He questioned Lucia closely, and her knowledge of the machine was more accurate than his own. She had never operated it, but neither had he, for that matter, so in the end he let her go.
The biplane was started safely at the first attempt, and Lucia rose well into the air and circled around until she got her bearings and could overlook the tragedy being enacted on the bay. Then, seeing my danger, she headed directly for me—and the result you know.
“Where is he now?” I asked Lucia.
“Still in the Pearl City,” she replied. “Before I left him he said he would hide until to-night and then make his way back across the island.”
“Did he say where he would hide?”
“Yes. He was afraid some one would visit the roof as soon as the natives found that the airship had been taken away. So, while every one was on the water front, he intended to steal away and hide in the room that used to be your prison, at the back of the temple. He said no one would think of looking for him there, and he could get in through the windows and get out again when it grew dark.”
I didn’t like that plan very well, and began to be worried about my friend. I found my strength returning rapidly and as soon as I could get about I began to examine the airship, to see if it was in proper order. Alfonso, his arm in a sling and his head well bandaged, sauntered up to me and said:
“You fellows seem to have little respect for the property of others. See what trouble you’ve caused by stealing my Antoinette.”
“You are right,” I admitted. “What will you take for the machine?”
“I won’t sell it. It belongs to the revolution.”