Over the Ocean to Paris, or, Ted Scotts Daring Long Distance Flight by Franklin W. Dixon ~ Full Audiobook
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over the ocean to paris or ted scott's daring long-distance flight by franklin w dixon in terrible danger gee but i'd like to be up there exclaimed ted scott as he gazed upward at a number of airplanes flying like so many white-winged birds over the bromville aviation field not so keen about it myself laughed mark lawson might come down in too much of a hurry i'm not looking for an early grave

"'Where do you get that stuff?' demanded Ted. "'You don't mind riding in an automobile. Yet every time you step into a car you take your life in your hands.' "'That's different,' replied Mark. "'If you get in an auto-accident you may get off with some bruises or a shaking up. At any rate, you've got a chance. But if anything goes wrong up in the sky, you have no chance at all.' "'Plenty of chances,' retorted Ted. "'Nine times out of ten you can volplane to safety if you keep your head.'

"'Read of that fellow the other day whose engine went dead when he was thirteen thousand feet up in the clouds? He just grabbed his parachute, stepped off into space, and floated down to earth as light as a feather.' "'Yes,' agreed Mark skeptically. "'But suppose the parachute had refused to open. They do sometimes, you know. Then it would have been a case of a lily in his hands and the friends passing round the beer to take a look at the remains.'

at any rate he'd have lived persisted ted perhaps he'd have had more thrills in his short life than others who'd lived on to seventy or more of course there's danger in flying but so there isn't anything that's worth while i'm going to be a flyer myself some day have it your own way replied mark but good old terra-cotta i mean terra firma for mine

i'm satisfied to make airplanes and have somebody else fly them but look at this crowd old bromville never had so many people in it before i bet some of them have come a hundred miles and all of them looking up into the sky there'll be a lot of stiff necks to-morrow

It was indeed the biggest day that Bromville, a thriving town of about twenty thousand inhabitants in the Middle West on the Ratpock River, had ever seen. A flying circus had come to town, and a host of airplanes of all makes and sizes, monoplanes, biplanes, triplanes, many of them with pilots of national reputation, were gliding through the skies, performing stunts that brought the hearts of the spectators into their mouths.

the celebration had been staged chiefly through the efforts of the devely hipson aero corporation whose great plant for the manufacture of airplanes covered many acres in the outskirts and was the chief commercial enterprise of the little city part of the expense involved however was borne by the proprietor of the new hotel excelsior which on that day threw its doors open to the public and wanted to make it a memorable occasion

the hotel owned by brewster gale was a palatial one up to the minute in every detail of comfort and luxury and exceeded by nothing in the state adjoining it was a new golf course constructed at great expense beautifully laid out which it was hoped would attract golf enthusiasts from all parts of the union and would be the scene of many championship tournaments with all the resultant benefit to the hotel itself

most of the stock in the golf course which had cost hundreds of thousands was also owned by gale who was by far the richest man in town though rumour had it that much of his wealth had been amassed in ways that would not bear close inspection no better day than this could have been chosen for the celebration the sun was bright and there was but little wind there was not a cloud in the sky and the convolutions of the flyers were plainly visible to all

the airmen themselves were in fine fettle and outdid themselves in daring feats there were nose spins tail spins pretend it falls loop the loops they'd kept the crowd gasping mark clutched ted's arm look at that auto coming on the field he said i wonder what's coming off

in the rakish roadster to which mark called his comrade's attention a woman sat beside the driver as the car stopped in the middle of the field she stood up and cast aside her cloak she was lithe and slender clothed in a white tight-fitting costume and wearing a red liberty cap her eyes searched the skies and the spectators followed the direction of her gaze

High up was a biplane from which a ladder of rope was hanging. The biplane circled the field several times, coming lower and lower with each revolution, until it was at a height of about fifty feet and flying directly over the car. The woman braced herself. The lower rung of the ladder almost brushed at the top of the car. The woman leaped, caught the lower rung, and was swept off into space.

a shout of mingled wonder and consternation went up as the biplane rose into the sky carrying with it the daring performer on the ladder that was describing a tremendous arc in the ether as though endeavouring to shake her off if the rung should break if her grip should loosen but the fortune that favours the brave was with her she swung herself up into a sitting position on the lower rung holding on with one hand she blew kisses to the spectators

then suddenly the hand that was holding the rope let go and she fell backwards a groan of horror rose from the throng and many of the crowds covered their eyes with their hands to shut out the sight of a tragedy but a sigh of relief chased away the terror when they saw that she had let herself go on purpose and that her feet were twined about the side ropes

now hundreds of feet above the earth for the plane had risen rapidly she swung back and forth head downward her long golden tresses swaying in the wind for a full minute thus she thrilled the crowd then she pulled herself up climbed nimbly up the rope ladder and into the plane for the first time the multitude dared breathe if that isn't flirting with death i'd like to know what is gasped mark as he wiped the perspiration from his brow

"'But she got away with it,' replied Ted. "'Gee, that little rascal has her nerve with her.' "'And she isn't through yet,' exclaimed Mark. "'Just look at her.' For the woman, after a moment's rest, had risen and was climbing one of the struts of the biplane. She reached the top and stood erect, outlined against the sky. Then on that speeding platform she commenced to dance, whirling about and about, a symphony of grace and beauty. The dance completed. She waved to the spectators.'

slid down the strut and took her place in the fuselage beside the pilot while a roar of applause from the crowd rose thunderously to where she sat in triumph

"'This is no place for any one with heart-weakness,' commented Mark. "'Most exciting thing I ever saw in my life,' replied Ted. "'You've got to hand it to her. But don't forget the part the pilot played in that, the close figuring and bringing the ladder just within her reach, the way in which he had to keep the plane balanced while she was dancing. I guess there's glory enough for both,' agreed Mark. "'But I'd rather go into a cage of leopards than risk my life in a stunt like that.'

down the runway came a plane which had been tuning up on the ground it gathered speed as it came and within two hundred yards of the end of the runway soared into the air and rose like a great bird into the skies a beautiful take-off and a murmur of admiration went up that was speedily lost in a cry of consternation the last moment the wheel on one side had buckled and now swung uselessly beneath the plane

that on the other side was still intact look look cried ted pointing his landing gear is broken how is he ever going to get down in for a smash sure said mark excitedly for both ted and he knew what was likely to happen when the aviator was forced to make a landing with only the wheel on one side working and there are two little girls in that plane cried ted the pilot's children that he's taking up for a little joy ride

neither the aviator nor his mechanic was aware of the danger that threatened they had not noticed the accident and were sailing along blithely while it could be seen that the little girls were delighted at their great adventure the significance of the break had been lost on most of the spectators but every pilot and mechanic on the field knew what it meant they signaled frantically to the aviator in the hope of letting him know what had happened

one man rushed to a plane standing on the ground and pointed to the wheel and then up to the plane above trying to explain and dumb-show still there was no sign from the plane high in the air then other pilots jumped into their machine and took off hurriedly rising in the air until they came near the damaged plane pointing to the wheel that hung slack beneath the machine now the pilot of the biplane knew his cheeks blanched as he looked at his little girls

what would happen when the plane came down under normal conditions he would have to strike the ground going at a rate of thirty-five miles an hour in order to avoid the shock of contact with the ground and from then on gradually bring the wheels to a stop but with the wheel on one side gone the chances were that the plane would strike the ground at once on that side turn a somersault or smash completely and his little girls were with him

but he did and said nothing to alarm the little ones he spoke briefly to his mechanic and the latter climbed out over the side of the plain hanging head downward to see if he could reach and perhaps repair the damaged landing gear but at a glance told him that it was a hopeless task and with a groan he withdrew in the meantime there was intense activity below a squad of police cleared the field so as to give plenty of room for the descent

an ambulance hastily summoned drew up nurses and doctors were ready to extend first aid now the plane was coming down in slow wide circles while the hearts of the lookers-on constricted with fear the odds are a hundred to one against him groaned mark as he watched the plane with a dreadful fascination he's got just one chance muttered ted whose face was as white as ashes

if he tips the plane at exactly the right angle he may run along on one wheel until he loses momentum but to do that will take almost a miracle perhaps it was a miracle perhaps it was the presence of the little girls with their gay faces and happy laughter that told the agonized father that he must not must not fail

he threw the plane at a certain angle as the wheel struck the ground ran along some hundreds of feet and with scarcely a jar came to a stop then the plane flopped over on one side but that did not matter then the pilot leaped out caught the laughing children as they jumped into his arms and deposited them tenderly on the ground then he sat down suddenly the crowd broke over him laughing hysterical some of the women sobbing as they fondled the children

the men husky as they clapped the man on the shoulder and applauded his superb exhibition of nerve and skill it was some time before the crowd dispersed and the damaged plane was trundled to its shed for repairs the fellow's looking for thrills a-flying feels the place to come exclaimed mark right you are agreed ted enthusiastically but if we're getting them on the ground what must those fellows be having up in the sky i tell you mark i'm going to be one of them some day

"'Look out,' he warned as he jumped back quickly, dragging Mark with him. "'That plane's coming down with a rush.'

A flyer who had had engine trouble was volplaning down for a landing. The crowd scattered to give him room. All but one middle-aged man who, in an attitude of absorption, walked directly in front of the machine that had now touched the ground and was rushing along at express train speed. "'He'll be killed!' yelled Mark. With a bound like a leopard's, Ted leaped for the man. End of chapter 1

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Plus, treatments start at just $35 a month. Start your initial free online visit today at forhers.com slash talk. That's F-O-R-H-E-R-S dot com slash talk. Tom Pounder products are not FDA approved or verified for safety, effectiveness, or quality. Prescription required. Price varies based on product and subscription plan. See website for full details, restrictions, and important safety information. Chapter 2 of Over the Ocean to Paris by Franklin W. Dixon.

this libravox recording is in the public domain trouble brewing warned by the yells of the crowd the absent-minded man looked up to see the plane coming toward him like a juggernaut paralyzed at the awful death threatening him he stood rooted to the spot then an arm shot out and a muscular hand jerked him backward with such force that both he and his rescuer fell to the ground barely missing the wing of the plane as the machine swept past

was a fearfully narrow escape. Ted Scott was the first to rise, and assisted the other to get on his feet. "'Fraid I've got you all covered with dust,' grinned Ted as he reached down and recovered the man's hat and handed it to him. The man ignored the hat and clasped one of Ted's hands in both of his own. "'You are brave, you are quick,' he said, in good English, but with a pronounced French accent. "'You have saved my life. How can I thank you enough?'

"'Oh, you don't need to thank me,' replied Ted, whose modesty was equal to his courage. "'I only did what anybody would do. I was nearest you and had the chance, that's all. But I will not have you dismiss it as lightly as that,' protested the man earnestly. "'You risk your life to save mine. I shall never forget it. I must know at least the name of my preserver. My name is Ted Scott.' "'And do you live here?'

yes replied ted i live at the bromville house oh yes responded the stranger the old hotel down near the river i know where it is my name is monet paul monet i am one of the guests of the hotel excelsior ted nodded he had guessed as much from the start the man had been a citizen of the town ted would have known him for he knew almost everybody in bromville

i can never pay you for what you have done for me continued mr mornay but as he drew a check and a fountain pen from his pocket if you will let me in some small way show my gratitude he hesitated as he saw a slow red creeping into the lad's cheeks thank you just as much mr mornay replied ted quietly but i couldn't take money for a thing like that just take it that i had the luck to do you a service and let it go at that

mounet looked disappointed but he was a gentleman and appreciated the boy's feeling and he put the cheque-book back in his pocket as you say he replied but perhaps there is some other way in which i can be of service to you i have a good many business interests

there is any special ambition in your mind i might be able to further it or perhaps i might get you some kind of employment that you would prefer to what you have i hope you will command me in every possible way it's mighty good of you mr monaix and i appreciate it ted replied but i'll just jog along and do the best i can for myself what you americans call paddle your own canoe eh said mr monaix with his quizzical smile

"'Well, I suppose it's that spirit that's made you the great people that you are. But you'll surely not deny me your friendship.' "'You have that already?' answered Ted, who was really strongly drawn toward the man he had rescued. "'Good,' said Mr. Monet. "'I want to know you better, much better. I hope you will come to see me at the Hotel Excelsior and have dinner with me. I will be glad to show you through the hotel and grounds. They are very fine.'

all right i'll come some time promised ted as they shook hands and parted ted felt that he had not accepted the invitation any too graciously perhaps but there was a reason he liked mr monnet but he had no use for the hotel excelsior he never heard the name without a feeling of bitterness for the erection of that hotel in bromville meant soon or late the ruin of the old bromville house which could never stand the competition that would be given to it by the new caravansary

and the ruin of the bromville house meant beggary for its proprietor old eben brown ted's foster-father who his real father and mother were ted did not know during his earliest years he had lived with a certain james wilson and his wife miranda they had told him little or nothing of his origin or family they had treated him kindly enough and had fed and clothed him and sent him to school up to the time he was ten years old

then they had died within a few months of each other and ted had been taken in charge by eben browning the proprietor of the bromville house and his wife charity they had no children of their own and ted had soon found his place in their hearts they were goodness itself to him and he speedily came to regard them as his father and mother in its day the bromville house had been the leading hotel of the little town

was a rambling two-story structure with rooms which though plainly furnished were always kept spotless and comfortable the cooking too under the direction of charity had been of the best eben was a genial landlord and had a host of friends among the fishermen who came to try their luck in the ratpock river famous for its trout and the travelling salesmen liked to stop there when in town but with the rapid growth of bromville had come many changes

what was good enough for the travelling public in the simpler days was not good enough now one or two more pretensions and up-to-date hotels had been erected and taken a great deal of eben's trade the bromville house needed a new coat of paint the furniture was old and shabby but the cost of replacing it with new was beyond the reach of eben's dwindling resources modern competition was proving too much for the old couple

and now the crowning blow had come with the erection of the hotel excelsior with its palatial splendour rich furnishings and attached golf-course all the travelling men would go to it now for the prestige of their firms as well as for their personal comfort the fishermen and others of eben's cronies would still go to the bromville house for old times sake but they were not sufficient to maintain it and eben found himself on the brink of bankruptcy

but it was not mere envy that made eben foam at the mouth when the hotel excelsior was mentioned he could perhaps have borne the blow philosophically if it had been a case of honest opposition but it was far from that for eben in his prosperous days had owned all the land on which the hotel excelsior and the golf grounds were now located

the town was small then and property was not worth so much as it rapidly became when the yarrow corporation had established its mammoth plant still it had been worth a tidy sum when brewster gale had begun dickering for it eben had never liked gale but his money had seemed as good as that of any one else and he had listened to the proposition they had settled on a sum of which only a small part was to be paid in cash

This cash payment Eben had received, but had never obtained a cent more.'

through a bewildering series of sleight-of-hand tricks engineered by gale and the unscrupulous lawyers he hired holding companies reorganizations forced sales technicalities all the devices by which scoundrels defraud honest men while still managing to steer clear of jail some way and somehow that poor bewildered eben even now could not understand

he found himself divested of equity in the property with gail sitting pretty with what seemed to be a clear title so owning the ground which had now become immensely valuable it had been an easy matter for gail to finance the building of the great hotel which now threatened to wipe the old bromville house out of existence

Even now, if Eben had had enough capital, he might have been able to make a legal battle for his rights. But he was practically without a dollar, and it takes money to fight a complicated case through the courts against the legal batteries his opponent was able to command. At best, he could be spun out for years with a final result uncertain. So Eben had to face approaching bankruptcy with no means in sight to avert it.

the struggle wrung ted's heart and he shared the old man's bitterness for brewster gale with all his boy's strength he had sought to be of help about the old hotel then when an opportunity offered he had found a job in the works of the davali hipson aero corporation all his wages except the smallest possible sum needed for his personal expenses he turned over to eben in an attempt to stave off the evil day of failure

ted tall slender with brown hair and eyes was a natural mechanic and despite his youth made marked progress in the plant at first he had worked on a machine had then gone into the assembly department and was now employed in the last stages of putting the planes together he loved his work loved everything connected with flying and was fully determined to become an aviator as soon as possible

Leaving Mr. Monet and trying to get the distasteful thought of the Hotel Excelsior out of his mind, Ted was turning away with Mark when he was hailed by Bill Ellison, one of the foremen at the aeroplane. "'Hey, Ted,' called Bill, "'suppose you go down to the other end of the field and keep your eyes on those monoplanes we've trotted out for exhibition. There's a lot of kids swarming around there like flies, and they might fool with the controls or start something.'

all right mr ellison responded ted promptly i'll go right down coming along mark he asked turning to his companion i'll be along in a few minutes replied mark there is a fellow here in the crowd that i want to see ted hurried down to the part of the field indicated the small boys had indeed congregated there in numbers but ted shooed them away good-naturedly they obeyed readily because they knew and liked him

this job looks like a cinch said ted to himself i'll be able to keep an eye on the planes and still see what's going on overhead but just then he caught sight of two flashily dressed young men who were making themselves very much at home with one of the finest monoplanes the firm turned out a type that was its special joy and pride he walked rapidly down to where they stood with their backs toward him sorry said ted pleasantly enough but i'll have to ask you to leave the plane alone

End of Chapter 2 Chapter 3 of Over the Ocean to Paris by Franklin W. Dixon This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Two against one. At the sound of Ted Scott's voice, the young men turned about and viewed him with an arrogant stare. "'Who in thunder are you to tell us what to do?' demanded one of them. "'I guess you don't know who we are,' said the other, regarding Ted as though he were a particularly obnoxious kind of insect."

"'I know perfectly well who you are,' replied Ted quietly. "'You're Greg and Duck Gale. But who you are doesn't make any difference. I'm in charge of these planes, and my orders are not to let anybody touch them.' The meddlers looked at Ted, and then at each other, and burst out into raucous laughter. "'Well, of all the nerve!' exclaimed one. "'He needs a lesson,' declared the other. "'Gregory and Duckworth Gale—' Greg and Duck, for short.'

were young men a trifle older than ted they were twins and sons of brewster gale the proprietor of the hotel excelsior both had red hair big teeth coarse features and were gaudily attired not only were they physically alike but the resemblance extended to their moral qualities or perhaps their lack of them they had had too much money to spend and their features were already marked by dissipation

ted flushed beneath their insulting scrutiny but he did not receive a step from his position as to lessons i can give them perhaps as well as take them he responded to their last remark but that's neither here nor there my foreman told me to look after these planes and keep everybody away from them and i'm going to do it perhaps you've bitten off more than you can chew said gregg tauntingly

"'Maybe,' replied Ted carelessly, "'but I'm from Missouri and will have to be shown.' "'From Missouri, eh? You're Duck? I thought you were from the Bromville house, that old dump down by the river that we're going to put out of business.' "'Dump is right,' put in Greg, with a nasty laugh, of all the forsaken apologies for a hotel. "'Stop right there, Greg Gale,' demanded Ted, his color rising. "'I don't stand for that kind of talk from you or anybody else.'

at least the owner of that hotel is honest what do you mean by that demanded gregg clenching his fist threateningly ask your father retorted ted his blood boiling as he thought of eben browning's wrongs perhaps he'll understand look here duck snarled gregg are we going to stand for that kind of talk from this shrimp not by a jugful responded duck we'll show him where he gets off the twins advanced a step toward ted who however did not back an inch

there was something in his attitude that gave them pause they hesitated and looked at each other uncertainly well what are you going to do asked ted you don't seem as hot as you were a moment ago i'm going to call your bluff replied gregg after another moment of indecision he leaned over deliberately and touched the control lever of the monoplane now what's the watch-dog of the planes going to do he asked with a sneering smile

the smile was wiped off his face when ted made a bound grabbed him by the collar and hurled him away with such force that he measured his length on the grass with a roar of fury he scrambled to his feet and together with duck rushed to ted here what's all this about came a sharp voice and big bill ellison shouldered his way between the brothers and ted who with his fist clenched was calmly awaiting the attack

never you mind snarled gregg as he attempted to push bill aside you keep out of this this is our funeral is that so asked big bill as he pushed him back as though he had been a feather maybe it will be your funeral at that it certainly won't be anyone else's

"'I guess you don't know who we are,' put in duck truculently. "'Two young loafers, I should say, at a guess,' responded Bill. "'Oh, yes, I know your names, and I know that your father's rich, but that doesn't cut any ice with me. Now what's all this fuss about, Ted?' he asked, turning to the lad. "'They were fooling with the monoplan there, and I asked them to leave it alone,' replied Ted. Then this fellow, pointing to Greg, handled the control and asked me what I was going to do about it.

and you showed him grinned bill as he viewed gregg's disarranged tie and his clothing covered with dust you did just right ted now turning to the discomfited brothers you clear out these planes are here to be looked at not to be fooled with get me they got him readily enough as bill was big and strong enough to break them in two

we'll get you yet ted scott snarled gregg as they began to move away slowly and when we do you'll wish you'd never been born added duck viciously whenever you like retorted ted carelessly them young snakes are full of poison mused bill as he looked after them they're the worst young rascals in this town keep your eyes peeled ted i will mr ellison but i'm not afraid of them promised ted they're both yellow

"'But yellow dogs can put over some dirty tricks,' warned Bill. "'Well, I'll be going now. Just stay here with the planes a while.' He moved off just as Mark, together with Jack Forrest and Breck Lewis, employed in the arrow plant with Ted and warm friends of his, came up. "'Here you had a little run-in with those scale peaches,' grinned Mark. "'Sorry I wasn't here to take a hand.' "'Would be a pleasure to polish those birds off,' put in Breck."

they are singing small enough just now i guess laughed ted as he gave them the details of the encounter to which they listened with keen relish then for a little while they let the incident pass out of their minds engrossed as they were with the wonders of the flying circus ted never wearied of marvelling at the skill with which the pilots manipulated their planes it seemed like magic

the mere touch of a lever and the plane acted like a thing alive swooping down until it seemed almost certain that it would strike the ground then turning and climbing up to dizzy altitudes until it seemed a mere speck against the sky then descending again and floating along like a swan across a lake of fleecy clouds it captured his imagination and filled him with untold longing

he pictured himself up in those uncharted lanes of ether while the world lay like a panorama beneath him over lakes and rivers valleys and mountains yes and perhaps over yeasty surges of the ocean it seemed to him that if he ever realized that dream he would be king of the world and why shouldn't he others had done it who he felt convinced in his heart were no more skilful or courageous than himself

if they could fly through the sky why should he be left on the earth eating his heart out with longing he would do it he would do it all the manifold longings he had felt were now gathered up into a fierce determination come what would he ted scott would take his place among the flyers of the skies

as he winded his way home his heart was full of weaving fancies but as he noted the crowds dispersing his elation faded and a dull ache took possession of him for the great throng of transients was moving almost in a mass toward the hotel excelsior they poured up its broad tree-shaded walks in a veritable procession crowds of richly dressed people were moving about on the marble verandas from a pavilion came the stirring strains of a brass band

and practically none outside of a few old cronies moving toward the old bromville house dump duckworth gale had called it forsake an apology for a hotel gregg had named it ted clenched his fists instinctively chapter three

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Offer valid on select 2024 and 2025 RAMs for non-FCA employees and retirees. $200 admin fee applies. Not all buyers will qualify. Restrictions apply. See dealer for details. End 6-2-25. RAM is a registered trademark of FCA US LLC. Chapter 4 of Over the Ocean to Paris by Franklin W. Dixon. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. A growing hope.

