The Dreadnought of the Air Page 13

  CHAPTER XIII.

  AN OFFICIAL AND AN UNOFFICIAL INSPECTION.

  PROMPTLY the naval picket-boats had taken the bow-hawsers of theairship and had passed them to two mooring buoys. Other wire ropeswere run out astern, till like a fettered Cyclops the "Meteor" wassecurely moored.

  "Commander-in-Chief coming off, sir," announced Dacres, as a greenmotor-boat flying the St. George's Cross in the bows, tore towardsthe airship.

  "So the reception is to be held on board the 'Meteor,' eh?" remarkedWhittinghame. "I'm sorry I didn't provide an accommodation-ladder.The Admiral may find it rather awkward to swarm up a swayingrope-ladder. Will you see that the after entry-port is opened?"

  The officers of the "Meteor" assembled ready to receive theCommander-in-Chief and his staff, while a "guard of honour" stood atattention, to do honour to the distinguished visitor.

  Admiral Sir Hardy Staplers--"Old Courteous," as he was nick-named inthe Service--was one of the most popular officers of Flag rank. Hisnickname was an apt one, for he was invariably polite to every one hecame in contact with. Nothing seemed to ruffle his composure. He wasa strict disciplinarian, and woe betide the subordinate--be heofficer or man--who deliberately shirked his duty. On the other hand,he was keenly observant to reward zeal on the part of those underhim, but whether admonishing or praising he was uniformly urbane.

  Considering his age--for Sir Hardy was bordering on fifty-five--heclimbed up the swaying rope-ladder with marvellous agility, and,greeted by the pipe of the bos'n's whistle, he advanced to meet theCaptain and owner of the Dreadnought of the Air.

  Accompanying the Admiral were his secretary, several officers of theexecutive and engineering branch, and--to Dacres'satisfaction--Commander Arnold Hythe.

  "You have a wonderful craft here," observed Sir Hardy, after theusual courtesies had been exchanged.

  "I think we have, sir," replied Whittinghame modestly. "Would youcare to look round, or would you rather discuss the business thatbrought us here?"

  The Commander-in-Chief expressed his desire to make an inspection ofthe "Meteor," and, escorted by his host and followed by theirrespective officers, Sir Hardy and Whittinghame proceeded on theirtour of the airship.

  "You are a lucky dog, Dacres," said Hythe, for the two old friendshad contrived to "tail off" at the rear of the procession. "So thiswas the business which you so mysteriously hinted at? Mind you, I'mnot envious. The submarine service suits me entirely, but I am gladfor your sake. Do you know how Whittinghame proposes to put a stopperon that rascal Durango?"

  Dacres shook his head.

  "I do not know exactly," he replied. "At any rate, we are waitingtill he lands in South America."

  "The Scotland Yard men are at a loss to know on what ship he tookpassage," remarked Hythe. "They made inquiries at the offices of allthe steam-ship companies running boats through the Panama Canal, butwithout success."

  "I'm not surprised, old man. Durango was too artful to book by any ofthose lines. His plan was to make for Pernambuco, and cross to thePacific coast by the new trans-continental railway. I know that for afact."

  "You do?" asked the Commander surprisedly. "How?"

  "Simply by making enquiries at the Brazilian Steamship Company'soffice. We'll get your plans back again, Hythe, or I'm sadly mistakenin my estimate of the 'Meteor' and her skipper."

  The inspection finished, Admiral Sir Hardy Staplers and Whittinghameretired to the latter's private cabin to discuss the proposals forthe "Meteor's" future. They were alone for the best part of an hour,and when they rejoined the others both their faces simply beamed withsatisfaction.

  "President Zaypuru has foolishly played into our hands, Dacres," saidWhittinghame, when the Commander-in-Chief and his staff had takentheir departure. "An incident has occurred of which, strangelyenough, I have hitherto been in ignorance, although I am generallywell posted in events taking place in Valderia. Sir Hardy has justinformed me that two men belonging to a British trader have beenarrested on a trumped-up charge at the port of Zandovar. In spite ofthe protests of the British Consul the men were taken to Naocuanhaand thrown into prison, while His Majesty's representative was mostgrossly insulted by the President.

  "Evidently the Valderians have a poor opinion of British prestige,for their Government refused to apologize. Knowing the pig-headedobstinacy of Don Diego Zaypuru I am not surprised, but it will end ina declaration of war between Great Britain and Valderia. Of course,although it would hardly admit it, the British Government is glad ofthe opportunity to strike a blow at that elusive and daring outlaw,Durango."

  "How do you think your brother will fare?" asked Dacres.

