Part 3 (2/2)

”We were late,” said Komoru as they walked back toward the plane.

”Two hundred thousand,” he mused; ”what you call 'bluff,' I guess.”

”It's growing light,” said Ethel, as they reached the plane.

”Yes, a little,” replied Komoru, as he walked around to the front.

”An ugly ditch,” he said. ”We shall have to use the helicopter.”

Taking his seat he threw down a lever and what had appeared to be two small superimposed planes above the main plane a.s.sumed the form of flat screws. Letting the engine gain full headway, Komoru threw the clutch on this shafting, and the vertical screws started revolving in opposite directions with a great downward rush of air.

The whole apparatus tilted a bit, and then slowly but steadily arose.

When they had reached alt.i.tude of a hundred feet or so, the driver s.h.i.+fted the power to the quieter horizontal propeller and the plane sidled off like an eagle dropping from a crag.

Tilting the plane upward, Komoru circled for alt.i.tude. Presently he called back over his shoulder, saying that he saw the signal fire at Beaumont at the same time heading the plane in that direction.

As the dawn began to break in the East, the occasional pa.s.sing lights of flying planes became less bright and soon the planes themselves stood out against the sky like shadows. And then the whole majestic train of aerial invaders became visible as they poured over the southern horizon---a never ending stream.

Komoru and Ethel landed in a meadow already well filled with planes and following the others, hurried along toward the town.

There had been some fighting in the streets and a few buildings were burning. Walking along to the main street of the town, they came upon a crowd of j.a.panese who were collected in front of a building from which the contents were being dragged hastily.

”What is it?” asked Komoru of one of the men.

”Hardware store,” replied the other; ”we've rifled all of them for the weapons and explosives.”

”Where are all the people?” asked Ethel. ”The Americans--are they killed or captured?”

”They are at home in their houses,” answered the man, who seemed well posted. ”I was with the first squad to arrive. We captured the policemen and then took the telephone switchboard. j.a.panese operators are in there now. They have called up every one in town and explained the situation, and advised the people to stay indoors, telling them that every house would be burned from which people emerged or shots were fired. The operators are working on the rural numbers yet. We hold the telegraph also, and are sending out exaggerated reports of the size of the j.a.panese invasion.”

A man wearing a blue sash came hurrying up. He stopped before the group at the hardware store and gestured for silence.

”The town is well in hand,” he said, ”and only those of you who are detailed here as guards need remain longer; the others will get back to their planes and await the rise of their designated leaders for the flights of the day.

”Come,” said Komoru to his companion. But Ethel did not move. Her mind was racked with perplexity. Here she was in a city of her own people. Why should she continue to accompany this young j.a.panese whom, despite his gentlemanly conduct, she instinctively feared? Yet what else could she do? She was dressed in the peculiar attire of the invaders, and would certainly have trouble in convincing an American of her ident.i.ty.

[Ill.u.s.tration: As they pa.s.sed near other planes, Ethel noted that in many cases the women were driving.]

”I must ask you to hurry,” said Komoru, as the others moved off.

With an effort Ethel gathered her wavering emotions in hand and went with him. If she must go, she reasoned it were well not to arouse Komoru's suspicion of her loyalty.

A few minutes later they were again in the air, following the lead of a plane with bright red wings--the flag-s.h.i.+p, as it were, of the group.

In a half hour the expedition was approaching Houston. Coming over the city, the leader circled high and waited until his followers were better ma.s.sed.

”Are we going to attack the town?” inquired Ethel, as Komoru asked her for the water-bottle.

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