded on toward -Bellevue accompanied only by the four army planes.</p> - -<p>Captain Harkins set a bee-line course that took them over New Jersey, -west of Philadelphia, and across the heart of the mountains to their -sheltered valley home in Kentucky.</p> - -<p>Bert had obtained a mid-afternoon weather forecast from Washington, -which he handed to Andy. The prediction was none too favorable. A storm -had swept down off the Great Lakes and was now over Ohio. If it -continued its present rate and course it would bisect the path of the -Goliath. Andy passed the forecast on to Captain Harkins, whose lips -tightened into a firm, straight line.</p> - -<p>“Looks like we’ll be in for some nasty weather before we get home,” -observed the commander of the Goliath. “Keep in touch with Washington, -Bert, and advise me at once of any changes in the weather report.”</p> - -<p>Captain Harkins ordered the speed stepped up until they were doing an -even ninety an hour. In calm weather they would have been averaging a -hundred but a westerly wind cut them down ten miles an hour.</p> - -<p>Clouds rolled out of the west and the sun was obscured by the drifting -banks of gray.</p> - -<p>Bert came back to the control room to say that weather reports now -indicated spotty weather all of the way home with local showers and -thunderstorms.</p> - -<p>They ran under a bank of rain clouds and the Goliath got its first taste -of dirty weather, but it rode through the shower without difficulty, the -rain shooting off its metalized sides in steady sheets.</p> - -<p>Dusk found them two hundred miles from Bellevue with storms all around -them. Lightning was flashing steadily in the northwest and the sky was -full of wind squalls with the clouds rolling and twisting in an ominous -manner.</p> - -<p>“Just the kind of a night for a tornado,” Andy heard his father tell -Captain Harkins in a low voice. The Commander of the Goliath, his face -lined with worry, nodded.</p> - -<p>The storm was thickening. It would break at any minute. They had stuck -to their course as long as they dared before Captain Harkins gave the -orders to run before the storm. The Goliath heeled sharply as a vicious -gust of wind caught it broadside while it was circling. Then they were -running into the southeast with the storm behind them.</p> - -<p>Electrical interference was so heavy that it was impossible for Bert to -communicate with the Washington weather bureau and learn the conditions -they were running into. They simply had to take the course of the least -resistance and hope that they could escape the fury of the elements.</p> - -<p>For half an hour the Goliath sped through the heavy night. Rain beat -against its silvered sides and flashes of lightning cast their glare -over the boiling clouds. If the big airship returned to Bellevue without -mishap it would certainly have won its laurels on its maiden flight.</p> - -<p>The weather was getting thicker and Captain Harkins ordered Andy and -Serge into the observation cockpits on top of the big bag.</p> - -<p>“Keep in constant touch with me,” he ordered. “If you see a break in the -storm let me know and we’ll try and run through it.”</p> - -<p>From their lonely posts atop the dirigible Andy and Serge, clad in -oilskins, braced themselves against the heat of the rain and the rush of -the wind. With headsets on their ears and transmitters slung across -their chests, they kept in touch with the main control room. All around -them was a sea of churning clouds, rolling thunder, bolts of glittering -blue and through it all the steady beat of the powerful engines as they -drove the Goliath on through the night.</p> - -<p>They were at the seven thousand foot level and Captain Harkins warned -them he was going to attempt to get above the storm. The nose shot -skyward and they pushed their way up through the clouds. Eight, nine and -ten thousand feet dropped away, but even at that level the storm raged. -There was no escape. Flickers of static played along the runway atop the -Goliath and Andy was grateful that the gas cells were filled with the -non-explosive helium.</p> - -<p>At ten thousand feet the Goliath was making the fight for its life. -Grim-faced engineers watched over their engines while in the control -room Captain Harkins and Andy’s father stood side by side as they guided -the great airship through the storm. The army officers, grouped close -behind, watched every move for their lives hung in the balance that -fateful night. Would the storm rip the Goliath asunder and drop it, a -broken, lifeless thing, like it had the Shenandoah? Would their fate be -the same? Those questions were in the mind of every man.</p> - -<p>The storm increased in violence and Andy, atop the dirigible, felt the -frame trembling under the terrific blows from the wind. He looked about -desperately for some break in the clouds that would let them through to -safety. The Goliath was making a brave battle but it was only a question -of how long it could stand such a battering.</p> - -<p>Bert, down in the control room, was on the other end of the phone, and -the news he gave Andy was none too encouraging. No. 5 engine had cut -out. The crew reported a burned out bearing, which meant that the engine -was disabled for the remainder of the trip. Ten minutes later No. 9 on -the opposite side developed trouble and had to be shut down. They were -cruising with 10 motors running, ample power for any average storm but -this spring disturbance of the weather was anything but usual.</p> - -<p>An occasional brilliant glare of lightning would reveal Serge at his -observation post further back along the top and Andy wondered how the -young Rubanian was faring. If they could only locate a break in the -clouds. Andy’s eyes swept the darkness again but it was to no avail.</p> - -<p>The Goliath heeled savagely and he clung to the edge of the cockpit. -They were knifing off to the right. The speed of the motors had -increased. Could the men in the control room have sighted a break or had -Serge’s eyes been keener than his own?</p> - -<p>The Goliath was running for its life, pulsating to the throbbing power -of the engines. They must be doing well over a hundred, thought Andy.</p> - -<p>The clouds ahead thinned; the rain lessened, the force of the wind -abated and in ten more minutes they were out of the main storm, sailing -through a light spring shower. Andy dropped down on a seat in the -observation cockpit. He was exhausted for he had fought every step with -the Goliath and now that safety was at hand he felt a great wave of -fatigue sweep over him.</p> - -<p>After a five minute rest he descended into the heart of the dirigible -and then made his way forward to the control room. Captain Harkins was -still at the controls but the lines of his face had softened.</p> - -<p>“We’re through the worst of it,” he told Andy. “We’ll loaf along here -until the weather north and west of us clears enough so we can get back -to Bellevue. You take charge while I go back for a bite to eat. I’m -pretty much all in.”</p> - -<p>All Andy knew was that they were somewhere over the western part of the -Carolinas, and he let the Goliath ease through the night at a bare -thirty-five miles an hour. The rain ceased and the moon was struggling -to break through the clouds.</p> - -<p>Bert had managed to get in touch with Washington and allayed the fears -of officials at the capital. He also learned that the four army planes -which had accompanied the Goliath had landed safely in West Virginia. -This was good news to Andy, who in his concern over the safety of the -Goliath had forgotten the army flyers.</p> - -<p>Serge came down from his observation post and Captain Harkins praised -him highly.</p> - -<p>“It was Serge,” he told Andy, “who spotted the break in the storm. If it -hadn’t been for his keen eyes one guess is as good as another as to -where we would be now.”</p> - -<p>By ten o’clock the storms had drifted away and they were free to start -the return to Bellevue. The trouble on No. 9 motor had been repaired and -with only No. 5 out, they sped toward home.</p> - -<p>The lights of Bellevue came into view at eleven-fifteen and ten minutes -later the Goliath drifted down to stick its squat nose into the -automatic coupling on the portable mooring mast. Eager hands steadied -the great ship as it was towed into the hangar and lodged securely in -its berth.</p> - -<p>Before leaving the hangar, a thorough inspection was made to ascertain -if any sections had undergone damage during the storm. The outer fabric -was in perfect condition and outside of the failure of No. 5 motor, the -Goliath had won its laurels in its first long flight.</p> - -<h2 id='ch14' class='c014'>CHAPTER XIV<br />Flood Relief</h2> - -<p>News of the Goliath’s victorious battle against the most severe storm of -the spring was spread on the front page of every newspaper in the -country the next day and special writers and correspondents for the big -press associations besieged the military patrol at Bellevue. Venturesome -photographers even attempted to fly over the plant and snap pictures of -the hangar but the army planes soon put an end to that stunt.</p> - -<p>The insistence of the reporters compelled the attention of Andy’s father -and Captain Harkins, and they called Andy into their conference. He -advised that reporters be escorted through the hangar and taken on a -thorough trip over the dirigible.</p> - -<p>“We want the public to have faith in the Goliath,” counseled Andy, “and -the reporters must have the facts if they are to write intelligently.”</p> - -<p>“I believe you’re right,” agreed his father and Captain Harkins added a -word of approval.</p> - -<p>Andy and Bert were designated as the tour conductors and they met the -reporters at the hotel. Nine men and two women were in the group they -escorted to the plant.</p> - -<p>Andy was amused by their exclamations of wonder at the size of the -Goliath and he was pleased at their open praise of the beauty of the -great ship. The inspection tour required two hours that afternoon for -they went into every part of the dirigible, even up to the observation -cockpits on top and several of the more daring reporters walking along -the upper catwalk.</p> - -<p>When they returned to the main cabin, they found that Captain Harkins -had ordered the steward to serve tea. It was late afternoon by the time -the reporters departed, but they left highly elated over their -expedition and promised that glowing stories of the Goliath would appear -in their papers and on the press association wires.</p> - -<p>When they had gone, Andy and Bert sat down on the steps of the hotel. -The tension of fighting with the Goliath through the storm of the night -before had carried them along but now they relaxed and an enveloping -cloak of fatigue settled over them.</p> - -<p>“I’m so tired I can hardly wiggle,” groaned Bert.</p> - -<p>“I’m just about that bad,” agreed Andy. “Believe me, I’ll go to bed early -tonight.”</p> - -<p>“Wonder what’s happened to Harry and the Neptune?” said Bert. “I managed -to roll out this morning in time to tune in at eight o’clock but I -didn’t get even a peep out of him.”</p> - -<p>“I must have been sound asleep when you got up,” said Andy, “for I -didn’t hear a thing.”</p> - -<p>“I came back to bed after failing to get in touch with Harry,” replied -Bert. “I’ll try again tonight at eight. Hope I have better luck. I -wouldn’t trust one of those tin fish as far as I could throw my hat. -They don’t look safe to me.”</p> - -<p>“I expect a sailor feels the same way about an airship,” said Andy. “It -all depends on what you’re used to.”