Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

6 "Of course not!" cried Pote cheerfully. " He's almost well now. Didn't you Know ?" "No, I liadn't heard," said Bob, "but I'm sure glad to hear he's better." "He's in that office over there," re- marked Pote, pointing to the other side •>i the field. "You go right over and see him." Bob Rogers walked joyfully across to the oflBee, his natural cheery self once more. His gloom had vanished as though it had never existed, and he walked eagerly in to find his friend. Sure enough, Jimmy Devine was there, looking a little shaky and pale, but otherwise none the worse for the accident. " Thank Heaven you're better, Jimmy!" cried Bob as he came in. "I'd never have forgiven myself if you hadn't pulled round." "Nonsense, Bob!" said Jimmy. "I'm okay now, and, anyway, I let the ship crash, not you. I was sorry you went away. What are you doing now ?" " Bradford says I can come back as a mechanic if I like," replied Bob. " It would be a bad break after being the crack pilot, but I reckon you'd better do it," said Jimmy thoughtfully, putting his hand on Bob's shoulder. "You sec, you've got to make good, and then j-ou'li get back your pilot's licence after a time." "I told him I'd think it over," remarked Bob. ■'You accept. Bob," urged Jimmy earnestly. " I want you here, and—well, Grace will be here soon. She'll tell yuu what she wants herself." A car drew up outside as he spoke. "There she is. Go and bring her in," said Jinnny, hiding a smile as Bob got up, looking verj' dubious. He went out slowly, wondering what sort of a greeting he was likely to get, but he soon discovered that there was no need for ^vorry. "Hallo, Bob!" cried Grace brightly. "I heard you had come back. You're looking well. Tell me where you've been and why you went awaj'." "Listen, Grace," said Bob earnestly. 'I took a chance with Jimmy, and I thought you wouldn't want to see mo again, so I went ofT to Mexico out of tlic way." "I'm glad you've had the pluck to come back again," . replied Grace, and ^•hc smiled to herself as Bob's face flushed red. "Now you've come back you're going to stay, of course." " Yes," said Bob hastily, making up his mind to accept the job as mechanic. "I'm going on as a mechanic, and I'm going to work to get my licence back. And I'll make you a promise, Grace. I'm through with the drink from now on." "Oh, Bob," cried- Grace joyfully, "that's the best news I've heard since they told me Jimmy would get better!" They moved towards the door, and as they reached it the manager came out. Bob had not seen him since the day of the crash, and the haiish manner in which AVillard had dismissed him still rankled in his mind. The manager glanced at Grace and Bob, and a flicker of amioyanoe passed over his face. His voice .sounded cordial enough, however, as he s[)okc. " Hallo, Rogers, you're quite a stranger!" " Always will be—with some people," replied Bob coolly, passing on with the girl to rejoin Jimmy in the oflice. " Have j-ou taken any 'planes out yet,. Jimmy?" asked Bob after a while. "I've had one or two short flights," replied his friend. "I think they'll he tending me on a longer trip next week if the doctor will na.ss me for it." November 7tli, 1031. BOY'S CINEMA Presently Bob went off to the flying field to find Mr. Bradford. "Is that mechanic's job still open?" he asked when he met the assistant- manager. " Sure, Rogers," came the reply. "You can take it right now." 'Thank you very much, Mr. Bradford," cried Bob. ''I will." And Bob Rogei-s, the now mechanic, ran oflf to the aeroplane sheds to get on with the job. Captured. A FEW evenings later, as Bob Rogers wae leaving the flying field after a hard day's work, he happened to pass near a 'plane at rest upon the ground not far from the shed in which he was employed. Two men stood just behind the machine, talking, and Bob glanced casually at them as he went by. It was getting dark, but there was light enough for the new mechanic to recog- nise the men. "That's Kelley," muttered Bob. in- stantly drawing back behind the 'plane. "What's he hanging around here for, I wonder?" The men had, apparently, not noticed Bob, and they went on talking quietly. "The express goes in the morning, you say?" asked Kelley eagerly. "Sure, at ten o'clock," replied the other man, who was one of the mechanics employed at the frying field. "We'd better get on to the boss, then, and see what he thinks about trying again. Maybe we'll have better luck this time. Come on, let's beat it!" The two men made off, and Bob Rogers, after a..moment's pause, followed them, convinced that the crooks were once again planning to rob the express. He wondered what to do, for Willard and Bradford had both gone home, he thought, and yet