by Bess Moyer
CHAPTER VII
A Perilous Take-Off
The girls knew that Joe Arnold was an enemy far more dangerous thanBud Hyslop or Jim Heron, for he was their superior in brains andexperience, and was quite as unscrupulous. Joe Arnold, they knew wastheir father’s rival and would do anything to injure Dick Mapes, todiscredit him and ruin his business. And now here was Arnold beforethem.
The sisters tiptoed back down the hill where they could talk withoutbeing heard, taking Sally with them. The three girls clung together.These were desperate men, taking desperate chances, therefore theymight do terrible things, even commit murder to get what they wanted.
There was silence for a long time then Terry spoke in low tones.“Listen, Prim. I’m certain that _Skybird_ is all ready to take-off. Sois Joe Arnold’s plane. But I must get the _Comet_.”
“Terry, don’t be ridiculous. We can’t get any of the planes with thosemen there.”
“We’ll have to take a chance. We’ve got to do it!” said Terry.
“But Dad says that there is never any excuse for taking chances,”cautioned Prim.
“That’s all right. Dad will change his mind when he knows what weknow.”
“But what do you want me to do, Terry? I’ll do anything you say!”agreed Prim.
“First, I want you to be game. I’m going down the hill and take a lookat _The Comet_ and see if there is plenty of gas and oil. Don’t speak,no matter what. I’ll be all right!”
“I’ll be game, only I wish you wouldn’t go. It’s too dangerous, Terry.Please give it up!” Prim clutched her sister’s sleeve.
“Don’t hold me back, Prim. I’ve got to go! It’s the only way out. Nowthat the fog has lifted, everything is in our favor. It’s now ornever.”
As Terry slipped quietly down the hill, Sally and Prim returnedcautiously to the crest where they could see what was going on. Terrywas gliding about among the planes, keeping herself hidden from theman, who was sitting with his back toward her. Terry reached _TheComet_ unobserved. It stood to reason, she thought, that Bud Hyslopwould have the planes ready for a quick take-off at any moment. With atiny flashlight that she always carried in the pocket of her leathercoat, she looked over the plane. Everything was set.
Just as Terry was starting to return, Joe Arnold threw away his cigar,rose, stretched and took a leisurely turn around the planes. Terrycrouched low and scarcely breathed. Prim, on the hill above, almostscreamed in fear as the man walked within a few feet of the hiddengirl. It seemed hours to Terry and her sister before he turned awayand strode over to Dan. He gave the boy a poke in the ribs.
“You take a turn,” he said. “I’ll try and get a wink of sleep,” andJoe Arnold stretched himself on the ground.
Sally pressed her companion’s hand. “Luck is with us, Prim,” shewhispered.
“But what’s keeping Terry so long? Why doesn’t she come?” asked Primanxiously. For Terry was slipping once more between the planes. Shecrossed a space near the campfire and busied herself about Joe’s aircraft, then went noiselessly up the hill to safety.
Dan Brent was restless. He walked up and down anxiously, lookingtoward the trail as if he suspected that someone was watching. FinallySally could stand it no longer; she picked up a pebble and threw it atthe boy’s feet. Dan understood and without a bit of hesitation, walkedup the trail.
Terry and Prim stepped back to let Sally talk with Dan alone.
“What are those men planning to do, Dan? Have you found out anything?”demanded Sally.
“I heard them say they were soon going to take the boys back to theStates. They talk straight enough. I don’t know which to believe,these fellows or the girls you have.”
“If you’re wise, you’ll believe what _I_ tell you. The idea of youbeing taken in by _them_! A lot of crooks!”
“I’m not taken in by them, Sally. I have their number. They’re notplaying fair, I know that. If they were, they wouldn’t try to cheat meout of that fifty dollars they promised. But are your girls on thelevel?”
“You bet they are,” said Sally.
“Then I’ll throw in with you and tell you everything those fellowssaid. I heard them talking and I have a tip about where thosekidnapped boys are.”
“Where?” demanded Sally. “Tell me, quick! Don’t keep us waiting!”
“_Us!_ What do you mean?” demanded Dan. “You mean your friends?”
“Come and talk to them yourself. The girls are right here. Theyescaped,” said Sally as she drew the boy down the trail.
“I don’t exactly know where those kidnapped flyers have been taken,”he explained to Terry and Prim. “But they are out with the fishermen.Bud told Joe that he had hired a launch to take them out. I think theboys are safe enough. The fishermen are all decent people, theywouldn’t do them any harm.”