"'Well, Ted,' said Eben Browning, owner of the Brownville house, as the lad came up the steps of the old hotel, "'I see you're back again. Suppose you've had a great day at the flying-field?' "'Yes, Dad,' replied Ted, for he had fallen into the habit of addressing the old folks as though they were his real father and mother. "'Never had such a good time in my life. Gee, you ought to have seen some of those stunts. They'd have made your hair stand on end.'

ain't got many hairs to do that trick replied eben smiling faintly as he rubbed the thin thatch on his partially bald head he was a medium-sized man of kindly face seamed with many wrinkles some of those wrinkles had been formed by laughter in the good old days when he had been the proprietor of a prosperous hotel and a man of some consequence in the community

but more of them had come from the anxiety that had attended him in these later days when he had seen the portentous shadow of the poor-house looming up before him i'd have liked to see those stunts continued but me and mother have been pretty busy getting everything to rights in case there was a crowd here to-night don't seem as though there was many coming though he added wistfully as his old eyes peered up the street that was almost empty of pedestrians

"'It's a teeny bit early yet,' put in his wife, Charity, a sweet-faced old lady, whose fainted eyes had once been bright when she was the belle of the town. I shouldn't wonder if they'll be alone later.' "'Sure they will,' agreed Ted stoutly, though his heart sank. He knew too well that, although an occasional straggler might come in, there would be no crowd at the Bromville house that night.'

in what wonder he asked himself as he looked about him at the sagging verandah and the steps sadly in need of a coat of paint though scrupulously clean he had done all he could to make the place attractive

he had kept the little lawn closely cropped and had planted flowers where he could part of his meagre earnings had gone for a new sign of which he had been intensely proud at first but which now as he looked at it he realized only emphasized by contrast the general run-down condition of the place

why should any one with means come here when a little way off lay that luxurious hotel the excelsior with its bright lights its splendid rooms its soft chairs its sumptuous rugs its gay company the great lawn outside sprinkled with japanese lanterns like so many fireflies and the pavilion with its band poor eben poor charity a lump rose in his throat as he looked at the old couple who had been father and mother to him since he was ten years old

if he could only make their lives easier if he could only lift the tremendous burden that was crushing all sweetness out of their existence again that fierce determination welled up in him that he would change the current of their lives he knew the enormous rewards that sometimes waited on flying

these purses offered of ten thousand twenty thousand sometimes fifty thousand dollars for feats of skill endurance flights long-distance flights and the like other men had won them he might win them a single one of those purses would make this couple who had been so good to him happy for life it was of them ted scott thought when money came into the calculation not of himself not but that he wanted money and knew its value

but it was love of adventure rather than the rewards that went with victory that was chiefly in his mind when he thought of himself i suppose there was a raft of people going up to the hotel excelsior remarked eben tentatively quite a few agreed ted curiosity to see the new place i suppose had a lot to do with it they say everything's grand up there put in charity with a sigh

i suppose so conceded ted i haven't seen it myself and i don't want to i'll have to be up there one night this week though cause i promised how's that asked in reply ted told the brownings briefly of his meeting with mr mornay glossing over as much as possible the part he had played in the latter's rescue oh you dear boy you might have been killed exclaimed charity giving him an affectionate hug

Those born to be hanged will never be killed by an airplane, grinned Ted as he returned the caress. Someone was telling me that you had a mix-up with them Gale Boys, observed Evan, almost choking on the name. Came near it, replied Ted with a smile. I yanked Greg away from one of the machines he was fooling with, and they both set out to trim me.

the fellow that was telling me said you didn't turn a hair went on eben with a ring of pride in his voice was ready to take both of them on oh the two of them might have licked me returned ted modestly but at least they'd have a run for their money i'm glad that you made them look cheap said eben them gales are no good the whole kitten billin of em

and that crook brewster gale is the worst of them all look at what he's done to me he added as he rose and paced the floor in agitation he's cheated me bamboozled me there there now evan smoothed charity mildly you mustn't get excited i'm always afraid that you might get a stroke and you know the lord tells us we must forgive our enemies

it's a mighty hard thing to do just the same returned her husband when you see yourself going down hill and likely to end up on the county farm all that property on which the hotel excelsior stands and the golf links too is mine by rights set for the measly bit of cash i got as the first payment the dirty hound but i'll get even with him yet vengeance is mine i will repay saith the lord charity reminded him softly

don't you mind dad said ted alarmed at the purple flush that covered the old man's face you'll have plenty of money as soon as i get to be an aviator the two folks stared at this an aviator exclaimed oh dear then you're sure to be killed wailed charity they all do sooner or later not these days replied ted confidently they've got the plane so perfect now that there aren't nearly so many accidents as there used to be

all the same i noticed that the insurance companies ain't keen about takin risks on those fellers remarked devin dryly but what's put the idea into your head you haven't said anything to us about it no but i've been doing a heap of thinking replied ted and what i've seen to-day at the flying field has put the cap sheaf on it it's great fun and there's lots of money in it it's about the only profession that isn't overcrowded these days he added with a smile

it always seemed to me like going in the face of providence said charity the lord gave us legs to walk on and if he had wanted us to fly he'd have given us wings how are you going to learn asked got to go to school somewhere pass examinations and get a license haven't you i suppose so replied ted his face falling a little for he had as yet given little thought to that question

but remember that i'm working on planes now that i know almost everything about them and the motors that work them and i'll be able to get through my studies in a jiffy i'll have a big advantage over most of the fellows that start in the thought of the flying school however kept ted awake a good part of that night he might have to go away from brownville for a considerable period of time

that would mean that he would be earning nothing and more than that there would be the expenses of his keep and tuition while he was learning where was he to get the money what would the old folks do without his wages most of his money had been given to eben every saturday night and he had not been able to accumulate anything at the present moment he reflected bitterly his cash capital was a dollar and twenty-seven cents

still someway somehow he must learn to fly he would learn and with this determination in his mind he finally fell asleep the next day at the noon hour he approached the foreman of his department can you give me a minute mr ellison he asked big bill ellison grinned sure i can he said genially i can give more than a minute to the fellow that took the wind out of the sails of them gale jinks gee that does me good every time i think of it shoot ted

it's this way began ted a little diffidently i want to be an aviator big bill looked at him thoughtfully got the flying bug have you he asked as his eyes ran over ted's lithe muscular form just that admitted ted i've had the idea in my mind more or less for some time but what i saw yesterday clinched things for me to fly is what i want more than anything else in the world and you won't be happy till you get it smiled ellison

well this is a free country and i like your ambition i'd be awfully sorry to lose you at the works here though you've got the makings in you of a mighty good airplane mechanic that's good of you to say so said ted with a flush of gratification the question is whether i've got the makings of an airman big bill considered the question

offhand i should say yes he answered slowly you've got the build you've got the muscle you've got the nerve they'll carry you a good way but there's more than that to flying your hard action your sense of balance the perfect coordination between mind and muscle and a lot of things like that not one man in a hundred perhaps in a thousand has the qualities that make up a good aviator

"'You won't know whether you have them all till they put you through a course of sprouts. But I can get a little bit of dope on it right now. Ever been up in an airplane?' "'No,' replied Ted, "'but I'm crazy to.' "'Mustn't let you stay crazy,' grinned Bill. Tommy called to a man in an aviator's suit who happened to be passing by. "'When are you going to try out that new plane?' "'Soon as I get my lunch,' replied Tom Maltby. "'Take Ted up with you,' directed Bill."

"'Sure thing,' replied Tom, good-naturedly. "'Be ready in an hour, Ted. End of chapter 4. CHAPTER V OF OVER THE OCEAN TO PARIS By Franklin W. Dixon This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. FLYING HIGH It seemed to Ted Scott that his heart turned over in his body at the thought of going up in an airplane. Surprise and delight took his breath away.

"'Do you really mean it?' he asked, turning to Ellison, his face aglow. "'Sure I mean it,' replied Big Bill. "'Now trot along and get your lunch. And don't be late in getting back, for Tom doesn't like to be kept waiting. I'll be here,' promised Ted, still scarcely knowing whether he was standing on his head or his heels. "'And thank you very much, Mr. Ellison. I'd feel happier, then, if you'd given me a thousand dollars.'

i'd rather have the thousand for mine grinned bill but there's no accounting for tastes good luck to you ted hastened over to the bromville house as though on wings his first impulse was to tell the old couple all about it then he reflected that if he did so charity's gentle heart would be oppressed with worry all the time that he was gone

evan too would be anxious they had enough to worry about now without his adding to their load even by so much as a feather when he came back safe and sound would be time enough to talk about it you're not eating enough to keep a bird alive said charity as she noticed that he scarcely touched the food before him

i hope you ain't coming down with anything not a bit mother replied ted putting an affectionate hand on the old lady's arm never felt better in my life but i ate such a big breakfast that i don't seem to care for much now besides i have to get back to the works in a hurry he rose from the table kissed her and made quick time back to the works

"'You got back in a hurry,' commented Tom, who was going about his plane tuning it up, testing the motor and making sure that all was ready for the flight. "'Yes,' said Ted breathlessly. "'I didn't spend much time over lunch.' "'Just as well,' remarked Tom. "'Us flyers are something like the Opry singers. Don't overload our stomachs when we've got work to do. Plenty of time to eat when we get back.'

You'll find an extra suit of mine over there, he continued, pointing to an aviator's costume thrown carelessly over a box. It's probably a little big for you, but it will do in a pinch. Ted made haste to get into the flying tugs, and when he was fully equipped he felt more than ever like a real aviator. It was all he could do to keep from strutting. Tom had been watching him amusedly from a corner of his eye. Looks like the real goods, he grinned.

"'As far as the clothes go, yes,' laughed Ted. "'Remains to be seen what's inside the clothes. I've read of the donkey and the lion's skin. Maybe that's what I'll turn out to be.' Tom laughed with him. "'I'll bank on you,' he said. "'I've been watching you a long time, and many's the time I've said to myself, there's good flying material going to waste.' "'I'm glad you feel that way about it,' returned Ted, highly gratified. "'I only hope I don't disappoint you.'

A number of the men of the plan had come to see Maltby start on his test of the new biplane. One of them were several of Ted's special friends. He had had no time to tell them of his intended trip, and as his back happened to be toward them, they did not recognize him at once in his flying togs. "'Who's the fellow that's going up with you, Tom?' asked Mark Lawson. "'Take a look at him,' grinned Tom. "'You've seen him many a time before.'

"'Ted turned about just then, and there was a murmur of astonishment as his chums recognized him. "'Ted Scott!' exclaimed Mark. "'So you're going out with Tom, are you? Why didn't you tell a fellow?' "'Didn't have a chance to,' replied Ted. "'I didn't know it myself until an hour ago.' "'Ted Scott, the demon aviator,' grinned Breck Lewis. "'Won't speak to us poor doves after this,' laughed Jack Forrest. "'Have you made your will?' asked Mark.'

just a dollar and twenty-seven cents to leave grinned ted you fellows can divide it among you climb in now directed tom who had finished his examination of the machine ted did as commanded and took one of the seats in the fuselage tom got in after him saw that the straps that bound them both to their seats were secure and gave the word for the blocks to be knocked away from in front of the machine

with a roar the motors started working and the plane moved along the runway gathering speed with every moment when within two hundred yards of the runway's end tom lifted it into the air and they were off on their aerial flight ascending at an angle that soon had them up to a height of a thousand feet

there had been an involuntary catching of his breath as ted found himself soaring into the air then every other feeling was merged in the delight of feeling that he was really up in the airship the first step in realizing his ambition had been achieved he was actually flying ted scott knew instinctively that he had found his real vocation

there was not the slightest sense of fear he looked down at the earth now nearly two thousand feet below him fort tom had been ascending rapidly the town below him seemed merely a dot the ratpaw river was only a silver thread the figures of men could not be distinguished at all yet though he knew that a fall from that dizzy height would mean instant death he had no physical qualm no dizziness no apprehension whatever he knew that he was in his natural element

it seemed as if his previous life had been leading up to that supreme moment conversation was practically impossible because of the roar of the motor which was like thunder in their ears besides tom had warned him against talking he wanted no distraction from his important work of trying out this new plane they were above the clouds now the earth had vanished from sight

they were alone in the universe lost in immensity there was nothing between them and the sun that bathed the plain in splendor ted felt that he had been transported into a new world there was little sensation of motion it was as though they were floating cradled in the ether yet a glance at the board in front of him showed that they were making over a hundred miles an hour

he stole a glance at the silent man beside him tom's face was strained and earnest his eyes were studying the bewildering number of instruments in front of him those indicating height speed directions barometric pressure and a host of other details to the pilot they were an open book and each had to be considered in relation to all others ted had a glimpse of the knowledge he would have to acquire to take his place in the ranks of the aviators it was a brave man's job

then came a sudden change as tom evidently pleased at the behavior of the plane and straight flying began to put it through a series of stunts he went into nose spins tail spins falling leaves and loop the loops was a breath-taking exhibition and at times showed what might be regarded as a reckless levity an unwarranted taking of chances but ted knew better

He knew that what were called stunts, and had often aroused the criticism of those who did not understand, were positively essential to an aviator's training. Not one of those daring things that seemed so freakish, but what might be absolutely necessary at times under certain conditions of wind or weather or warfare, and a first-class aviator must be ready to do them all, if circumstances demand it.

For perhaps three hours the test continued. Then at last Tom Maltby turned the nose of the plane toward home, and they soon found themselves over Brownville. In a series of long swooping curves, Tom descended toward the field attached to the plant, made a graceful landing that would scarcely have broken a pane of glass, and gradually brought the plane to a stop.

the coming of the plane had been noted from afar and big bill ellison was anxiously waiting for it with quite a number of other pilots and mechanics they had helped make that plane and were keenly interested in its performance how did she work tom was ellison's first question as maltby and ted released themselves from the straps and jumped down to the ground

"'As well as any plane I ever handled on its first test,' responded Maltby. "'A little stiff, of course, but that'll wear off. She's going to be a sweet flyer if I'm any judge. One slight change in the angles of her wings and she'll be as near perfect as a plane could be. She's a credit to the plant.' "'So here you are,' welcomed Mark as he clapped Ted on the shoulder. "'I feel better now than I did when I saw you grow up, I can tell you.'

"'He's been nearer heaven than he's ever been before,' grinned Breck Lewis. "'And that dollar and twenty-seven cents we were counting on is all shot to pieces,' mourned Jack Forrest. "'Too bad,' laughed Ted, as he stamped his feet to get the cramp out of his limbs. "'I tell you, fellas, it was great. I've never known anything like it in my life. All the same, I'll bet there were times when you would have changed with us, if you could,' volunteered Mark.'

you lose your bet replied ted i wish the trip had lasted twice as long but i'll be up again the first time i get a chance what a glutton the boy is laughed mark in the meantime tom maltby and bill ellison were walking over to the plant how about ted asked ellison curiously was he there with the pluck bet your life he was replied tom emphatically that lad doesn't know what it is to be afraid

i hadn't told him about the stunts i was going to do before i went up for i wanted to see how he'd act when taken by surprise i put the old bus through everything i knew and i kept watching the boy out of the corner of my eye did he show the white feather he did not nothing fazed him not a little bit i tell you bill he's a born flyer your judgment's ace high with me tom responded bill

it just confirms what i've been thinking for some time past i didn't like to suggest it to the lad because it's a big responsibility to take in in case anything happened to him but when he himself spoke of it i was glad to give him a chance ted put the rest of the afternoon in at the works but though he kept strictly to his job he could not prevent his mind wandering at times to his thrilling experience of the afternoon

he felt like some columbus who had discovered an uncharted world the earth seemed humdrum after his flight into the sky he was still tingling with the stir of it when the whistle blew and he wended his way toward home eager yet hesitating nevertheless to tell the old people of his adventure suppose you're tired dear boy after your hard day's work said charity as the three sat down to the little table in a small room adjoining the hotel dining-room

not a bit returned ted as he fell in with relish on the homely but well-cooked and abundant meal in fact i've been sitting still a good deal of the time sitting still repeated eben i didn't know they paid any of the hands wages for that sounds as if you'd been having your picture took observed charity as she poured the coffee nothing like that laughed ted i was sitting still in an airplane

fixin some of the inner parts i suppose said eben wrong again laughed ted the airplane was a mile high in the sky there was a gasp of mingled surprise and terror from his foster-parents chapter v chapter six of over the ocean to paris by franklin w dixon thisly provoked recording is in the public domain a new friend

the old couple could scarcely have been more terrified by the explosion of a bombshell ted scott had become very dear to them the delight of their old age and any menace to his safety seemed more than they could bear oh how could you have taken such a chance gasped charity it sure was a big risk said eben gravely you might have been killed wailed charity

"'Well, you see, I wasn't,' returned Ted. "'I'm sitting here at the table just as I was at noon. Remember that flying isn't what it used to be. They've got the plane to-day almost as perfect as the automobile. You wouldn't have been scared if I had told you that I'd been on an auto-ride.' "'Oh, but that's different!' exclaimed Charity. In his heart of hearts Ted knew that she was right. It was true that many of the old dangers had been eliminated by the progress of science.'

yet flying had a host of perils that might daunt the bravest man was a long way yet from the conquest of the air scarcely a day passed without the death of one more airman being reported but pioneering always left in its wake a trail of the dead flying was no exception no progress has ever been made except at the sacrifice of brave spirits if no one took chances no one would ever do anything

and ted was willing to be one of those who took chances still he did all he could to quiet the fears of the old couple he sighted tom maltby himself who for years had pursued his calling and never had a scratch there too were hosts of others who had taken innumerable risks and come through unscathed why should not he ted scott have equal luck to an extent he quelled the agitation of his foster parents though he knew he left them far from convinced

in the end he gained a reluctant consent to go up again if opportunity offered though they devoutly hoped that the opportunity would be long in coming when he went to his room that night he took with him an aviation magazine that he had secured from the technical library at the plant he pored eagerly over the advertisements of flying schools a course in one of which would qualify him for a federal pilot's license as he read his heart sank to zero

how could he who had a dollar and twenty-seven cents in his pocket hope to obtain the money for such a course twenty dollars an hour for instruction twenty-five dollars thirty dollars as the various prices ran thirty dollars an hour he muttered sadly to himself more than i make in a whole week

he figured that even on the most limited schedule by which he could hope to obtain any kind of proficiency he would need at least three hundred and fifty or four hundred dollars and that did not include his board which would have to be additional if he had been wholly alone he could in the course of time save enough from his wages but as has been said practically every dollar of his earnings was needed by eben and charity to keep their heads above water

he was of late their main support and he would not could not fail them he thought bitterly of brewster gale now rolling in luxury the swindler who had defrauded eben of his property if it had not been for him eben and charity would have plenty of money and ted's course would have been clear before him he pondered the matter until his head as well as his heart ached and at last fell asleep with no solution in sight

about the middle of the next morning ted was busy at his work in the plant when he noted a stranger talking to big bill ellison at a bench not far from his own my name is hapworth walter hapworth ted heard the stranger say i am staying at the hotel excelsior and am taking part in the present golf tournament i've nothing on this morning and thought that if you had no objection i would like to look through your works

glad to oblige you mr hapworth said bill heartily as he took the proffered hand we're rather proud of this plant of ours and are always ready to show visitors around are you especially interested in flying mr hapworth as a spectator yes replied mr hapworth with a smile

I haven't done any flying myself, but that flying circus rather got me going, and I may take a hack at it. I've tried almost everything else, and a new thrill wouldn't be unwelcome. There'd be plenty of thrills left, Ellison. Let me see. Who'll I send around with you?' His eyes fell on Ted, whom he indicated to the visitor. "'I'll let him see you through,' he said. Mr. Hapworth coughed. "'Isn't he a bit young?' he asked, deprecatingly.

"'There may be things I want to know about that he won't be able to tell me.' Ellison laughed. "'Don't worry about that for a minute,' he said. "'If you can ask that lad anything about planes that he doesn't know, it's more than I can do.' "'Ted?' "'Yes, Mr. Ellison,' replied Ted, dropping his task and coming up to where the two were standing. "'I want to introduce you to Mr. Hapworth, Ted,' said Bill. "'Mr. Hapworth, this is Ted Scott.'

They shook hands. I was telling Mr. Hapworth, Ted, that you'd show him around the works. Take him through the different departments and let him see what a really big thing the Diwali hips and works are. I'll be glad to, replied Ted, who'd taken an instant liking to the young man with a tall muscular frame, good features, aquiline nose, and pleasant gray eyes. His clothes and manners showed that he was of the socially elect.

but ted remarked that there was nothing of the snob about him and voted him in his own mind a regular fellow this way mr hapworth said ted and led him into the section where planes were being assembled there was a bewildering variety and the visitor's eyes lighted with interest i didn't know but you concentrated on some special type of plane mr hapworth remarked

"'No,' said Ted, with a touch of pride in his voice. "'We make about everything from the little plane that you put in a garage to the big tri-planes that can carry passengers and freight. A pretty wide garage that could accommodate a plane with its broad wings,' remarked the visitor, with the smiles. "'The wings fold up,' Ted explained. "'It really doesn't take up any more room than an automobile.'

"'Just trundle it out in the morning and go for a spin,' laughed Mr. Hapworth. "'Something like that,' agreed Ted. "'Only, of course, every home hasn't a runway attached. But when the helicopter principle is perfected, one will be able to get along without a runway.' "'Helicopter,' said the visitor, in a tone of inquiry. "'Yes,' replied Ted. "'It's a device by which the plane will be able to rise straight up from the ground without a preliminary run.'

it's been done to some degree in experiments but it hasn't got to the practical stage yet it's bound to though in time for there's no scientific reason why it shouldn't in the motor department they paused before a new type that was running with a smooth gentle hum that was music to the practised ear of a mechanic water cooled i suppose like most of our automobile engines observed mr

no replied ted that kind of the going out of date it's cooled by air indeed was the reply what is the special advantage of that chiefly in the matter of weight explained ted the idea in an airplane is to get rid of every bit of needless weight you can water weighs a good deal more than air then too you can always get air but water may be scarce as when perhaps you're flying across the desert

your supply is bound sooner or later to evaporate and then you're in a fix if you can't replenish it in the parachute department mr hapworth picked up a piece of cloth and ran it through his fingers seems to be a sort of silk he remarked that's what it is replied ted it is called basket weave silk they used to employ japanese hibutai silk for parachutes but they're convinced now that the basket weave is the best

on what grounds asked the visitor with interest well one reason is that a parachute of basket weave has less oscillation than the habutite type answered ted another is that it absorbs the shock better on opening then too it decreases the danger from sprains and bruises in landing for it allows for a slower descent one of our fellows who tried it a little while ago said he was scarcely conscious that he was moving

All over the plant they went, and not a question did the visitor ask that was not promptly and intelligently answered by Ted. "'Why, you're a regular encyclopedia on the making of airplanes,' exclaimed Mr. Hapworth, as they were on their way back to the foreman. "'Where on earth did you pick all of it up?' "'Oh, there are lots of things I have to learn yet,' replied Ted modestly. "'But I keep my eyes and ears open, and I do a lot of studying at home.' "'Have you ever been up in a plane yourself?' asked Hapworth."

