Bill Barnes Air Adventurer, July 1935 — page 64: what you’re looking at

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

62 ning,” Bill said, looking at Shorty again. Shorty nodded his head in confirmation. Sturgis Benton sat on the edge of his chair, his expression one of incredu- lous wonder as Bill unfolded the story of why they were in Madagascar, the events leading up to their trip, and the facts they had learned since they landed. When he had finished, Benton slowly re- laxed, slid back into his chair as his breath whistled through his pursed lips. “Young man, I know you know your own business better than any man on earth. But now you're mixed up in something a great deal bigger than your- self. Bigger than any individual!’ Bill and Shorty waited for him to go on. 3 “What I mean is that undoubtedly there is another revolt afoot and the governor-general should be informed immediately. There have been rumors of trouble recently. But they come peri- odically. The secret service has been investigating. With your information they can probably put their finger on the trouble. “Tt looks very much to me as though you and all your men were in great dan- ger of your lives. These Germans have tried to get the deed and papers Mr. Hassfurther carries at the risk of their own lives and yours. ‘There may be international complications in this thing. We don’t know whether they are work- ing for themselves or whether they are stirring up trouble for some other power. If they have armed planes they must have them for a reason. Valuable gold deposits, all kinds of minerals and precious stones, except diamonds, have been found in that region. They may plan to take out their finds by plane. You can understand that we must re- port the thing to the French officials.” Shorty rose to his feet and began to pace back and forth across the room. Suddenly he stopped and threw out his hands. “Tisten, Mr. Benton,” he said. “I’ve BILL BARNES seen what happens when you report things to officials. I’ve seen it ever since I was a kid twenty years old, in the army. When you report things to offi- cials nothing ever happens until the cul- prits have been warned and allowed to escape. I came out here to find young Dick Wyndam, if he’s still alive. I know how the French go about things. They talk and wave their arms and argue. But they don’t do anything. I came out to find young Wyndam. And I'm going to find him. I’m not going to wait for the French officials to scare the men who know where he can be found, dead or alive.” “Take it easy, fella,’ Bill said. Sturgis Benton sat perfectly still gaz- ing at Shorty with eyes that were both understanding and full of admiration. ‘“T know what you mean,” he said. “T understand perfectly. I see enough of it.’ He sat with eyes half closed for a minute. “You have a large transport and two double-seater monoplanes with your” Bill nodded. “All right,” Benton went.on, “Let's see that map again.”’ He studied it for a moment. He looked up and said: “You can carry another passenger in. your transport ?” Again Bill nodded. But he did it with reservations. He didn’t want the responsibility of an American consul with him in case he ran into trouble. “Well,” Benton said, “I shouldn’t, but I'll get you a guide. He will be able to direct you over the route you'll have to fly to get to this place beyond Ankazobe. You should be able to investigate the place thoroughly within a day. know whether you will be able to land up there or not. But if you aren’t back the same night I shall go to the gov- ernor-general and lay the whole thing before him. Is that satisfactory?” “That’s satisfactory,” Bill said. “And fair. That gives us a chance to do what we want to do without alarming Heilner oO CON) Ghook I don’t. CO