Newtown High School - Newtowner Yearbook (Elmhurst, NY)

Page 28 text:

turned to Fran. She knew his face was set and tight. She could tell from his voice. Lehman's got no business with this ship, he said. And I'm going to see that he heads back for the field ! Moments later, Dick, with Fran close behind, jerked open the door to the pilot's compartment. Lehman was peering at a map, but he turned at the sound. His eyes widened. Then his evil face hardened into a sneer. Well, if it ain't teacher's pet with his gal friend P' This ship belongs to the U. S. Army, Lehman, Dick answered evenly. Turn it around. We're going back. Not a chance, Lehman's mouth curled. This ship and me are goin' to keep a date with a couple of guys on a boat. Spies P The question cracked like a whip. What do I care? Lehman came back. They're willing to pay me fer the radio control equipment. This ship's no amphibian, Fran put in. She's got a parachute, ziin't she? Me an' the equipment's going down in that. You two can take care of yourselves. The sneer in his voice changed to a snarl. Now, get back in that cabin, both of youse! There's six hours of fiyin' ahead an' I can't be bothered. Get goin l II. The hours went by as Dick and Fran, back in the cabin, wracked their brains. Too late, they realized they should have jumped upon Lehman. Now the door was locked. Suddenly Fran grabbed Dick's arm. Can you fly this ship, Dick ? In a pinch. why? Is there any coffee in the galley? Should be. Dick was puzzled. But Fran, I don't-wait-what are you going to do? Fran had already disappeared into the galley. Five minutes later she returned with a steaming cup of coffee and rapped on the door of the pilot's compartment. She motioned for Dick to follow. Lehman peered out, saw the coffee, and opened the door wider. I thought you might like a cup of coffee. Fran said sociably. Lehman grunted, taking a. few sips, and then said Tastes funny. Oh, that's just because the coffee's stale, Fran replied indilferently. Lehman glanced at Fran, blew on the liquid, and then gulped it down. He handed back the cup, and Fran peered at him strangely. Do you feel all right? she said. Sure, he snarled. VVhy not? I just wondered, she said innocently, and turned away. 26

Page 27 text:

4-f .LJ if Af. g 7 A 'AL .-'ff' Gigi-hi I A Little Bottle ,, S ffvffsf If fy TPI.. Pg ' - .4 .fi , ,r If I z +i'z:' ?f .. . -' 1-'Lf A -- rg . 7.3: ' -1- WN, Asfz- -'-Sv -f , -, - . L ,, .-. V ,i l- . .N .- 0 ,E-mar . . . Q-xszcgg J , ,,:ff,:.f,f,,f ,v '. .gl f A. ,,f. L- A ,- x Sz'-'51SEf:'-'f45'i' ,fi ni-W MQ. 4. -xx 41' - I ff .- , v.,- --...:--qs -- --. . r, - ff x --- .H -' Kew'-N f.:':12:., . A .fpffff-- - -5 -' ff: ...Agia :X ,l Qexgxhg '-:Hgh rifle, 3 -qrggjgjee lst, F' 1 :as ' -I Is, ,N -.l ar, fi 1 . ...... .15 FF Sabi' ' Q 71 rn . ill! '.' 425:-Q E115 .4 ' 3-2,9147 f + 69? 5.-' 'I Q-P-1.1 -- Q... ..r i-:ff 'f 1 ' : f .- ' . 3.'-...sq---wg: 4.3 ' . ' near- fx ,f . ' fy.: '. fs'?'QERl'i I - Q ef, X- - 3. .1:-'. .Pf',:f f ' f '49 0v0 4'p.e7Li-1'-' ,ff ' f 5 Q A e'e-f of 79 GSSOME NIGHT P' Dick Steele laughed as he helped his cousin Fran Wright out of the car. A double feature movie, a comedy, a newsreel and a bottle of perfume for the ladies ! But such a little bottle, Fran added ruefully. They had stopped at Fairville Airport to pick up Dick's flying coat. Then they rounded the corner of the administration building-and the coat was forgotten. At the other end of the field, flames shot high into the air. Dark figures were silhouetted against the red glow. The grass is on fire ! Dick yelled, and started to run. But Fran pulled him back. Dick! she said sharply. The experimental ship with the radio con- trol. What's it doing on the ramp? Look ! Dick turned. It can't- he began. But there, its propellers turning slowly, stood the Army test ship. Just that afternoon Captain Allison had said, That ship is tremendously important to our nation's defense! It must never be left unguarded! Dick felt his mouth go dry. Why was it here-alone? A shadowy figure dropped from the ship and scuttled toward the hangar. I-Ie heard Fran catch her breath. Dick, she whispered, that Was Jasper Lehman. Jasper Lehman! He'd been ordered off the field weeks ago. Come on, Fran, Dick said shortly, let's see what he's up to. They crossed swiftly to the waiting ship-climbed in. We don't dare use a flashlight, Dick urged. We can watch from here. And if he comes back- As they crouched in the darkness, there came the sound of quick footsteps. The steps came into the ship. The heavy door shut with a thudg Dick and Fran saw Lehman enter the pilot's compartment. He's getting into his safety belt, Dick muttered. Say-! The rest of his words were drowned out in the thunder of the engines as the throttle was pushed quickly home. He's taking off, Fran cried. They felt the ship lift. The engines steadied to a dull throbbing. Dick 25

Page 29 text:

As she did so, the plane lurched, and a small vial tinkled to the door- empty. Lehman turned white as he stared at the floor, then clutched his throat. Poison! You've poisoned me! You-. I-I didn't mean-. Get out of my way, he screamed as he stumbled toward the cabin door. The first aid kit, where is it P Quick, whispered Fran, get the controls, I'll close the door. Later, much later, after Dick had set the plane down at Fairville Airport 7 after Lehman was in jail and the ship carefully guarded, Fran laughed. They were having coffee in Captain Allison's office as Fran explained her- self. That was perfume in the coffee, not poison. But where did you get the perfume?,' Captain Allison demanded. Oh, said Fran, didn't you know? It was ladies' night tonight at the theatre. BETTY Monm N xi Eggs, -DKX 1xN'- i pxhjxx-'i,?gg 27