CHAPTER XX
_The Race against Death_
"Ted!"
"Linda!"
"You can't know how thankful I am to see you!" cried the girl."It--it--may mean that I can save my father's life!" And she told himof her plans.
"If I could only go with you!" sighed the young man. "I hate to thinkof you flying alone at night!"
"But you do believe I'm capable, don't you, Ted?" Linda's eyes searchedhis for the truth; she was not asking for flattery, she really wantedhis opinion.
"Yes indeed I do!" Ted answered, with assurance. "But it's always saferfor two pilots to go together. However, the Pursuit is in fine shapenow--and filled up with gas.... Linda, I have something to tell you."
"Yes?"
"About the wreck--and--those thieves.... The other dead man was myfather."
"Your father! Ted!" Every bit of color left the girl's face. What adreadful, ghastly thing to happen to anybody, and especially to a fineboy like Ted! To come upon his father, dead, in that abrupt fashion,and to know, worst of all, that he had died in disgrace!
Finding no words to express her sympathy, she pressed his hand tightlyin silence.
"So you see how much I have to do--why I can't go with you," hecontinued. "I have reported the wreck to my company, and madearrangements about my father's body. But I must go right home to mymother."
"But how do you explain it all, Ted?" Linda asked.
"I think my father was paying one of his regular visits to the SpringCity Flying School--he came there once in so often to get money fromme--and he was disappointed to find I had gone. Whether he knew thatother man before, I don't know, but it would seem probable that he did.Together they must have cooked up the scheme to follow your plane andget the necklace.... That is why it is really fortunate the man got thenecklace by a ruse. You see he was armed with a gun--as I later foundout, and if he had had to fight for the jewels, I'm sure he wouldn'thave hesitated to fire on you!"
"And I suppose your father's being involved would explain why you weresuspected," added Linda. "You look like him, I believe."
"Yes. To my regret."
"But perhaps it's better as it is," concluded Linda. "Don't you feelso, Ted?"
"Yes, I do. It--will be so much easier for my mother.... But Linda, wemustn't stand here talking. Every minute is precious to you."
"No. I can't go till Dr. Winston comes out with the surgeon's address.He's putting in a long distance call. However, I will go in and changeinto my flyer's suit, if you don't mind," she added.
Five minutes later she reappeared with the information that Dr.Lineaweaver was in Louisiana--at a small seaport town which Tedinstantly located on a map that he gave to Linda.
"I won't even start off with you," the young man said, "because thatwould mean an extra stop for you. Now--are you sure you are allright--and that you can stay awake?"
"Yes, I'm sure," replied the girl, forcing a smile. "Mrs. Cates hasjust given me a thermos bottle full of coffee, and a sandwich, to helpme!"
A moment later she climbed into the cockpit and started the motor.The Pursuit, whose engine purred with the smooth even whir of one inperfect order, gained speed until it rose into the air. It was Linda'sfirst flight at night.
Darkness was all around her, but overhead the stars shone brightly, andthe moon came from behind a cloud to light her way. Strange, lonely,mysterious, it seemed to her, as she flew through the night, butnevertheless thrilling. Gradually a sense of peace settled over her,as if a Divine Providence was surely guiding her, and she experiencedthe firm conviction that everything was right, that she was going to besuccessful in her mission to save her father's life.
For the first time she realized how much her confidence had to dowith Ted Mackay. Because he had repaired and inspected the motor, shefelt certain there would be no accident, and a successful flight wasa good omen for the operation. Moreover, she had great faith in Dr.Lineaweaver. If he would only promise to come!
The hours passed, the moon set, the night grew darker. But the solitarygirl flew on, swift and straight to her course, steadfast in herundertaking. About two o'clock she arrived at the little seaport, founda landing place back of the one big hotel, and went inside.
Fortunately a night clerk was on duty, and he rose immediately togreet her. The flyer's costume identified her so that he had no need toask what a girl of her age was doing alone at this early hour of themorning.
"Can you tell me where Dr. Lineaweaver, the surgeon, can be located?"she inquired. "I want him immediately--it is a question of my father'slife."