“Oh, is that so, Dan? What about old Mackey Jones? He isn’t exactlywhat I’d call decent!”
“That’s right, Sally. He doesn’t amount to much, but we don’t knowwhether the boys are on his boat. How could Bud Hyslop be able to pickout the only crook among the fishermen?” asked Dan.
“I guess Jim Heron could tip him off to anything of that sort that wasneeded. But how are we going to find out where Mackey Jones isfishing? Sometimes they’re miles and miles away. What we want to findout is whose launch took them out.”
Dan jumped to his feet. “I have it,” he exclaimed. “Why didn’t I thinkof it before? Old Spencer was the man who told me to come up here andget this job. Likely as not he took them out in his motor launch. I’llgo and see him right now.”
“All right, Dan,” said Terry quietly. “You go and see if you can getthe information out of this man, Spencer. Here’s five dollars. Promisemore, if you have to and get back as soon as you can. We want totake-off in the planes before these men wake up.”
The boy hurried away and in half an hour had returned with theinformation. He also had the five dollars which he offered to Terrybut she refused it. Old Spencer had taken the boys out to MackeyJones’ fleet and as Bud had short-changed him he said he’d havenothing more to do with the scheme. And Dan could not persuade thestubborn old salt to make the trip and bring the boys back.
“That’s all right, Dan,” said Terry. “Joe Arnold might have caught onand beat him there. You come along with us and we’ll fly out to thatfishing fleet and bring the boys back ourselves.”
“Gee!” exclaimed the astonished Dan. “I don’t know about that! I’vealways wanted to go up in one of them planes, but lots of them crasharound here.”
“If we’re going to go, Terry, let’s get started. Joe and Bud will bewaking up soon,” said Prim.
Terry took command at once. “Now Dan, you’re coming along! You haveto! Go down there and get into the rear cockpit of _The Comet_. Don’tmake any mistake! And Prim, you hop off with _Skybird_!”
At that moment Sally threw her arms about Terry’s waist. “Take me withyou, Terry, please! Don’t leave me here. I don’t want to stay anotherday. Please, Terry. I’m frightened of Jim Heron. You heard himthreaten me. He’ll see the ladder and think I helped you escape.”
Terry looked at the frightened face staring up at her in the darkness.She hesitated for a moment then said: “All right, go with Prim. Now bequiet. And when you hear me give a loud whistle start your engine,Prim, and get out of here in double quick time. Fly straight to HarborGrace.”
They crept down the hillside slowly, fearing that the sound of theirfootsteps might waken the men. There was not a move from the sleepers.Everything was still.
Then suddenly from the woods came the report of a gun, then another.Somebody had let off both barrels of a shotgun, as a signal. The nextmoment Jim Heron came crashing through the brush, his white hairflying, his eyes wild, and yelling at the top of his voice.
“Wake up, Bud Hyslop. Watch out for trouble!” he shouted. “Those twogirls got away and they are trouble makers, sure enough!”
Jim Heron’s warning came too late.
A loud wh
istle from Terry rent the air followed by a deafening roar ofthe two airplane motors. Bud Hyslop and Joe Arnold jumped to theirfeet. Arnold made a dash toward _The Comet_ as it started to moveforward. He grabbed the cowling.
“Not so fast, Terry Mapes. You may be smart, but you’ve met yourmatch. Shut off that engine!”
Terry’s heart sank. It was hard to be so near to freedom, and then tolose out!
Dan Brent saw the danger. He grabbed up a wrench and brought it downwith all his force on the knuckles of the man. Joe gave a howl of painand anger. His hand dropped, and Terry sent her plane taxiing acrossthe bumpy surface of the ground to a quick take-off. As she pulledback the stick to send the plane upward, the engine sputtered and foran anxious second the girl felt that all was over. Then _The Comet_took the air and followed the _Skybird_.
As Joe Arnold saw them climbing into the sky, he sprang to his ownplane and worked the controls. Something was wrong. The ignition hadbeen tampered with.
“It’s Terry Mapes’ work! I know her,” cried Bud Hyslop. “She’s toosmart for us, Joe Arnold.”
“Keep quiet. Who’s asking your opinion?” With an oath he turned to JimHeron and cried, “Why didn’t you guard those girls? You were paid towatch them! You old fool!”
“Don’t talk to me like that,” retorted Jim in a rage. “Who are you,anyhow?”
For answer Joe Arnold drove his fist into the old scoundrel’s face andJim Heron fell backward in a heap. This was a dose of his ownmedicine!
Bud interfered and the three rascals quarreled violently, calling eachother names until finally Joe Arnold cried:
“Come on, Bud, we’re wasting time. Get busy and repair that ignition,quick. Maybe we can catch those two Mapes girls before they do anymore damage.”
“You’re on,” said Bud. “Let’s go!”
Jim Heron rose from the ground and shouted, “Where’s my pay forguarding them girls?”
“You can whistle for it!” said Joe Arnold. “Just keep on whistling!”
Half an hour later the Mapes twins set down their planes on thelanding field of the Harbor Grace airport, taking on a supply of oiland gas. As Terry watched the men at work, Prim suddenly ran to hersister thrusting a torn newspaper into her hand.
“Oh Terry, read this. They’ve arrested Dad! They are going to grillhim to find out if he knows anything about the kidnapping. Oh Terry,what will we do?”
Terry’s face turned pale as death. Then determination to win once morecame to her aid.
“Prim, there’s only one way in which we can help Dad. We must getthose boys back to Elmwood. Let’s go. Prim, you take Sally in _TheComet_ and when you get one of the boys aboard make a straight shoothome. Don’t even wait for me, if I lag behind. Get back to Dad!”
The girls lost no time in getting their planes started.
“You’re in luck,” cried Dan through the earphones. “It’s not oftenthat the sea is as smooth as it is today. Sometimes the wind howlsaround here like all furies—that’s when some of the fishermen’s boatsget lost. And you’re in luck again because Mackey Jones’ fleet isheaded home.”
Terry kept her plane down toward the water and a moment later Danagain called, “I’m sure that’s Mackey Jones’ fleet below you.” Terrybanked and circled over the boats. She was answered by a vigorouswaving of arms from the bow of the largest vessel.
“There they are! There’s your friends. How are you going to get theminto the plane?” cried Dan.
But at the moment, other figures ran to the boys and the pairdisappeared. They had been thrust down the hatchway.
Terry circled and banked and finally landed on the water withinhailing distance of the boat. Mackey Jones, himself, in one of thesmaller craft, rowed close and demanded to know what she wanted.
“I want those two young men you have there,” said Terry, with decisionin her voice.
“We haven’t seen any young men,” answered the fisherman.
Terry laughed. “Then you’ve got poor eyesight. We saw them from theair. We also saw you shove them down the hatchway. You’d better bringthem out quickly, if you don’t want trouble.”
“Nothing doing! I’ve got my orders.”
“Who from?” asked Terry. “What will he pay you?”
“He’ll pay a good price. I work hard for my money, and fifty dollarsisn’t picked up so easy.”
“Fifty dollars? Did he give it to you?” called Dan.
“No, but he promised he would. Anyway I’ve got the boys and he won’tget them till he gives me the fifty dollars.”
“I’ll pay you sixty,” said Terry, “and all you’ll have to do for thatextra ten spot is to row the boys from your boat to the plane. That’seasy money. Is it a bargain?”
The old man took a moment for thought. “You’ll pay me sixty dollarsnow, cash in hand?” he asked.
“Yes sir, cash in hand just as soon as the boys are alongside thisairplane. No promises, but good hard cash!”
“It’s a bargain,” said Mackey Jones. Turning to his men, he ordered,“Row for your lives, men! Hurry! That girl may change her mind!”
A few minutes later Terry saw the hatch being opened and the two boysscrambled out. They were hustled without ceremony into the boat andMackey Jones and his men rowed for dear life.
While Mackey Jones was bringing the boys toward the plane, Dan said,“You can drop me here, if you like. I’ll go back with the fleet.”
“All right, Dan, and thank you for your help.” The girl passed him aroll of bills but Dan shook his head. “You’ve already paid me fivedollars, that’s plenty for what I did.”
But Terry pressed the money into his hand. “No Dan, take it, youearned it. Some day we’ll see you again. You’ll want to see Sally andyou’ll always be welcome at Elmwood.”
The boy had no time to answer for Mackey Jones hailed them.
“Here you are, Miss! Now where’s my money?”
Terry wrapped the bills in her handkerchief and dropped them into theboat as Allan and Syd shouted a greeting.
“Why Allan, what’s the matter?” cried Terry as she saw his bruisedface and his arm done up in a sling. “Are you hurt badly?”
