_The Race against Death_
"Ted!"
"Linda!"
"You can't know how thankful I am to see you!" cried the girl.
"It--it--may mean that I can save my father's life!" And she told him
of her plans.
"If I could only go with you!" sighed the young man. "I hate to think
of you flying alone at night!"
"But you do believe I'm capable, don't you, Ted?" Linda's eyes searched
his for the truth; she was not asking for flattery, she really wanted
his opinion.
"Yes indeed I do!" Ted answered, with assurance. "But it's always safer
for two pilots to go together. However, the Pursuit is in fine shape
now--and filled up with gas.... Linda, I have something to tell you."
"Yes?"
"About the wreck--and--those thieves.... The other dead man was my
father."
"Your father! Ted!" Every bit of color left the girl's face. What a
dreadful, ghastly thing to happen to anybody, and especially to a fine
boy like Ted! To come upon his father, dead, in that abrupt fashion,
and to know, worst of all, that he had died in disgrace!
Finding no words to express her sympathy, she pressed his hand tightly
in silence.
"So you see how much I have to do--why I can't go with you," he
continued. "I have reported the wreck to my company, and made
arrangements about my father's body. But I must go right home to my
mother."
"But how do you explain it all, Ted?" Linda asked.
"I think my father was paying one of his regular visits to the Spring
City Flying School--he came there once in so often to get money from
me--and he was disappointed to find I had gone. Whether he knew that
other man before, I don't know, but it would seem probable that he did.
Together they must have cooked up the scheme to follow your plane and
get the necklace.... That is why it is really fortunate the man got the
necklace by a ruse. You see he was armed with a gun--as I later found
out, and if he had had to fight for the jewels, I'm sure he wouldn't
have hesitated to fire on you!"
"And I suppose your father's being involved would explain why you were
suspected," added Linda. "You look like him, I believe."
"Yes. To my regret."
"But perhaps it's better as it is," concluded Linda. "Don't you feel
so, Ted?"
"Yes, I do. It--will be so much easier for my mother.... But Linda, we
mustn't stand here talking. Every minute is precious to you."
"No. I can't go till Dr. Winston comes out with the surgeon's address.
He's putting in a long distance call. However, I will go in and change
into my flyer's suit, if you don't mind," she added.
Five minutes later she reappeared with the information that Dr.
Lineaweaver was in Louisiana--at a small seaport town which Ted
instantly located on a map that he gave to Linda.
"I won't even start off with you," the young man said, "because that
would mean an extra stop for you. Now--are you sure you are all
right--and that you can stay awake?"
"Yes, I'm sure," replied the girl, forcing a smile. "Mrs. Cates has
just given me a thermos bottle full of coffee, and a sandwich, to help
me!"
A moment later she climbed into the cockpit and started the motor.
The Pursuit, whose engine purred with the smooth even whir of one in
perfect order, gained speed until it rose into the air. It was Linda's
first flight at night.
Darkness was all around her, but overhead the stars shone brightly, and
the moon came from behind a cloud to light her way. Strange, lonely,
mysterious, it seemed to her, as she flew through the night, but
nevertheless thrilling. Gradually a sense of peace settled over her,
as if a Divine Providence was surely guiding her, and she experienced
the firm conviction that everything was right, that she was going to be
successful in her mission to save her father's life.
For the first time she realized how much her confidence had to do
with Ted Mackay. Because he had repaired and inspected the motor, she
felt certain there would be no accident, and a successful flight was
a good omen for the operation. Moreover, she had great faith in Dr.
Lineaweaver. If he would only promise to come!
The hours passed, the moon set, the night grew darker. But the solitary
girl flew on, swift and straight to her course, steadfast in her
undertaking. About two o'clock she arrived at the little seaport, found
a landing place back of the one big hotel, and went inside.
Fortunately a night clerk was on duty, and he rose immediately to
greet her. The flyer's costume identified her so that he had no need to
ask what a girl of her age was doing alone at this early hour of the
morning.
"Can you tell me where Dr. Lineaweaver, the surgeon, can be located?"
she inquired. "I want him immediately--it is a question of my father's
life."
