The Phantom Airman

caused by the sound waves increased, indicated not only the type of craft, but the type of engine by which it was driven, and al

's pause. "Full-powered too; there are four or fiv

demanded the R

es due east," c

erial mail from India;

ng due west?"

replied Carl. "She's evidently getting

ther twenty or twenty-five minutes. Come along, Carl, it is time for us to get away. You will remain on the ground, Max. You hav

s,

out the Scorpion; it is going to bite to-day," ord

? For one day at least it will be, 'D

ays. The camouflaged fabric was stripped from the little hangar, and the Scorpion was set free to bite once more. She was released fr

s rapid survey of the machine, during which neither the pr

ho was now seated in the armour-plated conning-tower

e trapdoor and joined his companion. Then he paused for a moment

d by the starboard engine, he shouted, "Just try to pick up her posi

r carefully listening for a moment, he returned an

les south of us then; but she's

d deal of drift, I f

pressed the self-starting knob, and instantaneously both engines sprang into life, and the whirring propellers started up su

ng speed being thus obtained, Max deftly removed the chocks from the wheels, and this new type of deser

towards heaven. "It is the bird of destiny, my children, the phantom of the desert!" and Max could

ing the tents and bringing horses, equipment, and

antom bird, soared away in a north-westerly direction, lest i

d disappeared from sight. Soon it soared over the camp again at ten thousand feet, and app

f all present towards another tiny streak in the opposite direction. His

, fearing that this strange visitant might affect their ne

d and rare jewels across the desert. He must

tics. Their fear departed. Even when, later, they heard the roar of the pow

at great airship," cried Max, fulfilling with conside

gan to fear lest, after all, so rich a prize might be lost, and they eagerly search

ey would have dashed out into the desert on their fiery steeds, for

e sheik will bring down the airship on this very spo

ound, would have passed them by some few miles to the south, but at that instant, the Indian judge caught s

k at that beauty spot after two

ed soldier. "It is a little garden pla

ould like to land ther

lightly, so that we may pass over it and photograph it

er to oblige his distinguished passengers, he telephoned his orders to the navigating off

d of the desert, that another object attracted the attention of the judge. Chancing to glance upwar

sky; the first I have ever se

ere?" asked

ven," said the judge, pointing out the sp

ing right down upon us! These vultures, I hear, have often attacked the

n, who had now joined the

men simultaneously, pointin

bird-like object, an

d, and there was just a touc

nd an instant later, viewing it thro

a peculiar type of aeroplane! It is one o

ent," asked the captain, and he almost sn

lent expletive burst f

om. The operator was already engaged in conversation with the aerial visitor by m

? Who is he?" blur