  "That is what is troubling me considerably," replied Whittinghame."If there is a rupture and a fleet is sent to chastise the Republic,Zaypuru may, and probably will, make reprisals. It may be taken forgranted, however, that the President will go gently until Durango isback at Naocuanha. Our plan will be to act promptly at the very firstintimation of hostilities, liberate my brother Gerald and captureDurango before the Valderians are aware of the presence of the'Meteor' on the west side of the Sierras. Sir Hardy approves of myplan, and has promised to get official concurrence from theAdmiralty; so everything will be square and above board."

  "Are we remaining here long, sir?" asked Setchell, who, being theofficer of the watch, had all his work cut out to refuse repeatedrequests for the occupants of the swarm of small craft to be shownover the airship. Whittinghame's orders were adamant. No one was tobe allowed on board on any pretext whatsoever. Nevertheless, in spiteof the heroic efforts of the water-police, the crowd of boats laythickly round the "Meteor," their crews patiently waiting for thehuge airship to resume its voyage, or else clamouring to be allowedon board.

  "For why?" asked the skipper.

  "Well, sir, the crowd is getting a bit out of hand. There are somefellows hammering away at the side. They'll be chopping bits off assouvenirs, I'm thinking, or else painting advertisements on the hull.And what is more, sir, there's a reporter sitting on the afterhorizontal plane on the port side. He cannot climb up, and hedeclines to budge until he's had an interview with you."

  "Oh, I'll see about that," said Whittinghame grimly. "Come aft,Dacres, and let us see what this enterprising member of the Press islike."

  The fellow was evidently not lacking in pluck and determination, forhe had coolly passed a length of rope round the plane with thedeliberate intention of "sitting tight."

  "Hulloa, sir!" he sung out as Whittinghame made his way out upon theplatform above the propeller-guard. "I represent the 'Weekly Lyre.'I've asked half a dozen times to be allowed on board to interviewyou."

  "You are as much on board as you can reasonably expect to be,"replied Whittinghame genially. "You are trespassing, you know. Ishall be greatly obliged if you will go back to your boat, as we areabout to move. I haven't time for an interview." "Then I'll wait,"replied the man, to the great delight of the crowd of spectatorsafloat. "I'll have the distinction of being the first man, apart fromyour crew, to experience a flight in your airship, sir. Here Istick."

  "You'll be blown away if you remain there."

  "I risk that," replied the reporter imperturbably. "I'll lash myselfon."

  "Have the goodness to go," said Whittinghame with a faint show ofannoyance.

  The man shook his head. He had the appearance of being a resolutesort of individual.

  Without another word Whittinghame walked to the after motor-room andgave orders for the propellers to be started easy ahead. Then he wentoutside, fully expecting to find the man gone.

  At the first sign of movement the dense pack of boats had given back,but the pressman still stuck to his precarious post.

  "There's pluck for you," commented the skipper. "That's the sort ofman we could very well do with. But I'm not going to be balked. Justwait here for a few minutes, Dacres, and watch developments.Telephone to me when he's gone, and then take care to get inside andclose the sliding panel as sharp as you can."

  "He's las
hed himself on, by Jove!" said Dacres.

  "It will be a case of suicide if he's there when we gather speed,"rejoined Whittinghame. "The sharp edge of the plane will cut throughthat lashing as if it were a piece of worsted."

  With that the Captain went aft, leaving Dacres on the platform toreport the course of events.

  In response to an order the after hawsers were cast off, while thecrew stood by ready to let go the for'ard springs that alone held the"Meteor" head to wind.

  Suddenly Dacres saw the horizontal plane dip into an almost verticalposition. The unfortunate reporter slid until brought up by the rope.For a few moments he hung there, struggling frantically to gain afoothold upon the smooth surface. His efforts only caused the rope tochafe through on the sharp edge of the plane and with a splash hefell into the sea.

  Quickly rising to the surface he struck out for the nearest boat,amid the laughter of the onlookers, while Dacres, mindful of hiswarning, returned to the shelter of the outer envelope.

  Whittinghame was about to give the order to let go for'ard whenCallaghan entered the navigation-room.

  "Wireless just come through, sir," he announced.

  "Important?"

  "Yes, sir," said the man gravely.

  Half dreading that it was bad news from Naocuanha the Captain tookthe proffered paper.

  The message was not from Valderia, but from the Admiralty. Itswording was indeed serious:--

  "To Captain Whittinghame, airship 'Meteor.' Advises from BritishPolar Expedition state that communication with Lieutenant Cardyke hasbeen interrupted for forty-eight hours. Feared disaster has overtakenparty. Is 'Meteor' capable of rescue?"

  Whittinghame turned to the operator.

  "Reply, 'Yes; will proceed at once,'" he said.