somehow he must get in touch with one or the other, or with the police, and that without delay. As he reached, the road, a car drew up, and he saw Grace Devine at the wheel. Jimmy was at her side, and he sprang out to hail Bob cheerfully. "Hallo, Bob! I'm just going to look over the express. I'm taking her off in the morning. Stay and talk to Grace. I'll see you presently." "Just a minute, Jimmy," cried Bob. "I've got something important to tell you." "Presently," replied Jimmy, running off, and Bob had perforce to turn to (Jrace. For a moment he was tempted to tell her what he had heard Kelley say, but he reflected that the news would rouse her fears for the safety of her brother, and he decided to say nothing until he had seen the manager or the police. "Have you got your new pilot's license yet. Bob?" asked Grace eagerly. "No, not yet," replied Bob. "I don't expect to get it for some while." "I hope you soon will," said Grace earnestly. "How do you like working as a mechanic?" "It's a good job—a man's job. and I like it well enough," answered Bob. "I'd sooner be Hying, though, any day." Bob Rogers, talking to the girl ho loved, had no eyes for anyone but her. He failed to observe that Kelley and his companions had stopped a little way down the road. Nor did he notice that a tall man had come up, and that all three were regarding him curiously. Presently the newcomer whispered to Kelley. and the crook started up a ear, and slid away down the road. "You'll soon be flying again. Bob." said Grace, "hut after that crash I don't know—I think I'd almoet rather vou Every Tuesday I stayed on the ground, even though you I were only a mechanic." [ "Do you care so much for me?" whis- pered Bob. "Listen, Grace, I want to lell you something. I " "Good evening. Miss Devine," said a voice, and the two young people started as Wiliard suddenly appeared at the side of the car. The manager smiled at Grace, but completely ignored her com- panion, and the girl replied very coldly. "Good evening, Mr. Willard. You quite startled us, co.Tiing up quietly like that." "I called at your house," said the manager, "and I was told you had come along here. I wanted to remind you of that dance this evening. You said you might perhaps do me the honour of allowing me to take you. May I hope you will come?" "I am sorry, Mr. "Willard," replied Grace in her iciest tones, for she was mtich annoyed at the interruption of what promised to be a most interesting conversation with Bob. "I am very busy to-night. I'll come some other night, perhaps." "Good-night, Grace," said Bob Rogers suddenly, walking off. "Oh, Boh, please!" , called the girl, "Come back, I want you to wait for Jimmy," Bob Roger.? did not return, for at the sight of Willard an unreasoning jealousy had flared up in him. He had never liked the manager, and Willard's obvious admiratiot'. of Grace Devine annoyed him beyond measure. "I won't tell that fellow about Kelley," he muttered. "I'll find Brad- ford and tell him." Getting into a small car which one of the pilots had lent him, Bob drove off down the road towards the town. A quarter of a mile away he passed another car which was moving slowly along, but he took no notice of it. He was already ashamed of the abrupt way in which he had left Grace, and he slackened speed, almost inclined to return and apologise for his behaviour. "Hey, Rogers, stop!" came a menacing voice just behind him. Bob looked round in surjirise, and saw the car which he had just passed. In it was Kelley, gun in hand, and Bob instantly ■stepped on the gas. A bullet sang past his head as his car rushed on, with the gangsters in full chase. Try as he would. Bob could not shake off the crooks, and their car kept close behind him. "That's done it, sure!" groaned Bob a moment later, for a bullet crashed into his back tyre, which collapsed with a hissing of escaping air. The car slowed down and the gangsters drew alongside in triumph. Bob saw that escape was out of the question, for he was on a lonely stretcli of road, and there was no one in sight. He pulled up, and the crooks we« soon at the side of his car. "So yoti've been spying around on us, have you. Rogers?" cried Kelley angrily. "Lucky. I happened to spot you talking to that girl. Think you can stop us ' again, do you ?" "It doesn't take much to stop a guy like you." replied Bob contemptuously. "You'll find you can't stop us this time," growled Kelley. "Out with him, bo.vs, and we'll take him to our pl.nce right now, and tie him up." "You'd better let me put a bullet through him," came the plaintive voice of Ix)uie, who stood behind Bob. gu.' r. hand, evidently itching to pull the trig- ger. "None of that, Louie," growled Kelley. "The boss -said no shooting, and what he says goes."