The Dreadnought of the Air

aid Dacres. "If you lay him by t

isn't in England

es. "But he was last night

th didn't you re

then no idea who or wh

," said the Commander, ta

'm in a bit of a fix. I'm not a fr

his is a matter of

ive the show away that I once

Admiral Superintendent of the Dockyard, two naval secretaries, the

xican in the train, and that he had come purposely to warn his frie

wn initiative, sir?" asked o

es. "I was acting

might

ward question.

ngo arrested," he replied guardedly. "I'm no

st?" asked the Comma

d inform him of the loss of the documents. No doubt he will act promptly and unreservedly in conjunction with you. Meanwhile, I would suggest that you ascertain what ships left S

rd officials with owl-like wisdom. As a matter of fa

ve. I can assure you that at present I can be of no further use to

the King's Regulations; there was not the faintest excuse for arresting him, whil

ed him into

med, "what sort of enterpri

You'll be surprised when you are told, but I cannot say any more about it at present.

lmly as if he were giving directions to a taxi-driver.

minutes of the time of rising from the ground he alighted a

e favoured him, for he made the discovery that a man answering to his description of Se?or Durango

. "The rogue is safe for the time being, for the authoritie

anhao'?" he asked of the Engli

y. "You see, she's running a relief trip, because the 'Alagoas

d inquired when the "Maranhao" was likely

nswer to further inquiries said that the distance

ast thirteen and a half days to reach Pernambuco. This was reassuring, and having thanked the clerk for the t

ttinghame came from the house to meet him. "D

," replied the owner of the "Meteor

een days he'll land at Pernambuco-if he doesn't double o

sharp as he can possibly manage it. We'll try to nab him when he

incidents of his aerial journey and his in

f the Empire you would doubtless com

assented W

sked Dacr

lge in a mild panic. We will pay them an offici

epeated

aused so much stir in official circles will appear at Portsmouth at 10 a.m. on the 9th instant, and that her commander will, in support of his deputy's assurances, communicate an

e, his knowledge of all branches of sport being especially profound. He had all the noteworthy records of athletics at his f

after lunch was over, "suppose

elighted," ass

rue. Since I cannot prevent the minions of the Government from entering my house and taking an immense amount of data for some useless purpose, I must protect my own interests by this means. I discovered the secret panel after the under-

opped and unlocked a baize-covered do

oof," continued his guide. "Wa

hat they were standing in a long narrow passage, with a door

to explain. If I had electric fittings installed in the house they would cause comment. By retaining the old-fashioned system of lighting it helps to keep up the deceptio

t somewhat apprehensive, for there

n scientist who was unable to sell his priceless formula in his own country. He was regarded as a lunatic, poor fellow. This ultra-hydrogen has, und

Dacres, too surprise

are by this stupendous discovery. Thanks to the practical non-porosity of the ballonettes of the 'Meteor' we have not yet found it necessa

nt to descend?" asked Dacres. "

pon our reserve of ultra-hydrogen. It is six weeks

to husband the supply o

descend-apart from the action of the horizontal planes-the ultra-hydrogen is exhausted from the required number of ballonettes and forced under great pressure into steel cylin

r appointment as navigating officer to the vessel. I might mention, however, that every one of them has seen service in the Royal Navy. They are

at some of them might

ghame l

ecent wages and appealing to their sense of honour. I know that for a fact. My experience teaches me that so long as you pick your men carefully in the first instance, pay them adequately, and treat them considerately, they'll stick to you through thick and

feet in length and twenty-five i

the whole work of finally assembling the parts was done without the use of a hammer. Over thirty thousand bolts and nuts were used in setting up the completed craft. In the next room are the lathes and fitters' benches; beyond