Part 30 (2/2)
”Where do you think they will start to cross the line?” asked Tom.
”Near the place where we saw the man waving the flags. I have information to the effect that they have a store of valuable goods there. They imagine that they have the master of the airs.h.i.+p, and the owner of the great searchlight in their power, and that they can not be molested, so they will be bold.”
”But they'll soon find out that Ned isn't Tom,” said Mr. Damon.
”No they won't! Not if it depends on Ned!” cried Tom. ”Ned is game.
He'll soon get wise to the fact that they have taken him for me, and he'll carry on the deception. None of the smugglers know me intimately.”
”Unless Andy Foger should be with them,” suggested Mr. Damon.
”Oh, Ned can fool Andy any day. Come on, Mr. Whitford. We'll get the smugglers to-night, spoil their game, and rescue Ned. Somehow, I feel that we're going to succeed.”
”Bless my tin dishpan!” cried Mr. Damon. ”I hope we do.”
Slowly, and with no very cheerful hearts, they filed away from the scene of Ned's capture. In spite of the fact that they did not think he would be harshly treated, they worried about him, Tom especially.
A hasty supper was eaten, and then, Tom, having seen that everything aboard the s.h.i.+p was in good order, sent her aloft on what he hoped would be the last chase after the smugglers. He decided to have Mr.
Damon steer the craft, as this was comparatively easy, once she was started on her course, while the young inventor would manage the searchlight, and start the automatic wizard camera, in case there was anything to photograph.
Up and up went the Falcon, and soon she was making her way toward the St. Regis Indian reservation, near which it was expected the smugglers would start. Tom put out every light, as he wanted to remain in darkness, until he could see a moving glow in the sky that would tell him of a rival airs.h.i.+p on the wing.
It did not take them long to reach the desired spot, and they hovered in the air over it, every one with tense nerves, waiting for what would happen next.
Tom did not want to show his searchlight just yet, as he feared the gleam of it might stop the operations of the smugglers. So he waited in darkness, approaching close to the earth in his noiseless s.h.i.+p several times, and endeavoring to see something through the powerful night gla.s.ses.
Suddenly, from below them, came a subdued throb and hum of a motor.
”There they are!” exclaimed Mr. Damon.
”I think so,” agreed Tom. He looked below. He saw two flickering lights, rather far apart. Mr. Whitford observed them at the same moment.
”There are TWO of them!” exclaimed the agent, ”TWO airs.h.i.+ps, Tom!”
”So I see. Koku, get out my electric rifle. We can't chase two, if they separate, so I may have to stop one. It's best to be prepared.
I'm going to follow them in the dark, until they get over the border, and then I'll turn on the light and the camera. Then it will be a race to the finish.”
The twin lights came nearer. Tom stood with his mouth to the signal tube that communicated with Mr. Damon in the pilot house. From a side window he watched the smugglers' airs.h.i.+ps. They shot upward and then came on straight ahead, to pa.s.s to one side of him. Now they were past. Tom started the wizard camera.
”Half speed ahead!” the young inventor signalled, and the Falcon shot forward. The night race was on.
CHAPTER XXV
THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION
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