“It’s nothing serious, Terry. I broke my arm. I had a set-to with BudHyslop and another old villain. I’ll tell you about it some othertime,” returned Allan.
“Want an extra hand, Mackey Jones?” called Dan.
“Sure, climb out!” said the old man.
Dan and Syd helped Allan into the rear cockpit of _Skybird_. “Syd,you’re to go with Prim in _The Comet_. She’s to come down as soon asI’m out of the way.”
“_The Comet!_” cried Allan. “Terry Mapes, where did you get my plane?”
“I stole it!” she said with a toss of her head. “But that story canwait until later,—and Syd, you’d better take the controls. Prim istired out!”
“O. K. Chief!” Syd’s brown eyes were full of fun once more as he gavea mock salute.
“And Syd, make a bee line for home. The plane is all set, gas and oiland everything. Our next stop is The Dick Mapes Flying Field!”
“That’s the best trade I ever made,” said Mackey Jones, as he pocketedthe money.
The boys laughed heartily. “That’s what he thinks of us,” said Allanas he settled in the seat.
With a wave of her hand to the fishermen, Terry started her engine,throwing up a shower of water in front of the plane as she gainedspeed for the rise.
Terry sent the _Skybird_ into the air, nose tilted for a sharp rise.Then she levelled out and began circling, waiting to be certain thatMackey Jones was playing fair and would allow Syd to go with Prim.
As she brought her plane once more over the fishing boats, Syd wasclimbing into the _Comet_. The boy looked up and waved his hand toindicate that everything was all right.
Terry soared high into the air, straight up into the glorious morningsunlight. She felt fine! She had accomplished what she had set out todo. Allan and Syd were safe.
And now for home!
Finally Allan spoke. “There’s another plane coming our way. Maybe it’sour dear friend Bud Hyslop. Wants to see if I have been looked afterproperly!” said Allan with a laugh. “He’s so thoughtful of mycomfort!”
Terry glanced at the far speck in the sky. “It may be an enemy.”
“That’s what I just said. It may be Bud Hyslop. But I’m not afraid ofthat fellow.”
Terry headed her plane straight for Elmwood. “We’ll get away fromhere,” cried the girl.
“What’s all the hurry! Let’s take our time and enjoy the scenery,” theboy answered, still in a happy mood.
But Terry was sending her plane forward with wide open throttle. “Wehaven’t any time to lose, Allan Graham. That plane is coming, andcoming fast. I can’t be sure who it is but I’ll make a guess. It’s JoeArnold! And he’s after us. He’s a dangerous man!”
CHAPTER VIII
Happy Landing
But the tiny speck in the distance did not gain on them. Terry decidedthat it was just a cruising airplane and had no connection with themwhatever.
“Did you say that Joe Arnold was up here?” asked Allan through theearphones. “What do you think he’s up to?”
“Didn’t he help kidnap you two boys?” Terry countered.
“No, that was Bud Hyslop’s little scheme to spoil my trip to Paris—Atleast I thought it was all Bud’s idea. But if Joe had a hand in it,then it’s no joke.”
“I’ll say it isn’t, Allan. I saw a newspaper in Harbor Grace thismorning. They’ve arrested Dad!”
“Arrested Dick! What for?” demanded Allan. “What did he do?”
“He’s supposed to have kidnapped you and Syd. The paper says he’strying to get fifty thousand dollars out of your father as ransommoney.”
Allan shouted with laughter. “Fifty thousand dollars for me!” criedAllan. “Gee, I never heard of anything so funny in my life. And Inever guessed that I was worth fifty thousand dollars.”
“Poor Dad, it will be terrible for him. He isn’t well yet,” saidTerry. “And you know how they question people in a case like this.They may even give him the third degree!”
“But who is responsible for all this, Terry? Surely no one believesit!” said Allan with a frown of contempt.
“The newspapers said that your father believes that Dick Mapes is theman who arranged the kidnapping. They speak of Dick’s gang!”
“Terry, somebody’s crazy, but who is it? Let’s head for home as fastas we can go. I’ll soon unravel the mystery,” said Allan.
Ahead of them, far in the distance they could see _The Comet_. Syd wasevidently challenging them to a friendly race.
“Now tell me what happened to you, Allan. What’s the matter with yourarm? Did you crash?”