"'I went up yesterday for the first time,' answered Ted excitedly. "'I tell you, it was a great experience. Weren't you scared?' came the question. "'No,' answered Ted simply. "'I was so interested in the trip that I didn't have time to get scared.' Mr. Hapworth laughed. "'That's a new definition of bravery,' he chuckled. "'Didn't have time to get scared. My boy, you're the stuff of which airmen are made. Ever think of taking up flying as a profession?'

"'Yes,' replied Ted, "'as soon as I can get money enough together to go to a flying school,' he added. "'There is nothing on earth I'd rather do than fly.' Mr. Hapworth considered him for a moment. He seemed about to say something, but checked himself. "'I'd like to see more of you, if you care to let me,' he went on after a moment's pause. "'I want to thank you very much for your courtesy in showing me around. I'd like to show my appreciation in some way. By the way, have you ever seen a golf tournament?'

"'No,' replied Ted, "'but I've often thought I'd like to. They say it's a great game.' "'It is,' asserted Mr. Hapworth with enthusiasm. He took his personal card from his pocket and scribbled a few words upon it. "'Show this to the gatekeeper at the golf grounds,' he said, as he handed the card to Ted, "'and he'll pass you in. I suppose you have Saturday afternoon off?' "'Yes,' replied Ted, as he accepted with thanks the proffered card. "'The works close at twelve.'

"'Come up, then, if you can,' urged Mr. Hapworth. "'Be a big day on the course. I am on for a game myself that afternoon. After the game I wish you'd hunt me up at the Hotel Excelsior. Want to have a talk with you.' "'I'll be glad to,' replied Ted, as he surrendered his charge to Mr. Ellison, and with a word of farewell went back to his bench."

"'Well, Mr. Hapworth, how did you like our plant?' asked Mr. Bill genially. "'It's immense,' replied the visitor. "'I had no idea it was so big or so interesting. And that boy you gave me as a guide is great. Understands everything from A to Z, and is able to tell what he knows.' "'Ted's all right,' responded Allison emphatically. "'We think a lot of him around here.' "'I should think you would,' was the reply. "'He seems to be one fellow in a thousand.'

i understand that he has ambitions to become a flyer yes and if he does he'll be a crackerjack or i miss my guess announced ellison too bad that he hasn't the money to go to a flying school he has no means then asked hapworth not a dollar behind him replied big bill he makes good wages for a lad but he's practically supporting the old folks that adopted him and who've lately fallen upon hard times and i guess it takes every penny he earns

too bad too for give the boy half a chance and he'd go far he shall have his chance murmured hapworth to himself what's that asked ellison who had not caught the words distinctly nothing replied hapworth absently and of chapter six chapter seven of over the ocean to paris by franklin w dixon this we provokes recording as in the public domain discomfited bullies

the golf course had a large attendance on the saturday afternoon that ted armed with mr hapworth's card passed through the gate not only the guests of the hotel excelsior were there in a body but a host of visitors had come from all over that region

for it was a club championship that was at stake that afternoon and the contestants by the elimination games of the previous days had narrowed down to ransom the present holder of the title and mr hapworth the contender ted was in the gallery that followed the game from hole to hole and it need not be said that he was enthusiastically rooting for mr hapworth he liked him thoroughly and was full of hope that he would win

when he did after a gruelling struggle with the result endowed up to the last hole when a superb putt by hapworth decided the game after the cheering had died away there were speeches by some of the committee in charge and the presentation of the trophy to the new champion

in the crowd that surrounded the stand hapworth had not noticed ted but the latter remembered his promise to look his new friend up after the game and waited about until he thought that mr hapworth had had time to take a shower and slip into his customary clothes

to kill time ted strolled about the links and took in with wondering eyes the superb character of the course with its sward gleaming like green velvet beneath the slanting rays of the late afternoon sun he could readily believe what he had read in the papers that it was not exceeded by anything in the state but ted's enjoyment of its beauty was marred by the intruding thought that this property should of right be eben browning's

he had owned every foot of it and had been swindled out of it by the conscienceless truckster who posed as its present owner if eben had it now how easy it would be for ted to fulfil his consuming ambition the flying course would no longer be a problem

but there was no use in harbouring gloomy thoughts and when he thought that mr hapworth would probably be ready to receive him ted made his way toward the hotel excelsior whose broad verandas were thronged with gay and laughing groups

as he approached the steps of the main entrance he met gregg and duck gale descending them their eyes lighted on him in a glance of savage recognition look who's here sneered gregg the guardian of the plains that nearly came in for a licking the other day jeered duck look here what are you doing on these grounds anyway demanded gregg truculently this is not your business returned ted composedly

"'I'll mighty soon make it my business,' growled Greg. "'This is no place for fellows like you.' "'Throw him off the ground,' suggested Duck. "'You'll find it a pretty big contract,' retorted Ted, whose anger was beginning to rise, though he strove to hold it in check. "'These cheapskates ought to be taught to know their places,' snarled Greg. Ted clenched his fists. He saw red, and there is no knowing what might have happened had not a voice come from the top of the steps.'

"'Why, here you are now, Scott!' exclaimed Walter Hapworth, as he came hastily down the steps and grasped Ted's hand warmly. "'I've been looking all over for you. I was afraid you'd passed up my invitation.' Their cordiality in his tone and hand-clasp was balm to Ted's sore spirit. "'No danger of that, Mr. Hapworth,' he responded. "'I've been counting on it ever since I saw you at the works.'

come right up and we'll have a cosy corner for a chat said mr hapworth and i want you to be my guest at dinner the sudden change that had come over gregg and duck during this brief colloquy was ludicrous all their brag and bluster had passed away they looked at each other sheepishly

so this young fellow whom they looked down upon so contemptuously because of his lack of money was the invited guest of walter hapworth the millionaire the golf champion at the moment the most prominent guest of the hotel excelsior they were abashed and dumbfounded gee but we came near making an awful break muttered gregg as he watched the retreating figures dad would have hit the ceiling if we'd done anything to make mr hapworth sore mumbled

in the meantime mr hapworth and ted had threaded their way through the throng on the verandah toward a retired section they had nearly reached it when ted caught sight of mr mornay a look of pleased recognition came in the latter's eyes and he hurried forward hand outstretched my brave young friend he exclaimed as he clasped ted's hand it is a pleasure of the greatest to see you again and i'm glad to see you returned ted warmly

"'So you are a friend of Mr. Hapworth's, I see,' said Mr. Monet, noticing that the two were together. "'Mr. Hapworth and I already know each other. We are old friends, but I hope you have come to-night to accept my invitation to dinner.' "'I saw him first,' put in Mr. Hapworth, with a smile. "'Suppose we make it a threesome?' "'That will be fine,' was the answer, but I still hope to have Mr. Scott as my guest at a later time.'

"'You referred to him as your brave young friend,' put in Walter Hapworth. "'Is that because of the trip he took in the airplane the other day?' "'Not at all,' replied Mr. Monet. "'I was referring to the time he saved my life on the day of the flying circus. You remember I was telling you about it.' "'So this was the young man, was it?' asked Mr. Hapworth, regarding Ted with an added interest. "'Well, I should say offhand that that's just what he'd be likely to do.'

the three sat down together in a secluded portion of the veranda and chatted for a while on various subjects naturally the golf tournament came in for considerable discussion i'm so glad you won mr hapworth said ted i was rooting for you all through the game that winning putt at the last hole was a wonder luck played a part there said hapworth with a smile did you see how the ball hesitated on the very edge of the hole

didn't seem to know whether it ought to go in the hole or not i tell you my heart was in my mouth it must be a great strain to go through a game like that with the championship depending on it observed ted it is admitted mr hapworth and i'm free to say that i'm glad it's over and now i'm hungry let's go in to dinner

ted had never dined so sumptuously as he did that night the damask napery the crystal and the silver and the flowers the shaded lights and the choice food elaborately served by soft-footed waiters were a revelation if he felt any nervousness about the correct use of the various forks he did not betray it and his considerate friends made every effort to make him feel at home

When they came to the coffee, Mr. Hapworth introduced the subject of which he had been thinking considerably of late. "'I'm afraid, Ted—you don't mind if I use your first name, do you?—that you would have blushed if you had heard all that Mr. Ellison said about you the other morning. I guess Mr. Ellison thinks a good deal more of me than I'm worth,' exclaimed Ted. "'He's been an awfully good friend to me.' "'I don't think he's exaggerated,' returned his host."

but let that go he said that you were thinking of taking up flying and if you did he thought you'd be a crackerjack now suppose you had definitely made up your mind to go in for aviation what would be the first step you'd have to take go to flying school replied ted you get a training there you can't get anywhere else and if you pass the tests all right you are qualified to apply for a federal pilot's license

and after that queried mr hapworth then it would just be a matter of getting a job was the answer one might become an air-mail pilot go into the army or navy service or into commercial work there are far more good jobs than there are good aviators then too there are any number of chances to compete for the big purses that are offered in competitions of one kind or another

i see returned mr hapworth now about the flying school how much would it cost to go through that some charge more than others replied ted but a fair average cost would be about four hundred dollars and the cost of a fellow's board and room might be about two hundred more about six hundred dollars altogether summed up his host that ought to cover it responded ted

There was silence for a moment. Mr. Hapworth seemed as if he wanted to say something, but did not exactly know how to go about it. Last he cleared his throat and bent over the table. "'Now, Ted,' he said, "'I want you to believe that I'm your friend, and that I wouldn't pry into your private affairs for the world if I didn't have a good reason for doing so. You won't be offended if I ask you a personal question or two, will you?'

"'Certainly not,' answered Ted, wondering what on earth Mr. Hapworth was driving at. "'I know that you only ask them out of kindness, and in that you'd be dead right if you'll add out a friendship,' replied his host. "'Well, here goes. Have you any money saved up that would help you through the training school?' "'No, Mr. Hapworth, I haven't,' admitted Ted. "'I suppose I ought to be ashamed to say so, but I know just what the but means,' returned Mr. Hapworth, "'and it does you credit.'

mr ellison told me that you gave practically all your earnings to the old folks you live with and who have brought you up yes replied ted not that i grudge it in the least they've been awfully good to me and i can never repay them for their kindness and it isn't as if it was their fault they're doing the very best they can they're keeping the hotel the old bromville house and they used to do a good business but the hotel is behind the times now and they have all they could do to make ends meet

usually they can't do that and my wages help make up the deficiency i see said mr hapworth sympathetically and that by the way is another item that would have to be taken into account if you went to the flying school

you not only would have to have enough to pay for your tuition and personal expenses but the old folks would have to have something equivalent to your weekly wage while you were away then too after you have finished the course of instruction it might be some little time before you could get a job that suited you you've got it right agreed ted a little sadly i'll just have to keep on working until somehow i can get hold of it perhaps business will pick up at the old hotel

"'And likely enough I'll soon get a raise in wages. At any rate, just now it's out of the question. Mr. Hapworth had been doing a little figuring on the back of the menu card. All told, a thousand dollars ought to cover everything,' he murmured. "'Don't you think so, Ted?' "'More than cover it,' replied Ted. "'All right,' said his host, drawing a check-book and a fountain-pen from his pocket. "'You're going to have that thousand.' End of chapter 7 Chapter 8 of Over the Ocean to Paris

by franklin w dixon the aviation school ted scott's head was in a whirl as he heard mr hapworth's words and noted his action what was that he stammered half rising to his feet i say you're going to have that thousand dollars replied the young millionaire with a whimsical smile

but but persisted ted bewilderedly i didn't know i can't take your money you don't know me i haven't any claim on you no no i can't now look here ted protested mr hapworth be sensible you need this money and can make the best use of it i've got more than i know what to do with i want to do this more than i wanted to do anything for a long time why should you deprive me of that pleasure

"'It's mighty good of you to put it that way,' said Ted, with deep feeling. "'All the same, I don't feel that you ought to do it or that I ought to take it. I'm almost a stranger. You've only seen me once before today. You don't know anything about me. I know a winner when I see one,' returned Mr. Hapworth, "'and I want to do something worthwhile with my money. I want to stake you to that flying course.'

the money means absolutely nothing to me it means a lot to you let me put it to good use what mr hapworth says is of the most sensible mon ami interposed mr mornay who had been listening to the colloquy with profound interest the only change i would suggest is that he permit me to share in his pleasure he to put in five hundred dollars and i the other five hundred is it not so

as you like assented walter hapworth with a bow i don't want to be selfish selfish exclaimed ted feeling the moisture come to his eyes at the generosity and delicacy of these two good friends of his you're both the soul of kindness but i've done nothing to deserve it nothing but to save my life the other day replied mr monnet quietly nothing but give me new faith in the young fellows of this generation added mr hapworth

now look here ted this thing has been done a thousand times look at the prospectors in the west who could have done nothing without a stake but with it have been able to discover gold mines look at the struggling business men who have become rich after they have once got a start

the men who gave them that start simply gambled that they would make good now i or rather mr monnet and i if he will have it that way want to take a gamble on your courage and ability we both believe that it's a mighty good bet

Mr. Monet nodded, emphatic approval. "'But you have no assurance that I will make good,' replied Ted. "'I may be a flipper when it comes to real flying. There are so many qualifications required of an aviator that I may fail in some of the tests. Then your money would be wasted.' "'I'll take a chance on that,' returned Hapworth. "'And I also,' added Mr. Monet."

ted was profoundly touched i'm all upset he murmured you both are good beyond words this has come to me so suddenly that my head's in a whirl i'd like to talk it over with my foster parents if you don't mind i feel that i owe them that that's all right agreed mr hapworth they should as you say be consulted about it i hope they'll come to our way of looking at it

suppose you drop over a couple of nights from now and let us have your decision and this time you are both to be my guests at dinner put in mr mounet ted eagerly agreed to this and for the time the subject was dropped they sat chatting for some time sipping their coffee and listening to the band and then ted with reiterated thanks left his warm-hearted friends and made his way home

at a table near the one at which they had been sitting but hidden from them by a group of palms two young men sat looking at each other what do you think of that asked gregg gale of his brother duck fools and their money are soon parted snapped duck as he dabbed the ashes from a cigarette into a receiver that fellow a flyer snorted gregg in a tone which he tried to make as contemptuous as possible

he'll go up like a rocket and come down like a stick prophesied duck suppose he should make good though and become one of the big fliers suggested greg showing by the way he spoke how distasteful the possibility was to him i suppose bromville would go crazy over him think of that cheapskate lording it over everybody i hope he breaks his neck snarled duck why has hapworth butted into this anyway why doesn't he mind his own business

"'Not quite so loud, Doc,' cautioned Greg. "'Remember, he's put a pot of money into the golf course, and Dad wants to keep on the right side of him.' Ted Scott, in the meantime, had wended his way toward home as though he were in a dream. He had at times to pinch himself to make sure it was all real. His whole outlook on the future had been changed by the unexpected offer that had come to him. What had seemed so hopeless a little while ago was now clearly within his reach.'

upon one thing he was determined if he accepted the money at all it would be as a loan instead of a gift he would work like a slave to pay the money back he knew that his generous friends would not care a particle if he never repaid them but that made no difference to him he had his own self-respect to consider he found eben and charity sitting on the verandah he threw himself down on the top step close to them and greeted them affectionately

we was a mite worried when you didn't come home to dinner said charity thought maybe a rushwater had come into the works and you'd had to work overtime remarked ebben no it wasn't that replied ted as he wiped his brow for the night was warm and he had been hurrying i've had dinner at the hotel excelsior the old folks straightened up and gasped the hotel excelsior exclaimed

suppose it was a mighty lot better eaten than you get at home sighed charity don't you believe it denied ted stoutly of course there were a lot of new-fangled dishes with french names but there's no cooking anywhere that's as good as yours mother

"'How came it was you there?' asked Eben. "'Dinner must have cost you a lot of money.' "'Not a cent,' replied Ted. "'I took dinner by invitation with Mr. Hopworth. You know the man that came into the works the other morning that I was telling you about? He's a prince, I can tell you that. No better than my boy, said Charity, jealously. "'Well, he's got a lot more money anyway,' laughed Ted. "'I met that Mr. Monet, too, the one I pulled out of the way of the airplane on the runway.'

and what do you think they said to me give you three guesses i never was much good at riddles smiled eben don't keep us waiting ted pleaded charity what did they have to say offered me a thousand dollars replied ted if he had counted on creating a sensation he was gratified eben almost fell out of his chair and charity raised her hands in wonder thousand dollars they cried in unison you're getting us on a string said eben rather reproachfully

"'Nary a string,' replied Ted, laughing, and then he went on to tell them of the generous proposition that had been made to him. Of course he concluded, "'I wouldn't take it as a gift, but I thought it might be all right as a loan. But I told them I'd talk it over with you first and see what you thought of it.' What they thought of it, as soon as they had recovered from their surprise, was chiefly negative."

both had the instinctive dread of flying common to the older generation they peopled the thought with grisly images of disaster and both of them worshipped ted cherished him as the apple of their eye eben was the first to yield to ted's earnest pleadings he had a broader outlook upon life and as a man himself realized the risks attached to many of life's undertakings

he knew also that the greater the risk the greater would be the prizes that rewarded it charity was the harder to convince she was governed more by her emotions than her reason she pictured ted as dead crippled the victim of a host of calamities she knew that she would be always battling with her fears but she saw how the boy's heart was set upon his project and for his sake she at last reluctantly yielded

"'I suppose, after all, the Lord is Lord of the sky as well as the earth,' she observed, wiping her eyes with a corner of her apron. "'And I shall be praying day and night that he'll have you in his holy keeping.' "'I know you will, mother dear,' said Ted, as he kissed her. "'And with you praying I'm sure that nothing bad can happen to me.' The next morning he opened the subject to Big Bill Ellison. Bill listened with the keenest interest."

them fellows are all woolen a yard wide he said when ted had finished i liked that young hapworth from the time my eyes lighted on him what do you think i ought to do mr ellison asked ted do exclaimed bill snap up the offer as a trout gobbles a worm it's the chance of a lifetime i'd hate to lose you but i'd hate myself if i stood in your way

"'Seems to me they're taking a mighty big gamble,' observed Ted. "'No gamble at all, the way I look at it,' returned Bill. "'They're betting on a sure thing. Of course, there's nothing sure in this world but death and taxes. But to bet on you is like putting money in the bank.' Ted flushed at the unqualified statement. "'I'm afraid you're putting it too strongly,' he protested. "'Not a bit,' declared Bill. "'Why, do you know what Tom Maltby said to me yesterday?'

what asked ted he said to me bill told him mark my words bill he said that boy ted scott is a comer we'll yet see him writin his name across the sky and of chapter eight chapter nine of over the ocean to paris by franklin w dixon this librivox recording is in the public domain a crooked deal writing his name across the sky would he ever attain such fame as that ted scott wondered

the thought made him tingle to the finger-tips all that day and the next he worked as in a daze but it was a golden daze ambition was stirring in him to the depths writing his name across the sky ted scott had not forgotten that many folks in town looked at him as a nobody many a time he had raged inwardly at this but to no avail

he had tried in vain to trace his parentage not once but many times but the past was a locked book to him not to be opened until many years later on the evening of the second day he kept his dinner appointment with mr both he and mr hapworth greeted him with cordiality even with eagerness it was apparent that their wish to stake him had increased rather than diminished

but by tacit agreement nothing was said about the real object of ted's coming until they had first eaten an excellent dinner then his host and mr hapworth lighted their cigars and looked at him with a quizzical smile how is it mon ami asked his host have your father and mother given their consent to our proposition

yes replied ted though i had to fight hard to make them see things my way i don't think my mother sees it that way yet he added but at least she won't stand in my way ah that is good replied mr monnet haughtily then we can look upon the matter as settled exultant mr hapworth if you and mr monnet still feel the same way about it yes replied ted that is if you'll let me take the money as a loan and pay you back when i can

why i guess there'll be no difficulty about that said mr hapworth with a smile and mr monnet nodded approval we're both perfectly glad and willing to make it a gift outright and let it go at that but if it will make you feel more comfortable to look on it as a loan that too will be all right if i live i will pay it declared ted but here's another thing

suppose anything should happen to me while i'm in training die in a crash or something like that you've got no security at all and you'd be out your money we'd feel so bad about anything happening to you that we wouldn't give the money a second thought affirmed mr all the same replied ted i think i ought to get my life insured in your favor for the thousand dollars in interest

"'Now, now, nothing like that,' objected Mr. Hapworth. "'In the first place you'd find it rather hard to get insured, except at a ruinous premium. Flying isn't looked upon with favour by the life-insurance companies. Then again we wouldn't want any money that you had had to die for to get.' "'It's tremendously good and generous of you,' said Ted fervently. "'Even if I give you back the money I'll still be in debt to you all my life.'

i've no doubt the day will come when you're famous that we'll feel in debt to you for having been permitted to help you along the good work declared mr monnet smilingly now let us settle the whole thing right here and then we'll forget about it he drew out his cheque-book and made out a cheque to ted's order for five hundred dollars mr hapworth followed with his cheque and ted thanked them in a voice that trembled with feeling and put the cheques into his pocket

one thousand dollars to them it meant simply the gratification of a kindly impulse to him it meant the realization of a dream of his life to relieve him of any feeling of embarrassment his generous friends turned the conversation to other topics

what do you think of the hotel ted asked walter hapworth as he knocked the ash from his cigar on a rather big scale don't you think i should say so replied ted it rather overwhelms one i don't suppose there are many finer in the country not outside the great cities returned mr hapworth course some of those in new york and chicago lay all over this just then brewster gale the proprietor of the hotel passed by the table

he was a big bulky man dressed expensively or rather overdressed for too many diamonds flashed on his hands when one in his tie was fairly dazzling his manner was suave but his jowls were heavy his mouth cruel and his eyes hard and shifty he scarcely honoured ted with a glance but bowed almost obsequiously to hapworth and monaix as he passed them

hapworth returned the greeting with a careless nod but mr mornay's recognition was stiff and formal so almost hostile in fact that hapworth's attention was attracted by it what's the trouble paul he asked with the familiarity of an old acquaintance you and gail have been having a run-in a run-in repeated mr mornay a little puzzled i do not always get the meaning of your american terms

an argument laughed hapworth a quarrel if it's anything as serious as that i should not actually say a quarrel rejoined mr mornay but we got into a little discussion this afternoon that was not of the most pleasant you know mon ami that i have quite a heavy investment in this golf links yes i know said hapworth

pricking up his ears. I hold quite a block of stock in it myself. I figured out that it ought to be a good money-maker. It should, agreed Mr. Monet. It has a central position, and already there are a good many tournaments booked for the course. But when I was talking about it this afternoon with Messire Gael, some things came up that gave me a little uneasiness, as, for instance, as Mr. Hopworth now keenly interested."