</p> - -<p>After dinner that night Andy’s father announced that special tests would -be made the next week, including the attaching of a plane to the Goliath -while in flight. This had been successfully accomplished by the Akron -and they expected no difficulty. The special rigging was already at -Bellevue and it would be only the matter of a few days to complete the -installation. The Goliath differed from the Akron in one capacity. Where -the Akron could carry a single plane slung underneath in a special -carriage, the Goliath had a special hold midships where the planes could -be raised and stored. It could accommodate four fast pursuit ships, -launching them as it sped through the air at one hundred miles an hour. -It was from this viewpoint that the Goliath held unusual value to the -army officers.</p> - -<p>Shortly before eight o’clock Andy and Bert went to the radio room, where -Bert tuned up his receiver for a talk with Harry, now far out to sea in -the Neptune.</p> - -<p>He turned on the power at eight o’clock and waited patiently for a -signal from the submarine. When it failed to come he tried calling Harry -but even then failed to get a reply.</p> - -<p>Bert worked for an hour hoping that he could get some answer from the -Neptune but at nine o’clock was forced to admit defeat.</p> - -<p>“I’m getting worried,” confessed Bert. “It was too stormy to make -contact last night so it’s been nearly 36 hours since we’ve heard from -Harry and anything can happen out there in mid-ocean.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t let your imagination run away with you,” counseled Andy, who -admitted to himself that he was afraid some accident had befallen the -Neptune. “They’ve probably run into a streak of bad weather and may have -submerged to try and ride it out.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll try again the first thing in the morning,” said Bert. “We’ve just -got to hear from Harry,” he added desperately.</p> - -<p>In spite of their fatigue, Andy and Bert passed a restless night and -they were up with the first sign of the dawn. Without waiting for -breakfast they hurried to the radio room where Bert tuned in on the wave -length used for communication between the station at Bellevue and the -Neptune.</p> - -<p>“Someone’s on the air,” he said quickly. “I can hear the hum of his -transmitter; sounds like Harry’s set.”</p> - -<p>“Hello, Neptune,” said Bert. “This is the station at Bellevue, Ky., -calling for the submarine Neptune, now en route to Plymouth, England. -Hello, Neptune, hello!”</p> - -<p>Andy bent close to the loud speaker, waiting eagerly for the ether waves -to bring a reply to Bert’s call.</p> - -<p>It failed to come and Bert repeated his call. Still there was no answer -and the call went out a third and then a fourth time.</p> - -<p>“I can’t understand his failure to reply,” said Bert. “His set is -running.”</p> - -<p>“Try it once more,” urged Andy. “Maybe we’ll have better luck.”</p> - -<p>Bert repeated his call and then gazed at Andy incredulously as Harry’s -familiar voice replied almost immediately.</p> - -<p>“You must be a prophet,” Bert told Andy. “Where in the dickens have you -been for the last two days?” he asked Harry. “We’ve been scared stiff -for fear your tin fish might have sunk.”</p> - -<p>“No such luck,” replied Harry. “I’ve been so seasick I couldn’t even sit -up. This is my first message since I last talked with you two days ago.”</p> - -<p>“Been running into rough weather?” asked Andy.</p> - -<p>“I never dreamed the ocean could be so nasty,” replied Harry in a hollow -voice. “We’ve been tossed around like a cork and half the crew has been -under the weather. This morning is the first time in 48 hours we could -cruise on the surface with any degree of comfort.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t blame us for your predicament,” said Bert unfeelingly. “I warned -you to keep out of the submarine. But, no, you knew best.”</p> - -<p>“Listen,” replied Harry. “I couldn’t let you go to the North Pole and -slip one over on me so when I heard the Neptune was going to make the -trip I signed up. You fellows wait until old man weather gets a real -good shot at you and you won’t think it is quite so funny.”</p> - -<p>“We’ve had our turn,” said Andy, and he told Harry in detail of the -events which had occurred on their return from New York and of their -strenuous battle against the elements.</p> - -<p>“Looks to me like the Goliath and the Neptune proved their ability at -about the same time,” said Harry. “After the last two days in the -Neptune, I’ve got every confidence in it.”</p> - -<p>“I called you for fifteen minutes before you answered,” said Bert. “Your -transmitter was on the air but I couldn’t get any reply.”</p> - -<p>“The answer is simple,” replied Harry. “I wasn’t here. As I said before, -I’ve been feeling pretty rocky. Well, I came up to the radio room and -turned on the set, intending to call you. Then I got shaky again and had -to go back and lie down. Guess I forgot to turn off the set and it kept -buzzing away.”</p> - -<p>“How much longer will it take you to reach Plymouth?” asked Andy.</p> - -<p>“With the delay we’ve encountered on account of the storm, it will take -nearly another week,” replied Harry, “and here’s hoping that we’ll have -fair weather from now on.”</p> - -<p>They signed off a few minutes later after agreeing to talk again that -night at eight o’clock.</p> - -<p>The remainder of that day and the rest of the week was devoted to the -installation of the special landing apparatus which would snare a plane -out of mid-air and haul it safely into the inner hold of the Goliath.</p> - -<p>Andy and Bert talked with Harry every day and learned that the Neptune, -aided by favorable weather, was making good progress. The sea had -steadied down and Harry had found his sea legs and his appetite had -returned.</p> - -<p>“Which means,” laughed Bert, “that the cook aboard that sub is going to -have a man-sized job keeping Harry filled with food.”</p> - -<p>Air corps officers from various posts flew in to inspect the Goliath -while the members of the official board which had accompanied the -airship on its flight to New York remained at hand for further tests. It -was Tuesday of the following week before the installation of the special -gear had been completed and the Goliath pronounced ready for further -tests.</p> - -<p>The pursuit ship of Lieutenant Crummit was also fitted with special -rigging and when this was completed they were ready for another trial.</p> - -<p>Tuesday was an ideal spring day with plenty of sunshine and only a -slight breeze from the south. The Goliath was walked out of its hangar -and, with Captain Harkins at the controls and Andy at his side, made its -third trip aloft.</p> - -<p>When they were well under way, Andy went back midships to supervise the -contact with the pursuit plane.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Crummit buzzed nervously about the Goliath in his fast -single-seater. The airship gradually stepped up its speed until it was -doing a hundred miles an hour, going fast enough for the contact to be -made.</p> - -<p>Back in the cavernous hold of the Goliath a tense crew was waiting to -leap to its task. Andy’s father came back to watch the operation.</p> - -<p>A great arm hung beneath the dirigible and from this arm extended a -V-shaped coupler into which the coupler on the plane would fit. -Synchronization of speed was the main thing upon which success depended -and it was up to Lieutenant Crummit to creep up under the Goliath at -just a trifle more than a hundred miles an hour.</p> - -<p>From the observation windows in the keel Andy watched the approach of -the pursuit plane. Lieutenant Crummit was coming in as slowly as he -dared, maneuvering carefully in an attempt to make the coupling on the -first contact.</p> - -<p>The triangular coupling mounted on the upper wing of the army plane -slipped into the “V” of the arm below the Goliath. There was a slight -jolt at the shock of contact and Lieutenant Crummit, assured that the -coupling was fast, cut the switches on his motor and looked up -expectantly.</p> - -<p>Andy threw over the switch on the main control. The large trap door at -the bottom of the Goliath rolled back. Simultaneously the arm which held -the army plane fast in its grip moved upward rapidly, bringing the -pursuit ship with it. In another thirty seconds the army fighter was -deposited safely in the hold, the trap door was back in place and the -powerful crane, or arm, which had caught and lifted the plane, was back -in position.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Crummit leaped from the cockpit and ran toward Andy.</p> - -<p>“That’s the greatest aerial stunt I’ve ever seen,” he said. “Why, it’s -as simple as falling off a log. I couldn’t miss that big ‘V’ and the -next thing I knew the plane was being whirled upward.”</p> - -<p>Army officers who had watched the operation from the control room came -back to interview the lieutenant and get his report. It was decided to -repeat the maneuver, only this time the plane would be set into flight -from the Goliath.</p> - -<p>The large crane was lifted back into the hold and made fast to the -plane. When Lieutenant Crummit signalled he was ready, Andy opened the -trap door and dropped the plane through. The army flyer switched on his -inertia starter, the warm motor caught the first time over and the -propeller went into its dazzling whirl.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Crummit threw up his left arm as a signal for the release and -the big crane relinquished its grip on the pursuit ship. The army plane -dropped down and away from the Goliath, then climbed and raced wildly -around the mother ship. The Goliath had passed another one of its -exacting tests successfully and Andy returned to the main control room -and relieved Serge, who had taken his place during his absence in the -hold.</p> - -<p>Instead of heading back for Bellevue, the Goliath swung north and Andy -looked inquiringly at his father, who had just returned from a -conference with the army men.</p> - -<p>“We’re going to give Cincinnati a treat,” said the vice president of the -National Airways. “We can make the trip up there and be back home before -dark.”</p> - -<p>With Lieutenant Crummit’s plane and another army craft as escorts, the -Goliath roared northward at a hundred miles an hour, knifing its silver -hull through the lazy, fleecy clouds.</p> - -<p>The Ohio river, heavy-burdened with a spring flood, rolled ahead of them -and just beyond was the haze which hung over Cincinnati. It was a -surprise visit but the townspeople were not long in hurrying into the -streets to glimpse the king of the air. They wheeled and turned over -Cincinnati for a half hour before heading back for Bellevue.</p> - -<p>Bert, who had left his radio room, leaned out a window and looked down -at the swollen Ohio.</p> - -<p>“There’s plenty of water rolling down to the Gulf,” he told Andy, “and -from all reports the Ohio isn’t the only river on a rampage. Almost -every large tributary of the Mississippi is at flood stage, which means -plenty of trouble for people living down in the lower river country. It -will take several days for the flood waters to get there, but when they -do the country is going to forget about the Goliath and think about the -flood.”</p> - -<p>“You’re a cheerful sort of a soul,” smiled Andy.</p> - -<p>“Just mark my words,” insisted Bert. “I predict a big flood on the lower -portions of the Mississippi.”</p> - -<p>They returned to Bellevue as twilight was draping its mantle of soft -purple over the valley and it was dark, by the time the Goliath was in -its berth.</p> - -<p>There were minor adjustments and changes to be made on the Goliath and -the next three days were busy ones for the officers and members of the -crew.</p> - -<p>Bert’s prediction was coming true, if the stories appearing in the -papers were not exaggerating the situation. From Memphis down the -Mississippi was on a rampage, crashing through the man-made barriers -that had been erected to keep it in its channel and spreading death and -destruction over large areas of fertile land.</p> - -<p>The Friday morning paper, which reached Bellevue by bus shortly after -noon, emphasized the need for relief measures, stressing that refugees -were without proper clothes or food. The national Red Cross had stepped -in and was making every effort to relieve the situation but it was -impossible to reach some of the more isolated regions and women and -children were believed to be in want.</p> - -<p>“What they need is a dirigible,” said Andy. “Why, we could load the -Goliath with tons of food and clothing, cruise over that area at a low -altitude, and drop supplies for hundreds of refugees.”</p> - -<p>“Why don’t you suggest it to your father?” said Bert.</p> - -<p>“I’ll do it right now,” said Andy, and he started toward the hotel.</p> - -<p>Charles High heard his son’s story without comment and when Andy was -through, spoke with his characteristic decision.</p> - -<p>“I’ll put through a call to the national Red Cross office in -Washington,” he said, “and if the need is as serious as you feel, we’ll -start before dawn.”</p> - -<p>The national headquarters of the Red Cross confirmed the emergency and -welcomed the offer of the National Airways to send the Goliath into the -flood region. Arrangements were made to bring in supplies on a special -train from Cincinnati and the loading of the Goliath was set for shortly -after midnight.</p> - -<p>The special train arrived an hour late and the crew of the airship -worked with feverish haste to transfer the clothes and food from the -express cars to the Goliath. The task was completed at four o’clock and -with the first tints of dawn in the sky, the Goliath was taken out of -its hangar and started on its errand of mercy.</p> - -<p>Captain Harkins held the big ship at a steady eighty miles an hour and -by mid-forenoon they were well below Memphis and swinging over the flood -area. The Mississippi had turned its valley into an immense brown lake. -The waters had swilled through towns, inundating streets and sweeping -houses from their foundations.</p> - -<p>Many of the towns had been deserted while others, on higher ground, were -completely cut off by the flood. It was to the latter that the Goliath -was directed.</p> - -<p>Bert kept in touch with the latest radio reports on the conditions and -the Goliath swung from one village to another. Andy, back in the hold, -superintended the dropping of food and clothes. The food was put into -bundles of clothes and then dropped overboard, the Goliath descending -until it was a bare fifty feet above the towns to which it brought -relief. With motors shut off, it was possible for Andy to carry on a -conversation with the marooned people and ascertain their needs. Serge -was with Andy and they directed the crew in the relief work.</p> - -<p>Through the morning and afternoon they worked and their supply of food -and clothing dwindled at a surprising rate. Two more towns to serve and -they would be through. They dropped food and clothing to the first one -and hurried on to supply the second. After that they would start for -home.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Crummit and another army flyer had stuck with them all day -long, leaving only when it was necessary to fly to some city and -replenish their fuel supply, but one of the army pursuit ships had -always been on duty.</p> - -<p>A scene of complete desolation greeted them as they neared the last town -to which they were bringing assistance. Flood waters were pouring -through every street and the inhabitants who had not escaped were -huddled on house tops. More than fifty men, women and children were -congregated on the flat roof of a garage, the largest building in the -town. Out of the northwest a chill wind was presaging a raw, bitter -night and Andy shivered as he thought of the suffering which the little -band on the rooftop would undergo before rescuers could reach them by -boat.</p> - -<p>“Why don’t we drop down and take them aboard?” suggested Bert. “With -much more exposure some of those people will have pneumonia.”</p> - -<p>“It might be possible,” agreed Andy. “We’ll see Captain Harkins.”</p> - -<p>They presented their suggestion to the commander of the Goliath, and, -after a careful survey, Captain Harkins agreed. Orders were given for -the descent of the Goliath and Andy went back midships to supervise the -dropping of a flexible steel ladder. The Goliath could not land directly -on the roof, but would hover just above it. The refugees would have to -climb the ladder to safety.</p> - -<p>With a megaphone in his hands, Andy directed the rescue work. The -Goliath, its motors turning over just enough to hold it above the roof, -hung almost motionless. The excited townspeople grasped the ladder, -which four men held fast to the rooftop. The ladder was none too steady -but the refugees, preferring the climb to the airship to another night -on the rooftop, bravely made their way aloft. Women came up alone with -the boys and girls following them. Babes in arms were carried up by the -men. In fifteen minutes the transfer had been completed, the ladder was -drawn up, the command given to proceed and the refugees hurried forward -into the main cabin where it was warm and where the stewards had -prepared a hot meal.</p> - -<p>It was a grateful group that came into the control room later to express -their thanks to Captain Harkins, but the commander referred them to -Andy, saying:</p> - -<p>“You can thank Andy High, assistant pilot, for he was the one who -directed the rescue.”</p> - -<p>They made the run back to Memphis without difficulty but it was well -after dark when they soared over the city. Bert had radioed the story of -the rescue and the news that they would stop at Memphis and leave the -refugees. The airport was aglow with lights and when the Goliath nosed -down for an easy landing, police were taxed to the utmost to keep back -the cheering throng.</p> - -<p>Flashlights boomed as newspaper photographers snapped the refugees as -they disembarked. The Red Cross was on hand to care for the unfortunate -townspeople and after ascertaining that the weather was fair, the -Goliath continued its homeward journey.</p> - -<p>The next month was a succession of busy days with further tests for the -giant airship. Reports from Harry indicated the daily progress of the -Neptune toward its goal in the Arctic, first to Plymouth, England, on to -Bergen, Norway, then toward the Arctic with the last stop at King’s Bay, -Spitzbergen.</p> - -<p>Preparations at Bellevue were now centering on the flight to the Arctic. -Special oils for the motors were arriving as well as equipment and -clothing for the officers and crew. Insulation of the engine rooms and -the gondola was increased to stand the colder temperatures of the -northland. The tentative date for the start of the flight was set for -July 10th and the month of June rolled away as though on magic wheels.</p> - -<p>Harry radioed from King’s Bay that the Neptune was about ready to start -the final dash to the pole. On the 20th of June he reported that they -were nosing out of the bay, running on the surface. A few hours later -came the news that the Coast of Spitzbergen was disappearing over the -horizon and that the Neptune was headed north into the land of eternal -ice and snow.</p> - -<p>The exchange of mail by the Goliath and Neptune had attracted the -attention of stamp collectors in all parts of the world and extra mail -clerks were brought to Bellevue to handle the hundreds of letters which -had been sent there for mailing aboard the Goliath, which would transfer -the pouches when it met the Neptune at the North Pole. The amount of -mail had been limited to five tons, a total which was reached long -before the date for closing the pouches was reached. A special -cancellation stamp had been devised to show that the letters had been -sent by the Goliath.</p> - -<p>With the Neptune definitely slipping through the broken ice of the -Arctic, the importance of Bert’s task of keeping in touch with the -Neptune increased and he almost lived in the radio room of the Goliath.</p> - -<p>The days marched by in a steady procession. Daily reports from Harry -indicated that ice conditions were most favorable and that the Neptune -was finding much clear water. Occasionally it was necessary to dive -under some particularly stubborn ice field but this had not happened -often.</p> - -<p>Then things changed; high winds prevailed in the northland; progress was -retarded; ice jammed in front of the Neptune; static set up a wall of -interference that was almost impossible to break through; messages from -Harry were few and far between, and lines of worry deepened as Bert and -Andy waited anxiously in the radio room.</p> - -<p>On the 28th of June a wave of static turned back every query sent into -the Arctic. On the 29th the same conditions prevailed. When the static -cleared on the 30th of June, Bert called in vain for the Neptune but -there was no answer.</p> - -<h2 id='ch15' class='c014'>CHAPTER XV<br />The Northern Seas</h2> - -<p>After a rough crossing of the Atlantic from New York to Plymouth, -England, where the Neptune had put in to replenish its supply of fuel, -the cruise of the polar submarine had been much smoother and Harry had -really enjoyed his trip. The daily talks by radiophone with Bert, Serge -and Andy were the high spots of the day for he missed the pleasure of -their companionship.</p> - -<p>His first days aboard the Neptune had been miserable with the weather -rough and his stomach turning flip-flops every time he tried to eat. But -after leaving Plymouth and heading north for Bergen he had found the sub -and its tricks to his liking. Bob Smith, first officer of the Neptune, -was not much older than Harry. Bob was a navy man, loaned to Gilbert -Mathews especially for the Polar cruise, and he was thoroughly at home -in the underwater craft.</p> - -<p>From Bergen to King’s Bay, Spitzbergen, was a lonely voyage for there -are few ships in the Arctic. An occasional gull wheeling overhead, stray -bergs drifting by, and the eternal blue of the cold North Atlantic was -all they saw day after day. Harry kept the radio humming with the press -messages which the explorer sent back to his syndicate in New York. One -method Mathews had used in spreading out the cost of the trip was the -sale of exclusive stories of what went on aboard the Neptune to a -newspaper syndicate. Morning and afternoon stories were required and -Harry, who was adept at writing a readable story, was often pressed into -service to write the daily dispatch.</p> - -<p>Weather favored them all the way to King’s Bay, where they were to make -their final stop for supplies, which had been sent on ahead by steamers.</p> - -<p>Harry deserted his post and went up on deck when Bob called down to -inform him that they were slipping into King’s Bay, scene of the start -of many a famous Arctic flight. It was from here that Byrd and Floyd -Bennett had made their dash to the North pole, to be followed a few days -later by Nobile and Ellsworth in the Italian dirigible Norge. It was -here that Wilkins and Eielson had landed after their long flight from -Alaska across the barrens of the Arctic and it was from here that the -ill-fated Norge had made a second expedition into the Arctic.</p> - -<p>By the time the sleek, black submarine had nosed its way up to the large -coal dock, the entire population of King’s Bay was down to greet it. The -crew and officers welcomed the opportunity to leave the Neptune and -stretch their legs on land, but preparations for the trip into the -Arctic were pushed with all possible haste. The weather was too -favorable for any unnecessary delay and the crew worked steadily at the -task of refilling fuel tanks and taking on fresh stores of food.