“Nothing like that, Terry! The day we arrived in Newfoundland, we gotstranded in the fog, and followed another plane that we thought hadbeen sent out from Harbor Grace to guide us to the airport. But whenwe landed and I walked over to thank the pilot for showing us a goodfield to land in, I was face to face with Bud Hyslop. He pulled a gunon us and said, ‘Hands up!’ in a businesslike way. At first we thoughthe was kidding but we soon saw that he was in earnest.”
“Bud Hyslop did that? Why he’s a regular gun man. Then what did he do,Allan? Did he shoot you?” asked Terry.
“No, he just shot in the air as a signal and soon a man came runningwith a shotgun. In the fog he looked like a giant.”
“That was Jim Heron,” explained Terry. “We’ve met that man. Go on,what next? How did you hurt your arm?”
“I got into a little scrap. The old man grabbed Syd and tied him up.Syd was no match for such a gorilla. I got mad clean through to seethem rough-handle my flying buddy. I couldn’t stand it, so I startedsomething.”
“I bet you did, Allan,” cried Terry. “And I don’t blame you. I thinkI’d have done the same.”
“So I got fighting mad. Bud didn’t shoot after all, but he reversedhis gun and hammered me with the butt of it. Jim Heron joined in andthe two of them pressed me back to the edge of a cliff which Icouldn’t see in the fog.”
Terry interrupted. “They backed you over the cliff! Oh Allan, it’s awonder you weren’t killed.”
“I might have been if I hadn’t caught at a bush and saved myself. Itwas just luck that I got off with some bruises and a broken arm.”
“Then they took you out in a launch to Mackey Jones’ fishing fleet,”said Terry. “I know about that.”
“How did you trace us, Terry?” asked Allan. “How did you get wise towhere we were?”
“That story can wait until we get to Elmwood—until I’ve had a goodlong sleep.”
Allan looked at the girl anxiously.
“Terry, I hate this business. You’re tired out! You’re all in and hereI am not able to take the controls.”
“Don’t worry, boy, I never felt better in my life. I’m on the top ofthe world! I could do anything this minute. I’d even feel able totackle Joe Arnold!”
If Terry had flung this challenge in Joe Arnold’s face, he could nothave answered with more speed. For out of the fog bank that hung overthe sea, Joe Arnold’s plane had suddenly appeared. It swooped uponthem without warning, driving so close that Terry was thoroughlyfrightened. Two men were in the plane that was bearing down upon her,and desperately she put _Skybird_ into a swift sideslip to avoid acollision.
Joe Arnold was there to fight! And the fight had started!
“Watch out, Terry,” called Allan through the ear phones. “Be careful.Bud Hyslop is at the controls and Joe is in the rear cockpit. He’s gota sub-machine gun. We’re up against the real thing!”
Joe Arnold’s plane was climbing to get above _Skybird_. Terry sensedhis plan and dropped her plane into a tail spin.
Allan gasped. What had happened? Were they falling? Had Terry lost hernerve. Poor girl, she was tired out and wasn’t responsible! The boytried to speak and ask her what had happened but the whirling planemade him dizzy.
“Terry!” he called, anxiously. But if the girl heard she made no sign.Grim faced and silent she kept her hand on the controls and strainedher eyes to watch her enemy’s movements.
Once in a while Allan caught a glimpse of Joe Arnold’s plane circlingabove them as if he were gloating over their fate. It looked to theboy as if the ocean were running madly up to snatch at them, while theheavens whirled about in a dizzy dance. It seemed that no power onearth could save them. If only he had been able to fly the planehimself, this accident would never have happened! In his brain flashedthe thought, “No girl should attempt to fly when there is troubleahead. That is man’s work!”
But in the midst of his dismay, he felt the plane cease its madspinning and come back to an even keel. Terry skilfully brought herplane out of the spin and levelled off like an expert stunt flyer. Itwas not for nothing that she was the daughter of Dick Mapes. She hadinherited her father’s air sense.
Terry fumed inwardly at the unsportsmanlike action of her enemy. Toattack a plane with machine gun fire when he knew that _Skybird_ wasunarmed! That seemed to the girl to show the base character of herfather’s business rival.
Terry let her plane out to the limit of its power. She tried her bestto outdistance her enemy but the scheming attacker brought his planeto landward of the girl’s and was now deliberately forcing her out tosea.
“He’s trying to wear me out,” thought Terry. “I see his plan now.He’ll drive me out over the ocean and keep me there until my fuel isgone!”
