CONTENTS

CHAPTERPAGE
I.Mr. Greatorex is Astonished[9]
II.Herr Schwab[20]
III.Tom makes Experiments[34]
IV.A Prisoner in Zemmur[51]
V.Off the Barbary Coast[63]
VI.Salathiel ben Ezra[81]
VII.The Hills of Zemmur[98]
VIII.The Swordsmith of Ain Afroo[116]
IX.A Bolt from the Blue[133]
X.The Kasbah[148]
XI.Prison Breakers[167]
XII.A Hitch[182]
XIII.Diplomacy[196]
XIV.The Troglodytes[218]
XV.View Halloo![233]
XVI.Icarus[248]
XVII.Compliments and Thanks[262]

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

“He clutched at the grapnel, let go his hold of the mast, and swung clear”[79]
“His sword flew from his grasp, and he reeled dizzily to the ground.”[130]
“Tom, seizing a big stone, threw it with all his force into the black room beneath”[187]
“Abdul bent over the brink and smartly rapped his knuckles with the butt of Tom’s revolver”[222]

King of the Air

CHAPTER I—MR. GREATOREX IS ASTONISHED

Mr. John Greatorex was very wealthy, and very obstinate. He had made a large fortune as a manufacturer of chemicals, but disclaimed any knowledge of chemistry. He had dabbled a little in mechanics, and was convinced that he possessed an accurate practical knowledge of its applications. Consequently, when his new motor-car arrived, he saw no necessity to take a chauffeur with him on its trial spin. He was like a child with a new toy, jealous of participation.