Adventure Magazine Cover — page 163: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Direct Methods ordinary gas capacity could safely make the hop, I understand; in any event would not. have fuel enough for any reconnaisance. “In the ship there will also be provisions, machine guns, Colts and plenty of am- munition. JI want you gentlemen to fool around with the motor when we are over Hayden’s headquarters, make a supposed forced landing, and endeavor to crack up the ship without hurting any of us. I will be in the uniform of a colonel. You will also be in full uniform. “Naturally we will crack up in Hayden’s front yard. It is the only cleared spot, as I said. He will not like our presence, nor will any of his henchman be very enthusias- tic. But we'll be ‘in,’ and it’s a sight easier to get out than it would be to get in. ‘What we do from then on is on the knees of the gods, so to speak. Some way or other we must invent a way to get Hayden and get him out of there. It’s a man’s-size job, all right, but we’ve got to figure on a little luck and then taking advantage of it. “You men are recommended as flyers, and also as men who’ve had some diversified experience. This is not flattery, it is a statement of facts. I expect that you can handle yourselves in any company, and that you'll be able to come to bat in a pinch when we get up there. “Tt’s a hard contract, and you will get nothing out of it except a document in the secret archives of the War Department which may sometimes help you. Now first, what do you think of the plan insofar as it concerns the flying end of things, and secondly, do you want to declare your selves in on it?” Graves had been talking as clearly and without excitement as always, and now he waited with equal calmness for a reply. General O’Malley was sunk deep in his swivel-chair, watching the younger men with a half-smile on his face. In his heart was a growing respect for the equable Mr. Graves. “How much flying have you done, Graves?” he inquired impulsively. “T made my second flight today, coming down from Washington. What do you say, gentlemen?” “Can’t get you off the track a minute,” said O’Malley genially. “Tl subside.” There was silence fora moment. Hinkley smoked a cigaret, blowing rings at the ceil- ing with an air of complete indifference. 157 Broughton was gazing steadily at Graves, his scrutiny untroubled by the fact that Graves noticed it. The stocky, slightly stolid-looking pilot was the first to speak. ‘“‘A deal of that kind is ticklish business without those in it knowing their helpers a sight better than we know each other, sir, but one thing and another about it sort of sells the proposition tome. Count me in, I guess.” “Suits me,” declared Hinkley. “When do we goe” “The first minute that the ship is ready. From Washington I got this dope—tell me if I’m wrong. A Martin lasts around five hours in the air if you take a chance and win on the oil staying with you. Fifty extra gallons of gas in each motor, and approximately fifty per cent. more oil than usual, will assure us of seven hours in the air if we need it. It may take time to find our man.” Broughton nodded. ‘‘When can the extra tanks be installed, general? Major Jenks of the Engineering Division said that it was a comparatively simple job. As I understand it there is plenty of room in a Martin, and of course to any ship that can lift your two thousand pounders the extra weight will be a baga- telfe.”’ “For a landsman you’re pretty wise,” the general complimented him. “T’ll have the exact estimate in about ten minutes.” He pressed the bell and instructed Evans to have the engineer officer of the field re- port at his office immediately. Then the four men plunged into a discussion of guns, food, and other details. Graves had exact figures at his finger tips. Not a detail was brought up which he did not settle as smoothly and quickly as he talked. There was something ruthlessly direct about him— an air of resistless efficiency that was queerly at variance with his appearance, which in- clined rather more toward being that of a student than a manof physical achievement. Mutual respect grew in the minds of the flyers and of Graves. He was no amateur at reading character and estimating men, and he found the airmen to his liking. The engineer officer, ordered to use every facility at his command to expedite the changing of the Martin, said that on the morning of the second day the ship would be ready for test. At noon it should be ready to go. cCoOnmicloool< (C@