But in face of this peril she did not lose her courage. Determinationto win was written in every line of the girl’s face. “He’ll not getme,” she said as she pressed back on the stick and sent her planezooming. “I’ll fight! I’ll win!”
The tension was relieved. Her nerves were tingling with excitement.Every sense was alert to catch the meaning of her enemy’s moves.
Then Bud Hyslop let the powerful motor loose. It zoomed at tremendousspeed until it was carried once more above the _Skybird
_. Joe thoughtnow that he had _Skybird_ at his mercy. Bud put the plane into a loopso as to come down behind Terry’s plane where he would have everyadvantage. Then Joe’s sub-machine gun spoke. A stream of bulletszipped through the wings of Terry’s plane. For a moment she thoughtthey had been torn to pieces.
Straight out to sea a huge fog bank was rolling landward. Terry headedher plane toward its protecting folds. Blindly she flew sending herplane soaring, then came down in a spiral. She levelled her plane andflew in a zig-zag course to spoil her enemy’s aim. His bulletswhistled harmlessly to right and left and so by good luck and goodflying she escaped destruction.
No one knew better than Terry that she was playing the most dangerousgame in the world. Beneath her was five thousand feet of thin air andbelow that the cold waters of the Atlantic.
She dived into the cloud bank and suddenly she saw the angry billowsclose beneath her.
“Steady, girl!” she heard Allan’s voice speaking. “You’re flying likean ace. Keep it up and we’ll win!”
Hastily consulting her compass, the girl flew low, heading her crafttoward land. She had a wild hope that Joe Arnold would think she hadbeen lost in that mountain of fog and would give up his pursuit.
Rising gradually, she came out at last through the fog and into thesunlight. Beneath her the fog stretched for miles like a fleecytexture glistening in the sun.
Joe Arnold was nowhere to be seen.
“Safe at last!” gasped Terry as she took a long breath. She searchedthe horizon for signs of land but as far as the eye could reach therewas nothing but the expanse of dazzling white.
Trembling with excitement she looked in every direction to see if herpursuer was in sight, and gasped, “We’ve fooled Joe Arnold! He’llnever catch us now!”
She turned to Allan with a reassuring smile. At that moment she heardAllan’s voice in the earphones. “He’s coming, Terry. Behind us! Andfar above.”
Terry’s heart sank. She nodded to show that she had heard.
Then she began a slow spiral down. Allan held his breath. Had the girlgone crazy? What was she doing?
Terry might have been having a joy ride, a romp in the air, by the wayshe was banking so carelessly, circling and levelling off.
Above, Joe’s plane had gone into a steep dive. It was coming straightat _Skybird_ and Terry seemed to be making no effort to get out of theway.
Just as the powerful plane drew near, Joe Arnold let out a burst offire. Then he leaned far over to see Terry’s plane falling in a massof flames.
But _Skybird_ was not there. His fire had missed. The girl hadside-slipped and then straightened out, while Bud at the controls hadallowed his plane to shoot past and into the bank of fog.
Terry made the most of that breathing time. She did not wait to seewhether Joe’s plane had dived into the sea, but with throttle wideopen she headed for land.
The girl kept her plane high above the glistening floor of fog. Halfan hour slipped by and still no sign of the pursuing plane.
Again Terry zoomed skyward and found what she was looking for. Farbelow her to the right was a break in the fog and through it she couldsee the green earth below.
Terry headed for the opening and slipped through. Below that thickbank of cloud stretched the green fields dotted with towns andvillages. It looked good. “Where are we Allan?” she cried.
Allan studied the terrain. “We’re near home,” he said as he recognizedthe different landmarks. “That’s Beacon Hill to the right!”
Terry laughed with relief. “Oh boy, let’s go!” she cried.
With the tense nerve strain over, Terry suddenly felt herself go weak.The plane wobbled under her control but only for the fraction of asecond. Then Terry went straight for home.
Never had the Dick Mapes Flying Field looked so good to her as it didwhen she banked and circled for a landing.
With steady hand she brought her plane down in a three-point landing,neat and clean. On the field was the _Comet_ and she saw Prim andSally Wyn running to meet her.
As Terry stepped from her plane, Prim threw both arms about her.
“We beat you by a full hour, Terry. What’s kept you so long?” shecried, laughing hysterically now that the danger was over.
Terry kissed her then ran across the field to her father and mother.
“Good girl, Terry!” her father said in a husky voice. “You’re....”
