his pocket and, turning it around, acquainted himself with the position of the doors. He also saw the cigarette which the Rattlesnake, as Lawrence henceforth called "Mr. Smith," had dropped, and he c

the big dirigible. With a chuckle he waved a hand at the silent aircraft, and for the last time passed through the door. This time he closed it, and finding a spring lock hooked carelessly through a strong staple, he adjusted it and clasped the lock. The hangar was securely

vening and by great good fortune caught a train to Washington about two minutes after rea

e Heights, when he happened to remember that he was now able to afford any number of taxis. He stepped into one at

ere before him

awrence and offered him a ham sandwich from a paper bag. Lawrence took it eager

Lawrence, "because you told me n

hat's what and get it over with. Sure, th

l O'Brien his evening's adventure. When he produced

elled the tobacco, and tried to make out the

the gentleman. Well, I should say you had a narrow escape. I don't like it all the same, although we know more th

said they are, and it looks as though we were going to have to cart them somewhere or ot

now that they know anything about the freight he is to carry. Gee, there is a leak somewhere! That's one thing. Now to bed with you, me wild adventurer, and get some sleep what's left of the night. We will hav

and put it in his cigar case. "That's a go

He did not realize his fatigue either, and when he awoke in the morning he found that what he had thought was the dimness of e

Lawr

n' off: for I have a pretty idea all of my own. I will see you later. By the way, you took my gloves last night, and I can find but one. If you have lost that glove it costs you a pretty penny, gloves being in a high altitude since the late war. Goo

Bri

t out to the Aviation Field, where he found the men busily working on the dirigible. A week at most would find it in working order again. O'Brien was not there. After taking a little flight i

n this afternoon," said Lawr

'em and I have it all worked out. They know we can't use the dirigible, and of course by now they know the minute when it will be in shape again. So why work? Why hang around that bleak spot? And Mr. Ridgeway being laid up, there's n

d a few twists back in the aircraft factory, and I can put a plane out of tune so no one will guess that it has been touched, but there is th

script," said O'Brien. "All

Lawrence. "Well, if you are going a

m all this you have told me. Tak

ht," suggested Lawrence. "I have no

O'Brien with mock severity. "But this bein' a weekd

and securing good seats settle

or the hat-clips under the seats and leaned close to O'Brien's broad shoulders, Lawrence heard one say to

of the mysterious men were behind them! He dared not say much to O'Brien, but he whisper

ement, he nodded gaily and said, "Good e

," said the slow, deep voice

whirled. O'Brie

ssion, Lawrence led the way out

utter. "Those men behind us!

g one works at the Aviation Field. He

sitting so I could see their shapes, and just now I heard the big one ask

ted O'Brien again. "He don't

hands, and he would be the head. That is why everything goes wrong with the

thing is getting on your nerves," he said soothingly. "How

ey come out I shall follow them. They don't know that we came together.

ill say the remarks were suspicious enough

, too, before I get through with him. I have not seen hi

O'Brien. "I

As soon as the curtain went down on the ne

ng at the Fiel

d the foreman they have out there. A mean, suspicious lunkhead, always

b, are you?"

am," sai

ien. "That foreman is a disagreeable cuss

nking some of going away. If I

. "I wouldn't like

thought of the fancy Lawrence had had. When the show was over, the two men walked down toward the cafés, and O'Brien was amused to see the

affair so long as I can see. We wait our chance, and off we go with our precious bundles when they are not looking. It is too simple to be f

t dropped directly under O'Brien's eyes, and gleaming up at him he saw the intricate gold monogram of Smith's cigarette. Before he could straighten up and face the man, a foot was planted on the cigarette and he rose to see no one but an old gentleman beside him smoking a

ent back to the apartment tha

im, walking the floor in a

he burst out, "