The Dreadnought of the Air

res took the opportunity of leaving the vessel at Tilb

s father would be he booked his scanty belongi

he door of Colonel Dacres' house. A strange footman answered him, and in re

colonel had made no mention of his intention, and to l

Colonel Dacres'

man; "it is Cranbury Hou

the sooner we come to an understanding the better, I suppose. I'll get some lunch and then tak

station in the New Forest. An express train, leaving Waterloo at five, would take him as far as Brockenhurst in an hour and fifty minutes. Then, a

unauthenticated accounts that it had been "spotted." Many reports turned out to be deliberate hoaxes, while in one instance a company of Royal Engineers at Portsmouth turned out with a sear

the familiar haunts, so after walking along Piccadilly and thence to Trafalgar Square, he turned down Northumberland Avenue. Under existing ci

lided with a powerfully-built, athletic-looking man who

apologies the strange

l, what are you do

ove!" ejacul

Let me see, that was when we paid off in the old 'Cornwall' in 1914. B

promoted to the rank of Inspecting Commander of Submarines after less than a year's service as lieutenant. This was creating a precedent, but circumstances warranted it, and when the unusual appo

uch drastic measures. Of course I had a lot to do with him when he was Admiral Superintendent at Portsmouth, and, personally, I found him quite a genial old fellow.

hope to do something in the way of flying.

r at Dartmouth, for instance. Thank goodness, it isn't in

een on submarine work. It lacks the sense of fr

d me to agree with you, at least, as far as aeroplan

hrodite.' By the by, what's your opinion about this mysterious aircraft? It's maki

replied Hyth

be in the employ of a foreign power,

hances if she came within range

r wants some hitting," remarked Dacres. "Be

ast, so no doubt she has transferred her activities elsewhere. Personally I have but little faith in the command of the air. So long as

y the govern

rse in the opposite directi

mewhere in the New Forest-near Holmsley. It's a

hmond and get one from the Metropolitan and Suburban Volo

shook h

id gravely. "I haven't any too mu

s in his pocket

s," he said hurriedly, "b

shook h

p," he replied,

loan,

ome to that yet, and I hope it never

ble manner, Dacres. Still, you know my address. If

ld care to look to for a favour, but you are the exception, Hythe. Well

r in spite of his dwindling purse he resolved to maintain the dignity

25 minutes W., or roughly midway between Liverpool and New York. The tramp was plugging at half speed against a furious easterly gale. The sky was obscured with dark clouds, and although it was noon the light was very dim. The airship, travelling at an estimated speed of one hundred miles an hour, p

itted to the Admiralty. Presuming that the speed and direction of the airship were unifo

gigantic aircraft; then, having devoured the advertisement columns for the simple reason that there was nothin

oat, a massive gold chain, and a large diamond tie pin, was evidently a well-to-do City man. Dacres

n. This, together with the fact that the "whites" of his eyes were far from being white and were of an aggressively bilious colour, seemed to suggest that this man had been born under

nger-nails of that colour invariably betray a dash of bl

ed tie were in keeping with his sombre appearance. Altogether he looked as unl

but his scrutiny was none the less minute. He had the knack of being a

airly tough customer in the ring. "Unless I'm much mistaken he is too fond of bendi

he act of ascending. They rose awkwardly, bobbing in the stiff breeze, then, gra

e window Dacres found that the sallow-faced passenger was addressing him. Th

making good headway, especially as they a

ws when they take it into their heads to side slip or bank too steeply. To my mind acci

le by means of hydrogen

Still, one never knows. A compromise betwee

ffer in consequence

en seen in various parts of the country. Her speed exceeds

a mistake in putting him down as a South American. His accent was almost perfect; in fact, almost too faultles

hey can return to the surface and remain motionless. Of course I am alluding to peace conditions. A helpless submarine lying awash

no connexion with the--" he was about to say "servic

tment flitted across

ly. "The subject of the navy interests me. By th

outhampton West. It's quite a sh

s is my first visit to Southampton. My duties hitherto have been co

t-pocket, the stranger broke off the co

d no connexion with the service-worse luck. He shut up like a hedgehog after that. Cold stor

was still deep in his notebook. On the cover, partially concealed by the man's flabby hands, was

Spanish after all," he soliloquized. "Perhaps my or

ust as the train was rushing through Winchester station he stood

t was on the move, Dacres happened to catch a glimpse of his late fel

my leg over the cold storage business, I'll be bound. Bless me, if I like the cut of your jib. I am not generally g