Read Agent Nine Solves His First Case: A Story of the Daring Exploits of the G Men Page 29

  Chapter XXIX INTO THE AIR *

  Bob and Lieutenant Gibbons left the other federal agents at the apartmentbuilding to help the superintendent clean up the litter of paper they hadstrewn about the basement while they hastened back to the Department ofJustice building.

  Waldo Edgar himself was waiting for their report and he smiledcontentedly when he heard it.

  "You're on the right track, Bob. Follow it hard and don't let a singletrick get away from you. How are you going to Rubio?"

  Bob turned to a wall map which showed the entire state of Maryland. AsLieutenant Gibbons had surmised, Rubio was on the east shore, a tiny dotof a town, well isolated from any of the other shore villages.

  "That's a desolate stretch," said the chief. "You may need help inrounding up this gang."

  "We'll try it alone," said Bob. "If we find them, we can send in a callfor assistance. Can you arrange for us to fly there?"

  The chief of the division of investigation looked at his watch. It wasjust three o'clock.

  "A plane will be ready in half an hour at Antacostia," he said. "Makesure that you are well armed and don't take unnecessary risks.Understand?"

  "Yes, sir," replied Bob.

  "Then start for Antacostia at once. You're going, too, lieutenant?"

  "I wouldn't miss this," replied the intelligence officer. "Besides, wehave a considerable stake in this game."

  "Splendid. But don't let Bob take any needless risks. I'm counting on hisdeveloping into one of my aces one of these days."

  Bob's temperature rose about three degrees and he looked at the federalchief to see if he was joking, but Waldo Edgar was serious.

  "Looks to me like you're making headway rapidly," said Lieutenant Gibbonsas they left the Department of Justice building. "You carrying a gun?" heasked.

  Bob patted his coat pocket.

  "I've got a special .45 with an extra clip of cartridges. That ought tobe enough for a trip like this."

  "Let's hope so," said the intelligence officer.

  When they reached Antacostia, a cabin plane, a navy ship, was out on theramp waiting for them. It was an amphibian and while they were paying thedriver of their cab, the pilot started the motor with a roar that shookthe ground.

  An officer ran toward them.

  "Which one of you is Bob Houston?" he asked.

  Bob stepped forward.

  "You're wanted on the phone at once," he said.

  "Step on it, Bob. We're ready to go," warned Lieutenant Gibbons.

  Bob ran toward the administration building and a clerk there handed him atelephone.

  Bob recognized instantly the voice of the chief of the bureau ofinvestigation. Waldo Edgar, usually so calm, was deeply moved.

  "Bob, get to Rubio with all possible speed. We've just had reports thatan unknown yet tremendously powerful radio station has just come on theair. The Department of Commerce has had radio direction finders on it forthe last ten minutes and they report that the station must be on the eastshore of Maryland, probably near Rubio. They're throwing on extra poweron their experimental station here to gum up the sending from thisunknown outfit. I'm afraid they're trying to get the secret of theradio-controlled plane out of the country in this way."

  "We're all ready to go. The plane's on the ramp now with the motor on."

  "Then hurry. Let me know the minute you land at Rubio and I can send moreinformation. I'm starting agents out of Baltimore by motor and I'll sendanother plane with men within the hour. Good luck."

  Bob turned and raced toward the waiting plane.

  "What news?" asked Lieutenant Gibbons.

  "Tell you when we're in the air," replied Bob.

  They climbed into the cabin and were no sooner seated than the shipstarted rolling across the field.

  Almost before they knew it the ground was dropping away and they wereheaded for the east shore of Maryland.