But he did not have a chance to finish the sentence. At that momentBennett Graham with one arm about Allan’s shoulders advanced withoutstretched hand.
“I want to thank you, Terry. You dear, brave girl! You saved Allan!”he exclaimed in a voice choking with emotion.
Terry’s head was high, her eyes flashed fire. “I don’t want yourthanks, Mr. Graham!”
Dick raised his hand reprovingly to his daughter, “Don’t, Terry!” hesaid. “Mr. Graham has explained everything. It was all a mistake.”
But Bennett Graham broke in: “I don’t blame her, Dick. The girl isright. I’ve been a fool! But I’ve been well punished. Can you forgiveme, Terry?”
“Oh, come on Terry, be a sport!” Allan advanced toward the girl andtook her hand. “Dad’s just as sorry as he can be. Shake hands with himand let’s be friends.”
Terry drew back, her heart was still bitter. Her father’s face showedhow he had suffered. It was hard to forgive.
“And listen, Terry,” said Allan. “Dad says he’s going to give you thatfifty thousand dollars that was asked for ransom. It’s for a reward.”
“No, he’s not!” snapped Terry. “I wouldn’t _touch_ his money!” Herface was scarlet, anger blazed in her eyes. “There are two things thatmoney cannot buy! Loyalty and friendship!”
Bennett Graham sadly turned away.
“Some day Terry, I’ll prove my loyalty and friendship. Just give metime.”
Terry’s heart softened at sight of the old man’s sorrow. She turnedand offered her hand.
“Then let’s begin right now,” said the girl.
“Now tell us everything that happened,” cried Terry’s mother, huggingand kissing her daughter in an excess of joy. “Goodness knows I neverexpected to see you come back alive, after all you’ve been through.”
“Hasn’t Prim told you?” asked Terry. “She and Syd have been here anhour.”
“Yes, but I want to hear it all over again,” exclaimed Alice Mapes.
“All right. But first I must have a hot bath and a cold shower and achange of clothes. Then I’ll tell you at the table. I’m just simplystarved.”
An hour later the whole party gathered at Dick Mapes’ dinner table,not only the flyers but Bennett Graham as well, for Dick had urged himto stay.
Breathlessly they listened as Terry told about the flight to therescue and when she came to the story of Joe Arnold’s attack on herplane with a sub-machine gun, they were so excited that they forgot toeat.
“I knew Arnold was unscrupulous, but I never dreamed he would go asfar as murder,” cried her father. “He and Bud Hyslop shall suffer forthis!”
“But I _think_ they have both been lost,” said Terry. “The last I sawof their plane it was diving straight to the sea. Then the fogswallowed them up, and the chances are that they hit the water, andwent under.”
“I certainly hope so,” said Bennett Graham. “To think that I advisedAllan to go into business with that scoundrel! It’s unbelievable!”
Syd, who was sitting beside Prim, remarked quietly, “Well, that’s theend of our attempt to fly the Atlantic. It will be a long time beforewe set out again.”
“I’m not so sure,” said Bennett Graham. “I’m going to give Allan a newplane. He can pick it himself and you two boys can try again whenAllan’s arm is well.”
“Thanks, Dad,” said Allan. “I’ll accept on one condition.”
“Name it.”
“That is that these two girls are given a mate of the plane I pick.But for them, we would be still in Joe Arnold’s clutches.”
“I’ll be o
nly too glad,” cried the old gentleman. “That is if Terryand Prim will accept the plane.” He turned to Terry and Prim, adding,“Please do. It will show that you have forgiven me.”
The two sisters extended their hands impulsively and once morefriendship was restored. The meal progressed happily.
“And now,” said Terry, “we’ll have a nice restful summer, playingabout in our new planes and teaching the students how to win theirpilot’s licenses. No more adventure for a long time!”
“And you’ve got to teach Sally to fly!” exclaimed Prim.
“That will be a joy, for Sally has shown that she’s one grand littlesport, the stuff that will make a flyer,” replied Terry.
They all smiled happily then went outside on the veranda for theircoffee.
If only they had foreseen what the next months would bring into theirlives, they would not have been so happy, for Prim and Terry weredestined to set out upon an even more perilous air cruise, far in thesouthern seas and there amid the tropic splendors, _The Girl Flyers onAdventure Island_, were to encounter thrills they had never dreamed ofamong the denizens of the isles of mystery.
THE END