</p> - -<p>On the morning of the 20th of June they cast their lines off the coal -dock, the big Diesels turned over smoothly, and the Neptune backed away -and turned its nose toward the open bay.</p> - -<p>As many of the crew of 31 as could crowd onto the deck watched the -changing scene, and listened to the wishes for good fortune shouted by -the townspeople on the dock. There was a fresh breeze in the outer bay -and they were forced below by the crisp wind which sent waves slapping -over the deck in steady succession.</p> - -<p>They were in the land of the midnight sun where in summer there is no -night, only a dusk as the sun dips to the horizon. At dusk the mainland -of Spitzbergen was to the rear and they were slipping past Amsterdam -island, which lay to their right. Ahead of them was the uncharted -mystery of the Arctic ocean.</p> - -<p>Harry was surprised at the comparative mildness of the Arctic summer but -the temperature of the Arctic sea was not such that a fall overboard was -inviting and as a result the outer hull of the craft was ice-cold. -Special electrical heating devices had been installed in the living -quarters and the control room so it was fairly comfortable inside the -sub.</p> - -<p>As they pushed northward, Gilbert Mathews and the two scientists with -him kept busy in the forward torpedo room where they made soundings of -the ocean depth and drew off samples from the bottom to determine the -nature of the floor of the Arctic. Because of the scientific -investigations, the Neptune made slow progress and it was the fourth day -out before they encountered much pack ice.</p> - -<p>Conditions were favorable for the progress of the Neptune, for the ice -fields were open with wide leads between them. Occasionally a small berg -scraped the side of the submarine and on the fifth day, when they -encountered a solid mass of ice, the diving order was given and the -Neptune, its special electrical feelers projecting ahead, slipped under -the wall of ice and into the open water on the other side. Such an -operation was under the direct charge of Bob Smith, who demonstrated his -ability in that one brief maneuver.</p> - -<p>The weather remained fair and on the 26th and 27th, the Neptune -increased its speed for the ice was fairly open. They were following -almost the same route taken by Byrd and Bennett in their successful dash -by air to the North Pole. On the twenty-eighth the sky closed in on -them. A cold Arctic fog obscured the sun and a wall of static shut them -off from communication with the outside world. They were now well into -the unknown regions of the Arctic, further north than any vessel had -previously penetrated, in the region which had been seen by man only -from the air.</p> - -<p>On the night of the twenty-eighth a bitter wind whipped down out of the -northwest and the leads commenced to close under the pressure of the -drifting ice. The Neptune scuttled from one open area to another seeking -safety but the gravity of the situation increased every minute. With the -ice pack closing in, it was possible that the submarine might be caught -between the ice and crushed like an egg shell for despite its sturdy -construction it could not withstand the enormous pressure which the ice -would exert.</p> - -<p>Bob was glued to the controls while Gilbert Mathews searched madly for -an opening through which the Neptune might slip to safety. There was -none and reluctantly the order was given to submerge.</p> - -<p>They would be safe down below for the time being but they would be -unable to tell in what direction safety lay. They would have to feel -their way almost blindly under the ice, hoping that they would -eventually find an opening where they could rise to the surface.</p> - -<p>Bob sent the Neptune down five fathoms and they slipped under the ice -pack.</p> - -<p>Hour after hour passed as the Neptune crept under the great mass of ice. -At times it was necessary to go down to 10 and 12 fathoms but for the -most part they were only five or six fathoms under the ice. The Neptune -was a good underwater boat, steady and smooth-riding and the crew -experienced little discomfort. There was plenty of air for 40 hours -under the ice and they felt no alarm, when, at the end of twenty hours, -they had failed to find an opening.</p> - -<p>They stopped and made a test with the ice drill which had been -especially designed and installed for just such an emergency but the -device jammed tight before they could get it working and that avenue of -escape was cut off.</p> - -<p>When another ten hours had elapsed and they were still groping blindly -under the ice. Bob expressed his private opinion that they were in a -tight situation. Harry agreed as he stood beside the first officer in -the control room. Another three hours slipped away and the air was -heavy. Harry’s head felt light and the blood raced through his veins. -Unless they found an opening soon it would be curtains for the Neptune -and its crew. Gilbert Mathews relieved Bob at the main controls and the -first officer walked back to the radio cubby with Harry.</p> - -<p>“If we don’t get out of this,” he said, “no one will ever know what -happened to us. They’ll have plenty of guesses and some of them will be -right, but they’ll never really know. I wish you could get a message -through.”</p> - -<p>“So do I,” said Harry, “but that won’t be possible until we emerge.”</p> - -<p>“I’m all in,” confessed Bob, “and I don’t suppose worrying will help us -any. Wake me up in half an hour,” he added as he slumped down in the one -comfortable canvas chair in the room.</p> - -<p>Harry returned to the control room where a white-faced, worried crew -stuck grimly to their stations.</p> - -<p>The air was bad; lights dim. They were barely creeping forward. Several -of the men dropped at their posts and were carried away by more -fortunate companions. Others took their places. The chief engineer, a -quiet Yankee, came in to tell the explorer that the power was going. The -batteries wouldn’t last more than another hour.</p> - -<p>There was nothing Harry could do in the control room and he returned to -his own quarters. Bob was sound asleep in the chair. One dim light -glowed over the now useless radio set. Harry sat down and picked up a -message blank. He’d write a note to Andy and Bert. Someone might find -the hulk of the submarine some day; a freak of the Arctic might cast it -where it would again be viewed by man.</p> - -<p>Harry had just started the note when he was startled by a sudden bumping -and scraping. The Neptune tilted sharply. Were they headed for the -bottom; crushed under the ice pack? The thought shot through Harry’s -mind as he roused Bob.</p> - -<p>There were cries from the control room. They were going up. They had -found an opening in the ice pack.</p> - -<p>Three minutes later the main hatch was thrown open and a wave of cool, -fresh air swept down into the dank, stinking interior of the submarine.</p> - -<p>They were in a small lead between the sheer walls of the ice pack. The -Neptune had nosed into it blindly at a time when officers and crews had -despaired of their own lives.</p> - -<p>As soon as the batteries had been charged sufficiently, Harry tried to -send out a call but the wall of static still engulfed the Arctic and his -efforts were futile.</p> - -<p>“I don’t think I got out more than a hundred miles,” he told Bob, “and -there isn’t one chance in a thousand that anyone heard us.”</p> - -<p>The Neptune remained securely in the sheltered lead all day on the 30th, -crew and officers resting after the strenuous ordeal they had been -through. Above them and over the ice pack a high wind raged and toward -the close of day there were ominous crackings and rumblings in the ice.</p> - -<p>With the exception of one man left in the conning tower, the crew of the -Neptune was sound asleep at midnight. Two hours later they were awakened -by the alarmed cries of the watch. An eerie rumbling and groaning filled -the night. When they tumbled out on deck a terrifying sight greeted -them. The walls of the ice pack were closing in. They were trapped in -the lead!</p> - -<p>The rapid movement of the ice was astounding. Orders cracked from the -lips of Gilbert Mathews and Bob Smith. The crew tumbled back into the -submarine. The main hatch was slammed and battened down. A crash dive -was in order. They were going under the ice again.</p> - -<p>Harry dreaded the thought. The last time their margin of safety had been -slim; too slim. This time they might not come up.</p> - -<p>The tension inside the Neptune was terrific as Bob gave the orders for -the dive. Valves were opened wide; water roared into the diving tanks. -The Neptune settled swiftly. The conning tower was almost under when -there was a terrific bump. Their downward motion stopped. The water -continued to rush into the diving tanks but the depth indicated remained -motionless.</p> - -<p>“We’re caught on an ice shelf,” cried the explorer.</p> - -<p>“Blow the tanks and we’ll get back to the surface,” commanded Bob. “We -won’t have a chance if we’re caught by the ice under water.”</p> - -<p>Compressed air whistled into the diving tanks and the needle of the -depth gauge quivered and moved upward. With a rush they were back on the -surface.</p> - -<p>The walls of the ice had moved closer. There was the steady thunder of -the pack as the pressure increased and miles of ice, driven by the -biting gale, moved forward, crushing all before it.</p> - -<p>Under Gilbert Mathews’ direction, members of the crew made hasty -soundings. To their dismay it was found that the tremendous pressure of -the advancing ice had driven a shelf of it under them. There wasn’t a -single hole large enough to allow them to dive through to the -comparative safety of the depths.</p> - -<p>In the next seconds a tremendous decision must be made: Should they stay -with the Neptune or abandon the submarine and attempt to escape over the -ice?</p> - -<p>The walls of ice were moving forward relentlessly, closing the gap foot -by foot.</p> - -<p>Gilbert Mathews, white-faced, grim, spoke.</p> - -<p>“Get out the emergency equipment,” he said. “We’ll abandon the Neptune.”</p> - -<p>For the next ten minutes the crew worked desperately. Food, tents, -snowshoes, medical supplies, and the portable radio and stoves were -rushed up from below. The Neptune was nosed over against the nearest -wall of ice and the supplies tossed on the pack. Others of the crew, -hurrying over the treacherous ice, carried the supplies back to a place -of safety for the tremendous pressure which would be exerted when the -walls of ice met might cause an explosion.</p> - -<p>Harry took a final look at his beloved set before abandoning the -Neptune. He tried one more desperate call but the static strangled his -cry for help. They were alone in the desolate Arctic.</p> - -<p>The Neptune abandoned to its fate, the crew retired from the edge of the -ice pack. From a distance of half a mile they watched the walls of ice -come together. Gilbert Mathews turned away when the first of the -rumbling explosions shattered the air. Ice rose in great pyramids, -shattering and flying in every direction. The pack on which they were -standing quivered and moved dangerously. In several places wide gaps -appeared but they were fortunate enough not to fall in.</p> - -<p>When the pressure eased, they returned to the place where they had left -the Neptune. Instead of a haven of open water they found great masses of -ice, twisted and piled in grotesque fashion as though some giant of the -north had been playing a game all his own.</p> - -<p>“We’ve seen the last of the Neptune,” said Bob Smith sadly. “It was a -good tub but not good enough to beat the Arctic.”