Part 2 (1/2)
”That's part of what I want, but not all,” the Major said briskly. ”I am not an aviator myself, and my man has failed me at the last moment; had a trifling smash which resulted in a dislocated thigh. Out of service for the season. I need an aviator and a good one. He says there's only one other not attached to military units that he could recommend--a Canadian.
But the plague of it is, the man can't be located.”
”Might I ask the nature of your proposed trip?” asked Bruce--then bit his lip a second too late.
”You might not” The Major snapped out the words. Then in a kindlier tone, ”My secret is not entirely my own. I can say, however, that it is not an exceedingly long trip, nor a dangerous one, as aviation goes, but it is an important one, and besides, if it comes out well, and I believe it will, I might wish to go on a more hazardous journey. In that case, of course, you can see I should wish a veteran pilot at the wheel and one who will take a chance.”
He turned to Bruce. ”You are a Canadian, are you not?”
”Yes, sir.”
”Then perhaps you can tell me of the whereabouts of this young Canadian aviator. His name is--” the Major stopped to think. ”His name is--ah! I have it! It's Manning--Bruce Manning.”
Bruce's jaw dropped in astonishment. He was too surprised to speak. It was Barney who, almost shouting in his excitement, said:
”He's Bruce Manning, Major.”
”What?” The Major stood back and looked at Bruce. ”You? Oh come; you are hardly more than a boy!”
”Yes,” said Barney, ”he's hardly more than a boy, but some of the best flyers the Allies had were hardly more than boys. They were boys when they went into it over there, but the boys who went up after the Germans two or three times came down men, Major. Don't forget that.”
”You're right--and I beg your pardon,” said the Major, bowing to them. ”I spoke thoughtlessly. So then I have the good fortune to be speaking to the very man I seek?” he went on, turning to Bruce. ”Now I suppose the remaining questions are: Will you be at liberty to take up aviation again and--do you want to?”
”That,” said Bruce, struggling to keep his voice steady, ”will depend upon at least one thing: If you will answer one question now, we will promise you a definite answer to-morrow morning at seven o'clock.”
”The question?”
”My friend here, Barney Menter, is quite as skilled an aviator as I am. If I go, he goes. What there is in it in pay or peril we will share equally.”
Barney stepped forward to protest, but Bruce held him back and continued: ”Your machine is equipped for two men besides yourself. Will you take us both?”
”Most certainly,” said the Major heartily. ”In case you decide to accompany me, I shall wire the mechanic not to come and you two may divide the work between you as you may see fit.
”I might say,” he added, ”that the pay will be double that which you are now receiving, and the journey will consume the remainder of the season.
Should we decide on something more hazardous, the pay will be in proportion, and there is, besides, a substantial, I might even say a rich reward offered, for the successful completion of this latter task.
However, enough of that for the present. You can give me your decision in the morning, and I hope you accept.” He bowed and strode away.
”Now, why didn't you say 'Yes' on the spot?” demanded Barney, impatiently. ”We are required to give only a week's notice to the company and the nights and mornings of that week we can use getting the machine together and taking a trial flight.”
”I always sleep over a thing,” answered Bruce. ”It's a habit I inherited from my father.” Long after, in quite different circ.u.mstances, Barney was to remember this remark, and bless Bruce's inheritance.
Mail had been delivered during their absence. Barney found a letter on his desk. He puzzled over the postmark, which was from some Pacific port.
He tore the envelope open, glanced at the letter, then read it with sudden eagerness.
”Bruce,” he exclaimed, ”listen to this. It's from an old pal of mine, David Tower; entered the navy same time I did the army.” And he read aloud:
”Dear Barney: