  “But how did you know about us?” gasped Dot, as she found herself miraculously seated in a shining, low car at the edge of the flying field. “We didn’t tell anybody about it.” Both the young men grinned broadly. “A special late edition came out last night with the announcement,” explained one of the boys. “A Los Angeles paper. And every newspaper in the United States and Hawaii will run the story this morning. Besides, a ship you flew over yesterday sent a radio that you had been sighted!” The car moved slowly through the space blocked off by the policemen, and Linda and Dot smiled and waved to the crowd as they passed. “Where are we going now?” asked Linda. “To the Governor’s mansion. There’s a big breakfast waiting for you. Then there will be a reception tonight. Did you know that you will receive an award of ten thousand dollars, to be shared between you?” Linda and Dot looked at each other in amazement. They had undertaken the flight with no thought of glory or reward, and they were winning applause from the whole world. It was nothing short of miraculous! But what would their own relatives think? Miss Carlton, and Mr. and Mrs. Crowley—and Linda’s father, who hadn’t even been informed of the project? Was it too late now to send them telegrams? “We each get five thousand dollars?” repeated Dot, incredulously. “But why? Who is giving it?” “A wealthy woman in Honolulu promised that amount some time ago to the first woman to fly to Hawaii from the coast of America. The only point she stipulated was that there was to be no man in the plane. So, if two girls made the flight, she said she would divide the prize.” “So you’ll get the five thousand back that you lost, Linda!” exclaimed Dot. “Now you won’t have to catch that girl.” “But I’m going to catch her,” Linda insisted. “Not for the money, especially, but because I’ve made up my mind to do it.” The automobile threaded its way through the streets of Honolulu, on to the Governor’s mansion. Here the girls were received with the greatest cordiality by the chief executive’s wife. A lovely breakfast, to which all the important aviators of the island were invited, was served on the wide veranda, and a suite of rooms had been set aside for the girls’ visit. “I suppose you will want to take a nap first,” said their charming hostess. “Then, after you have rested, perhaps you would like to go down to our beach and bathe.” “We’d love it!” cried Dot, eagerly. “Think of the thrill of going in bathing in October!” “Then this evening,” continued the older woman, “is the banquet, followed by a reception in your honor at the hotel. And Mrs. Dinwitty, the donor of the award, will present you with your checks.” “It’s all just too wonderful!” exclaimed Dot. “But what shall we do for clothes? We can’t attend receptions in flying-suits!” “I’ll see that they are provided,” promised the other. “We have marvellous shops in our city, and now that I know your sizes, it will be easy enough to order a supply.” As soon as she had left them, Linda went to the telephone in her room. “I must call the police before we go to sleep,” she said to Dot. “We might miss our criminals.” The reply, however, was reassuring. “The ‘Mona’ doesn’t dock till noon tomorrow,” an official assured her. “And we have detailed men to help you. We got in touch with the Los Angeles police after we got your wireless, and we made out a warrant for the arrest of the girl. We’ll call you when the ship docks.” Reassured now, and at ease for the rest of the day, the girls slept all morning in the beautiful bedroom set aside for their visit, and after luncheon they were driven to the famous Waikiki beach, and lay on the sand and later rode the waves of the Pacific on the long, narrow boards which they had so often seen pictured in the movies. There was so much to do and see and enjoy that they wished that they might spend at least a month in this Paradise of the Pacific, as the Hawaiian Islands are so often called. “It’s hard to think of crime and criminals in a spot like this,” remarked Linda, as she lay on the sand and gazed at the deep blue sky above her. “I purposely haven’t mentioned them to our hostess—because I didn’t want to spoil things. Today has been so perfect.” And perfect it continued to be, until the girls finally closed their eyes in sleep that night. The dinner and the reception were gorgeous affairs, yet the kindness of the Governor and his wife prevented them from becoming stilted and formal. Even Linda felt no embarrassment when she was called out and presented with the check. For Dot was at her side, equal to the occasion with a clever little speech of acceptance and thanks. Excitement had kept the girls going during the first day, but the next morning reaction set in and they felt as if they wanted to sleep forever. Their thoughtful hostess, realizing just what they had been through, decided not to have them wakened. Telegrams and flowers began to arrive, but she saw no need of disturbing Linda and Dot. She did not know that they were counting on meeting the ship that was scheduled to dock at noon. At last, however, Linda opened her eyes and reached for her wrist-watch that lay on the tiny table between her bed and Dot’s. It said twenty minutes after twelve! She picked it up and examined it closely, unable to believe her eyes. “Dot!” she cried. “We’ve overslept! Do you suppose the police have called? And we’ve missed them?” “Missed—who—whom—I mean?” inquired her companion, sleepily. “The couple we’re after! Sprague and that girl! Oh, Dot, wake up!” “What shall we do?” asked Dot, realizing at last the seriousness of the situation. “Get dressed at once!” replied Linda, as she rang the bell for the maid. Almost miraculously the latter appeared in answer to the summons, with fresh sports-clothing for both the girls. And bringing telegrams and boxes of flowers. “Have the police telephoned?” asked Linda, to the maid’s amazement. “Police? Oh, no, ma’am. There’s been some calls for you, but not from the police. Are you expectin’ them?” She eyed the girls suspiciously, as if she thought they might be criminals. “Yes,” replied Linda, her fingers already on the telephone, giving the number to the operator. “This is Linda Carlton,” she announced. “Has the ‘Mona’ docked yet?” “No, ma’am. But she’s due any minute now, and the Chief gave me orders to call you. We’ve got a warrant ready for Mrs. Leslie Sprague—is that right?” “That’s it!” replied Linda, grinning with satisfaction. “And we’ll be right over—so hold all the passengers until we get a look at them.” “O.K., Miss Carlton. See you later!” Linda replaced the receiver, and turned to the maid, who was still awaiting her orders. “Do you think we could have our breakfast right away—and then have a car take us to the flying field?” she asked. “Please ask your mistress—and tell her that it’s terribly important.” “Aren’t you even going to read those telegrams?” inquired Dot, a trifle disappointed. After all, it was her first big air triumph, and she wanted to enjoy the victory to its utmost. But, instead, Linda must be rushing off immediately. “When we come back!” returned the latter, as she put on the pretty white linen suit with which her hostess had provided her. Dot sighed, and proceeded to dress. There was no stopping Linda, once she had made up her mind to do something. “I could go alone, Dot,” Linda remarked, as they started for the dining-room. “Then you’d have a chance to enjoy yourself this afternoon.” “No,” replied her chum. “It isn’t going to take long, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. You know how I despise that man Sprague—I want to gloat over his capture.” They ate a hasty meal that was both breakfast and lunch, and got into a car with a native chauffeur, that was waiting for them in the driveway. A few minutes later they arrived at the dock, just as the passengers from the “Mona” were about to be discharged. It would have been difficult to press through the crowds of native children, with their flowers of welcome for the arriving visitors, had the girls not had the aid of the Chief of Police. Clearing a passage for himself and his companions, he led them right on board the “Mona.” The Captain came forward to meet them, beaming proudly at the two brave aviatrixes, as he shook their hands. “Congratulations, Miss Carlton and Miss Crowley!” he exclaimed. “You did a valiant thing!” “Thank you so much,” replied Linda, modestly. She had no desire to talk of her flight over the Pacific; her one absorbing interest now was the capture of the girl whom she had pursued so far. “Stand here,” continued the Captain, “and you can watch the passengers as they go by.” Two by two the people on board the “Mona” walked over the gangplank to the pier, as Linda and Dot, their hearts beating fast with excitement, peered intently into their faces. A dozen couples hurried by, then three lone passengers straggled along as if in no haste at all. But still no girl that even remotely resembled Linda. And no sign of Leslie Sprague. “Is—that—all?” faltered Linda, unable to believe that they really had not come. “Here’s one more couple. They’re still awful seasick,” explained the Captain, and Linda and Dot strained their necks to catch the first glimpse of these last people, just emerging from the cabin. But their hopes were immediately dashed to the ground. The couple were elderly; their hair gray, their faces wrinkled. “Maybe it’s a disguise,” whispered Dot, suspiciously. The Captain shook his head. “No. I know these people well. Cousins of mine, by the name of Rankin. Lived on Oahu all their lives.” Linda heaved a deep sigh of disappointment. “And you’re sure that’s positively all the passengers who sailed from Cape San Lucas?” she asked. “All except a couple that docked at the island of Lanai. A planter who lives there part of every year—and often makes the trip. I know him well—have brought him across half a dozen times. He had a new bride with him this trip.” “A new bride!” repeated Linda. “Did she look like me?” The Captain regarded her closely. “Believe she did.... But that man’s not a criminal. He couldn’t be the fellow you want.” “Well, whether the man is or not, the girl is!” cried Linda. “What name did they give?” “Steve Long is the man’s name. He didn’t have to give it—I know him.” “Light hair—light moustache?” she questioned. “Sissy-looking!” added Dot. The Captain smiled. “That must be your man,” he agreed. “So we have to fly to Lanai,” muttered Linda, turning to the Chief of Police. “Can you help me out?” “You mean go with you?” “No, not necessarily. I’d rather not overload the plane.... Isn’t there somebody on the island who would help us?” “Of course there is. I can send a wireless to our agent over there, and you can report to him. He can give you native police, if you need them. And give you the warrant for the girl’s arrest.” They completed their arrangements, and had the chauffeur drive them immediately to the airport, where the Sky Rocket had been resting since their landing the preceding morning. Here they dismissed the car, asking the driver to make their explanations to his mistress, assuring her that they would be back in time for dinner. Linda then went in search of her plane. “What sort of shape is she in?” she asked, as she spied the Sky Rocket in a hangar, with a mechanic beside her. “Fine!” replied the man. “We did some overhauling on her yesterday—a few minor repairs, and filled her up with gas and oil. She’s fit as a fiddle now.... But why? You girls aren’t thinking of flying back over the ocean, are you?” “No!” laughed Linda. “Once is enough. But we want to go to one of the islands—Lanai, to be exact—to do some scouting. We’re after a criminal.” “A criminal?” “Two criminals, rather. Forgers—thieves. They came across on the ‘Mona,’ and we thought they’d dock here—but they got off at Lanai instead.” “By heck!” exclaimed the mechanic in amazement. “What will modern girls take up next?” “Can you tell us what that island is like?” asked Dot. “Well, it’s not like Oahu,” he replied. “Not a place that tourists visit much. No hotels and stores—or cities. Mostly pineapple plantations there—not many white people, except some of the owners.... But I’ll get you a map, and show you just where to land if you want to go to the agent’s office first. He can tell you all about it.” He disappeared into an office, and returned with the map in question, marking the best spot on the beach for Linda to make her landing. Then he had the Sky Rocket pushed out on the runway, and the engine started. “Watch the planes that arrive and leave here,” Linda shouted into his ear as she climbed into the cockpit. “I’ll be on the job!” the man assured her. “And happy landings to you!” The Sky Rocket taxied along the runway, and left the ground a minute later, as if it, too, were eager to be in the skies again, on the chase. Over the beach of Waikiki, past Diamond Head, southeast over the Pacific Ocean again, Linda directed her course, sure that at last she was within sight of her goal. |
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