</p> - -<p>But Bob was wrong for on the far side of the twisted mass of ice they -came upon the bow of the Neptune. From all appearances the shell of the -submarine had withstood the terrific pressure and the undersea craft had -been hurled out of the water and caught fast in the ice.</p> - -<p>It would be impossible to use the Neptune as a means of travel but if -the ice held its grip, they could live in the submarine until a rescue -expedition could reach them.</p> - -<p>Axes were brought from the supplies they had taken off the Neptune and -the crew turned to the task of chopping a hole through the ice until -they reached the main hatch. Working in shifts, it took them two hours -to accomplish the task.</p> - -<p>When the hatch was finally opened, Gilbert Mathews insisted that he be -the first to enter for the danger of chlorine gas lurked inside the -Neptune. If the batteries had upset, the deadly gas might have formed. -Anxiously the crew awaited the return of their leader. They cheered -wildly when he called that there was no sign of gas and they tumbled -back inside for a thorough inspection. Seams had been wrenched so -severely that the Neptune would sink like a rock if it ever slid into -the ocean but it was dry and comfortable inside and there was plenty of -fuel oil in the tanks to keep them warm for months to come.</p> - -<p>The first thing was to send word of their plight to the outside world.</p> - -<p>The portable radio with its aerial was set up on the ice outside and -Harry sat down to send out the first message and ask for relief. The -static had cleared since his last attempt and he finally picked up an -amateur station at Hopedale, Labrador, to which he communicated the -events which had befallen the Neptune. As nearly as possible, Harry gave -their position and asked that the officers of the Goliath at Bellevue, -Ky., be notified at once.</p> - -<p>The operator at Hopedale, after recovering from the astonishment of -Harry’s message, promised to relay it at once.</p> - -<p>The hours dragged by and there was no reply from the operator at -Hopedale, except that he had relayed the message to Montreal for further -transmission.</p> - -<p>The tent which had been erected around Harry’s portable set was little -protection from the bitter wind and he was numb from cold and miserable -when the Hopedale operator finally came back at him. The message had -reached Bellevue. The reply was on the way. It cracked through the -ether.</p> - -<p>“Goliath leaves at midnight. Estimate distance to you is 5,500 miles. -Should make it in 60 hours after departure. Signed, Andy High, Assistant -Pilot.”</p> - -<p>Harry ran to the Neptune with the message and the news it contained -cheered them greatly. With the wind rapidly whipping into a storm, they -took refuge in the warmth of the Neptune and awaited the coming of the -Goliath.</p> - -<h2 id='ch16' class='c014'>CHAPTER XVI<br />Rescue in the Arctic</h2> - -<p>For two days after the static cleared, there was no word from the silent -northland. Bert, Serge, and Andy remained in the radio room -continuously, calling vainly for the Neptune but each time their call -went unheeded.</p> - -<p>“Something mighty serious has happened to the Neptune,” declared Bert, -“or Harry would have answered just as soon as the static cleared.”</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid you’re right,” said Andy. “They were getting into dangerous -water when we last heard from them. Personally, I’ve doubted all along -that the Neptune would ever get to the North Pole. The ice pack there is -too solid. They’d have to do too much underwater cruising.”</p> - -<p>“Do you think they’ve been trapped under the ice?” asked Bert anxiously.</p> - -<p>“No,” replied Andy, “for they have the ice drill to cut a path to -safety. But a submarine has so many things that can go wrong.”</p> - -<p>Late the second day Andy’s father returned from Washington and they -informed him of the gravity of the situation.</p> - -<p>“How long would it take to get the Goliath ready for a polar trip?” he -asked Andy.</p> - -<p>“Not much more than six hours,” Andy replied.</p> - -<p>“Better warn the crew to stand by. If we don’t hear from the Neptune in -another 48 hours we’ll start north in an attempt to locate them.”</p> - -<p>Two hours later the Canadian station at Montreal broke in with an urgent -message.</p> - -<p>“Amateur operator at Hopedale, Labrador, has just messaged that -submarine Neptune is disabled and caught in ice. Crew safe. Approximate -position: latitude 82° 21′ longitude, east 9° 31′. -Ask relief expedition.”</p> - -<p>Bert copied the message with a hand that shook so much the words were -little more than a scrawl.</p> - -<p>“Tell Montreal to stand by,” said Andy, “while I rush this over to Dad -and Captain Harkins.” Andy found his father and the commander of the -Goliath at the hotel where he burst in on their conference, the message -in his hand.</p> - -<p>“I was afraid of something like this,” said Andy’s father. “The navy -people in Washington were inclined to be pretty pessimistic when I -talked with them, yesterday. Well, what do you say Captain?”</p> - -<p>The commander of the Goliath asked Andy for the latest weather report. -It was favorable.</p> - -<p>“We’ll start north at midnight,” he said.</p> - -<p>“Will you be able to make the trip, Dad?” asked Andy.</p> - -<p>“Sorry, son, but I’m due back in Washington tomorrow for a conference -that may mean the construction of more ships like the Goliath. The army -people have been tremendously pleased with the performance and are -anxious for more, semi-commercial, semi-military dirigibles.”</p> - -<p>Andy hurried back to the radio room where he communicated the news to -Bert and Serge. The message that the Goliath would start north at -midnight flashed to Montreal but static delayed its transmission to -Hopedale, to which it was finally relayed and from there sent on to the -waiting crew of the Neptune.</p> - -<p>Reporters assigned to Bellevue to cover various trial flights of the -Goliath sent out the news of the Neptune’s fate and the word that the -Goliath was starting north at midnight. Through the early hours of the -night the hangar was ablaze with light as final preparations were made.</p> - -<p>Every motor was thoroughly checked, extra helium put in the gas cells -and every precaution taken to insure the success of the long flight.</p> - -<p>Andy and Captain Harkins studied charts of the northland, plotting their -proposed course.</p> - -<p>It was finally agreed that they would fly north and east to Montreal and -then almost due north nearly 3,000 miles along the 76th meridian until -they reached Etah, Greenland, on the northwestern tip of that -ice-covered land. At Etah they would swing east, skirting the north -coast of Greenland, then out over the desolate waste of ice on the last -leg of their trip to find the crew of the Neptune.</p> - -<p>By eleven-thirty every member of the crew selected for the rescue trip -was aboard, including two mail clerks. There would be no transfer of the -mail to the Neptune but the postoffice department had rushed a special -cancellation from Washington and letters already aboard would be carried -into the Arctic. At the scene of the rescue of the Neptune’s crew the -postal clerks would cancel the letters with the special stamp.</p> - -<p>When the Goliath started out of its hangar at midnight on the second of -July, there were 62 men aboard, including the two postoffice clerks. The -crew had been reduced to a minimum for they would pick up the 31 men -from the Neptune.</p> - -<p>A typical July heat wave had gripped the nation for three days and they -were glad to soar into the cooler heights. A thin moon peeped down at -them as the great silver airship climbed into the sky and started north -on its mission of rescue.</p> - -<p>Lights of Bellevue vanished in the night. They went up to eight thousand -feet and headed for Montreal. Bert, in the radio room, advised the -Canadian station of their start and asked that the news be sent on to -the Neptune, via the station at Hopedale.</p> - -<p>Andy made a thorough trip over the Goliath while Serge remained in the -control room as first assistant to Captain Harkins. In the last month -Serge had proved invaluable. He was thoroughly capable of handling the -Goliath and had the ability to size up an emergency in an instant and -make the right decision.</p> - -<p>A little more than an hour after leaving Bellevue, the lights of -Pittsburgh appeared to their right. Tongues of flame from the steel -furnaces along the Monongahela shot into the night as though in greeting -to the king of the skyways.</p> - -<p>The sky was brightening with the rose of a summer dawn when they passed -over Buffalo and headed down Lake Ontario.</p> - -<p>Captain Harkins, who had been at the controls, complained of a severe -abdominal pain and retired into the main lounge, leaving Andy in charge. -As they neared Montreal, the commander’s suffering became more intense.</p> - -<p>“I’m going to radio ahead and have a doctor meet us at Montreal,” said -Bert. “Captain Harkins is a mighty sick man and unless I miss my guess, -the trouble is acute appendicitis.”</p> - -<p>Andy agreed and told Serge to make preparations to land the Goliath when -they reached the airport outside Montreal. Fortunately there was a -mooring mast that had been used by British dirigibles in their -trans-Atlantic flights.</p> - -<p>It was eight o’clock when the Goliath nosed over Montreal and prepared -to descend after its 750 mile flight from its home field. A company from -a Canadian regiment stationed in the city had bean turned out and was -ready to assist in bringing down the big airship. News that the Goliath -would stop had spread over the city and roads leading to the airport -were jammed with cars.</p> - -<p>With Andy at the main elevator and rudder controls and Serge beside him -with a megaphone to direct the actions of the ground crew, they brought -the Goliath to an easy landing. As soon as the big ship was fastened -securely to the mooring mast Andy hastened back into the main salon -where a doctor, who had boarded it the moment they landed, was examining -Captain Harkins.</p> - -<p>“Acute appendicitis,” was the verdict and the doctor added: “To continue -on this flight will undoubtedly cost Captain Harkins his life.”</p> - -<p>“We’ve got to go on,” protested the commander of the Goliath. “The lives -of 31 men in the Neptune, trapped in the Arctic, depend on us.”</p> - -<p>“You’ve got to think of yourself once in a while,” replied the surgeon -tartly.</p> - -<p>“We can take the Goliath on, Captain Harkins,” said Andy. “Serge has -demonstrated that he is an expert pilot and navigator. Between the two -of us we can handle the ship.”</p> - -<p>Captain Harkins smiled through pain-tightened lips.</p> - -<p>“I’m sure you can,” he said, “but you’d better get an official O. K. -from your father. He planned to fly back to Washington but you may be -able to get him at Bellevue before he starts.”</p> - -<p>Bert got through to Bellevue at once and in five minutes Andy was -talking with his father by radiophone.</p> - -<p>“We’ve got to go on,” said the assistant pilot of the Goliath, “and -Captain Harkins is desperately ill. Serge and I can take the Goliath -through if you’ll give your permission.”</p> - -<p>“Then don’t waste any time,” replied the executive vice president of the -National Airways. “Tell Captain Harkins I’ll fly up to see him as soon -as possible. Good luck, son, and the best of weather.”</p> - -<p>Breakfast was served to the crew while the Goliath was moored at the -Montreal airport and at nine o’clock Andy gave orders to resume the -flight.