ane!" cried the officer,

ha

rang to

ge red

re just running it under the sa

across the meadow, two dim figures, clad in oilskins, could be seen shoving a b

isn't the ultim

n?" asked the you

imit.' Why, that's Jess and Jimsy Bancroft, in their new aeroplane-t

ng shout. Presently, across the dripping meadows, the two figures began advancing. All this time the lightning was ripping in a manner

her waterproof hood, as she and her brother arrived at the

ur direction. We said no, but we'd take a flight and look for you. In our enthusiasm, we didn't notice the stor

a "killing" glance from under her hood at

d Jimsy the next minute. "For hospitalit

"But come in and I'll explain. First of all, I want you to meet Mr. Bradbury of the United States N

uth. "Glad to meet you, sir. Almost a

house kitchen, while Peggy hastily e

t dry, I'm sure I don't care," said Jimsy airily. "What a deli

e soon deep in conversation,

ou do next? Don't you think it's a bit-er-er-unconventional for one of the foremost members of S

of the Prescott aeroplanes on the ground, I had to do it. If i

incidence we should have

nt," prom

t going to stay lo

blishment of the Mortlake Aeroplane Company this afternoon. You know, they are in that red,

ioned Andrew Jackson chair by the hearth. "Dad said at dinner last night that he had heard in New York that

ling stock?" asked Peg

n a lot of papers, I believe. Dad said so.

the merits of their machines, if th

-to-date and complete yet constructed, but nobody knows t

Peggy presently, after a pause, during which both girls winked a

march on them by kidnapping

ess, there is no sentiment in things of this kind. If the Mortlake machine is a b

h a wry face. "But I hate to think of t

thin-faced woman in a raincoat, and hol

y dumfounded, as she comprehended the scene and the young

ved from stone, when a fearful light illumined the whole scene. It was followed almost inst

m, exploding in fragments with a terrific noise on the oppos

oor, while the farm woman's shrieks filled the air. At the s

!" shrieked the woman

the room, and the acr

fire, and my ba

demande

roaned the woman, taking a

take that bucket and get water from tha

boys!" ga

Jimsy's arm move just now, and

, darting up a narrow stairway leading from

do?" shouted Jess, her

ung back Peggy, plunging brave

ut she pluckily plunged forward, feeling her way by the walls, and keeping her head low, where the smoke was not so thi

e was not so thick in the room, but its fumes were heavy enough. In a crib in one corner lay a child of about tw

ed courage, she started to make her way back again. But more smok

pt saying to herself, clinging

as a blanket there. Yet plunge through it, Peggy knew she must. Still holding the

overcame the girl. She tried to call out, but she could not. Her head was reeling, her eyes blinded. All at once something in her