The Phantom Airman

es, who, rather than submit to the peace terms enforced by the Allies after the defeat of Germany, resolved to become an

on shaft of defeat had embittered his soul, particularly against B

own heart, both of them apt pupils of the great Richthofen, who was still referred to by his disciples as "the red airman."

t, but I will not sit still amid the ruins of the Fatherland. Glori

his companions, named Carl, who had been a famous scout pilot in the Richthof

f the world?" asked a Gotha pilot who had

d a withering look upon th

and over the British lines. You have thirty enemy machi

eister? Tell us wh

ile courage and hope remain," and whilst he spoke the German chief drew his two friends away from the half

an to speak once more, huskily at first, as

ich I may not tell even to you unless you firs

little amazed and bewildered,

the condition of things in the Fatherland. Ach Himmel! This occupation of the sacred German soil by the Britisher, the Fren

yes gleamed like the fierce glittering orbs of the tiger about to make its spring from the hidden jungle. Nor was his present ma

ht, Rittmeister!" exclaimed Carl,

u?" and the chief fixed th

ssented. "I am

iberately. "This much I must tell you in all fairness before I proceed further. Howeve

into the face of that monster t

ed so close to me that I stalled my Fokker to let you pass, and I saw the smile upon your lips that day a

e two men swore to follow their chief on this last great adventu

n only to two other men," said the Rittmeister, and, sitting down about the gn

eat mathematician and engineer, by name on

ard of him," rep

evoted his time entirely to designing, constructing and perfecting with his own hands, assisted by one other mechan

ore?" exclaimed Max. "It might have turned

milk," replied the chief. "It

wn every type of machine from a single-seater scout to a heavy bomber, and whose pr

to the point, it is at my dispo

l! But whe

less than three miles from wher

ging to their feet. "Take us to see it, Ri

not speak of it aloud, but only in whispers, for the secret of this machine is jealously

been flown?"

es

as the

w

r?" exclaimed th

es

ormances?" asked Carl, gazing stea

responsive thing I have ever flown. You will say the

t feverish in his anxiety to see this wonderful thing and to handle her controls; for such is the lure of the ai

y in her," re

ked the ea

great adventure,"

n will t

are willing; all

asked the other

uarded, and hidden away in the depth of the Black Forest, may be discovered. You know th

e know it on

g to fathom the mystery of this phantom aeroplane, but so far they have not succeeded. All the same, it is time for us to get away, and that is why I have co

mes no! I am ready to start to-day," fla

thing to-night at sunset; I dare not take you there before, a