The Phantom Airman

as one of the finest vessels which sailed regularly from London, east and west, girdling the world, and linking up the British Empire along the All-Red Route.

on passengers, including the Maharajah of Bangapore, an An

ailplanes had been arriving from every part of India with th

the roof gardens of the air-station. An electric lift conveyed the passengers and mails to the summit of this loft

aptain asks of the chief engineer, as he

s,

board?" he asks next

ajah, Captain, and I

dian banks, I hear, and the rajah himself is likely touring a lot of valuables with

meet that aerial raider,"

des, I hear that the aerial police are on his track, and

or the first two hundred miles, Captain. They

olice could be much better employe

ainly cannot board you in mid-air, as you observe, and they cannot se

d by shouts and cheers which rea

lcome him," said the captain, as a fanfare of trump

ompanied by his personal attendants, he was shown with much obsequiousness to his private saloon. His baggage, containing treasures

ity of Delhi strikes twelve, and the captain's voice is

rea

ir, all

nks discharge their cargo to lighten the shi

t g

d by the force of the wind alone till she is well clear of the station. Then her engines open up gradually. She turns until her nose points almost due wes

he rear gondolas where smoking was permitted, he remarked that this was his seventh trip home to England by the

ea, I was so ill during my last voyage that I simply couldn't face the sea again. A storm at sea is of all things the most uncomfort

hat is wasted by land or se

" replied

be in London, even allowing for a two hours' stay

derful!" agreed

hen travelling in a land like India," continued t

hot dry winds, is altogether insufferable in those stuffy railway carriages, w

looked down through the clear, tropical atmosphere on to the delig

poetry, a wonderful stream, two thousand miles in l

eally be

s ind

oon across the burning plains of India, and we have reache

tan. See yonder, right ahead of us, I can already make out the highest

ll cross the troubled te

by midnight, if all goes well,

of enchantment,"

es which charmed our boyhood--the land of Aladd

never dreamt that the day would really come when the traveller from other lands, reclining in luxury, wo

sailing so serenely, of Zoroaster, the great Persian teacher of other days, of Ahur

orchids, they listened to soft dulcet notes from a small Indian orchestra which accompanied the maharajah. Here, they sipped delicious china tea from

epared for them in the gilded and lofty dining saloon; for they were the honoured guests of the M

the splendour of its oriental wealth than this long-protracted feast? Rich emblazoned goblets of gold, bejewelled with rare and precious gems,

, as, under the silver moon, the long, glistening, pearl-like airship sailed on beneath the stars, while down