</p> - -<p>Captain Harkins refused to leave the airport until the Goliath was under -way and he watched the big ship move away from the mooring mast and soar -into the sky from his cot beside an ambulance. Andy dipped the nose of -the Goliath in salute to its commander and then headed the dirigible due -north, following just east of the 76th meridian.</p> - -<p>The day was clear and warm with a slight breeze from the south to speed -them on their way and they roared into the northland at a steady hundred -miles an hour. The fertile lands around Montreal were replaced by the -heavier forests of middle Quebec and as the sun sped on its western path -they looked down on a desolate land of brush, swamp and giant mosquitoes -which infested the region in summer. There was little habitation in the -country below them for it was a quagmire in summer and a frozen waste in -winter.</p> - -<p>There were innumerable lakes and rivers sighted during the day but by -sundown these had thinned out into a few streams which sent their waters -westward into Hudson Bay.</p> - -<p>Bert kept in almost constant communication with Montreal for the rescue -flight of the Goliath was the news of the hour for every paper in the -United States and Canada.</p> - -<p>Serge had taken a long afternoon shift at the controls while Andy slept -and at sundown they changed, Serge going back into the main cabin for a -warm supper and a few hours sleep. At midnight he would relieve Andy.</p> - -<p>The wind had died down to a whisper. The sky was brilliant with stars -and the Goliath made steady progress northward. There was a chill in the -air by midnight and Serge had on his sheepskin when he came forward to -relieve Andy.</p> - -<p>“They’re having trouble with No. 5 engine again,” said Andy, “and I’m -going back and see what’s up. I’ll have them cut it off until they find -out just what’s the matter.”</p> - -<p>Serge nodded, squinted at the chart and compass, and swung the nose of -the Goliath one point east.</p> - -<p>Back in No. 5 engine room Andy found the motor crew battling a stubborn -piece of machinery. The motor would turn over all right but they -couldn’t get the necessary speed. Andy slipped into a pair of coveralls -and worked with the crew. The trouble was in the timing and it took them -two hours to do the job.</p> - -<p>When Andy returned to the main gondola, the sky was light in the east -for they were getting into a latitude where the summer nights were short -and the days extremely long. Andy stepped into the control room and -Serge pointed ahead of them to a blue expanse of water.</p> - -<p>“Hudson Strait,” he cried and Andy, hardly believing the words, looked -at the chart. An hour later they were cutting across a corner of Fox -Land. Then the Goliath was over Baffin Land with the waters of Baffin -Bay ahead and to their right.</p> - -<p>At five a.m. Andy, who had slept for two hours, relieved Serge. A sharp -wind had come out of the north and the Goliath’s speed was down to -seventy miles an hour.</p> - -<p>The broad expanse of Baffin Bay was dotted with ice. They nosed out over -Home Bay with the open area of the South water beneath them. Ahead was -the great area of everlasting ice known as the Middle ice. For three -hours the Goliath fought its way over the ice sheet. Then came the 25 -mile stretch of open water known as Middle water and then another sheet -of desolate ice. It was noon when the Goliath finally left the Middle -ice and looked down on the berg-dotted stretch of North water. To their -right was that majestic land of eternal ice—Greenland, while to their -left was the desolate reaches of Ellesmere island.</p> - -<p>Serge took over the controls but Andy, instead of going back to rest, -remained at the window, looking down at the ever-changing panorama.</p> - -<p>Bert had managed to pick up the wireless station at Etah and had asked -for a weather report.</p> - -<p>“Clear but a thirty mile wind from the north,” Etah had replied, when -the operator had recovered from his astonishment at learning of the -proximity of the Goliath.</p> - -<p>With their speed greatly curtailed by the strong wind and a desire to -economize as much as possible on fuel, it was late in the day when the -Goliath stuck its nose into Smith Sound and looked down at Etah, the -farthest north year-round settlement of Greenland.</p> - -<p>The Goliath dropped low over Etah in salute to its residents. Then the -motors of the Goliath echoed their power through the stillness of the -Arctic, Andy brought the nose up, and they proceeded up Smith’s Sound -and into Kane Basin.</p> - -<p>Ahead of them loomed a gray blanket of fog and Andy sent the Goliath -climbing for altitude. Four, five, six, even seven thousand feet they -fought their way against the bitter wind but the drifting mist of gray -enveloped them. They came down to eight hundred feet but there was no -escape. The fog clung to the earth and it was impossible to see more -than two hundred feet ahead of the control room. Double lookouts were -posted and extra men ordered into the observation cockpits atop the -Goliath with telephone sets strapped to them so they could communicate -any possible danger or send news of a break in the fog bank.</p> - -<p>The Goliath crept ahead under reduced speed, barely feeling its way -along. Andy knew that below them was the great ice cap which covered -Greenland and in the region over which they were now flying an -occasional mountain peak reared its head through the eternal blanket of -ice and snow. The danger of colliding with such a peak was known to -every member of the crew and not a man so much as closed his eyes while -the Goliath battled the fog.</p> - -<p>The real danger from the fog, which only Andy and Serge realized, was -ice. In less than half an hour the outer covering of the Goliath was -sheathed in ice. The sides of the gondola were covered with the -treacherous stuff and even the windows froze over. It was necessary to -lower them and the cold fog swept into the control room. Sheepskins were -buttoned close as the Goliath moved slowly ahead.</p> - -<p>Serge kept his eyes on the altimeter. The needle was wavering at eight -hundred feet. Then it dropped to seven-fifty and finally to seven -hundred. The weight of the ice was forcing them down.</p> - -<p>Serge nudged Andy and pointed significantly to the needle. It was down -to six seventy-five. Andy nodded grimly and ordered more speed, at the -same time trying to nose the Goliath higher with the increased lifting -power of the additional speed.</p> - -<p>They gained a bare hundred feet, held it for five minutes, and then saw -the needle of the altimeter start down.</p> - -<p>“Take the controls,” Andy told Serge. “I’m going to ask for volunteers -to go on top with me and try and chop the ice loose.”</p> - -<p>“You can’t do that,” protested Serge. “The risk is too great. Someone -will slip off and be killed.”</p> - -<p>“It’s either going up top and trying to clear off the ice or wait here -until we’re forced down and crash into something, which would mean the -loss of the Goliath and the end of the rescue flight to the Neptune. -I’ve got to go.”</p> - -<p>There was no hesitancy among the crew in volunteering for the dangerous -task. They equipped themselves with short axes and steel bars, special -steel cleated shoes and ropes fastened around their waists. Andy divided -his crew of volunteers, four of them going aft and three of them -accompanying him aloft at the bow of the Goliath.</p> - -<p>When they emerged in the observation cockpit where another member of the -crew was huddled trying to peer into the fog, they found themselves in a -world alone. Ahead, behind, and on each side stretched the solid wall of -cold, gray mist. The top of the Goliath shone dully under the sheet of -ice, the depth of which was increasing every minute.</p> - -<p>“Lash yourselves to the steel cable along the catwalk,” Andy cautioned -them, “and be careful in using the axes. Don’t chop through the -metalized covering if you can help it.”</p> - -<p>The men nodded grimly and crept cautiously out on the catwalk, each one -careful to fasten the rope around his body. Setting the spikes on their -shoes firmly into the ice, they began hacking away at the menacing -shield which covered the Goliath.</p> - -<p>It was a slow, tedious task and the air was bitter cold. They cleaned -off the forward part of the catwalk and then started cautiously out on -top of the Goliath. Great sheets of ice slipped away under the prying of -their bars but it seemed that new sheets formed almost as fast as they -pried the old ones loose.</p> - -<p>Andy’s hands became numb and his face felt like an icy mask.</p> - -<p>The lookout in the observation cockpit shouted at them.</p> - -<p>“Control room says we’re holding steady now at five hundred feet. Asks -if you want more help.”</p> - -<p>“Tell them to send up a relief crew,” replied Andy. Ten minutes later -three fresh men were working with him and they attacked the ice with -renewed vigor. Andy felt fortunate that there had been no accident so -far but the thought was hardly in his mind when one of the new men, -overly-enthusiastic, slipped and disappeared in the fog. His safety rope -was fastened to the cable along the catwalk, but he had been in too much -haste to tie it securely and Andy saw the rope slipping. Somewhere over -the side of the Goliath this man was hanging, undoubtedly feeling the -quiver of the rope as the knot slipped.</p> - -<p>Forgetting his own danger, Andy hurled himself along the catwalk. He -seized the other man’s safety rope just before the knot gave way. Andy’s -arms jerked out straight and he cried aloud at the sudden pain. He -wrapped his legs around the cable on the catwalk and sprawled out on top -of the Goliath, head-foremost toward the edge over which the other man -had disappeared.</p> - -<p>Andy’s cries brought the attention of the watch in the observation -cockpit and the other two men working on top with him. As fast as the -treacherous condition of the catwalk would permit, they hastened toward -him but to Andy their progress was painfully slow.</p> - -<p>The rope was slipping through his hands. His fingers tightened until it -seemed they would crack but they were so numb from cold he couldn’t put -his full strength on the rope. It was slipping faster and faster. -Somewhere on the other end the man who had been working beside him only -a minute before was swinging like a pendulum along the side of the -ice-encrusted dirigible.</p> - -<p>Andy cried out again. He saw the three coming to his aid hurl themselves -toward him. He closed his eyes. The rope was slipping faster. Something -hit him so hard that he gasped for breath and the rope raced through his -fingers. He clutched at it and his fingers closed against his own palms.</p> - -<p>When Andy opened his eyes one of the crew was bending over him while the -other two were pulling their companion up over the side of the Goliath. -They had reached Andy just as his numbed fingers let go their hold.</p> - -<p>A minute later the man who had been looking death in the face was safe -on the catwalk, grateful to Andy for the risk he had taken.</p> - -<p>Bert, who had sensed something wrong when the watch in the forward -cockpit had failed to answer, came charging up. Andy was in no condition -to remain up top longer and Bert made him go below into one of the -engine rooms to thaw out.</p> - -<p>Crews on top of the Goliath were changed every half hour and in this -manner the dirigible wallowed through the fog. It was mid-forenoon -before the haze showed any signs of lifting but at noon there was a -definite break and the Arctic sun soon dispelled the menace in gray.</p> - -<p>When Andy was able to shoot their position again, he found that the -Goliath was approaching Cape Morris Jessup, the northernmost tip of -Greenland.