"'Well, some of the expenditures,' replied Mr. Monet. "'It seemed to me that some of the bills that had been rendered were so high as to be preposterous. There was one charge of thirty thousand dollars for work done for the landscape architects that it seemed to me would have been dear at twenty thousand.' "'How did Gail explain it?' asked Hapworth. "'Oh, he talked of the high cost of labor and materials,' returned Mr. Monet. "'Generalities that did not convince me.'

i had an uncomfortable feeling that i was being played for what is that you americans say for a sucker and he did not look me straight in the eyes as we talked did he show you the receipted bills asked hapworth yes and they seemed regular enough in form admitted his friend he showed me also the cancelled cheque for the thirty thousand there's no doubt that bill was rendered and that it was paid it seemed all right but all the same i had the feeling that it wasn't

of course the bill and the check mean nothing commented hapworth thoughtfully the parties were crooked it would be perfectly easy to arrange that a bill for thirty thousand should be rendered even though the right amount should be twenty thousand that would make the book seem right then afterward the architect by previous arrangement could hand ten thousand back to gail and he could pocket it for himself and nobody be the wiser we made him treasurer you know

of course i'm not saying that anything like that occurred i'm only saying that it would be perfectly easy to do it is possible said mr mounet wrinkling his brows that we have been too what do you call it too easy-going with m gail we should look into matters a little more closely mon ami

yet gail seemed to be all right mused mr hapworth the commercial agencies didn't appear to have anything against him and he seems to be a man of large wealth who wouldn't need to stoop to anything crooked all the same it may be well to keep an eye on him i think it would remarked ted quietly the two men turned toward him quickly what do you mean inquired mr hapworth do you know anything about m'sieu gail queried mr

i don't know him personally and i don't suppose he knows that i'm alive replied ted but my folks know about him and to their sorrow tell us about it urged mr hapworth i've never been able to get the rights of it exactly responded ted seems to be an awful mix-up what i know is that my foster-father eben browning once owned every foot of this ground that's now covered by the hotel and the golf links and that brewster gale got it away from him

This created a stir in his listeners. But surely Gail paid him for it, interjected Mr. Hopworth. That's just it, replied Ted. He didn't pay him. All that Evan got was the first few hundred dollars that were paid down to bond the bargain. He never got another cent. Is that possible? breathed Mr. Monet. And this property is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, exclaimed Mr. Hopworth.

i don't know how it happened went on ted eben himself is all mixed up on it he's so honest himself that he went on the theory that everyone else would be there was some hocus-pocus gail had a lot of crooked lawyers and all the money he needed to fight with while eben didn't have anything

the long and short of it is that gail has the property it's monstrous exclaimed mr hapworth bringing his fist down on the table with a bang the man is a scoundrel cried mr monnet angrily the man is crooked in one thing he'll be crooked in others went on mr hapworth you were right paul when you said that we've been too easy going i'm going down to the root of things at once and that doesn't mean maybe

the sooner the better agreed mr monnet you've done us perhaps a bigger favour than you know in telling us this he added turning to ted if i have i'm glad replied ted i'd hate to see you and mr hapworth lose any money you put into the golf course and if brewster gale's been crooked with you i hope he'll be punished

if he has he won't get off easily promised mr hapworth and there was a look in his eye that could he have seen it might have given some anxiety to the man with the heavy jowls the shifty eye and the surplus of diamonds and a chapter nine chapter x of over the ocean to paris by franklin w dixon this librivox recording is in the public domain starting in

so it's all settled is it asked ellison the next morning as ted scott reported for work yes replied ted in some surprise but how did you know one look at your face was enough laughed big bill you look as though you had just come in for a million dollars

"'Make it a thousand and you'll be right,' said Ted, his face glowing. "'Yes, it was all fixed up last night. I'm going to a flying school just as soon as I can make arrangements. The question is, which one? I want to get the best there is. Could you give me a tip on it?' "'Well,' said Bill reflectively, "'most of them are good, but there are some that are better than others. Tom knows more about them than I do. Suppose we ask him.'

tom maltby called into consultation picked out the tellson school at once it's right up to the minute he declared it's about a hundred miles from here and on the shore of a lake so that one can get experience in airplanes and seaplanes and i know the man at the head of it major bradley a retired army officer he was the head of the aviation squadron with which i served in france and say what that bird doesn't know about flying ain't worth knowing

strict as the mischief a feller that'll stand no foolin and that won't hesitate to give you the rough side of his tongue if you deserve it his school has turned out a raft of good airmen and i don't think there's a better one anywhere that sounds good to me said ted i'll write to him at once he did so that night and in a day or two received an answer giving all the details that ted had asked for in his letter

the terms were reasonable the place was only a few hours away and these facts combined with tom's recommendation decided ted's choice the next few days flew by as though on wings there were a good many things to be bought before ted's outfit was complete and with all the haste he could muster it was a full week before he was ready to go

His comrades in the works were all agog with interest, for Ted Scott was a general favorite. They hated to see him go, but they were glad that he was on the way to achieving his heart's desire. They crowded around him on his last day in the plant and showered him with good wishes. Show them the kind of stuff the Duvali-Hipson plant turns out, said Mark Lawson. Put Bromville on the map, urged Breck Lewis.

and when you're up in the skies don't forget us poor broobs that are anchored to the ground put in jack forest big bill ellison was a little less exuberant but none the less cordial i'm counting on big things for you ted he said soberly as he wrung his hand i'm sure you've got the stuff you're bound to have some stiff experiences but you'll get through them all right and don't forget that you've got a host of friends here that are rooting for you

"'Give my regards to Major Bradley,' said Tom, "'and tell him that one of his old boys wishes him luck. Maybe he'll remember that little balmy expedition of ours just before the armistice.' Mr. Hapworth and Mr. Monet, on whom Ted paid a parting call, were heartfelt in their expressions of goodwill. "'Remember we're banking on you, Ted,' said Mr. Hapworth. "'I'm looking for you to become famous.'

"'We'll be seeing his name in big headlines in the papers before long,' added Mr. Monet. "'I don't know about that,' laughed Ted. "'But if I don't make good, it won't be for the lack of trying. I'll never forget how good you've both been to me.' The most trying time Ted had was in parting with Eben and Charity. The former's voice was husky, and Charity wept openly.

"'Good-bye, dear boy,' said Eben, as he blew his nose vigorously. "'Take care of yourself, and let us hear from you often. May the good Lord keep you safe,' sobbed Charity. "'I'll be praying for you day and night till you get back to us.' Ted's own farewells were broken, and he had to hurry away lest he break down altogether."

once on the train he gave himself up to reflection the die was cast he had definitely embarked upon his project his future life was in large part to be spent in the skies he looked up to those skies azure blue now and smiling he took it as a good omen yet he knew that there were times when those skies would wear a different aspect they would be banked with clouds shot through with angry lightnings rent by deafening peals of thunder

and he perhaps would be scudding along there in his fragile plane exposed to all the fury of the elements a mere atom in the grip of the storm perhaps his engine would stop perhaps a wing would crumble up the earth perhaps ten thousand feet below for in all his roseate dreams of the future ted scott never lost sight of realities

was a stern man's job he was taking up life and death were the stakes in the great game many as brave as he as hopeful as he as skilful as he hoped to become had come whirling down through that dreadful abyss of space to certain death what guarantee had he that he would escape a similar fate

none whatsoever yet he was not daunted death came some time to every one and an airman's death at least was instant and in that sense merciful by an effort he dismissed all sombre thoughts from his mind he was young happy healthy and intensely alive he stood on the threshold of a great adventure it was enough he looked out the window and calculated by the way the telegraph poles flew by that the train was travelling at the rate of forty miles an hour

once that had seemed tremendous speed now he was tempted to smile forty miles an hour why that was simply crawling the train was a snail soon in the air he would be going at the rate of a hundred miles an hour a hundred and fifty perhaps two hundred but even at the despised rate of forty miles an hour the reliable train soon had him at his destination

the flying field of the school was several miles out from the wilbraham station but a bus ran between the two places and in a little while ted found himself at the tellson school and in the presence of major bradley its supervising head the title of major had rather awed ted who had expected to find himself in the presence of a grizzled old veteran he had forgotten how young were the officers that commanded in the a e f

especially in the flying service, where youth was at a premium. So it was with considerable surprise that he noted that the major was apparently not a day over thirty-five, a clear-cut, well-set-up man with a tanned face, a pleasant smile, and piercing eyes that betokened one habituated to command. "'So you want to be a flyer, do you?' he asked with a genial nod as he looked head up and down and was evidently satisfied with the inspection."

"'I hope to be,' replied Ted modestly. "'Course you know that it isn't a matter of joy-riding,' went on the Major. "'Lots of the fellows that come here think it is. We get the notion out of their heads promptly, and if we can't do that we give them their walking-papers. We don't want any pupils that aren't bent on serious business.' "'Tom Maltby told me that was the reputation of the school,' replied Ted. "'That's why I came here.' "'Tom Maltby,' mused the Major.'

"'I had a man by that name in my flying squadron in France. I wonder if by any chance it's the same one.' "'Tom told me that he served under you,' was Ted's reply. "'He wondered whether you remembered that little bombing expedition just before the armistice.' "'Do I remember?' exclaimed Major Bradley. "'I guess I do. I have good reason to remember. We were going back to the aerodrome the next morning, when we were attacked by three of the enemy's planes.'

I had the good luck to dispose of one, and then my gun jammed and I was helpless. But Maltby engaged both of the other planes and brought them down. I wouldn't have been here to-day if he hadn't got them." "'Tom didn't tell me about that,' remarked Ted. "'He wouldn't,' chuckled the Major. He wasn't one to boast. Anyway, anything that came along was all in the day's work for Tom Maltby. I must fly over and see the old boy some day. But now let's get down to business."

Have you ever been up in the air? Only once, replied Ted. Tom took me up. He did, hey? said the Major. Just straight flying, or did he go through any stunts? About everything he knew, I guess, replied Ted. He was testing a new plane and wanted to see how it would behave under all conditions. Glad to get down on Earth again, weren't you? asked the Major. Eye him closely. No, replied Ted simply. I was sorry. The Major chuckled.

"'Perhaps you're naturally cut out for an airman, but we'll see,' he said. "'You'll start to-morrow. I'll give you the names of two or three places over at Wilbraham where you can get good room and board. You can come over by the bus each morning and go back the same way at night. You can come out with me now and look over the field, so that you won't be quite a stranger when you report for work to-morrow.' He led the way from his quarters out on the training field, which was about half a mile long and nearly as much in width as

it was almost level and the turf was close cut so that no grass would interfere with the wheels in take-off or landing at the left gleamed the blue waters of a large lake there were a number of planes on the field of various types and sizes some of them were being tuned up and repaired while around others were grouped small knots of people whom tet took for pupils and instructors from above came the humming of motors where several planes were scouring the sky

"'Ted looked up the ladder with a thrill. "'In a few days or weeks, at latest, "'he would be indulging in solo flights, "'would be up there all alone. "'He was recalled from his musings by the Major's voice. "'Among the first things we'll have to do,' Major Bradley was saying, "'is to learn all about the planes themselves, "'the wings, struts, motors, propellers, and instruments. "'Have you ever examined a plane?' "'Yes, sir,' replied Ted simply. "'I've made them.' "'The Major so far forgot himself as to whistle.'

you've made them he exclaimed chapter x the blinding fog yes replied ted scott to the major's question i've been working for over two years in the plant of the duvali-hipson aero corporation when i left there i was working in the assembling section

i'm glad to hear that replied the major it will make your work here much easier a good deal of the course consists in becoming thoroughly familiar with the planes themselves so familiar in fact that in case of need you could make minor repairs yourself without having to rely on a mechanic the knowledge you already have will give you a good jump at the very start

the major had any idea that ted was boasting that thought was soon removed by the intelligent comments the new pupil made on the planes of various kinds that were in use on the field report at nine to-morrow morning directed the major after they had made the circuit of the field and returned to his quarters and remember that though this is not a military flying field things are conducted here with military precision

nine o'clock means nine o'clock and not five minutes after so with all the other regulations of the school ted promised to be punctual and took the bus for wulebrum this was a pleasant quiet town of about five thousand inhabitants

the first address that the major had given ted proved to be the home of an old couple who reminded him of eben and charity browning and who placed a clean comfortable well-lighted room at his disposal and furnished good board at a reasonable cost here ted unpacked his trunk and arranged his belongings not least important of which in his estimation was an alarm clock that would prevent him from incurring the major's wrath by being late at the field

at the school the next morning he met the other pupils and the instructors and training pilots most of the students seemed to be pleasant fellows and their reception of the newcomer to their ranks was cordial and unconventional before entering on the regular work of the school ted was required to undergo a rigorous physical examination which he passed with flying colors his hard action was perfect there was no trace of short-sightedness or color blindness

his sense of balance and equilibrium left nothing to be desired the doctor's attestation to these facts caused ted to draw a great sigh of relief for though he had believed himself to be in prime condition he had been haunted by the possibility that there might be some obscure trouble that would disqualify him from the outset

so it was with a light heart that ted found himself turned over to ned thompson one of the pilots for training in the elementary principles of flying ned looked him over keenly as they shook hands after major bradley had introduced them and departed to his duties in another part of the field i have a hunch that you and me are going to get along fine kid said ned specially if you've made up your mind and that you ain't going to be a ground pilot what is a ground pilot asked ted

"'The kind that's always talking of the flights he's going to make, "'but goes up as little as possible and gets cold shivers "'every time he really finds himself in a plane,' grinned Ned. "'Do you come across many of that kind?' laughed Ted. "'More than I want to,' grumbled Ned. "'There's boys that think it sounds big to say they're aviators, "'sounds hero-like and all that, presses the girls, "'so they just learn enough so that they can waggle a joystick "'and that's all they ever amount to.'

"'Well, I don't think you need worry over me,' laughed Ted. "'I'm here to learn flying from A to Z, and I'm depending on you to teach it to me.' "'Good,' said Ned. "'Now just jump into the plane and we'll have lesson number one.' He indicated a stubby, chunky-looking plane that looked as though it had seen hard service. The cockpit was fitted with dual controls so that either one of the two occupants of the plane could manage it without moving from a seat.

the place for the pilots was directly back of the motor and in front of the main gasoline tank in front of the pilots was the instrument panel with all the necessary dials to indicate air speed altitude engine performance angle of turn and bang and the longitudinal tip of the plane the cockpit was enclosed with a glass windshield and sliding hatches at the top giving the maximum vision

the wings were of an odd design with a slight dip upward that added to the stability of the machine the struts to the wings were built with a wing curve that enabled them to do their share of the lifting for perhaps an hour they sat there while ned gave the pupil points on the handling of the plane then when he thought the theory was well apprehended ned started the motor going and they taxied down the field

for perhaps three hundred yards they went and then ned lifted the machine into the air to a height of about three hundred feet and for the next hour indulged in straight flying ted watched his instructor like a hawk and learned something new every minute and what he learned he did not forget for apart from his natural aptitude for flight he had an unusually retentive memory

when it came to landing ned went through what he called slow motion so that his pupil could grasp every step of the process that is the throttle instead of being entirely closed was left open sufficiently to slow the landing down to a third or a quarter of the normal speed

when the first lesson was concluded both teacher and student were equally pleased the former because he had found an apt and intelligent pupil and the latter because of the patience and skill of the pilot from that time on ted's progress was rapid he learned how to be proficient in reverse control turns and spirals and in precision landings both with and without power

later on came the stalls and spins the falls and dives the figure eights and all that makes an accomplished flyer all this was of course in company with ned thompson who though he surrendered the control of the plane into his pupil's hands was always ready on the instant to take command should disaster threaten one of the most breath-taking features of the course was the parachute jump even though high in air there was a certain sense of solidity in being seated in the plane

but when it came to stepping off into space with the ground fifteen hundred feet below was an entirely different matter feel kind of jumpy like asked ned with a grin as he saw to it that the parachute was in perfect order no use saying you don't for i know you do but you'll be surprised how much you'll like it it's just like sinking into a feather bed he adjusted the parachute with the utmost care and ted stepped to the edge of the plane the ground seemed fearfully far below

"'See you later,' grinned Ned. "'Over you go.' Then Ted Scott stepped off into space. Down he went with terrific velocity. There was a tremendous sinking at the pit of his stomach. Then, as the parachute expanded, his progress was checked, and a moment later he was floating in the air, swaying lazily to and fro, but steadily descending. It was a delightful sensation, and Ted was almost sorry when he landed in the center of the field."

That was only the first of many such experiences, and before long Ted was jumping with as much nonchalance as though he were simply stepping off the running board of an automobile to the ground. But the most thrilling step was when the time came for him to make a solo flight, to take the plane up in the air, fly it, and bring it down without anyone to advise him.

"'He's not been here long. Do you think he's fully ready for it?' Major Bradley asked Ned Thompson. "'Absolutely and pos-a-lutely,' declared Ned, jokingly. "'He's by far the smartest kid I've handled in a dog's age. He doesn't know what it is to be scared. And that old think-tank of him is working all the time. There's mighty few things now that I can teach him about a plane. All that he needs is practice.'

was high praise from one who knew and it was not belied by ted's performance which on the occasion of his first flight was limited to half an hour he took off in excellent style and mounted like a bird into the skies his veins were thrilling with excitement but his hands were steady and his brain was cool

that feeling of elation when he found that the plane obeyed his guidance and acknowledged him as master when he felt that he was lord of the air almost as much at home in the ether as he had ever been on the ground tad never forgot and the climax of his satisfaction was reached when he made his landing in perfect form and stepped from the plane to be slapped on the back by ned thompson and cordially praised by major bradley with every day his proficiency increased

one by one he mastered the more intricate parts of the science of flying the banks the turns the spins the swoops that go to the making of the accomplished flyer he learned the feel of the plane as a jockey senses every emotion of his steed and after a while the machine seemed to become a part of himself

even after the day's work was over he spent long hours in the evening studying on his loved subject poring over books and magazines familiarizing himself with meteorology air currents the latest wrinkles and everything pertaining to flying his sunny genial disposition had won him many friends among the other students and some of the young people of the town

he had many invitations to spend his evenings in various ways many of them more or less doubtful such as poker games and wild parties but none of these for ted scott he cut them out ruthlessly he was as careful in his training as any athlete he wanted to keep his body strong his mind clear once in a while he went to the movies or he spent a pleasant evening in the home of some of his friends but even these diversions were only occasional

he was steadfastly bent on one purpose to write his name across the sky tom maltby had been a better friend than he knew when he prophesied that future for ted it became his ideal his slogan one afternoon when he had been several weeks at the school he took up his plane for a longer flight than usual this time he was going to try for altitude one of the essential features in an aviator's training for there were times when to escape a storm

For instance, a height of ten or fifteen thousand feet might mean safety when a lesser height might mean destruction.

up and up he went revelling in the sense of space and freedom until he was a mere speck in the sky the height at which he was had long since ceased to make him nervous in fact the higher he was the safer he was if anything went wrong he might easily be in more danger a hundred feet above the ground where the room for evolutions was limited and the parachute of no account than he would be if he were two miles high

the plane worked beautifully obedient to his slightest touch and ted was regretful when he knew that it was time for him to descend this descent proved more difficult than he had anticipated for while he had been going through his evolutions a heavy fog had drifted in from the lake and utterly obscured the ground below try as he might to peer through that opaqueness ted could discover no trace of the flying field

he could not tell whether he was over the ground or over the lake or worse still over some of the neighboring towns where a landing would almost certainly be disastrous he cruised about for some time hoping that the fog would lift instead it grew more dense and to make matters worse the dusk was coming on the dank creeping mist whining about him like a shroud sent a chill to ted's heart he was lost in the fog chapter

CHAPTER XII OF OVER THE OCEAN TO PARIS by Franklin W. Dixon. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. A JUMP FOR LIFE Ted Scott's heart seemed to lose a beat as the danger of the situation dawned upon him. The fog below and around him was absolutely impenetrable. It might as well have been a solid wall, for all his straining eyes could discern as he peered through the darkness.

hoping that it might thin as he went down. He descended until his altimeter told him that he was no more than three hundred feet above the ground. He dared not go lower, and the fog was thicker than ever. Rising to a safer height, he lighted a flare and sent it hurtling out into space, but it served only to make the darkness visible, and it had not descended a hundred feet before Ted lost sight of it.

he was sure that by this time the authorities of the flying school must have recognized his probable predicament he knew that their first thought would be to send a powerful searchlight upward in the hope that it would penetrate the fog and act as a beacon to guide the belated aviator east and west north and south his anxious eyes ranged without detecting the slightest glimmer of light

he might as well have been the solitary inhabitant of a lost world for perhaps an hour he cruised around hoping against hope that conditions would change a gleam of relief came into ted's eyes as he noticed a slight diffusion of red in the fog a dim glow that barely sufficed to make darkness visible at first he thought it might be caused by a searchlight from the flying field but this hope faded in an instant

it were the searchlight there would be a certain definitiveness about the rays in a shifting movement as the light swept the skies but this was a general glow spread over a large area was caused undoubtedly by the light of a town but the vicinity of a town was no place to be when a forced landing threatened and ted made haste to get away from it as soon as he could after all he told himself the fog could not last forever he must have patience

sooner or later he would be able to discern some landing-place in the meantime he must seek altitude so he shot upward for more than a thousand feet and came into the clear atmosphere of the upper air beneath the clear light of the moon and stars never had he seemed more sundered from all the affairs of earth he was floating in immensity it was a wonderful feeling and under other circumstances he would have enjoyed it beyond measure

but he could not long indulge in romance it was all right to be up there as long as one knew that he could come down when he willed but when that possibility was shut off the problem became serious still he assured himself that he was all right as long as his gasoline held out he tapped the main tank to see how much remained in it it was then that his heart almost stopped beating that tap revealed to him that the tank was nearly empty

there had been no thought when he went up that he would remain aloft more than an hour and there had been an abundant supply for that length of time he looked at his watch and was startled to see that a full three hours had elapsed since he had left the earth within a few minutes the gasoline would be exhausted then the plane would whirl from that dizzy height and fall to the earth like a bird with a broken wing

