CHAPTER IV
Danger in the Air
The landing field at Bellevue was shrouded in heavy shadows of the fast-coming night when Andy dropped his Ace sportster down after the futile pursuit of the strange plane.
Merritt Timms, the secret service chief, was waiting for them when the young engineer and the radio operator climbed out of the fuselage.
“Did you get the department of commerce number on the fellow I saw you chasing?” he asked.
“I should say we didn’t,” replied Andy. “He was too fast for one thing and for another, he didn’t have any number on his wings that I could see.”
“Outlaw plane?” asked Timms.
“Yes,” replied Andy, “and a strange machine. I’ve never seen one exactly like it. I’m going over to the office and see if I can check up on its design. I’ve some guide books there that may help us.”
“How’s the Rubanian agent that was winged earlier this morning?” Bert asked the secret service man.
“He’ll come through nicely,” replied Timms, “and probably spend about the next five years in a military prison wondering what it is all about.”
“Have you had a chance to talk to him?” Andy wanted to know.