</p> - -<p>There were irregular leads in the ice pack which surrounded the cape, -but these soon dropped behind and the Goliath moved out over the white -expanse of the silent Arctic. They were on the last leg of their long -flight, heading east and north now for the position from which Harry had -sent his appeal for help. The second day slipped away and they recorded -the coming of the third in their log book.</p> - -<p>They were fifty-five hours out from Bellevue. The sky was clear but the -chill wind still swept out of the north. The interior of the main cabin -and control room was warm again and the crew experienced no discomfort -in its flight.</p> - -<p>They crossed the Greenwich meridian at noon the third day. The Neptune -was somewhere east of them by nine degrees and 31 minutes and about two -degrees north. Andy altered the course slightly and the Goliath swept -nearer the North Pole, although still some three hundred miles from that -visionary goal.</p> - -<p>Every man who was not on duty in the control or engine rooms was at the -windows or stationed in the observation cockpits atop the dirigible, -straining ahead for some glimpse of the Neptune and its marooned crew.</p> - -<p>Static had been bad all morning but Bert kept up an incessant call for -Harry. It was an hour after crossing the Greenwich meridian when he -received his first answer and his wild whoop of joy brought Andy into -the radio room on the run.</p> - -<p>“I’m talking with Harry now,” cried Bert. “He says to hurry. The pack -ice is breaking up and the Neptune may be lost at any minute.”</p> - -<p>“Tell them to get out of the tin tub and get onto the ice where they’ll -be safer,” replied Andy. “We’ll be there within another hour.”</p> - -<p>“Two members of the crew are sick,” replied Bert.</p> - -<p>“Then they’ll have to fix up some kind of shelter on the ice,” said -Andy.</p> - -<p>“And Harry says it looks like a norther is coming up,” added the radio -operator.</p> - -<p>“Tell him we’re coming at full speed. Have him keep his set going and -use your radio compass in guiding us to him.”</p> - -<p>Bert agreed and Andy hastened back to the control room.</p> - -<p>“Bert’s just talked with Harry,” he told Serge, “and Harry says it looks -like a bad storm is brewing. We’ll put on full speed and pick them up -just as soon as possible.”</p> - -<p>Word telephoned down from the observation cockpits warned the control -room that clouds to the north looked bad. This news added confirmation -to that received from Harry and the Goliath raced over the waste of ice -and snow at a hundred miles an hour. Every eye was strained ahead to -catch some sign of the trapped submarine and its crew.</p> - -<p>“The ice is more open here,” Andy told Serge. “I wouldn’t be surprised -if the Neptune has disappeared by the time we reach there. Harry said -the ice was getting dangerous and I warned them to get out at once.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve had enough of the Arctic right now,” said Serge. “The experience -with the fog scared me half to death. I thought sure we were going to -crash over Greenland and we would if you hadn’t gone aloft and kept -enough of it chopped off.”</p> - -<p>“We ought to be near the Neptune now,” said Andy, “unless my -calculations are way off.”</p> - -<p>“Want me to start circling from here?” asked Serge.</p> - -<p>Before Andy could reply, Bert came from the radio room.</p> - -<p>“The Neptune is due north of us,” he cried. “Harry sent a flash. Said he -caught a glimpse of us with the sun slanting off the silver sides.”</p> - -<p>Serge swung the rudder over hard and the Goliath, its motors working -rhythmically, bored into the heart of the northland. Ahead a solid wall -of gray was mounting toward the heavens. In less than an hour the -blizzard would be on them.</p> - -<p>Five minutes later the watch in the No. 1 cockpit on top phoned that he -had sighted the Neptune.</p> - -<p>“Crew’s on the ice,” was the terse message. “The sub’s still in sight -but the ice is moving and it won’t be long until the sub is gone.”</p> - -<p>Andy’s keen eyes were the first in the control room to sight the -marooned crew of the Neptune. Behind them he saw the great ridge of ice -in which the Neptune had been caught. The dark nose of the undersea -craft was still in sight but the ice was heaving and churning under the -pressure of the moving ice pack.</p> - -<p>Fissures in the ice were widening and the wind swooped out of the north -with an ominous roar. Flurries of snow swept past them. The temperature -was dropping fast. The rescue must be a matter of minutes or the Arctic -might claim the Goliath as well as the Neptune.</p> - -<p>“You’re better at a landing than I am,” Serge told Andy. “Take over.”</p> - -<p>Andy stepped into the place of command and under his skillful hands the -Goliath slid down toward the crew of the Neptune. Steel cables, with -heavy grapnels, had been rigged especially for a landing on the ice. -When Andy gave the order to shut off the engines, the steel hooks were -dropped. They caught on the uneven ice and electric winches to which -they were fastened rapidly drew the Goliath down until the main gondola -rested just above the ice pack.</p> - -<p>Harry was the first to reach the gondola where he was greeted -enthusiastically by Andy, Bert and Serge.</p> - -<p>“You’re just in time,” he told them. “The ice is breaking up. That means -the end of the Neptune and this blizzard would probably have finished -us.”</p> - -<p>While Harry was talking, the sound of the coming storm was drowned by a -series of splintering crashes. The ice ahead of them heaved and buckled.</p> - -<p>Great chunks were hurled into the air. The nose of the Neptune was -pushed straight up. For a moment the submarine hung in this position. -Then, to the accompaniment of the steady booming of the ice, the sleek, -steel hull slid from view. It was gone in ten seconds—devoured by the -ever-hungry Arctic.</p> - -<p>Gilbert Mathews, who had aged years in the last few days, stumbled -across the ice.</p> - -<p>“Thank heaven you’ve arrived,” he cried. “We must hurry. The blizzard is -almost upon us.”</p> - -<p>In twos and threes the crew of the Neptune hurried toward the Goliath. A -twilight had settled over the scene and the lights from the cabin -windows of the Goliath shone strangely through the dusk of the coming -storm.</p> - -<p>Serge and a crew from the Goliath brought the two men from the Neptune -who were ill aboard. Some of them carried a few personal possessions. -Most of them had only the clothes they wore but they were thankful to -have even those.</p> - -<p>The last hours aboard the Neptune had been hours of terror with the -constant danger of the ice breaking up and dropping them into the depths -of the Arctic. With rescue at hand, some of them were almost hysterical -with joy. Mathews spoke to Andy.</p> - -<p>“I know the Arctic,” he said. “Get out of here as soon as you can. This -storm is going to be terrific. As soon as the last man is aboard, take -off.”</p> - -<p>Every motor was running smoothly and easily.</p> - -<p>“Stand by for a quick take off and a run before the storm,” he warned -the engineers. “Our lives will depend on you. We’ve got to make time.”</p> - -<p>Back in one of the cabins the postal clerks were busy cancelling the -letters which had been the only pay cargo aboard the Goliath on the -polar trip. They were obvious to the dangers of the coming storm and -Andy envied them their lack of worry.</p> - -<p>“Everybody on,” reported Serge. “Let’s go.”</p> - -<p>“Let’s go,” echoed Andy and the command was flashed back to the engine -rooms. The Goliath quivered to the pulsation of the powerful motors. To -save time, the steel cables with the grapnels were dropped on the ice -and the Goliath shook its nose at the gathering storm as it roared -aloft.</p> - -<p>The take-off had not come a moment too soon. The Goliath had barely -turned around and headed south, when the blizzard struck in all its -fury. A dry, biting snow enveloped the dirigible and the lights from the -cabin windows made only faint glows in the sea of swirling white.</p> - -<p>With motors turning over at full speed, the Goliath raced due south. But -fast though the Goliath traveled, the storm kept pace. Andy was thankful -for one thing. The snow was dry. It wouldn’t freeze to the sides and -force them down.</p> - -<p>The air outside was bitter cold and despite the heating system in the -gondola, a penetrating chill crept in.</p> - -<p>“How about the two men who are sick?” Andy asked the explorer.</p> - -<p>“It’s flu,” replied Mathews. “They’re over the worst of it but so weak -they can hardly move. However, if they had been exposed to many -hardships, it would have turned into pneumonia and they wouldn’t have -had a chance.”</p> - -<p>Bert had managed to send out a flash on the rescue of the crew of the -Neptune and had added that they were running before an Arctic blizzard. -This meager information was relayed by the Hopedale station and for -hours a waiting world wondered and waited for news of the Goliath and -its daring crew. They knew the king of the skies was battling for its -life somewhere in the northland; they knew that its commander was ill in -a Montreal hospital and they wondered at the stuff of which Andy and his -assistants were made. Could they bring the Goliath through the dangers -and rigors of a blizzard in the Arctic?</p> - -<p>Radio stations all over the northland tuned their sensitive ears for -some word from the Goliath, but the wall of static had dropped and their -calls went unanswered.</p> - -<p>In the meantime, the Goliath was racing south, its motors on full as it -sped through the storm. They were doing a hundred and thirty miles an -hour but the snow stayed with them and the cold was even more intense.</p> - -<p>The great ship was running blind. The only direction was south. Anything -to escape the tearing savagery of the Arctic. Serge stood silent at the -controls while Andy went on a tour of inspection. The engine crews were -getting drowsy from their long vigil and he ordered the steward to serve -a hot lunch for everyone.</p> - -<p>Andy was in the rear of the Goliath, leaving the last engine room, when -he heard a peculiar whistling sound. A draft of cold air struck him and -he turned quickly toward the tail of the ship, stopping only long enough -to get a flashlight from the engine room. He worked his way along the -narrow catwalk in the tail. The blast of air was stronger. The beam of -his flashlight traced a finger of light through the duralumin girders -and cables which formed and controlled the main elevator.</p> - -<p>The light fastened on one section of the right elevator. There was a -great tear in the metalized fabric through which the wind was whistling -in an increasing crescendo. Unless the tear was repaired at once, the -Goliath would be in grave danger of getting out of control for the -opening was growing larger and would soon render the elevators useless.</p> - -<p>Andy ran back to the engine room where he telephoned Serge to reduce -their speed to a minimum. The same call brought Bert and Harry back on -the run and another call brought two expert riggers with a roll of the -metal cloth and a can of cement, which they heated in the engine room.</p> - -<p>The chief rigger, Mac Glassgow, looked at the rip in the elevator.</p> - -<p>“It’s a mean one to fix,” he asserted, “but we’ll do the job.”</p> - -<p>“We’ve got to,” urged Andy. “It’s growing larger every minute.”</p> - -<p>“An inside job won’t be so hard,” said Mac, “but to make it stick, it -should be patched from the outside.”</p> - -<p>“There’s no place to land and do that,” protested Bert.</p> - -<p>“I know, I know,” said Mac, “but an inside patch will never hold.”</p> - -<p>“You mean someone ought to go up top, lower themselves down on the -outside, and make the patch?” asked Andy.