With a sigh of relief, Ted remembered that he had a limited supply of gasoline in the reserve tank, but that was good for only about twenty minutes of flying. Still, twenty minutes was something, when for a moment he had not known whether he had enough for twenty seconds. It would at least give him time to pull himself together and consider what could be done. That terrible fog, it threatened to become his shroud. If it would only lift—

he lit another flare and sent it downward but as before he lost sight of it within a short distance the fog swallowed it up that terrible wall that shut him off from sight of earth was still as thick as ever five minutes ten minutes passed as he cruised about in the hope that he might get beyond the limits of the fog into clearer air but it seemed to be as widely spread as it was dense and no opening appeared

Fifteen minutes. He dared wait no longer. Already his engine was beginning to miss and cough. Duval playing down would be a bid for suicide. He might strike a house, a steeple. At any rate, apart from the mere chance of landing on a long stretch of level ground, there would be a smash, certainly of the plane, and probably of himself. There was no help for it. He must abandon the plane and take his chance with a parachute.

he looked at his altimeter and saw that he was up about three thousand feet more than half a mile above the earth with the utmost care ted made sure that his connection with the parachute was all right then he stepped to the edge of the plane he hoped that at that moment charity was praying for him a moment more and he was hurtling down through space then the parachute opened and his progress was halted

with a sigh of relief ted recognized that the parachute was working perfectly but where would he bring up he crossed his legs lest he straddle a fence the ridge pole of a house or some other obstruction then a new alarm seized him above him he could hear the dying moan of the airplane as it spiraled about sinking lower and lower when that moaning ceased he knew that the heavy plane would come crashing down like a catapult

it struck him his career would be ended then and there but he was helpless he could not change his direction he listened to that ominous moaning until suddenly it ceased then there was a rush and the plane tore down through the fog missing him by a hair's breadth as it passed he listened for the crash as it should strike the earth he hoped devoutly that no one would be beneath it but it was not the sound of a crash that came to his straining ears it was a splash

a moment later ted himself struck the water and was engulfed down through the cool green water he went till his descent was checked by the parachute also striking the surface then he came up again sputtering and trying to brush the water from his eyes after the first shock of his submersion he had felt no special alarm he was a strong swimmer and knew that he could keep afloat for hours if occasion demanded

but terror shot through his veins when he felt himself entangled in the folds of his parachute it covered a wide extent of the water and ted was in the centre of its strangling folds they wrapped around him like the tentacles of a devil-fish smothering him manacling his arms and legs forcing his head beneath the water by their weight as in a nightmare he struggled while his lungs seemed bursting

he succeeded in loosening the core that held the parachute to him but the folds still clung around him as though reluctant to release their victim his head was reeling he felt that his senses were going with an almost superhuman effort he worked himself free dived as deeply as he could and struck out hoping that he could keep his breath long enough to get beyond the rim of the parachute he grazed the edge of it when at last he rose

but he had one clear of it he was too exhausted to swim further but turned over on his back and floated until he was able to regain some of his strength he had escaped the danger of smothering but for all he knew he might be several miles from land his heavy aviator suit was cumbrous and weighed him down the mental strain under which he had been combined with his struggle to get rid of his entanglement had told on his physical strength

when at last he had sufficiently rested he turned over and looked about the fog hung heavily over the water and he could see nothing but it seemed to him that he could hear a gentle murmur like that of waves lapping a beach he struck out in the direction of the sound and before long to his infinite delight felt his foot scrape bottom then he rose to his feet and waded out to solid land there he sank down to rest and collect his bewildered thoughts

in the last half-hour he had been in or on the three elements air water land twice he had been in imminent peril of his life but he had escaped unscathed sound and wind and limb mark would certainly say that i must have had a rabbit's foot concealed about me somewhere ted said to himself with a grin i'll tell the world there's nothing dull about flying

at a little distance he saw a mass of something protruding from the water which on closer inspection revealed itself as the fallen plane it had come down a little closer to the shore than had ted himself ted was delighted at the discovery he had given up the plane as hopelessly lost now there was a chance that the water had broken the fall so that it could be repaired with but little expense ted rested but a little while and then got to his feet

he had not the slightest idea where he was but he felt sure that the body of water into which he had fallen must be the lake that bordered the flying field at the worst he could not be many miles away from the school he made his way out from the shore until he reached a road at a little distance he saw the oncoming lights of an automobile he stepped out into the glare and waved then he moved aside as the car came to a stop

what is it asked the young man seated at the wheel and ted to his satisfaction recognised the voice as that of al bryson one of his acquaintances in wilbraham that you al asked ted this is ted scott

"'Hello, Ted,' replied Al, cordially. "'Where did you come from?' "'From the clouds,' grinned Ted. "'Gas gave out, and I had to make a parachute jump. I'll tell you about it as we go along, but just at present I don't know where I am, and I want to get to the Telson school as quickly as I can. Jump right in, and I'll get you over there in a jiffy,' returned Al. "'It's only about three miles from here.'

"'It isn't often I have a chance to help a visitor from the skies,' he added, with a grin. "'Quit your kidding,' laughed Ted, as he climbed in, and—'Step on the gas!' End of chapter 12 Chapter 13 of Over the Ocean to Paris by Franklin W. Dixon This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. On the climb! "'I'll make the old bus purr,' stated Al Bryson, as he let the car out for all she was worth.

it purred to such effect that in less than five minutes the flying field came into view looks as though there was some excitement commented al as he brought the machine to a stop there was indeed an unwonted aspect of activity at the tellson school a great searchlight was scouring the clouds reaching out great fingers as though to grasp what might be lying behind those frowning banks

in addition a huge bonfire had been built and drenched with a barrel of gasoline was roaring fiercely when ted who had jumped from the car ran into the zone of light a shout rose up from the crowd of pilots mechanics and students who were feeding the fire and operating the searchlight there he is there he is they cried as they came rushing toward him

"'By the great jumping Jehoshaphat!' yelled Ned Thompson as he threw his arms about Ted's bedraggled form. "'We were just beginning to fear that it was all up with you.' Major Bradley put his hands on Ted's shoulders and turned his face toward the fire so that he could have a good look at him. "'Safe and sound, I'm glad to see,' he exclaimed with deep feeling. "'I was fearing the worst. I know you didn't have enough gasoline to last as long as this.'

i've been ringing up all the towns within fifty miles to learn whether the plane had smashed sure you're not hurt not a bit answered ted cheerily wet as a drenched rat and hungry as a wolf that lets me out but the plane there was a hubbub of questions and exclamations that interrupted ted's speech and was only quieted when ted had given the crowd all the details of his perilous adventure

"'Great stuff, Ted,' commented Major Bradley. "'You kept your head and did just the right thing at the right time. No hardened old aviator, not Ned himself, could have done better.' "'I was lucky,' said Ted. "'Say plucky and I'll agree with you,' returned the Major. "'Now we'll turn off the searchlight and let the fire go down while you go in and get dry duds and something to eat.'

In the meantime, Ned, you get the wrecking car and a bunch of men and go after that plane. From what Ted says, it's fallen in where there was enough water to break the fall, but not enough to submerge it. We may find that it's all right with a little tinkering. Ned did as directed, and the Major took Ted into his own quarters, where he got a change of clothes and shortly after sat down to a steaming hot meal that put new strength and life into him.

"'I believe I've got some gray hairs within the last hour or two,' remarked the Major, while Ted was eating. "'I never was so worried in my life.' "'Not even when the enemy aviators were shooting at you in the skies?' suggested Ted. "'Not even then,' replied the Major soberly, "'for that was only my own life that was in question. And I had a right to risk it as I pleased, but I feel a certain responsibility for students of this school.'

"'One can't foresee everything,' responded Ted. "'It was clear sunlight when I went up. That fog came up mighty suddenly. But I ought to have seen it gathering and come down at once before it got to be like a brick wall. I hated about the plane.' "'Well, you're safe anyhow, so forget the plane,' remarked the Major. And now he added, with a smile, "'You're qualified for a membership in the Caterpillar Club.' "'The Caterpillar Club?' repeated Ted in some surprise. "'What is that?'

it's an organization of airmen composed of pilots who've jumped with a parachute from a plane when it went dead on them or for any other reason explained the major you get a star for every time you do it i hope that i don't get too many stars laughed ted but i don't see yet where the name comes from

"'You've seen a caterpillar, haven't you? Letting itself down from a branch on a little thread of gossamer?' replied the Major. "'Well, in a sense that resembles a pilot coming down with a parachute. That's what suggested the name for the club.' "'Not a bad idea,' murmured Ted. "'I'd have been especially sorry if anything had happened to you,' went on the Major, "'because I've come to look on you as the most promising pupil that has yet come to the school.'

"'I wouldn't say this to you if I didn't know that you were too sensible to get a swelled head. Ned agrees with me. We've been watching you, and we've seen that you have all the qualities that go to make up a flyer—courage, quick thinking, good judgment, familiarity with your machine, and a certain something—a sort of sixth sense that tells you just what to do in an emergency.'

ted flushed with gratification at the praise all the more valuable because the major usually was chary of recommendation it's good of you to speak that way major bradley ted replied now you skip out for home directed the major rising you need a good night's sleep and you've surely earned it

the next morning on reporting at the school ted was delighted to see his plane on the field it was a rather bedraggled forlorn object but ted's heart warmed to it he was already beginning to have the same feeling for his plane that a rider does for a favorite steed yes we got it said ned coming up to where ted was standing it's surprising how little damage was done if it had hit the ground of course it would have been junk but the water broke the fall

some of the struts are broken and the propeller's gone gafloui but in a couple of days we'll have it as good as ever bully exclaimed ted heartily i'll have many a good flight in it yet and some day i'll pay for the damage done he added the days passed rapidly and with every one ted felt that he had made some advance in the thrilling art his take-offs and landings were almost perfect his mastery of the plane and the air had become equal to that of ned himself

and he had become so familiar with the bewildering variety of dials that he read them as easily as he told the time from the hands of his watch when he had become expert in straight flying he devoted himself to the more intricate phases the so-called stunts nose spins tail spins falling leaves immelmans and if he had been looking for thrills this was where he got them

he was daring in the extreme yet he was not foolhardy he never took chances for the mere joy of taking them it was this combination of courage and caution that made him the pride of the school when the last day of the term came he was both glad and sorry sorry because he had become attached to the school and its instructors glad because now he felt himself on the threshold of his career

he found his vocation one for which he was supremely fitted by all his qualities of body and mind and it was a glorious vocation of which he felt proud he was now enrolled in that limited band of pioneers who now that man had attained mastery over sea and land were aiming at the conquest of the skies you've learned now all that we can teach you ted said major bradley but don't think for a moment that you won't have much else to learn

new discoveries are being made every day new types of planes new kinds of motors and you'll have to keep studying all the time from now on your future depends on yourself go to it my boy and make the most of your career i look some day to see you famous ned thompson gave him quite as hearty a send-off

"'Never had a kid that learned so quick,' he said, as he wrung Ted's hand. "'It's been a pleasure to teach you. You're ready this minute to take a plane from New York to San Francisco? Yes, from New York to Paris. Rather stretching it a bit, aren't you, Ned?' laughed Ted. "'New York to Paris? It's never been done. Nothing's ever been done until it's done the first time,' maintained Ned stoutly. "'Well, so long, kid, and don't forget your friends at the Telson School.'

you bet i won't declared ted you've all been immensely good to me the days i've been here have been the happiest of my life there are no words that can describe the delight with which ted was welcomed home ebben hugged him charity smiled upon him and waited on him safe and sound thank the lord exclaimed charity happily my dear dear boy i've been a prayin for you day and night ever since you went away

"'I know you have, mother,' said Ted as he kissed her. "'And that's a good reason why I'm here to-day.' "'Bronzed as an Indian,' said Eben, as he took Ted by the shoulders to get a better look at him. "'You're certainly in fine condition, lad. If I felt any healthier I'd be afraid of myself,' laughed Ted. "'I've been practically living all the time in the open air, except when I've been asleep. And how are things going? You haven't told me much in your letters.'

Ebbin's face clouded. "'We didn't want to worry you,' he said. "'But to tell the truth, Ted, things have been going from bad to worse. Nobody seems to know that the old Bromfield house is still on earth. We're just keeping a jump or two ahead of the sheriff. That Hotel Excelsior seems to be swallering up everything, have their rooms full all the time, and to think that the boss of that shebang ought to be in jail.'

he may be yet said ted most crooks end up that way sooner or later but don't worry just as soon as i get a job we'll have plenty of money what kind of job asked eben i think i'll try to get into the air mail replied ted i've qualified now for a federal license and i'm going to make application major bradley has given me a good strong letter of recommendation and he tells me that he'll write personally in my behalf to some of the officials he knows in washington

in the meantime i'll go back to the works here mr ellison told me that he'd be only too glad to get me back whenever i'd care to come that mr hapworth has been down here since you went away said evan has he replied ted eagerly how did you like him what did he come here for he's one fine man declared evan indeed he is put in charity he took dinner here and he said that my cooking was better than he had had at the hotel excelsior she added proudly

as to what he wanted went on evan it was about the way that hound brewster gale cheated me out of my property seems mr hapworth ain't any too sweet on that feller himself i don't know what he's got against him but it sure is something at any rate he wanted to get from me all the ins and outs of my own dealings with gale i told him the best that i could

"'And what do you think?' put in Charity eagerly. He told us that he'd take it up with his own lawyers, the ones that look after his own property, and see what could be done about bringing Brewster Gale to book. And when I told him,' continued Evan, "'that I didn't have any money to pay the lawyers, with—he told me that he'd look after that, and that it would be plenty of time to pay them after I got my property back.' "'Isn't he a prince?' exclaimed Ted, with feeling. "'He certainly is,' agreed Evan.'

"'And if you heard what he said about you, Ted,' put in Charity, "'he likes you an awful lot, thinks that you're about the finest young fellow alive. And he's just right,' she added affectionately. "'I sure don't need any press agents while you're around, mother,' said Ted, with a laugh. "'I'm going to run up and see Mr. Hopworth this afternoon. I've got a couple of hundred left of the money that was lent to me, and I want to hand it over.'

He found Mr. Hapworth just finishing a round of golf, and the latter was delighted to see him. He led Ted off to a secluded portion of the links, where they threw themselves on the grass. "'You're looking fine as silk,' Mr. Hapworth said, as he surveyed Ted's stalwart figure. "'Now tell me all about your work at the school, and don't let your confounded modesty make you admit that jump from the plane, for I warn you I've heard about that already. You may not know that Major Bradley happens to be a personal friend of mine.'

been tellin tales on me has he laughed ted well here goes and he told in detail the various experiences of the past two months mr hapworth listened with the keenest interest and attention i still have about two hundred dollars of the money you so kindly lent me said ted at last putting his hand in his pocket

"'Not yet,' replied Mr. Hapworth hastily. "'Keep that until you are able to pay back the whole amount, when you can and if you can. It's the best investment I ever made. Besides, Mr. Monet is not here just now, and we'll just keep all thoughts of settlement in the background, till we can all get together.' "'I'm sorry that he's not here,' replied Ted. "'Do you know where he's gone? Is he likely to be away for long?' "'I don't know,' answered Mr. Hapworth. He told me that business called him to New York.'

even intimated that he might have to go to france something about his property interests there too i think too bad said ted i had counted on seeing him by the way mr hapworth my foster-parents were telling me that you had been down to see them yes i went down there and i found them very dear old people they were so kind and hospitable that my heart went out toward them made my blood boil to hear of the way they had been defrauded

i made up my mind right there and then that if it were possible they should have justice they told me what you said about it said ted it's awfully good of you to take so much interest not at all disclaimed walter hapworth i turned the matter over to my lawyers and they're looking up the records they tell me that they've already discovered enough to make them think that gail is a thorough-paced scoundrel and about your own interest in the golf course queried ted

"'That has a decidedly shady look, too,' declared Mr. Hapworth. "'But we haven't got to the point where we can actually pin anything on Gail. The fellow is as cunning as the mischief, and a regular fox for covering up his tracks. But sooner or later I fancy he'll be run to earth.' "'I hope so,' ejaculated Ted. "'He's made the life of my people miserable. And if there's any justice in the world he ought to be punished.'

"'But now let's turn to a pleasanter subject,' suggested Mr. Hapworth. "'What are your plans for the immediate future?' "'I'm going to try to get into the airmail,' replied Ted. "'There's good money in it, and then, too, there's a chance to learn all about flying under all possible conditions. And while my application is pending, I'm going to work down in the aeroplan. They've been holding a place open for me.' Mr. Hapworth approved heartily of the plan."

the experience will be invaluable he declared while you're in the service it will be up to you to give it all your devotion but that won't hinder you from keeping your eyes open when the chance for the big prizes comes along that's one thing in the flying game that serves to keep an ambitious youngster on his toes at a single stroke he may win a fortune and besides he may win a name that will last for decades i'll be watching for it declared ted his eyes sparkling

"'Course a lot of things have been done already. They have already flown over the North Pole, and another fellow's getting ready now to start for the South Pole. True, admitted Mr. Hapworth, but mark my words, Ted, what has been done isn't a circumstance to what remains to be done. And all of these big things I want to have done by Ted Scott. I'll try to be there with bells on when the chance comes,' replied Ted, as he rose to go."

Down at the aeroplant Ted had a tumultuous welcome. They crowded around him as though he were a long-lost brother. There was no doubt of the esteem and affection in which they held him. Big Bill Ellison clapped him on the shoulder. "'Glad to see you back, Ted,' he said heartily. "'I suppose you've learned all there is to learn about flying.' "'Not by a jugful,' exclaimed Ted. "'I'm just beginning to learn. And what's more, I'll never get through learning.'

"'I see your hat still fits you,' grinned Bill. "'Well, I knew it would. I've been keeping my eye on you while you've been away. Ned Thompson is a good friend of mine, and he's kept me informed as to how you were getting along. Major Bradley dropped in a few weeks ago, too, and had a gab-fest with Tom Maltby. They were together in France, you know. Tom, by the way, is up on a test flight just now. He'll be tickled pink when he knows you've got back. I'll be just as glad to see him,' returned Ted.

"'Major Bradley told me that Ted saved his life on the other side, and the old rascal never told me a word about it.' "'That's just like Tom,' declared Ellison. "'Well now, how about coming back with us for a time while you're picking out just the kind of flying you're going to do? You ought to be worth more to us now than you were before, and there'll be a bigger pay envelope waiting for you on Saturdays.' "'Thanks ever so much,' replied Ted warmly. "'That'll suit me right down to the ground. I'll start in to-morrow.'

"'Ted's comrades were boisterous in their welcome. They mauled and pounded him until he begged for mercy. "'I'm fond of you, even if you did cheat me out of that dollar and twenty-seven cents,' laughed Mark Lawson. "'I've been dreaming of all that money would buy,' mourned Jack Forrest. "'Maybe the offer still holds,' grinned Breck Lewis. "'Hopefully.' "'Not much,' chuckled Ted. "'You had your chance and muffed it. You're back just in time for the big blowout,' observed Mark. "'Old Bromville is sure going to do itself proud.'

oh yes the hundredth anniversary said ted i heard about it the old town from all accounts is going to spread itself bands parades speeches and everything agreed mark they've engaged a big flyer to do air stunts winding up with a parachute jump that'll be the biggest feature of all mark's prophecy bade fair to be belied for on the very morning of the celebration word came that the flyer had been taken ill and the stunts and jump would have to be called off

Big Bill Ellison, who was one of the Committee of Arrangements, was desperate. "'People will be as sore as the mischief,' he groaned. "'There'll be crowds for fifty miles around in Bromville because of the DeValley-Hipson works, and Ariel Center, as it were. Talk about hard luck!' Ted was standing close beside him. He touched Ellison on the arm. "'Cheer up,' he urged. "'I'll do the stunts, and I'll make the jump. End of Chapter Thirteen.'

chapter fourteen of over the ocean to paris by franklin w dixon thisly provokes recording as in the public domain a daring exploit

"'Ellison looked at Ted Scott as though he thought the latter must be crazy. "'What's that?' he stammered. "'I said that I'd do the stunts and make the leap,' replied Ted, wholly unperturbed. "'But you don't realize, Ted,' protested Ellison, "'this isn't a matter of street-flying or of an ordinary jump. That fellow Ordman is one of the most famous daredevils in the business.'

he's the kind that makes the hair of the crowd stand on end and the jump too isn't going to be from an ordinary height he guarantees to come down from a height of ten thousand feet why we've agreed to pay him a thousand dollars for this one day's work that shows how good he is

"'I know how good he is,' returned Ted, "'and I know that he's been in the air more days than I have hours. No doubt he'd give a better exhibition than I can. But I hate to see a crimp put in the celebration, especially when so many people are counting on it. It's for the sake of the old town and the Davalli-Hipson Corporation that I want to try it.' Big Bill had recovered somewhat from his surprise, but still he shook his head.

"'I couldn't take the responsibility, Ted,' he declared. "'You've got the nerve and you've got plenty of skill, but when all's said and done you're only a youngster and just out of flying school. What would people say if I let you go up and anything happened to you?' "'I'm a six-foot youngster, if it comes to that,' replied Ted, "'and I'm qualified for a federal license as a flyer. As to being just out of flying school, perhaps that's an advantage, for I've learned all the latest wrinkles in the game.'

