“Get it and keep it on you—and if that guy shows up, don’t be afraid to use it.”
Dorothy shook her head. “I never shot at anybody in my life—”
“Don’t shoot at him—shoot him. You might have to, you know.”
“But surely, Bill—”
“Oh, I don’t mean for you to kill the guy. Plunk him in the leg—disable him. If you have any qualms about it, just remember that machine gun in his bus here. The man is as deadly as a copperhead and twice as treacherous. Look out for him.”
“I will. But su-suppose you get into trouble, Bill. How long do you want me to wait here before I come after you?”
“My dear girl,” Bill was becoming impatient. “I’m just going to try to find out where that lad is headed. I won’t be gone more than ten or fifteen minutes.”
“Yes. But suppose you don’t come back here!”
“Wait for half an hour. Then fly back home and tell Dad what has happened. He’ll know what to do. Don’t get nervous—I’ll be all right. So long. See you in a few minutes.”
With a wave of his hand, he ran across the field and Dorothy saw him hurdle the low wall and disappear between the trees of the wood where the bearded aviator had run to cover.