</p> - -<p>Mac nodded.</p> - -<p>“That’s the ticket,” he said. “I’m a bit too old and stiff or I’d do it -in a minute. The Graf Zeppelin’s crew had to do it one time off the -Atlantic coast in weather about as bad as this.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll go up,” replied Andy. “Get the patch ready, Mac. Bert and Harry -will come along to lower me away.”</p> - -<p>Andy’s friends protested that it was a foolhardy attempt, but he refused -to listen to them.</p> - -<p>“We are all in grave danger,” he said. “The attempt must be made. As -long as you fellows hang onto the rope I’ll be in no danger.”</p> - -<p>Other members of the crew were summoned and under Mac’s expert direction -a temporary patch was placed inside the elevator fin. While this was -being accomplished, Andy prepared for the outside job.</p> - -<p>A harness of leather straps was rigged around his shoulders and body and -to this was attached a strong new one inch rope. Mac had cut the patch -to the proper size and the cement had been placed in a double bucket to -retain its heat. The motors were turning over just fast enough to give -the Goliath steerage way.</p> - -<p>Andy and his two companions ascended the ladder to the rear right -cockpit, from which the commander of the Goliath was to be lowered over -the side.</p> - -<p>The wind was blowing a gale that chilled them instantly.</p> - -<p>“You’ll freeze to death before you get down to the fin,” said Bert.</p> - -<p>“I’ll hug this cement pot,” replied Andy. “All set?”</p> - -<p>Andy slid over the side and Bert and Harry lowered away on the rope. -Foot by foot Andy eased down over the smooth side of the Goliath. -Twenty, thirty, forty feet he went out and down. Just below he caught -the glow of light inside the fin and the outline of the makeshift patch -which Mac and his rigger had slapped on inside.</p> - -<p>The young pilot sprawled flat on the surface of the fin, arms -outstretched. The cloth to complete the patch was fastened on his back.</p> - -<p>With chilled hands he opened the top of the cement pot and seized the -brush. The rip in the fin was about twelve feet long and two feet wide. -Andy slapped the cement on the back end first, shut the top of the pot, -readied for the patch, and put the end in place before the cement had a -chance to cool. The Goliath was drifting through the storm and Andy had -patched the end of the hole which received the greatest force of the -wind.</p> - -<p>He worked forward carefully, stopping now to apply the cement liberally, -then unrolling the patch, and moving ahead another foot to repeat the -operation. In the fin beneath, he could hear Mac, the rigger, shouting -encouragement. He needed it. He was worn almost to the breaking point by -the responsibility which had been on his shoulders ever since the -Goliath left the airport at Montreal. Tears froze to his cheeks and he -cried aloud at the pain in his cold white hands. His movements were -mechanical. Slap on the cement, unroll the patch, slap on the cement, -unroll the patch.</p> - -<p>Suddenly there was no more cement to put on, no more cloth to unroll. -The job was done. The danger that the fin might be ripped off by the -wind was over. Andy closed his eyes and his numbed hands slipped. There -was a sensation of falling and he knew that he was slipping off the fin -but he was in a lethargy, unable to help himself. He felt himself dip -over the edge of the fin; knew he was falling into the storm and -darkness.</p> - -<p>When he opened his eyes half an hour later he was in the warmth of one -of the rear engine rooms. Bert and Harry were beside him.</p> - -<p>“What happened while I was on the fin?” demanded Andy.</p> - -<p>“The cold got you,” replied Bert, “and you slipped off. Good thing we -had a rope around you.”</p> - -<p>“Is the fin all right?” Andy asked eagerly.</p> - -<p>Mac Glassgow, the chief rigger who had remained in the background, -stepped up.</p> - -<p>“Best job of patching I ever saw,” he exclaimed. “We’ll have no more -trouble with that fin this trip.”</p> - -<p>“How’s the storm?” was Andy’s next question.</p> - -<p>“We’re running out of it now,” replied Harry.</p> - -<p>“Serge just phoned back that the sky was clearing and it is much -warmer.”</p> - -<p>Despite Andy’s protest, they made him go to bed, and Harry sat down to -see that their wishes were enforced.</p> - -<p>When Andy awoke again the sky had cleared and the Goliath was cruising -through brilliant sunshine. The events of the storm were like a -nightmare.</p> - -<p>Serge was still at the controls. He was tired and worn by the long -ordeal, but he smiled happily when he saw Andy.</p> - -<p>Bert came out of the radio room with a sheaf of messages.</p> - -<p>“I’ve sent out a complete story of our trip,” he informed Andy, “and -messages are coming in almost every minute now. Here’s a couple you’ll -want.” The first was from Andy’s father, then in Washington.</p> - -<p>“Have just learned of fine work of yourself and crew of Goliath. I’m -proud of you, son.”</p> - -<p>The other was from Captain Harkins. It read: “Great work, Andy. My -congratulations to Bert, Harry and Serge. Many happy landings.” Andy -passed the messages along to Harry and Serge, who read them eagerly.</p> - -<p>“You’ve done a fine piece of work in taking the Goliath into the Arctic -and bringing back the Neptune’s crew,” said Harry. “You deserve all the -congratulations.”</p> - -<p>“They’re embarrassing,” grinned Andy, “for you fellows deserve just as -much credit as I do.”</p> - -<p>“We won’t quarrel over that,” said Serge. “Incidentally, if anyone is -curious, that point of land to our left is Cape Bismark and that rather -inhospitable-looking stretch of ice and snow beyond is King William -land.”</p> - -<p>“Which means nothing at all to me,” replied Bert.</p> - -<p>“If you could read a chart,” replied Serge lightly, “you’d know that we -are now off the east coast of Greenland, proceeding south by west at -ninety miles an hour with clear skies and a favoring tail wind. Also, -I’m going to bed.”</p> - -<p>With motors tuned perfectly to their task, the Goliath sped southward -toward New York, where it would stop to land the crew of the Neptune. -Andy, again at the controls, smiled happily for the Goliath had proved -beyond any question that it was master of the elements—king of the -skies.</p> - -<div class='c004'> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>THE GO AHEAD BOYS SERIES</p> - -<p class='c016'>By ROSS KAY</p> - -<div class='c008'> - <div class='c009'> - <p class='c010'> - On Smuggler’s Island<br/> - The Treasure Cave<br/> - Mysterious Old House<br/> - In the Island Camp<br/> - And the Racing Motor<br/> - And Simon’s Mine - </p> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>These stories will appeal to any boy who is imbued with “The Go Ahead” -spirit. Whether on Smuggler’s Island, at Simon’s Mine or in The Treasure -Cave, the boys have adventures that are as thrilling as they are -unusual. The scene of each volume is laid in some beautiful and historic -part of our country. This adds to the interest and value of the stories -and makes them doubly attractive.</p> - -<p class='c018'>The Goldsmith Publishing Co</p> - -<p class='c019'>NEW YORK, N.Y.</p> - -<p class='c020'>THE MUSKET BOYS SERIES</p> - -<p class='c016'>By GEORGE A WARREN</p> - -<div class='c008'> - <div class='c009'> - <p class='c010'> - The Musket Boys of Old Boston<br/> - The Musket Boys Under Washington<br/> - The Musket Boys on the Delaware - </p> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>Stirring times were these—and stirring deeds made boys into men before -their time.</p> - -<p class='c017'>Against the picturesque background of the revolutionary war, George A. -Warren tells a tale of heroism and patriotism of the boys of long ago -who heard the call of their country and rallied to the colors.</p> - -<p class='c017'>What trials of valor and responsibilities beyond their years comes to -“The Musket Boys” is told in an enthralling manner.</p> - -<p class='c018'>The Goldsmith Publishing Co</p> - -<p class='c019'>NEW YORK, N.Y.</p> - -<!-- --> - - -<p class='c021'>BOOKS for BOYS</p> - -<p class='c022'>THE TIM MURPHY SERIES</p> - -<p class='c003'>By Graham M. Dean</p> - -<p class='c017'>Graham M. Dean is a newspaper editor. He lives and knows how to tell the -romance of newspapering. Tim Murphy learns how to fly at the expense of -the “Atkinson News” because the editor firmly believes some of the -biggest news stories will break above the clouds. Every boy and girl -imbued with the spirit of adventure will want to read these books.</p> - -<div class='c008'> - <div class='c009'> - <p class='c010'> - DARING WINGS<br/> - SKY TRAIL - </p> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c023'>AIR MONSTER</p> - -<p class='c003'>By Edwin Green</p> - -<p class='c024'>A story of the world’s largest dirigible and of the dangers in the -frozen wastes of the Arctic—a combination sure to provide thrills for -every reader. What befalls this “Air Monster” on the Arctic trip is only -a part of the smashing action of this great book for boys.</p> - -<p class='c023'>EXTRA</p> - -<p class='c003'>By George Morse</p> - -<p class='c017'>Baffling mystery, startling disappearances, roaring presses, etc., the -tenseness of the deadline hour of great newspapers—all these and more -are in this book written by a newspaper man in a style every young -reader will enjoy.</p> - -<p class='c018'>The Goldsmith Publishing Co</p> - -<p class='c019'>NEW YORK</p> - -<!-- --> - -<p class='c020'>ALL AMERICAN SPORT SERIES</p> - -<p class='c003'>by Harold M. Sherman</p> - -<p class='c017'>Harold M. Sherman, one of the most popular authors of boys’ books, needs -no introduction to the vast majority of young readers.</p> - -<p class='c017'>To boys who like, as every red-blooded boy must, these high type sport -stories, we dedicate this series.</p> - -<div class='c008'> - <div class='c009'> - <p class='c010'> - FOOTBALL . . . INTERFERENCE<br/> - FOOTBALL . . . IT’S A PASS!<br/> - FOOTBALL . . . OVER THE LINE<br/> - BASKETBALL . . . UNDER THE BASKET<br/> - ICE HOCKEY . . . DOWN THE ICE<br/> - BASE BALL . . . STRIKE HIM OUT<br/> - TENNIS . . . THE TENNIS TERROR - </p> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c018'>The Goldsmith Publishing Co.</p> - -<p class='c019'>NEW YORK</p> - -<!-- --> - -<p class='c020'>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS SERIES</p> - -<p class='c016'>By Captain Quincy Allen</p> - -<div class='c008'> - <div class='c009'> - <p class='c010'> - The Outdoor Chums<br/> - On the Lake<br/> - In the Forest<br/> - On the Gulf<br/> - After Big Game<br/> - On A House Boat<br/> - In the Big Woods<br/> - At Cabin Point - </p> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>For lovers of the great outdoors (and what boy is not?) this “Outdoor -Chums” series will be a rare treat. After you have read the first book -and followed the fortunes of the “Chums,” you will realize the pleasure -the other seven volumes have in store for you.</p> - -<p class='c017'>These rollicking lads know field, forest, mountain, sea and stream—and -the books contain much valuable information on woodcraft and the living -of an outdoor life.</p> - -<p class='c018'>The Goldsmith Publishing Co.</p> - -<p class='c019'>NEW YORK</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AIR MONSTER***</p> -<p>******* This file should be named 55965-h.htm or 55965-h.zip *******</p> -<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> -<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/5/9/6/55965">http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/9/6/55965</a></p> -<p> -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed.</p> - -<p>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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