"'Come, Mr. Ellison, be a sport and let me try.' "'No,' said Bill, shaking his head. "'But more feebly this time, for it could be seen that he was weakening. "'I can't do it.' "'Can't do what?' asked a voice at his elbow, and he looked up to see Tom Maltby standing beside him. "'Why, this young rooster wants to give the stunt exhibition and make the jump in Ormond's place,' replied Ellison. "'Did you ever hear the like?' "'Well, why not?' Maltby asked placidly.

what's the use of disappointing the crowds and putting a wet blanket on the celebration but he's only a kid protested bill a kid that lots of fliers could take off their hats to responded tom i feel the same way as you do bill if it wasn't for that last talk i had with major bradley he thinks ted is the goods i might try it myself only for that touch of rheumatism that took me yesterday bill remained for a moment in a brown study

i'll talk to some of the other members of the committee he said at length it's too much of a responsibility for me to shoulder alone in the meantime you two keep this under your hats i'll let you know a little later an hour afterward following a talk with his colleagues ellison came to ted

"'It's all fixed up, Ted,' he said, though there was a lot of talk and shaking of heads. But after all, flying's your business, and as one of them said, it's just about as ridiculous to keep a flyer out of the air as to keep a sailor off a ship.' "'That's the talk,' cried Ted, enthusiastically. "'What am I a flyer for but to fly? But mind this, Ted,' went on Bill warningly, "'go easy with the stunts.'

you ain't got to do all that a feller like orman's supposed to do put on the soft pedal and as to the jump he was going to make it from a height of ten thousand feet suppose you make it five thousand i'll be very careful promised ted omitting to bind himself to any specific promise but of course i've got to see that the crowd gets its money worth now one thing more mr ellison of course i can't leave the plane alone in the sky when i make my jump

some one will have to go up with me to take care of the plane sure thing replied big bill i'll speak to tom he can tend to that part of it i think even with that rheumatism of his the day had dawned bright and beautiful hardly a cloud flecked the azure of the sky

from an early hour crowds had been coming from every direction by car by horse and buggy and by rail the old town that was now celebrating the hundredth anniversary of its settlement had never been so thronged flags and bunting decorated all the buildings there was a great parade in which visiting delegations accompanied by blaring bands took part

then in the town park there were speeches by the governor of the state senators congressmen and other dignitaries who lent their presence to the occasion these exercises took up the greater part of the morning in the afternoon there were games and athletic contests on the field of the arrow plant which had been offered for that purpose these did their share in providing entertainment for the crowds

but all the time they were in progress there was an undercurrent of excited anticipation for the big event of the afternoon the flying exhibition it was this that was to mark the end of the day's celebration in a small enclosure inside the aero company's plant ted and tom were putting on their aviator suits everybody else except bill ellison was outside for it was a general holiday at the works well ormond are you ready grinned tom

do they still think it's ormond who's going up asked ted sure thing put in bill we haven't had any way to notify them of the change it's ormond kid that will get the credit while you're up but it's ted scott will get the cheers when you come down a blast of a trumpet came as a signal and ted and tom hurried out to the waiting plane in their flying suits and helmets only a glimpse could be gotten of their faces by a favored few

The motor roared, the blocks were knocked away, and the plane shot down the runway. On it zipped while the crowd shrank back instinctively from the ropes. Then, after running a few hundred yards, Ted made a beautiful take-off, and the plane soared like a bird into the air to the accompaniment of a tremendous cheer. Up and up it went until it had reached an altitude of two thousand feet.

"'Ted was at the control, while Tom just now was merely a passenger. This had been the compact between them before they went up. "'I ain't going to crap your style, Ted,' Tom Maltby had assured the young airman. "'This is your day, and I want you to make the most of it. You can set off all the fireworks you want to, and I won't let out a yip. Go to it, lad, and show your stuff.'

and the stuff that ted showed that day would have been worthy of the great ormond himself his nerves were as steady as though they had been made of steel descending a thousand feet so that the crowd could get a better view of the plain he gave an exhibition of speed that made the spectators gasp around and around the course he flew at the rate of more than a hundred miles an hour then he zoomed up a few hundred feet higher and put the plane through a bewildering series of evolutions

all the acrobatics that he had mastered at the flying school were brought into play he did side drifts and head spins and grape vines in the fluttering leaf while the throngs held their breath stupefied with admiration then ted indulged in an air dance to the left he went over on one wing then to the right on the tail and then on the nose gyrations that made the spectators dizzy to watch it was pyrotechnics of the most daring and dazzling kind

at last as though disdaining the earth and longing for its native element the plane began to climb in great spirals up ever up until it became a mere speck in the sky an excited murmur ran through the throng now he's getting ready for the jump still the plane ascended up and up until except to those with field-glasses it had almost vanished from sight

bill ellison wiped the perspiration from his brow i told the kid five thousand feet he muttered great scott he's over ten thousand now chapter fifteen of over the ocean to paris by franklin w dixon challenging fate

when the altimeter registered twelve thousand feet ted scott turned the controls over to maltby i'm going now he said simply tom nodded ted made sure that everything was safe with the parachute then he stepped to the edge and dropped off into space from below the spectators could hardly see the plane it seemed to be standing still nothing else could be detected in the vast field of ether for many seconds they waited breathlessly

then far below the plain a speck appeared a mere dot against immensity it grew larger and larger until they could see that it was a human figure over which was spread out what seemed to be the great wing of a bird seemed almost incredible unbelievable that tiny swaying atom floating in the gulfs of space risking life defying death thousands gulped hard to repress their emotion

others turned away yet turned to look again with an awful fascination at that gallant figure many remembered that moment afterward as the high spot of their lives nearer and nearer the intrepid airman came until the spectators could discern him clearly the crowd scattered to give him room then as lightly as a feather ted's feet touched the earth

on the instant there was a great rush everybody wanted to have a look at the great ormond who on that afternoon had added new laurels to his fame there was absolute bewilderment and stupefaction as ted pulled off his helmet and the crowd recognized the features of their own townsman ted scott ted it was who had thrilled them as they had never been thrilled before by feats that seemed the climax of human daring

then the crowd went crazy they fairly mobbed the young aviator each wanting to get near enough to hug him to pound him to do all that crowds do when they are swept away by excitement they hoisted him on their shoulders and paraded up and down the field until finally he was rescued by ellison and mark lawson and others of his comrades and rushed into the shelter of the plant

you old rascal cried bill as he fairly hugged the breath out of the lad who would have thought it how did you do it ormond why you made him look like thirty cents i'm tickled pink that he wasn't able to get here i'm glad if it went all right said ted as he slipped into his street clothes big bill made a jocular pass at him and then hurried away to see some of his colleagues on the committee tom in the meantime had brought the plane down and joined the little party in the plant

he and ted clasped hands warmly i kept my word kid grinned tom and didn't interfere i'm not denying that my heart was in my mouth sometimes but you put it over it went big hear that mob outside yelling for you i'll have to slip away somewhere murmured ted looking apprehensively around for some way of escape

no slipping away yet boy declared bill who came up just then with bixby the mayor of bromville and other members of the committee of arrangements we ain't got through with you yet not by a jugful the local dignitaries crowded about ted congratulating him in unmeasured terms then the mayor cleared his throat

"'Ted Scott, the town is proud of you,' he said. "'You've put the cap-sheep on this celebration and made it a huge success, just when it promised to end in a big disappointment. I want to express to you the thanks of all our people.' "'It's awfully good of you,' stammered Ted, turning red in the face and hardly knowing what to say. "'If it's helped out a little, I'm glad.'

but there isn't much nourishment and thanks however fervent went on the mayor with a smile we had promised to pay ormond a thousand dollars for himself besides two hundred dollars for his assistant i have here he continued taking a paper from his breast pocket a check for a thousand dollars but instead of being made out to ormond it bears the name of ted scott there was a cheer from the little group as he handed the check to ted

ted turned all the colors of the rainbow he was utterly flabbergasted struck almost dumb but-but he stammered struggling for his breath i didn't expect a cent i did it just so that our people wouldn't be disappointed i was glad to do it i enjoyed it you don't owe me anything no no i can't take it the mayor laughed then he put on a frown of mock severity

"'Ted Scott,' he said, "'I'm the mayor of this town, and as a good citizen you'll do as I say, or I'll find you guilty of something or other, call a constable, and put you in jail.' Then he laughed again. "'It won't do, Ted,' he went on. "'We raised the money, we expect it to pay it, and you've given us full value for it. Why, if I didn't make you take it, the people would run me out of town.'

there was nothing for it and ted his head whirling could only accept the check which after all he knew he had fairly earned but which had not entered at all into his prior calculations then tom maltby was pushed forward and received his two hundred and after a little more conversation and repeated congratulations the party dispersed no words can describe ted scott's feeling as he thought of what the mayor of the town had said

they were proud of him even if he knew nothing of his parentage he was no longer a nobody but i'm going to find out about myself some day he murmured some day it takes years the roads were black with people on foot and in cars and the universal topic of conversation was the marvellous flying exhibition to which they had been treated that afternoon

not all were joyful however two gaudily dressed young men walked by themselves their brows as black as thunder-clouds there'll be no holding that fellow now growled gregg gale to his brother no muttered duck these fools have gone crazy over him they're making him a hero the papers will be playing up to-morrow as the pride of the town snarled gregg and if the truth were known i'll bet it was all a fake put in duck

"'What do you mean by that?' asked Greg. "'We saw him come down in the parachute. Yes, we can't take that away from him,' admitted Duck grudgingly. "'But those stunts he did with the plane. Why, it stands to reason that with him just out of flying school he couldn't do anything like that.' "'I don't know,' said Greg doubtfully. "'I heard that he had been going great guns at the flying school. Worst luck to him. But if he didn't do the stunts, who did?'

why tom maltby of course replied duck eagerly he's been a flyer for years was one in the war he can do anything with a plane ted scott expected to make a pot of money for this afternoon's work i hear they've given him the thousand dollars they were going to give to ormond now what would have been easier than for scott to offer to slip maltby a hundred or two to put the plane through the stunts and let scott have the credit

no one could see from the ground who was handling the plane by george i shouldn't wonder if he did exclaimed gregg whose low mean mind readily credited to another what he would willingly have done himself but he added regretfully we can't prove it's true who cares whether we can prove it or not snapped duck what's to prevent us from slipping hints around that that's the way it was done

some will believe it and others won't but it'll pass from one to another and before you know it the whole town will be wondering at any rate it will take the edge off the hero worship they're ready to give to that young upstart is that so came a voice so close behind them that it made them jump then let me tell you something if either of you fellows start anything like that i'll wring your necks they turned to face the grim glowering face of tom

and of the sea chapter fifteen chapter sixteen of over the ocean to paris by franklin w dixon nipped in the bud greggale showed his big buck teeth in a snarl as he recognized the one who had spoken what are you butting in for he asked can't my brother and i talk together without your interfering not when you're planning a lot of lies retorted tom

"'Look out how you sling the word lies around, Grout Duck. We're not accustomed to having anyone speak to us that way.' "'It would be a mighty good thing if you heard it oftener,' replied Tom. "'You think that because your father's rich there's no one that dares to tell you where you get off? Well, I'm telling you right here and now that if you spread any lies about Ted Scott in this town, I'm going to change your faces so that your own mother won't know you.'

"'What we were saying, after all?' growled Duck. "'But something that might be the truth. It's far more likely that you handled that plane than a kid just out of flying school. In other words, both Ted Scott and I are fakers. "'Is that what you mean?' asked Tom, taking a step nearer. "'I—I wasn't thinking of you, but of—' "'Scott!' exclaimed Duck, retreating before Tom's threatening attitude.

"'Of Scott,' repeated Tom. "'Just because you hate him and are jealous of him. Why, that kid has got more manhood in his little finger than you two have in your bodies. Now, let me tell you something. I didn't touch a thing in that plane from the time we went up until Ted Scott made his jump. All the credit goes to him. And if I hear a breath in this town of anything different, I'll know who started the story, and I'll hunt you out and beat you up. Do you get me?'

and what would we be doing while you were beating us up asked gregg with a feeble attempt at bravado whining like whipped curs responded tom promptly if you want to prove it i'll start in right now even though i've got a touch of rheumatism they looked at his blazing eyes and brawny frame and decided that they would not insist on proof with a muttering under their breath and looks of impotent hate they slunk away

in the meantime ted had made his way home in a daze of conflicting emotions he sought to escape the crowds but every street was thronged that day and he was stopped at almost every step by some one who wanted to congratulate him it was only when he reached the bromville house that he had a moment of respite for there alas the crowd was conspicuous by its absence most of the transients were in process of being swallowed up by the hotel excelsior

but this that on any other day would have been a poignant pain to ted had no effect now on his high spirits what mattered if the old bromville house went to pieces he could take care of the old folks now their dear hearts need never know another stab he felt that he was on the high road to fortune he had difficulty in convincing himself that it was not all a dream but the crisp slip of paper was not a dream that was real

the first national bank of bromville paid to the order of edward scott one thousand dollars one thousand dollars would have taken him months to make that amount at the works and he had made it in one afternoon he found ebbin and charity on the verandah their faded eyes looking wistfully for the customers that did not come they had been too busy to go to the grounds and knew nothing as yet of the events of the afternoon that had just concluded

put on your specs crowed ted as he bounded up the steps three at a time they looked at him in affection and some surprise but did as he directed what is it asked eben as ted drew the slip of paper from his pocket all i've been looking for lately is a notice from the sheriff this is different laughed ted feast your eyes on that he handed over the check eben read it while charity drew her chair nearer and looked over his shoulder

a look of bewilderment crept over eben's face charity clasped her hands in an agony of wonder it can't it can't be real she cried oh ted what does it mean it means just what it says replied ted happily i've earned a thousand dollars this afternoon then in response to their agitated broken questions he told them of all that had happened

charity wept and folded ted in her embrace eben drew off his glasses and wiped them while he quavered a thousand dollars and i'd almost forgotten there was that much money in the world and now said charity you can pay back all the money that the flying school cost and start clear with the world yes said ted i want to get that load off my mind

but even then i'm ahead of the game and he took from his pocket the roll of bills amounting to about two hundred that he had left from his flying school fund and pressed them into eben's hand i guess that puts us a few more jumps ahead of the sheriff he laughed the next morning he hunted up mr hapworth at the hotel excelsior on his previous visits the plainly dressed youth had not been deigned a glance by the guests of that exclusive resort

but now it was different the rumor quickly spread that the daring young aviator who had created such a sensation the day before was in the hotel and a host of people introduced themselves and applauded him for his feat all of which was gall and wormwood for gregg and duck who did not dare to say anything but watched him with glowering eyes ted scott was equally indifferent to the applause of the many or the hostility of the two

his modesty shrank from notoriety and he was frankly relieved when he at last found himself alone with mr hapwood in the latter's room well ted you covered yourself with glory yesterday afternoon said mr hapworth as he lighted a cigar and stretched himself at his ease i was there and i had the thrill of my life finest exhibition of the kind i've ever seen

"'I'm glad you liked it,' replied Ted. "'Certainly no one had a better right to enjoy it than you, for if it hadn't been for you it would never have happened.' "'Soon or late it would,' returned Mr. Hapworth, "'for you've got the ambition in you, and nothing could have kept you from flying. But I'm glad to have had the opportunity to hasten along.' "'I can never repay your kindness,' said Ted, "'but I can at least repay the money that gave me my start,' and he drew the check from his pocket."

Mr. Hapworth waved it back. "'Don't be in any hurry,' he said. "'Keep that for a backing until you get in the air-mail and are making good money.' But Ted was so insistent that at last the young millionaire had to yield. The money was a mere trifle to him, and he would not have cared if he had never received it. At the same time his regard for Ted was heightened at this proof of the lad's independence of self-respect.

but you owe me only five hundred he said as he scanned the cheque for a thousand i know said ted but i'm going to endorse the cheque over to you and ask you to settle with mr monnet when you can get in touch with him i'll feel better when i get the whole thing off my mind mr hapworth consented and ted wrote his name on the back of the cheque his heart thrilled with elation as he did it he could fairly feel his shoulders straighten

Now there's just one more thing, went on Ted as he handed over the check, the interest on the loan. But here Mr. Hapworth absolutely balked. "'Ted Scott,' he said with mock earnestness, "'you're a pretty husky youngster, but if you say one word about interest I'm going to knock your head off.' Ted grinned. "'Don't do that,' he said. "'I need that head in my business.'" End of chapter sixteen

CHAPTER XVII OF OVER THE OCEAN TO PARIS by Franklin W. Dixon. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. THE AIR MAIL With the inspiration that came from being clear of debt, Ted Scott redoubled his efforts to get into the air mail service. He had figured on that as his best opportunity to advance in his profession.

for there he would come into contact with veteran pilots who knew every turn and twist in the flying game there too he would be under a discipline which would prevent him from becoming lazy or careless in his work for whatever happened whatever conditions of wind and weather the male had to go through it was a matter of pride as well as of duty it was the kind of work that put iron in a man's soul and no test was too hard for ted not to welcome it

even before he had left the flying school agencies had been set in motion looking toward this end major bradley had used his good offices to hasten things and it was a proud day for ted scott when he was summoned to washington to take his last tests and be inducted into the service it was a wrench of course to leave all his old associates they were equally sorry to have him go

but they all felt as he did that with his proved capacity as a flyer he was being wasted at the works it was hard to leave ellison and mark lawson jack forrest breck lewis and its host of other comrades but it was harder still to leave eben and charity the latter still had her fears of those contraptions the airplanes she probably would have them all her life to her it seemed almost like flouting the decrees of providence

eben too shared her fears but not to the same degree but the impunity with which ted had flown and his proved proficiency served somewhat to abate their fears and they did what they could to put a brave face on the youth's departure he promised to write them a good long letter at least once a week and in the months that followed he never failed to do so the bulk of his earnings also came to the old couple as regularly as clockwork

ted was assigned to the air mail route between st louis and chicago and speedily familiarized himself with every aspect of the country between the two cities it was not long before he was accomplishing his duties with all the skill and promptitude of the oldest veteran in the service

soon became a matter of course that no matter what the conditions wind sleet snow rain or fog some way or somehow ted scott's plane could be counted on to be on time his geniality and good-nature promptly made him a favorite with his mates he had a winning smile that became proverbial he was always ready to lend a hand or help a comrade in distress

never even when he had been most warmly commended by his superiors did he portray the slightest symptom of egoism or vanity the whole service regarded him as a regular fellow and never for a moment did he come to the conclusion that he knew all that was to be known he was perpetually studying the latest books and magazines on aviation

air currents pockets motors planes wings struts concerning all these something new was perpetually coming up so that in theory as well as practice ted was constantly adding to the store of knowledge that was to stand him in such good stead later on

he had his full share of the narrow escapes that are inseparable from his profession but his quickness and his judgment were such combined with his unfailing courage that he came through practically unscathed one of such experiences came to him when on one of his days off he had volunteered to test out a plane that embodied some novel ideas and that had been constructed by a special friend of his frank

frank was all agog with the possibilities he saw in his new pet and was anxious to have ted put it through its paces ted agreed out of good nature and took the plane up for a trial test that first time he indulged only in straight flying and the machine did all that was required of it then having established his friendship for the plane ted went up again that same afternoon for his stunt practice

Here again the plane acted admirably, at first. Ted tried all the tricks of which he was the master, nosedives, loops, and spins of many varieties. Then, at a height of two thousand feet, he threw it into a tailspin. Down he dropped like a plummet, confident that he could right the plane at the proper time. But something jammed, and the control refused to work, and it was coming down with frightful velocity. It was a moment for quick decision. To save the plane was hopeless.

to save his life was all that remained so at three hundred feet above the earth ted leaped with a parachute it was dangerously close for a parachute jump and ted struck the ground with such force that he was flung violently on his back frank and others rushed to him fearing the worst but ted was already rising from the ground with blood coming from his nose and mouth he tried to grin

something defective about the plane he murmured as he fumbled with the parachute harness couldn't get it out of that tailspin a doctor was quickly called and established that ted had a wrenched shoulder but no internal injuries he fixed the shoulder and recommended bed for a few days but that same night ted made his regular trip from st louis to chicago and delivered the mail on time

a still closer call was his when on ascending from an airport midway between the two great cities the throttle of the plane broke when he was only a hundred and fifty feet in the air of course at such a slight elevation a parachute jump was out of the question a little way off there was a clover field and ted nursed his plane down in that direction

he had to strike at a perilous angle and his plane skidded wildly but ted's supreme skill in making landings had another illustration and he kept his plane on an even keel and finally came to a stop to the immense relief of the airport pilots and mechanics who had looked for a certain smash twice more he was compelled to jump at night when his motor went dead and he could see no place for landing the last jump was from a height of thirteen thousand feet

But he got down safely, though the last time he struck a barbed-wire fence and had his clothing ripped in tatters, besides receiving some painful jabs and bruises. And now he stood high up on the scroll of the Caterpillar Club, with four stars to his credit. Some said he bore a charmed life, but close observers knew that it was the keen judgment, the unfailing coolness, the lightning decision, that had thus far preserved his life.

what was ted's delight one night in arriving at his airport to find mr hapworth waiting for him what good wind blew you up this way mr hapworth cried ted as he wrung his friend's hand i've been out on the pacific coast returned his visitor as he returned the handclasp with a warmth equal to ted's own on my way back i thought i would drop in for a while and look you over how are you getting along i'm enjoying the work replied ted it's a great job and splendid training for an aviator

"'Haven't got smashed up yet, I see,' remarked Mr. Hapworth. "'No,' grinned Ted, a few scratches now and then, but nothing that counts. Nothing much happens.' "'It doesn't, eh?' laughed his visitor. "'How about broken throttles and stubborn tail-spins and parachute jumps from more than two miles high? You see, I've been doing some talking with the pilots and mechanics here, and they've been telling me things.'

"'All of that,' replied Ted indifferently, "'is all in the day's work. Or rather, I should say, in the night's work, for I do almost all my flying then. More dangerous than day flights, I imagine,' remarked the visitor. "'Yes,' replied Ted simply, "'that's why I asked them to take me out for night work. You get more experience.' Mr. Hapworth laughed. "'You're a glutton for danger,' he said. "'I wonder if there's anything that would scare you.'

"'Lots of things, I suppose,' replied Ted, "'but nothing much along the airmail line. You see, I've got used to it. Perhaps I'm getting a little too used to it,' he added, a trifle wistfully. "'I don't want to get in a rut. I'd like to try for one of the big things such as—' He hesitated. "'Such as what?' Mr. Hapworth encouraged. "'Such as the non-stop flight from New York to Paris,' blurted out Ted. Mr. Hapworth looked at him keenly.

