[Illustration: Phyllis’ parachute came free and straightened out with a
jerk. (Page 99)]
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THE ADVENTURE GIRLS
IN THE AIR
By
Clair Blank
THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY
Akron, Ohio New York
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Copyright MCMXXXVI
THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY
The Adventure Girls in the Air
Made in the United States of America
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CONTENTS
I THE CRASH
II THE PILOT
III MYSTERY
IV STUBBY
V COMPLICATIONS
VI AT THE AIRPORT
VII INVADERS
VIII A TRIP
IX THE RACES
X WHAT HAPPENED
XI THE SEARCH
XII GALE
XIII UNKNOWN
XIV ANOTHER ATTEMPT
XV LOST
XVI HOME AGAIN
XVII RETURN
XVIII STUDIES
XIX SENIOR PROM
XX STRATEGY
XXI CASTAWAYS
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THE ADVENTURE GIRLS IN THE AIR
Chapter I
THE CRASH
The airplane circled low over the shore, its motor a loud humming noise.
The begoggled head of the pilot peered over the side at the little group
of people on the beach as he sent his plane zooming up again.
“Must be from the Army field below here,” vouchsafed one sunburned young
man, raising himself on one elbow to peer up at the plane.
“It isn’t an Army plane though,” another added.
“He must be trying to smash himself up as quickly as possible,” declared
Carol Carter.
The other five girls and three boys present agreed heartily with her.
The plane, its engine roaring, dove straight for the blue waters of the
Atlantic, only to zoom upward again when the waves threatened to engulf
it.
The young people, when nothing happened, turned their attention to
something else. Airplanes were familiar to them.
“How did you make out in your English exam today?” Carol asked her
friend, Janet Gordon.
The girl in the bright red bathing suit made a wry face and sighed. “I
believe I established a new record for low marks.”
“But you don’t want to flunk in anything this term!” Phyllis Elton said
aghast. “It is your Senior year!”
“You won’t be eligible for the college exams if you do,” added Valerie
Wallace.
“I’ll make it up,” Janet said confidently, as usual not letting anything
worry her.
“Have you decided what college you are going to?” Bruce Latimer asked as
he let a handful of sand trickle slowly down Gale Howard’s back.
She wriggled away from him. “I like Briarhurst,” she answered.
“That is where we all want to go,” supplied Madge Reynolds. “Do you
think you can make it, Phyllis?”
Phyllis Elton looked at the blue water lapping the shore and a little
sigh escaped her.
“I don’t know,” she said slowly. “I want to, more than anything—but my
Aunt——”
The others knew Phyllis’ life was governed completely by her Aunt’s
whims and commands. Since babyhood Phyllis had lived alone in a big
stone house with Miss Fields. Her friends were not allowed to visit her,
nor she them if her Aunt knew it. However, when Phyllis had started High
School she became chums with the Adventure Girls and now every moment
she could get away from the big house was spent with one or the other of
them.
“Why does your Aunt object to Briarhurst?” asked David Kimball.
Phyllis shrugged. “Why does she object to anything? Why doesn’t she let
me have friends—give parties—like other girls? I never know why she
objects to things—she just does.”
“I wouldn’t stand for it,” said rebellious Janet.
Phyllis smiled slowly. “What can I do? She is the only relative I have
in the world. I can’t do anything but what she lets me.”
“What college does she suggest?” Peter Arnold wanted to know.
“Stonecliff,” Phyllis said shortly.
“Not that place!” Carol cried. “It is like a prison there!”
“I know it.” Phyllis sighed.
“The girls aren’t allowed any fun at all! You aren’t going there!” Madge
wanted to know.
“I shall probably go wherever my Aunt chooses to send me,” Phyllis said,
and her young voice was cold with anger and rebellion. “If she insists
on Stonecliff, it will be Stonecliff.”
“But haven’t you told her about Briarhurst?” Gale asked.
“That is why she suggests Stonecliff. She has discovered where you girls
are going and suspects that I want to go because you are. Whatever I
want to do she objects to—you know that.”
“It isn’t fair!” Valerie declared.
“We ought to do something,” added Carol.
“We will start a conspiracy, that is what!” declared Madge. “We won’t
have you breaking up our club by going to a different college!”
“That crazy aviator is back again,” volunteered David.
“Wonder who he is,” murmured Bruce.
Diving and side-slipping, the pilot put on an air circus by himself for
the benefit of the people below. Straight upward the pilot nosed his
ship, but suddenly it failed him. The roar of the engine was cut off
abruptly. Like a falling leaf caught in an autumn wind the plane turned
over and over. In scarcely any time at all the shining red monoplane lay
a twisted mass of wreckage on Cloudy Island.
“You girls stay here,” called Bruce over his shoulder as he and the
other two boys started off on a run for the little wharf where Bruce’s
motor boat lay rocking gently on the swell of the water.
Despite the boys’ half-warning command, Gale and Phyllis were at their
heels when they reached the boat.