Their flying togs were also contained in a locker in the same hangar, and could be donned in a jiffy, even to the ’chute harness that was so familiar to Jack, and a constant reminder of early experiences when he was accustomed to carry out his daily program of “quitting the ship” with as much sang froid as though the jump into space from a five thousand foot ceiling were absolutely next to nothing.
But plainly Perk was becoming a bit restless, as though eager to be on his way; which fact doubtless influenced Jack to eventually give the word that took them to their hangar. Here they commenced preparing for a night flight that was expected to land them in New Orleans, where Jack was to interview a certain representative of the Government service, from whom he anticipated receiving a few valuable tips that would give them something tangible and serve as a beginning of their arduous chase.
While they were thus engaged someone hailed them with a boisterous greeting, at which Perk grinned, and made a suitable reply.
“Hey, Scotty, this your night off, is it—got in from your route okay, and stepped out to see the boys cut a few figger-eights in the sky—just can’t keep away from the game, even when you got a lay-off? What’s new, old hoss?”
“They told me at the house you expected to step off tonight, boys—is that a fact, or did they slip an easy one over me, I want to know?” demanded the other, who was apparently a mail pilot friend of theirs—in fact, having the adjoining room at the small hotel where they were stopping.
“Yes,” Jack told him, secretive as usual, “we’re going further, and boosting the Stinson Detroiter ship by showing what it has to set it above most other boats. Plans not fully arranged as yet, but we’re on our way; so it’s good-bye, and good luck to you, Scotty.”
“How about that news, Scotty?” the insistent Perk went on to demand, being by nature one of those stubborn chaps who can never be happy until they get what they are after, no matter how trivial it may seem.
The air mail pilot scratched his head, and then with a grin answered Perk’s question.
“Nothing much along the line of aviation; but something queer happened to me—say, did you boys sleep at home last night while I was on the road?”
“We sure did,” Perk told him, and then added: “What makes you ask that, old hoss?”