"'New York to Paris!' he exclaimed. "'Non-stop? Thirty-six hundred miles? Across the Atlantic Ocean?' "'Oh, I know it sounds foolish,' replied Ted, his face getting red. "'I know, too, that there are better men than I who will try it. But I'd like to take my chance.' "'You shall have your chance,' declared Mr. Hapworth quietly. Ted Scott jumped. It was almost as though he had had an electric shock. End of chapter seventeen

chapter eighteen of over the ocean to paris by franklin w dixon this librivox recording is in the public domain winging eastward what just what do you mean ted scott wondering whether his ears could have deceived him finally asked of walter hapworth just what i say replied mr hapworth if you have the nerve to try that jump a thing that's never been done in the history of the world ill make it possible for you to do it

but but stammered ted still trying to regain his mental balance it would cost a small fortune there's the plane itself the supplies the numberless smaller expenses that would have to be counted in would be an immense amount of money to spend in financing what may be a forlorn hope it's a gamble of the riskiest kind leave that to me replied ted's friend i figure roughly that the whole thing would cost perhaps fifteen thousand dollars

i could spend ten times that and never miss it i've been spending money on myself all my life i'd now like to do one thing at least that would be worth while something that would contribute to the cause of science and the advance of civilization i'm not lending this money to you i'm lending it to the world that's a mighty delicate and generous way of putting it returned ted but after all it has a personal angle

see what it would mean to me if i did it i'd be gaining fame with your money you've got the most troublesome conscience i've ever had to deal with declared mr hapworth with a whimsical smile you work ten times harder in refusing money than others would in accepting it why don't you regard this simply as a partnership i put in something you haven't got money you put into it something that i haven't got skill in flying

you're even putting in a great deal more than that for you're risking your life you're contributing infinitely more to the firm than i am what then are you kicking about you're a prince mr hapworth said ted warmly i'll take you up on condition that if i win you let me pay back whatever the thing costs all right said his friend as i understand it the flight probably won't take place till some time in may but then i figure replied ted

course there's no set date and one can take off whenever he wants to but weather conditions won't be suitable much before that date there are two or three other parties in the field i believe observed mr hapworth yes replied ted three at least on this side and they're crackajacks too one of them is the holder of an endurance record in the air i'll have pretty stiff competition he added with a smile everybody's heard about them and no one's heard about me

i suppose that when people hear that a fellow named ted scott has the impudence to try for it they'll laugh their heads off they laugh best who laugh last replied walter hapworth and i have hunched that ted scott is going to have the last laugh well let's figure about the middle or latter half of may that would give us about two months to build the plane and get it to curtis field new york where the start's to take place will that be time enough

plenty i should think returned ted after a moment of silent figuring any particular type of plane you have in mind asked mr hapworth a monoplane replied ted promptly i think for a trip like that it would lay over any of the others i've got a few ideas of my own i'd like to put in it things that have come from my experience in flying for the last few months

you see i'll have to carry a large amount of gasoline and i'd want to have that taken into account in the construction of the wings so as to give greater lifting power then too i have a plan for the improvement of streamlines so as to diminish the wind resistance i also have a few other wrinkles that i'd like to talk over anyway with the builder of the plane fine exclaimed mr hapworth now let me tell you what i'd suggest

"'I bought a controlling interest in an airplane factory out in California, at San Francisco. It's the biggest thing of the kind on the Pacific coast. They're developing a new type of monoplane out there that they think is a dandy. It's the pride of the shops. I'll telegraph them to-morrow to start building one of them especially for this New York to Paris trip.' "'Bully!' exclaimed Ted. "'I'll be there with bells on. Oh, Mr. Hapworth, how can I thank you enough?'

by winning the new york to paris flight and the twenty-five thousand dollars that goes with it answered mr hapworth with a smile twenty-five thousand dollars murmured ted to whom the sum seemed an amount beyond the dreams of avarice yes but that isn't the circumstance to what it will really mean returned his visitor the man that actually makes that flight will reap hundreds of thousands of dollars from it the money will simply pour in upon him in a golden flood

but i'll have to be going now he said as he rose i want to notify our san francisco plant to get busy right away i'll depend on you for your part to see the proper officials of the air mail and get their consent of the project with a warm hand-clasp the friend separated then ted went to his room and tried to get his scattered thoughts together in the last hour an amazing thing had happened to him which he found it hard to realize

for weeks he had been thinking of that new york to paris flight and eagerly devouring every item of news in connection with it he had longed to take part in it for he felt convinced that he would have a chance he was not blind to the terrible danger connected with the enterprise the flight above those ocean wastes with only the sun and stars to keep him company the dreadful perils of the merciless billows beneath and of fog and sleet above

the slightest mishap to his plane might mean death nay almost certainly would mean death on the other hand if he did make it he would win undying fame then indeed tom maltby's prophecy would come true that ted scott would write his name across the sky

At the earliest opportunity he sought out Branscombe, the head of his division, and asked him for leave of absence, explaining why he wanted it. Branscombe at first was thunderstruck. "'Want to commit suicide?' he asked. "'Not exactly,' grinned Ted. "'Am I such a rotten pilot that that's the only outcome?' "'Not at all,' replied Branscombe, emphatically. "'You're the best pilot in this division, and I'd be willing to back you against anyone in the world. But I don't think anyone could do it.'

there are too many chances of disaster you're taking an awful risk my boy i know it agreed ted but i've thought it over from every angle and i've determined if i can get my leave of absence to make the effort i'm prouder of your pluck than i am of your judgment returned his chief but if you've made up your mind why go to it and every man in the mail service will be rooting for you if you win you'll cover the whole service with glory

course i'll fix it up so that you can have an indefinite leave of absence all of ted's comrades in the division were as astonished as their chief when they learned of ted's determination opinion was divided as to whether he could do it or not they believed that he could if any one could but there was the rub if any one could it seemed like flirting with death

in a few days more the formalities were completed and ted with the warmest good wishes from his friends took the train for california at san francisco he found a cordial welcome awaiting him together with a vast deal of curiosity as to the make-up of the audacious youngster who was going to try the conquest of the atlantic they were amazed at first at his youth and there was much shaking of heads at his daring

but his winning smile and personality won them all and the skill in flying that he promptly demonstrated when occasion offered made them think that perhaps he had a chance after all their respect was deepened by his thorough knowledge of the construction of planes and the keen suggestions he made as the building of his own plane progressed into that plane which was to bear him and his fortunes ted put all his thought and heart

he grew to have an affection for it as though it had been a living thing once he drew himself up with a grin as he found that he was patting it affectionately he got to thinking of it as a partner was with a proud and swelling heart that he studied it when it stood complete it was as perfect as he and the skilled mechanics of the plant knew how to make it nothing but the finest and most fully tested fabric had been included in its construction

Without equipment it weighed nearly 1,700 pounds. With its load including 450 gallons of gasoline, 25 gallons of oil, and the pilot, it totaled 3,600 pounds. It spanned 46 feet and had a wing area of 319 square feet. The fuselage was made of welded steel tubing with wooden and fabric wings, embracing spruce spars and spruce cross ribs.

in the single wing there were three gasoline tanks and two were in the fuselage in front of the pilot and behind the engine a hand pump beside the pilot's seat permitted him to pump gasoline from any tank to any other in case of the plane falling into the ocean ted could pump the gasoline out of the plane at the rate of thirty gallons an hour and then use the tanks as pontoons

The landing gear, entirely streamlined, consisted of a split type of axle of heat-treated steel with rubber shock cords to absorb bumps. An adjustable stabilizer allowed the pilot to trim the craft constantly in flight from the cockpit. Visibility was secured by looking through the two windows on the sides of the fuselage, through a skylight in the wing over the pilot's head and a horizontal periscope projecting to the left side.

ted's instruments included an earth inductor compass magnetic compass tachometer altimeter air speed indicator turn and bank indicators inclinometer oil and gasoline pressure gauge clock a drift indicator for use when sighting whitecaps on the ocean or icebergs and an econometer with which ted could measure gasoline consumption by miles per hour a whirlwind motor powered the plane

the propeller made of duralumin it was calculated would pull the craft through the air at a maximum speed of a hundred and twenty miles an hour with a full load and about a hundred and twenty five miles an hour with a light load fabric in six coats of aluminum pigmented dope covered the wings and fuselage this gave the plane a silvery aspect and when it was gliding through the air it was a thing of beauty

"'Well, how do you like it?' asked Mr. Ellsworth, the superintendent of the works, as he and Ted stood before the completed structure. "'Like it? Ted caught his breath. It's a peach. It's a beauty. It's a dream. I don't think there's a plane in the world that can match it.' Mr. Ellsworth smiled his gratification. "'I think we can call it a pretty good job,' he said. "'But I want to say right here and now that some of the best features in it have grown from your suggestions. And now, when are you going to start?'

i'm planning to hop off to-morrow replied ted those fellows east have got a good start on me already and every hour counts i want not only to make the flight but to make it first that prize looks awfully good to me i don't wonder replied mr ellsworth it's the chance of your life ted i admit that when i first saw what a youngster you were i had my doubts i knew you'd be pitted against veteran and experienced pilots

but just at present i believe with all my soul that you're the one best bet where are you planning to make the first stop on your way east st louis was the reply mr ellsworth was visibly startled st louis he exclaimed that's an awfully big jump ted sixteen hundred miles

"'As the bus has got to get used to making long distances,' returned Ted, "'it might as well start in now. I say St. Louis for two reasons. That's because Mr. Hapworth, who has backed me so generously and whose name I've given to the machine, has his home there, though he's away from it a good deal of the time. Then, too, I want to see my pals of the air service and say good-bye to them. After that I'll make New York in the next jump.'

from the pacific to the atlantic with only one stop exclaimed mr ellsworth that'll be going some ted you'll be breaking the record for a man flying alone that's what records are made for to be broken laughed ted the next day the whole force at the plant turned out to give ted scott a send-off worthy of his pluck and the great achievement he had in view there was a general shaking of hands and a chorus of good luck ted tuned up his motor and saw that it was working perfectly

he climbed into the fuselage of the hapworth and gave the signal for the blocks to be knocked away with the engine roaring he tore down the runway for a few hundred yards and then zoomed into the air like an eagle and turned the nose of his plane toward the east chapter nineteen of over the ocean to paris by franklin w dixon from coast to coast

rising to a height of three thousand feet ted scott settled himself in the cockpit for his momentous flight his heart was throbbing with exultation his nerves were athrill now he was fairly embarked on his great adventure he was alone in the imperium the sun alone his companion he was winging his way through the ether the roar of the pacific had been in his ears soon he would see the surges of the atlantic

he had started out to span the continent he looked at his instruments he was making a hundred and twenty miles an hour fairly eating up space over fields and cities lakes and rivers he flew like some gigantic bird when he reached the mountain ranges he zipped up to a height of from twelve to fifteen thousand feet to clear the peaks some of which were clothed in eternal snow

another hundred miles and still another hundred he was travelling like the wind his motor was working like a charm with the unbroken hum that is music to the airman's ears then the night came on the dusk gradually deepening into dark the stars peeped out with their great holy eyes the velvet of the skies was spangled with diamonds the moon arose bathing the plain with a silver sheen

and all through that night like heavenly guardians they kept him company on through the night he rushed until the rosy fingers of the dawn crept up the eastern sky gradually the hues deepened until all the horizon was aflame still on the plane went with its fearless pilot on and on and on

then ted saw the mississippi unwinding like an endless ribbon bearing its mighty flood of waters to the gulf and on its bank he saw the towers of a great city st louis he had reached the goal that he had set himself in fourteen hours and a half of headlong flight he had covered sixteen hundred miles

down from the skies the lone eagle swooped in a great spiral long before he reached the landing field he could descry a vast number of people the field was black with them rushing hither and thither pointing at the plain even at that distance he could hear the cheering it was a complete surprise to ted for his flight had been practically unheralded and he had not expected such an ovation

when ted had made a perfect landing he was fairly mobbed by the throng of howling enthusiasts who tried to get near him to clap him on the shoulder to wring his hand it was all that branscome and his old comrades of the air-mail service could do to rush him off the field and into a place where he could catch his breath

Even there the reporters searched him out, and would not be denied, and the screaming headlines in the afternoon papers told that a new star had risen in the flying firmament. It was not in human nature not to be delighted with such a welcome, but Ted in his modesty was bewildered. His head was in a whirl. To him it did not seem that he had done much, and he was overwhelmed by the tumultuous reception accorded him.

Mr. Hapworth got Ted to himself after a while, and fairly hugged him in his enthusiasm. "'I knew I was backing a winner,' he cried exultingly. "'Don't be too sure,' replied Ted. "'This is only the first lap of a long journey, but a mighty brilliant one,' returned Hapworth, "'and a happy omen of what is to come. Ted, you're the real goods.'

was a long time before they could talk of anything but the coming transatlantic flight then at a mention of bromville mr hapworth remarked it's too bad that mr monnet isn't here i told you that he was likely to be called to france well he has been i'm sorry replied ted i had counted on seeing him and thanking him

"'I'm sorry on another account, too,' observed Mr. Hapworth. "'He's got some data on Brewster Gale that I'd wanted to get to supplement my own. I think we're winding a net about that crafty old rascal, Ted. I've already unearthed some things that may come mighty near to putting him in jail—that is, if he doesn't come across and make restitution to the Brownings, as well as straighten out his dealings with Mr. Monet and myself.'

If Monet were here now, he could begin putting the screws on Gail. As it is, we may have to wait till he gets back. Go to it, urged Ted. That fellow Gail deserves punishment, if ever anyone did. You must be my guest while you're in the city, remarked Mr. Hapworth. Sorry, answered Ted, but I'm taking off to-night. I'm just going to snatch an hour or two of sleep, and then I'll be on my way. Thank you. Just the same. So soon, queried Mr. Hapworth. Don't work yourself too hard, Ted.

"'I'm fit as a fiddle,' replied Ted, "'and I'm crazy to get to New York. Those other flyers have been preparing for weeks, and they take off at any time. I can't lose a minute.' "'I suppose you're right,' agreed Mr. Hapworth, reluctantly. "'I'm going to New York myself in a couple of days, and I'll be on hand to wish you luck when you start on the ocean voyage.'

six hours of sleep two more examining his machine then the time for refueling and again ted scott mounted into the skies for the last lap of his transcontinental journey the weather still continued perfect with just enough of a following wind to speed the plane on its way and ted made more rapid time on the second leg than he had on the first the miles were covered like magic

but fast as ted went his reputation raced ahead of him st louis had been stirred at first now all america was waking up and asking about this young lochinvar who was coming out of the west this daring youngster who had the audacity to dream that he could conquer the atlantic for up to that time not one in thousands had ever heard his name

from time to time there had come rumors from the pacific slope that a young man what was his name scott perhaps well it didn't matter was having a plane built with which he meant to compete for the twenty five thousand dollar prize offered for the first non-stop flight from new york to paris

and an indulgent smile went around when the matter was mentioned for of course it was ridiculous to be sure you had to hand it to the lad he was there with a nerve and you couldn't blame a fellow for trying but to think that a practically unknown youth could succeed in such a gigantic task piffle and again

had not fonck the celebrated french ace come to grief when he had planned it the year before had not nangesser and coley just a few weeks ago soared into the unknown probably to their death since nothing more had been heard of them those men were masters of the art of flung how could a novice hope to succeed when such men had failed too bad so young a lad too too young to die

but of course when he came east if he ever got so far there would be wise heads to dissuade him from committing suicide veteran pilots would take him aside and talk to him like a father and the kid would see that they were right so there was no need of worrying about it this was the state of public opinion as far as the public bothered enough to think about it at all that prevailed when ted hopped off in california

But his landing in St. Louis created a profound revulsion of feeling everywhere. It was flashed all over the continent. Editors and reporters got busy. They dragged out the records and found that no man traveling alone had ever made sixteen hundred miles in a single jump in such swift time. Huh, that was something to think about. What else was this, too, that records showed?

"'Member of the Caterpillar Club, eh? And not only that, but a four-star member. Four times he had saved himself from certain death by leaping into the air, and each time under circumstances that would have proved fatal except for remarkable coolness and quick thinking. One leap had even been from a height of thirteen thousand feet—at night! Huh! That would bear a lot of thinking about. Hadn't they been too quick in their snap judgments?'

and now even while they were studying the records the click of the telegraph was telling them of city after city that was being passed over like a streak by this young viking of the skies he tore through the nine hundred miles of space that intervened between st louis and new york something startling was happening and they had been blind to it history was being made by that meteor streaking across the skies

wake up you editors wake up you reporters get busy snap into it front page big headlines cut the other stories play it up hustle a bunch out to curtis field don't stand there staring jump so it was that while ted unknowingly was watching the landscape slip away behind him the presses of all the papers of the great metropolis were humming with big news stories of which he was the central figure

in a night he had become famous and his name was on more lips than that of any other in the united states in the early dawn he came in sight of the hudson he crossed the palisades and the largest city of the new world lay spread out beneath him far to the right he saw the surging billows of the atlantic that mighty ocean against which he was soon to pit his strength

over the east river he went following the indication of his compass and a few minutes later was hovering over curtis field in two jumps ted scott had crossed the continent and of chapter nineteen chapter twenty of over the ocean to paris by franklin w dixon this

the hapworth gleaming like a silver streak in the morning sun circled about the field looking for a landing ted picked out a smooth expanse and came down as gracefully as a swan scarcely had the plane ended its run than it was surrounded by an eager group of pilots reporters and aviation enthusiasts they had not expected him so soon for on this jump as on the previous one he had shattered all calculations in a matter of time

ted stuck his head out of one of the windows with the genial smile that endeared him to all who knew him and that was yet to become famous all over the world hullo fellows he said with a wave of the hand that included them all glad to see you there was a tumult of boisterous cheers and responses and in a moment he had been hauled out of the plane and found himself the centre of a sea of faces all alight with excitement and enthusiasm over his exploits

questions were hurled at him thick and fast and he tried to answer them as best as he could did he know that he had made a record for transcontinental flight no he hadn't figured that out particularly he'd been too busy guiding his plane was he really going to compete in the new york to paris flight sure he was that was what he had come to new york for when did he expect to take off just as soon as he had secured his supplies and the weather conditions permitted whom was he going to take along with him

"'Nobody?' "'What?' "'Say that again. Nobody. But all the other contestants were going in twos. Yes, Ted knew that. But do you know that even if you succeed you may have to go forty hours or more without sleep? Yes, Ted figured that he could do that in a pinch. So on until even the fertile reporters could find nothing else to ask. Ted answered all their questions simply and frankly. He had nothing to conceal.'

and withal he was so modest and unassuming that even the reporters warmed to him at once no swaggering no braggadocio he was the shyest hero that they had met in all their experience from that time on the public appetite was avid for every detail connected with the gallant young afiator and his plane his doings had a bigger place in the newspapers than that accorded to any other single person in the country

what pleased ted most was the friendly attitude of his rivals rivals they were in the most determined sense but with it all they were gallant sportsmen there was nothing mean and petty in their treatment of the newcomer so they put all their maps and charts and information at ted's disposal and he did the same to them often they could be seen together chatting like brothers discussing the relative merits or demerits of different types of planes and motors

one thing that saddened ted was that one of his competitors of whom he had expected five had already met with death the gallant marston with his associate while on a trial flight had been forced to descend what had seemed to be a meadow turned out to be a marsh the nose of the plane had plunged into the muck and both of the aviators had been instantly killed

of the four competitors who were left one had attained world fame for daring flights and another held the endurance record they were rivals worthy of any man's steel there was no doubt that of all the fliers ted had captured the popular imagination this was due not only to the romantic circumstances of his transcontinental flight but to his youth and his winning personality

then too he was going alone there was something about the thought of that solitary young figure winging its way across the ocean wastes that stirred the world to the quick no companion to assist in time of need to help him if the plane went wrong to take control while he gained much needed sleep alone he would challenge fate dare the dangers of storm and sleet and fog it was a gauntlet superbly thrown down at the feet of destiny

not but what there was much discussion and shaking of heads at the wisdom of the move mr hapworth himself who had arrived in new york a couple of days later than ted was profoundly dubious it's taking an awful risk ted he said you'd better let me arrange to have some experienced aviator go along as your assistant i can do that easily suppose you should fall asleep at the controls suppose you should suddenly be taken ill

all the other contestants are going in pairs it's the only sensible thing to do don't be rash i know there would be some advantages mr hapworth ted replied but i've thought it all out and i feel that i'm right in the first place i shan't have anything to divert my attention i can keep my mind concentrated wholly on my plane then too i can use my own judgment in an emergency without consulting anyone else

Divided counsel means hesitation. There is another important thing. I must have as little weight in the plane as possible. Why, I'm going to shed even a lead pencil when I start. I'll need all the lifting power the plane has to carry enough gasoline to get to Paris. As it is, I'll have to carry 750 pounds more than the plane's ever been tested for. Every ounce of weight counts, and an extra man would weigh at least 150 pounds.'

that hundred and fifty pounds of fuel might be just what i'd need to get to paris so ted carried his point the more easily as by this time mr hapworth had learned that in the long run ted's judgment was apt to be justified it became a race now to see which of the five contestants would be able to take off first all were on edge but the weather conditions over the atlantic were described as so bad that the most elementary prudence counselled delay

Then, one night, when the rain was coming down in torrents, Ted noted by the latest bulletins that bad-ass conditions were in New York. The fog was lifting off the Newfoundland coast, while the storm that had prevailed over the ocean was apparently blowing itself out. At midnight he took a decision. He snatched four hours of sleep, then he went down through the drenching rain to Curtis Field. There he gave his plane the last looking over. It seemed to be in perfect shape.

he patted it affectionately and had it trundled over to roosevelt field then he slung a couple of sandwiches and a water-bottle into the fuselage climbed in and gave the signal for the blocks to be knocked away the motor roared and the plane started down the runway but with its additional last-minute load of gasoline and the wet muddy ground it failed to rise

