Dangerous Deeds; Or, The Flight in the Dirigible

e had discovered. O'Brien listened closely a

you're mentionin'. I know the local cutthroats and pipemen, while every son of Ham that walks there has a razor re

with his eyes fixed on a corner of the room,

st he

in his house as his guest. There's that much less chance of losin' you if they get on to who you are. And it's a slick crowd we are buttin' in on. When it comes time for you to start with your silly little papers and your s

irty," sai

lied O'Brien, "but

fter a moment's talk, he took his hat and told Lawrence to follow him. In a taxi,

outlined

riends but those jewels mean little or nothing to the man who calls himself Smith. What he wants are the papers. Either he, or someone back of

he said regretfully. "All I want is some

oo many clever jobs for me to feel worried about this one. Well, Law

chances. I'm like yourself, sir; I'm thinkin' that

tructive and as deadly as the last. They have clever spies, and the only thing they have not surmised, guessed at, or proved about this journey is the

with a twinkle. "But hard to man

more and more devoted to the kindly, shrewd man. He often repeated his regret that there was no son to

rokenly. "I cannot talk about it." He stopped and Lawrence, respecting his

ul, appealing face, full of sorrow bravely concealed. It held a strange fascination for Lawrence, who found himself looking at it by the hour. Mr. Ridgeway never spoke of the picture, although Lawrence knew that no two people ever loved each other better than the great man and his beautiful wife. That she had been sent away to avoid possible harm was clear to Lawrence, and

time. For the cleverest sky pilot in the world was hungry just as though he had been an ordinary boy with no thought above the Saturday

, old man," he said. "I want you to tak

doing now, I will have to give up my license and take a job

telephone, and immediately they hurried out to the Aviation Field in Mr. Ridgeway's runabout.

to Lawrence. "Get into them quickly. Mr. Rid

oward the east. In a wild rush of speed, reeling league after league of sky behind them, they reached the Atlantic coast and, swervin

they walked back until they came to the hangar where the new dirigible was housed. Lawrence gave a quick sigh of delight when he saw the balloon. He had never seen anythi

en as Mr. Ridgeway went outside with one

g just like it. Even the new models in the pictures in the trade journa

the first time I have seen this but I

s fuel?" as

be used except for old type autos and farm trucks. I

managing it," said Lawrence dubiously

you have one chance anyhow to get used to this type of dirigible. As far as hyolax goes, it works exactly like gasoline

above the tossing waves, Lawrence manoeuvered the balloon, learning its tricks as a good horseman learns the whims of a favorite steed. Lawrence was crazy over it, as O'Brien had said, and the t

n minutes. It was like driving a flivver after a twelve-cylinder touring car. The plane wobbled and shifted until he hit his stroke again. Reaching the home field, Lawrence silently hopped out of the plane and foll

th, and on my life I don't know where w

reet. There is a basement where he keeps his surplus stock. The stairs is at the right of the store as you

ime, and when you go in hold on to the left lapel of your coats so he'll kno

through the small drug store and down the concealed stai

was not room enough anywhere for a kitten to hide. There was a door at the top of the stairs, and this O'Brien closed

r me to show you all the cards. You

the downfall of his own country to satisfy his own miserable ambition. That much

will elude him. That is all I want now. After we are off, O'Brien, start something that will bring that gang ins

is now, now while you are h

way shook

ien. Lawrence looked over his shoulder and slowly spelled out the words of a curi

ding and the papers intended for a certain republic are taken out of this country, that day, mind you, the President of t

e president," he said. "And you will be safe up in the air, but no one knows what else they will do. I think it's u

complish, and the sooner we do accomplish them, the better it will be. I will go from here to the White Hou

uld set the time for evening. I want a whole day to get hold of my li

t makes no difference, only you can see by this

have to have a fight with

wrence, do you want to come down as far as Pen

eed," sai

ughfares in the world stretched before him, and along it went representatives of every country and clime. He was intent on the pageant when a whining voice at his e

rgotten and hideous, suddenly sprang into view. Where had he ever seen th

minute and Lawrence saw a deep, three-cornered scar on the m

ood one, didn't she?" at the s

. "Who are you?" he demanded, an

" said L

ou?" repea

" said L

an auto?" cried the beggar. "

said Lawrence, his sense of caution keeping back

ursemaid. I never knew who to. She didn't trust me, an' me married to her lawful! But one day 'bout sundown she sneaked in with two kids dressed dandy. And I ast her what was it

inkin', and the other rollin' down the bank. She grabbed him, but the other had went; and she was so scared she comes runnin' home and there we was with another kid, which was you. Moll didn't go away nor nothin', but we kep' close about it, because it might 'a' meant the chair. They found the bunnits, and nex' day or s

name of the people?" a

want you by now, and you are all right. Let sleepin' dogs lay is my motter. I ain't

on you," beg

No, you don't get no chance. You are doin' well. Let sleepin' dogs lay," and dodged quickly across the

pressed a hand over the pock

e said in a whisper. "A