CHAPTER III.
THE SHABBY STRANGER.
“Ronald has wired that he can’t get back here till to-night, so I shall fly ‘The Hornet’ over to Sleaford to see Rose,” remarked Beryl to her sister Iris, as they sat together at breakfast at Harbury one warm August morning.
“Perhaps Ronald might object,” remarked Mrs. Remington, who was always averse from her sister making ascents alone upon “The Hornet.”
“Oh, Ronnie won’t object! Besides, he always says that I can fly just as well as any man.”
“But do be careful, won’t you, Beryl?” urged her sister. “Is the weather really in a condition for making such a flight?”
“Perfect. I’ve just been looking at the barometer. It is quite steady, and I shall have an excellent wind back.”
“I thought Ronald intended to go up on patrol-duty to-night. Last night was very dark—just the conditions for another Zepp raid.”
“I expect he will,” replied Beryl. “He told me that he intended to patrol the coast.”
“Then, if you go, you really will be careful, won’t you?”
Beryl laughed.