The hearts of the spectators who had been drawn to the field by the rumors that he was taking off were in their mouths. Was this splendid young aviator going to meet disaster at the very start? On went the plane. Would it never rise? Then, when a crash seemed inevitable, the gallant plane lifted, barely clearing the trees and zoomed into the sky. The lone eagle had started on his flight. End of chapter 20

chapter twenty one of over the ocean to paris by franklin w dixon this librivox recording is in the public domain sea and sky that take-off had been a riskier thing than any one knew except ted scott himself the clinging mud had held the wheels almost too long before him while still on the ground had loomed up a clump of tall trees and a maze of telegraph wires to have crashed into either one might well have been fatal

but a missus as good as a mile and with a fervent prayer of thanksgiving at his narrow escape ted settled himself on the wicker seat that it was unlikely he would leave again until he had crossed the sea he levelled out for a while to get speed and then rose to a height of two thousand feet

his take-off had occurred at a little after seven o'clock in the morning and he had headed directly east into the sun that is into where the sun would have been seen had not the clouds hidden it from sight below the earth was lost in haze and he had no way of seeing landmarks that might have guided him he had to rely entirely upon his instruments

he throttled down his motor to three-fourths at which he kept it almost throughout his flight and kept a wary eye upon his inductor compass with that to guide him he need care little about landmarks was a remarkable thing that had been lately devised and had already proved its worth on numerous occasions it was based upon the principle of the relation between the earth's magnetic field and the magnetic field generated in the airplane

when the course had been set so that the needle registered zero on this compass any deviation from any cause would cause the needle to swing away from zero in the direction of the error by flying the plane with the needle at an equal distance on the other side of zero and for about the same time the error had been committed the plane would be back on her course again

again and again in the course of that momentous journey ted had reason to thank his stars that such a compass had been invented for any pronounced deviation from his course might have been fatal he had calculated with the utmost nicety the amount of gasoline that would be necessary to take him to paris and a little further but a few hundred miles of unnecessary travelling would set all his calculations awry and probably lead to the failure of his project

on and on he went like an arrow the motor was working to perfection the plane seemed to be carrying without too much strain its heavy load that had really been the only thing about which ted had had any worry now he was comforted by the reflection that with every gallon of gas consumed the plane was lightened of that much of its weight the sun had come into sight now and the clouds were shredding themselves into filaments that were golden where the rays struck them

ted took it as a good omen nature which had frowned upon him at the start as though to test his nerve had now relented and was showing a smiling face yet ted scott knew in his heart that nature was a fickle jade and at any moment might turn her back upon him now through the lifting mist he caught a glimpse of the land and sea below him

for a time he followed to a large extent the eastern seaboard until in the long narrow strip of land beneath him he recognized cape cod then for a time he bade the land farewell and cut across the open sea to nova scotia on through the uncharted skies he tore at a rate of more than a hundred miles an hour he was bidding farewell to his native country would he ever see its shores again

or perchance would his whitening bones lie on the ocean floor with only the waves to sing his requiem but despite the disquieting thought that came to him at times his heart fairly sang with exultation in him stirred the spirit of the old vikings who in their tiny craft had dared the ocean's fury and laughed when the gale and waves were fiercest

he felt akin to them adam as he was in that immense waste of sea and sky he felt in him the soul of a conqueror all the forces of nature might turn their wrath against him they might kill him but at least they would never make him flinch he was the captain of his soul on he went flying like the wind

his thoughts went back to the friends he had left behind him dear old eben and charity whom he had told of course all about his project and who at this moment undoubtedly were praying for him mr hapworth who had had his last hand-clasp as he climbed into the cockpit his gallant competitors who had so cordially wished him luck the cheering throng that had gathered in that dark misty morning to see him off on that epic making flight

his heart swelled within him and there was moisture in his eyes but what ted did not know and to which he scarcely gave a thought was that at that moment millions upon millions all over america were wild with excitement over his daring flight for from the moment that the message had flashed from the flying field scott took off a little after seven o'clock this morning the whole of america from coast to coast had been stirred as it had seldom if ever been stirred before

in every city the presses were humming and newsboys were shouting their special editions vast throngs congregated before the bulletin boards where every few minutes a new notice was posted regarding the flyer's progress now he had passed hell gate now he was over long island sound his plane had been seen over block island cape cod had descried it flying far overhead a wireless from a steamer told the scene it making for nova scotia

business was practically suspended or gone through within a perfunctory manner it was the universal topic of conversation in office and street what did the latest bulletin say where was he now how was the weather how fast was he going would he make it could he make it in the homes women listened at the radio that gave out the bulletins as fast as they were received and the boys and girls were as excited as the rest

in all the motion picture houses and the theatres announcements were made from the stage every few minutes and were more eagerly awaited than any other feature of the performance in bed that night millions lay sleepless thinking of and praying for that brave lone voyager plunging through the dark over the atlantic wastes he carried the heart of america with him

Before dark Ted had reached Nova Scotia, had passed over St. John's, Newfoundland, purposely going out of his course for a few miles to check up on his instruments, and then headed for the open sea, night, and the Atlantic, the hungry, growling, terrible Atlantic. End of chapter twenty-one. Chapter twenty-two of Over the Ocean to Paris by Franklin W. Dixon. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain.

the grip of the storm with a queer thrill at his heart ted scott launched boldly into the dark now it was to be a stark struggle with a monster that had slain its millions was he to be another of its countless victims up to now everything in a certain sense had been preliminary had anything happened to his plane while over the land he could have probably come down in safety at the worst he could have taken a chance with his trusty parachute

but now in case of disaster these resources were denied him if the plane came down in the ocean his journey would probably end right then and there by pumping the gas out of his tanks the latter might possibly serve as pontoons but it was a forlorn chance and probably at the best would only put off death for a little while tossed about like a chip on the fearful billows he would inevitably be swamped and drowned

the parachute of course was now of no value it could just as well be laid aside for all the good it could do him even if he had come down on that jump over the stretch between cape cod and nova scotia his chances would have been comparatively good because of the number of vessels some of which had always been in sight and would have hurried at once to his assistance but now there was no help to be looked for from any one or anything outside of himself

he must make his fight alone if he died he would die alone but he had no time for morbid thoughts he banished them by studying the map in front of him and glancing at his instruments he was still reeling off the miles at the rate of a hundred or more an hour already a thousand of the thirty-six hundred or so had been covered with every tick of the watch he was leaping forward

now he noted that it was getting colder not that he suffered especially from this though he wore only his ordinary flying clothes the sheltered cockpit protected him to a large extent then too he was burning with a mental excitement that seemed to impart its warmth in part to his physical frame yet he recognized the cold as a menace for where there was cold enough there might at any time be ice or sleet and these were the most dreaded foes of the aviator

the sleet was apt to freeze on the wings of the plane making them heavy rob them of buoyancy many an airman had come to his death through that icy coating peering out of the window at his left ted saw in the waters below him what seemed to be a mighty spectral procession of monsters they were like so many mountains adrift sculptured in all sorts of fantastic forms

icebergs they were torn off from the ice-cap of greenland and floating down into more southerly waters where gradually the part under water would melt and the top-heavy structure would come down with a crash even while he looked there was a mighty roar that seemed like an explosion of dynamite and one of the largest of the bergs toppled over sending a rush of foam and spray hundreds of feet in the air like a gigantic geyser

at any other time it would have been a fascinating spectacle but just then it offered no attraction for ted and he was relieved when the onrushing plane had carried him out of sight of them but the cold still persisted and grew more intense now a heavy fog settled down dank and enshrouding penetrating the cockpit so that ted viewed his instruments through a haze this was bad enough but if it had foreboded nothing else ted could have borne it with equanimity

but a few minutes later he heard a sharp series of taps on the glass was he flying too low was it spray rain but the tapping was too sharp and decided for either of these a moment later his fears were resolved into certainty it was sleet stinging bitter angry sleet that was beating upon his plane and now it had become a fierce crackling like that of a flame

on the instant ted realized his danger and went up through the clouds like a rocket seeking to get above the zone of sleep but no matter how high he ascended that steady crackling sound went with him then he turned to the right and then to the left hoping to get out of reach of the enemy he was all the world like a hunted fox striving by twisting and turning to throw the hounds off his trail he went in every direction except backward that he would not do

not but that for a moment he was tempted he was not yet so far from the coast of newfoundland that he could not reach it in a little while then even if the sleep persisted he could easily make a landing but that would mean the abandonment of his flight for the time at least he would have to return later to new york and avow himself beaten

beaten his heart thrilled in revolt beaten no he would not be beaten his indomitable spirit refused to be beaten he might die but he would not surrender so he resolutely kept the nose of his plane headed for europe but he noted that he was not going so fast now his speed had lessened to ninety miles an hour five minutes later he was only making eighty

and the feel of the plane was different it was lagging like a tired horse the ice that had formed upon the wings was making its weight felt ted realized this desperately he was in imminent danger of being forced down into the sea but he gritted his teeth and kept on it was europe or death and just then it seemed probable that death would be the victor

then of a sudden the crackling ceased ceased as though by magic at last he had got out of the zone of sleep he had struck a warmer current of air under the influence of which the ice already formed upon the wings would soon begin to melt now ted realized what a reprieve must mean to a man condemned to death a reprieve coming just as he was mounting the steps of the scaffold had charity been praying for him he knew she had

soon the gallant plane relieved of the surplus weight picked up speed it had taken on a new lease of life with the immense relief that came to him ted realized that he had not tasted food that day not that he was conscious especially of hunger the concentration of mind required of him had taken away his appetite he took a drink of water and munched a sandwich now not because he cared for it but because he knew he had to keep up his strength

hour after hour he plunged onward through the dark then he saw a faint lifting of the darkness in the eastern sky dawn was coming but with the dawn came the storm a terrible tempest that lashed the waves into fury and tore at the plain with giant hands as though it would rend it asunder chapter twenty two chapter twenty three of over the ocean to paris by franklin w dixon the sleeper box recording is in the public domain

land ho in the merciless power of that storm ted felt as though he were a ship swept along by the current of niagara the wind howled about him with the shrieks of ten thousand demons the sky was rent with jagged flashes of lightning the thunder rolled deafeningly as though it were trying to outdo the tumult of a gale to head up into that wind would have been impossible

but luckily its main force came from behind and while it blew him somewhat out of his direct course the swiftness with which it drove him largely atoned for that up and down ted drove his plane trying to find a level where the wrath of the gale would not be so terrible sometimes he came down so close to the mountainous billows that the spray from them dashed against his plane again he ascended to a height of ten thousand feet

but everywhere it was about the same and finally he had to content himself with keeping the plane as much as possible in its course and letting her drive for nearly two hours the tempest raged then it blew itself out subsiding almost as swiftly as it had arisen but all the time of its duration ted had been dreading lest some part of the plane should give way the breaking of any part of it would have spelled his doom

but the staunch machine held and ted blessed the care and watchfulness with which it had been put together as far as he could discern it had suffered nothing from the storm but a few minutes later his jubilation changed to consternation for he detected what seemed a knock in his motor he was not singing the same unbroken song that had been as smooth as a lullaby ever since he had taken off the previous morning the engine was missing

He listened with his heart in his mouth. Would it go dead? If so, a last farewell to all his hopes. He would perish in the waves, and another name would be added to the long list of those who had perished in the cause of aviation. Knock, knock, knock. Every one of those ominous sounds seemed to be driving a nail in his coffin. For perhaps five minutes this continued, and during every one of them Ted felt the pangs of death.

wasn't it feeding properly had some foreign substance gotten into the gasoline while the machine was being refueled then he drew a long breath of relief the knocking ceased and the motor took up again its melodious song not yet was ted scott's epitaph to be written happy beyond all words ted glanced at his instruments his earth conductor compass told him how far out of his course he was and he swung to the other side until the needle was again at zero

he noted that despite the storm he was still keeping strictly to his schedule in fact was a little ahead of it his attention was attracted by a shred of smoke on the horizon he looked more closely and could detect the shape of a great ocean liner ploughing majestically through the waves toward the america that he himself had left such a short time before

for a moment he was tempted to deviate sufficiently from his course to pass near or above the vessel so that his progress could be reported by wireless and those at home would know that up to then at any rate he was safe but he repressed the impulse for he knew that before long if things went well he would be in sight of the coast and the news could be telegraphed from there on he went now his heart singing a hard blow against the glass of the cockpit made him jump

what was that he could see nothing it gave him a little uncanny feeling for his nerves had been on a strain which he himself had hardly recognized bang again came the blow on the glass this time ted glanced up quickly enough to catch sight of a broad wing he could have laughed with joy seagulls feather denizens of the air hundreds of miles from shore aviators like himself winging their way above the broad stretches of the atlantic

now looking through his periscope he could see that he was in the midst of a flock of them wheeling about in graceful convolutions his heart warmed toward them they were the only living things that he had seen since he left the american coast and their companionship assuaged his loneliness he hoped that those who had touched his plane had not been badly hurt but he soon passed beyond them and once more was alone in that vast abyss of ether

then his heart leaped as he descried some tiny dots far below him tossing on the waves instantly he flew lower and made out that they were a fleet of fishing boats he could see the men running about on the decks and pointing upward at him astonishment was on their faces and in some cases consternation it may be that some of them thought he was a supernatural visitor from the skies ted swooped down as near them as he dared and thrust his head out of the window at his left side

am i on the right road to ireland he shouted they kept staring at him in bewilderment but made no sign that they understood him probably they could not distinguish his words above the roaring of the motor ted had hardly expected that they would he had shouted largely from the sheer delight of talking to those of his own kind human beings to him their rough homely faces had been almost things of beauty

now a rare elation took hold of them these fishing vessels betokened the near presence of land it was unlikely that they would venture much beyond a hundred miles from the coast on and on he drove the gallant plane his eyes peering through the periscope into the distance ahead

less than an hour later he detected the rocky outline of the coast of ireland he could shout it with joy land land he had conquered the atlantic it had done its worst to him had summoned all its resources of gale and fog and sleet but he had conquered it quickly he sped toward the blessed land and at last reached and hovered over it he glanced at his map and his instruments he had struck the coast within four miles of where he had expected to

He'd gone like an arrow to its mark. To a miracle of nerve, Ted Scott had added a miracle of air navigation. As he swept over the lovely land of Arran and his plane was seen in the skies, an electric thrill went through the nerves of the world. From Europe to America, from nation to nation, from city to city, the glad news flashed. Ted Scott has been seen over Ireland. End of chapter 23

chapter twenty four of over the ocean to paris by franklin w dixon this librivox recording is in the public domain swooping down upon paris ted scott had heard much of the beauties of ireland but the half had not been told him to him in his present mood of elation it seemed like fairyland he flew lower so that he might feast his eyes upon its charm

On and on he flew until he had crossed over into England, where throngs had gathered to watch his progress. Then came the Channel, the silver streak that separated the right little tight little island from the European continent. Once in the infancy of air navigation it had been a stupendous feat to fly across the Channel, a matter of a little more than twenty miles. Now it was being flown across by a man who had bridged the Atlantic.

over those choppy waves ted sped at the rate of two miles a minute then he found himself in sunny france not sunny now however for the sun by this time had sunk below the horizon ted in the gathering dusk passed west of cherbourg then he sought and found the winding road of the river seine on that river lay paris his destination the goal of his dreams

it had long been full dark when ted detected in the sky the glow that indicated the presence of a great city into the sky rose a great structure that ted knew must be the eiffel tower then he came in full sight of the imperial city that for more than a thousand years had been in the very forefront of the world's civilization

The thrill that went through the lad was such as one feels only once in a lifetime. He had fought the good fight. He had finished his course. He was no longer a nobody. The whole world knew him. He had written his name across the sky. Now it behooved him to find the flying field of Les Bourges that had been marked as the termination of his flight. He had thought that it was more to the northeast of Paris than it really was, and at first he could not detect it.

he caught sight of what seemed to be an airfield but beacons and floodlights were going up at the same time in america the beacons were usually put out when the floodlights were turned on and this variation from what ted had been accustomed to gave him some uncertainty

once more he circled the city but as no other airfield came in sight he returned to the first now he could see rockets and variolites being sent up and as he descended a little lower could descry a vast number of automobiles and dense throngs of people he decided that this must be the place where he was awaited

down he came in long sweeping circles seeking a place to land the crowd scattered to give him room and ted scott made a perfect landing and ran along a few hundred feet until he brought the plane to a stop he thrust his head out of the window and smiled that inimitable smile of his i am ted scott he announced simply

what happened after that ted could never remember clearly he only knew that he was hauled from the plane by a howling crazy throng that had gone fairly mad with joy and excitement they mauled him they pounded him on the back fought to get near him almost tore the clothes from his back it was all the police could do to rescue him from his admirers

but at last they got him free and he found himself shaking hands with the american ambassador to france and some of the most notable figures of the french capital statesmen generals men whose names were known all over the world

the ambassador had forgotten all his dignity and was wild with joy and pride over his gallant young countryman he got him finally into his own car and took him to the american embassy where a copious meal was ready and where every attention was paid to the young aviator and it was a suit of the ambassador's own pajamas that ted wore that night when at last he was permitted to stretch out his weary limbs in sleep

when at last he woke he found that his name was on more lips than that of any other person in the world every newspaper in every city on every continent was giving pages of space to his wonderful exploit crowds surrounded the embassy shouting for him to show himself paris outdid itself to pay him honour telegrams of congratulation were pouring in by the thousands

as for the united states it had simply gone mad ted had captured its imagination as no other had ever done before in its history men shouted women sobbed all were crazy for ted to get back home again so that they could tell him how much they loved him but it was to be some time before ted would be allowed to come home all europe was wild for a sight of him france held on to him as long as they could there was an endless round of fetes and receptions in his honor

the president received him the senate and chamber of deputies gave him an overwhelming reception but ted scott kept his head and was always the simple unspoiled modest young american half wondering what they were making all the fuss about but nothing gave ted more pleasure than his meeting with paul monaix who sought him out at the first possible moment

mr monnet was fairly bursting with pride and enthusiasm wonderful wonderfully ejaculated my brave young friend the world has surrendered to you you share whatever glory there is returned ted warmly without your kindness i never would have been here

When they could talk soberly, Ted asked his friend about his knowledge of Brewster Gale's transaction. "'Ah, mon ami, that man is a villain!' exclaimed Mr. Monet. "'But he will be brought to book. I have the proofs right here,' and he tapped his breast pocket. "'I have—what is it you Americans say? I have the goods on him. That man will have a bad time when I get back to America.'

"'That will be in about two weeks. By the way, when are you going back?' "'I hardly know yet,' returned Ted. "'These kind friends over here are holding on to me hard. I'm leaving it largely to the Ambassador. Now I'm in Europe, I'd like to see some of it, but I'll be guided by him.' For a week or more Ted Scott was held in Paris, huge crowds cheering him wherever he appeared. Then England, Belgium, and other countries claimed him, and their ovations were tremendous.'

kings decorated him and delighted to do him honor countless thousands yelled themselves hoarse reminding him that he belonged not only to america but to the world then america grew so frantic to get hold of its idol that it could no longer be denied the president of the united states put a cruiser at his disposal as a gentle suggestion and what the president of the united states suggested was a command

so after seeing that his beloved plane was carefully crated and placed on board the young viking of the air after his mortal flight came home to the arms and hearts of his people and of the ship chapter twenty four chapter twenty five of over the ocean to paris by franklin w dixon the triumphal journey

ted scott soon had reason to bless the inspiration that had provided a cruiser for his return home had he gone on one of the great liners he would have been the centre of attraction been mobbed at every appearance and robbed of the rest and relaxation he so sorely needed

but on the ship manned by american officers and crew every consideration was shown for his comfort he was of course the central figure and all were immensely proud and fond of him but they knew the terrific strain under which he had been with the endless round of fetes and receptions and they saw to it that their attention should not bore him

when he wanted to he kept to his room when the mood seized him he went on deck and long long nights of restful sleep together with the tonic of the salt air speedily gave him back all his natural vigor and elasticity of mind and body rest while you can my boy the captain said to him with a grin i warn you that there'll be little rest you'll get when you once touch the shores of your country

all that has gone before hasn't been a circumstance to what's coming they'll try to feed you to death and talk you to death and parade you to death it sounds rather bad laughed ted but i'm pretty tough and i guess i can stand it

"'This old wireless of mine is humming all the time,' went on the captain. "'They're making bigger preparations to receive you than they've ever done before since America was a nation. And they're going to make you a millionaire. The news just came a little while ago that some people were planning to raise a fund of a million dollars and turn it over to you. What do you think of that?'

"'Nothing doing,' replied Ted promptly. "'It's awful good and kind of them, and I appreciate it fully. But I don't care to be endowed. Not on your life. I'll take only what I earn. Please send a message expressing my thanks, but saying that I can't take it.' "'I suspect it as much,' replied the captain, admiringly. "'I'm glad at this additional proof that there's someone who doesn't make money as God. I'll send the message at once.'

during the voyage home all preparations for the american reception to ted were completed and he was duly notified by wireless first he was to go to washington it had originally been expected that he would land in new york but the eternal fitness of things seemed clearly to indicate that the youth who had brought honor to the whole nation should be received by the official head of that nation

after that and only after that the metropolis could claim him following that st louis had put in its bid for the third chance at him for that had been the headquarters of the young hero while he was simply a comparatively unknown aviator in the air mail service before he had dreamed that his name would one day be blazoned in letters of fire all over the world also that was the home of walter hapworth ted's friend and backer for whom the plane hapworth had been named

to all this of course ted had to consent personally he longed for nothing else than rest and quiet and to be free to direct his own future life he had been utterly unspoiled by the adulation heaped upon him but he recognized the fact that his feat had made him a national figure and though he shrank from additional publicity his heart glowed at the unfeigned love of his countrymen he belonged to them and they could do with him what they willed

at moderate speed the cruiser clove the waves of the atlantic and coming at last to the mouth of the potomac wended its way slowly and majestically toward the national capital there ted was received as though he had been a king washington outdid itself on that day thousands had come from all parts of the country to cheer the young hero of the year

the streets were packed from buildings to curb flags and bunting were everywhere bands were playing and multitudes shouting as the car bearing ted came in sight behind the detachment of soldiers sailors and marines and moved slowly up historic pennsylvania avenue to the washington monument there a crowd like the sands of the seashore waited and rent the air with acclamations as the cortege came into view

and the president of the united states was there to receive him and decorate him with the distinguished flying cross in words that pulsed with feeling the president voiced the admiration that all americans felt for their gallant young countrymen every word he spoke was carried over the radio to millions of listeners all over the country from the atlantic that ted had conquered to the pacific from where he had begun the flight that ended only in paris

then to those same millions ted himself over the microphone spoke a few modest well-chosen words thanking them with all his heart for the tremendous reception he had received his stay in washington was crowded with other functions and almost every moment was taken up from early morning to midnight but despite all this ted scott's happiest moments were those that he fairly stole to give to his old friends he had wanted eben and charity to come

but the old couple quivering with happiness as they were at their boy's exploit shrank from the publicity they would have to undergo and contented themselves with urging him to come back to their arms in bromville a thing which ted promised to do at the earliest possible moment

but mr hapworth was there exulting in ted's triumph and bringing the news that mr monet was expected almost daily and that then something decidedly disconcerting might be expected to happen to mr brewster gale a number of ted's old friends at the arrow plant had come to washington to jubilate with the boy who had once worked with them and beside them among these were bill ellison tom maltby mark lawson jack forrest and breck lewis

perhaps they felt a little awe for him now but if they feared any slighting of them on ted's part that was swiftly dissipated by the delight which he shook hands with them and fairly hugged them in his exuberance at seeing them again no he was the same old ted what next old boy queried maltby in the course of their chat don't know yet replied ted seems as though you've had all the thrills that life could give grinned bill

but how mistaken bill ellison was will be shown in the next volume of this series entitled rescued in the clouds or ted scott hero of the air if the celebration at washington had been great that at new york was even more overwhelming it was the most thrilling ovation that the metropolis of the nation had ever tendered in its history

the whistles and sirens of all the vessels in the harbor deafeningly proclaimed his coming as ted and the seaplane came down in the narrows there to be picked up by the welcoming committee landing at the battery he was escorted up broadway that was packed to suffocation while from the crowded windows of the skyscrapers millions of bits of paper fluttered down in a snowstorm

up broadway and fifth avenue the great procession pursued its way while four million throats acclaimed the coming of america's idol then at the reviewing stand the mayor of the city and the governor of the state paid their tributes and bestowed their decorations for that day at least ted scott owned new york

and it was so for the succeeding days with banquets receptions and entertainments winding up with the bestowal of the twenty five thousand dollar prize that ted had won by his matchless flight on the final day when ted stepped into his beloved plane and was off into the skies where now he felt more at home than on land his heart was filled with an infinite content he had fulfilled tom maltby's prophecy he had written his name across the sky

The end of Chapter 24 and the end of Over the Ocean to Paris or Ted Scott's Daring Long Distance Flight by Franklin W. Dixon

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