Her voice was steady now; there was no danger of tears. She seemedalmost mature as she spoke the words.
"Yes," replied the clerk. "He is staying at Dr. Grayson's bungalow--acouple of blocks away. They come over here for their meals."
"Could you get him on the telephone for me?"
"Certainly. I'll let you talk with him."
Although the clerk put in the call immediately, there was no answer forseveral minutes. A fishing trip had tired both doctors, and they weresleeping soundly. At last, however, there came a reply, and Linda tookthe telephone.
In a few words the unhappy girl apologized for the call at that hour,and during the surgeon's holiday, and briefly told her story. Eagerlyshe pleaded with him to dress and come immediately, informing him thatshe had her plane waiting.
"You mean you flew from Texas alone--at this hour of the night!"exclaimed the surgeon.
"Yes. But you needn't be afraid, Doctor, to go with me. I'm quiteexperienced. Oh please, please, say yes!"
"I'll be at the hotel in ten minutes," replied the great man. "Andmeanwhile, you get something to eat."
Linda sank gratefully into a chair, thinking that the hardest part ofher task was over--the winning of Dr. Lineaweaver's consent to breakinto his vacation and go back with her. Now, if her father only liveduntil they returned, all would surely be well!
Still keeping herself in control, she ate her sandwich and drank hercoffee, while she waited for the doctor to come. True to his word, heappeared in exactly ten minutes.
The flight back to the ranch was much pleasanter than the one to theseaport. No longer was Linda alone; it was a comfort to have the greatsurgeon with her, to know that he would do all in his power to save herfather. The darkness gradually faded, giving place to a faint gray, andfinally to a beautiful, inspiring sunrise. A dawn that perhaps meantnew life to her father!
It did not take Dr. Lineaweaver long to realize that Linda was anaccomplished pilot, and he settled back into his seat in full enjoymentof the ride. His surprise at her youth--she was much younger than hehad supposed from the telephone conversation--gradually gave way toadmiration of her skill and her poise. He had no fear for his ownsafety; he was confident that she would make the journey without amishap.
About seven o'clock she brought the Pursuit to a stop on the field thatbelonged to her father's ranch. Cates was already there to greet them.
"Is my father still alive?" she demanded, with the first indication ofany strain in her voice.
"Yes," came the reassuring reply. "He is just the same."
"And did you succeed in getting a nurse?"
"Yes. Dr. Winston's here too.... Now, the Mrs. said to bring you bothin for a hot breakfast."
Linda was so excited that she did not see how she could possibly eat,but when she realized that the surgeon must take time for something,she finally agreed. But first she tiptoed in for a look at her father,and gave him a kiss that was really a prayer. A white-clad nursesmiled at her, and she believed hopefully that all was well.
The inaction, the weary, tense waiting of the next two hours wasmore difficult for Linda than her flight to Louisiana, alone in thedarkness. She had nothing to do. Sleep was out of the question, yet shewas terribly tired. But she could not sit still; aimlessly she followedMrs. Cates around, begging for work. At last the good woman, realizingthat the girl could not rest, set her to washing dishes and preparingvegetables for the no
on-day meal.
But finally the operation was over, and Linda's heart stood still asshe heard Dr. Winston coming out of her father's room. Suppose it hadall been in vain! She covered her face with her hands, she dared nottrust herself to look into his eyes, that would tell her, before hecould utter the words, whether her father had lived.
And then came the glorious news that set her heart to singing as if thewhole world had been recreated in joy and happiness:
"Your father is doing nicely, Miss Carlton.... Dr. Lineaweaver believesthat he will get well."
Now the tears came in floods, tears of thankfulness and gladness, andshe hugged Mrs. Cates in her ecstasy.
"It was a wonderful operation," continued Dr. Winston. "Dr. Lineaweaveris the greatest surgeon I have ever had the honor to watch."
"Thank God! Thank God!" murmured Mrs. Cates, reverently.... "And now,honey, you must go and get some sleep!"
"Not till I've thanked Dr. Lineaweaver!" protested Linda, and she ranoff like a happy child, unmindful of the terrible strain she had justbeen through.