Her voice was steady now; there was no danger of tears. She seemed
almost mature as she spoke the words.
"Yes," replied the clerk. "He is staying at Dr. Grayson's bungalow--a
couple of blocks away. They come over here for their meals."
"Could you get him on the telephone for me?"
"Certainly. I'll let you talk with him."
Although the clerk put in the call immediately, there was no answer for
several minutes. A fishing trip had tired both doctors, and they were
sleeping soundly. At last, however, there came a reply, and Linda took
the telephone.
In a few words the unhappy girl apologized for the call at that hour,
and during the surgeon's holiday, and briefly told her story. Eagerly
she pleaded with him to dress and come immediately, informing him that
she had her plane waiting.
"You mean you flew from Texas alone--at this hour of the night!"
exclaimed the surgeon.
"Yes. But you needn't be afraid, Doctor, to go with me. I'm quite
experienced. Oh please, please, say yes!"
"I'll be at the hotel in ten minutes," replied the great man. "And
meanwhile, you get something to eat."
Linda sank gratefully into a chair, thinking that the hardest part of
her task was over--the winning of Dr. Lineaweaver's consent to break
into his vacation and go back with her. Now, if her father only lived
until they returned, all would surely be well!
Still keeping herself in control, she ate her sandwich and drank her
coffee, while she waited for the doctor to come. True to his word, he
appeared in exactly ten minutes.
The flight back to the ranch was much pleasanter than the one to the
seaport. No longer was Linda alone; it was a comfort to have the great
surgeon with her, to know that he would do all in his power to save her
father. The darkness gradually faded, giving place to a faint gray, and
finally to a beautiful, inspiring sunrise. A dawn that perhaps meant
new life to her father!
It did not take Dr. Lineaweaver long to realize that Linda was an
accomplished pilot, and he settled back into his seat in full enjoyment
of the ride. His surprise at her youth--she was much younger than he
had supposed from the telephone conversation--gradually gave way to
admiration of her skill and her poise. He had no fear for his own
safety; he was confident that she would make the journey without a
mishap.
About seven o'clock she brought the Pursuit to a stop on the field that
belonged to her father's ranch. Cates was already there to greet them.
"Is my father still alive?" she demanded, with the first indication of
any strain in her voice.
"Yes," came the reassuring reply. "He is just the same."
"And did you succeed in getting a nurse?"
"Yes. Dr. Winston's here too.... Now, the Mrs. said to bring you both
in for a hot breakfast."
Linda was so excited that she did not see how she could possibly eat,
but when she realized that the surgeon must take time for something,
she finally agreed. But first she tiptoed in for a look at her father,
and gave him a kiss that was really a prayer. A white-clad nurse
smiled at her, and she believed hopefully that all was well.
The inaction, the weary, tense waiting of the next two hours was
more difficult for Linda than her flight to Louisiana, alone in the
darkness. She had nothing to do. Sleep was out of the question, yet she
was terribly tired. But she could not sit still; aimlessly she followed
Mrs. Cates around, begging for work. At last the good woman, realizing
that the girl could not rest, set her to washing dishes and preparing
vegetables for the noon-day meal.
But finally the operation was over, and Linda's heart stood still as
she heard Dr. Winston coming out of her father's room. Suppose it had
all been in vain! She covered her face with her hands, she dared not
trust herself to look into his eyes, that would tell her, before he
could utter the words, whether her father had lived.
And then came the glorious news that set her heart to singing as if the
whole world had been recreated in joy and happiness:
"Your father is doing nicely, Miss Carlton.... Dr. Lineaweaver believes
that he will get well."
Now the tears came in floods, tears of thankfulness and gladness, and
she hugged Mrs. Cates in her ecstasy.
"It was a wonderful operation," continued Dr. Winston. "Dr. Lineaweaver
is the greatest surgeon I have ever had the honor to watch."
"Thank God! Thank God!" murmured Mrs. Cates, reverently.... "And now,
honey, you must go and get some sleep!"
"Not till I've thanked Dr. Lineaweaver!" protested Linda, and she ran
off like a happy child, unmindful of the terrible strain she had just
been through.