Chapter XIX
Rescued
When the girls awakened at practically the same time – for Louise, in stirring, moved against Linda – they were horrified to see that it was half past eight by their wrist watches.
"Two hours wasted!" groaned Louise. "And it's going to be hot today! Oh, Linda, why didn't we wake up at six?"
"Next time I'll bring an alarm clock," laughed her companion. "Come on, let's straighten ourselves up. I – I – believe I'd rather not swim!"
"No, indeed!" agreed Louise, recalling the horror they had witnessed the night before. "We'll use what water we have – we can't carry much on our hike anyway… Now, let's see what we have for breakfast."
"There's some fruit left, and a little bit of chicken. With water to drink we'll have a fine meal."
They sat down beside the plane to eat, and both girls seemed to enjoy their breakfast, meager as it was. For each had resolutely made up her mind to be cheerful.
"Are the pearls safe?" asked Linda, as she gathered up the chicken bones.
"In my pocket!" replied Louise, taking them out for examination. "How about your pistol?"
"O.K… Lou! Look! A plane!"
Both girls jumped instantly to their feet and waved their arms and their coats in the air as signals of distress. If only the pilot would look down and see them!
He was flying low enough to make this perfectly possible, but a moment later his ascent sent a sickening disappointment into their hearts. He was going away without even seeing them! Useless to yell; no one could possibly hear above the deafening noise. To be so near to a rescue, and then to have it fail them in the end!
It was Linda, with her knowledge of flying, who was the first to realize that the aviator wasn't really going away, that he was only retreating farther into the field to make a safe landing, clear of them and their plane. In her ecstasy she hugged Louise tightly.
"He's coming down, Lou! To rescue us!"
"How do you know?" demanded the other, incredulously. "He seems to be going farther away to me!"
"No, he isn't! It's only to land clear of us. Lou, it must be Roger!"
"Roger? Why? How!"
"Because he would investigate, when we failed to telephone!"
"But suppose it's another bandit – like – you know! Get your revolver!"
"It's right here. But don't worry, Lou. Look! He's on the ground!"
The pilot brought the beautiful new cabin monoplane expertly to a stop and shut off the engine. To the girls' amazement two men, not one, stepped out. Both of them were old friends!
"Roger! Ted!" cried both the girls at once, in their delight in recognizing them. They felt as if they had been rescued from a desert island.
"You're both safe? Unhurt?" cried Roger, excitedly.
"Thank God!" murmured Ted, reverently.
"Yes – safe, but stranded," replied Louise. "We've only seen one person since noon yesterday – and he couldn't speak English!"
"Nevertheless, he's the one you owe the rescue to!" replied Roger.
"You saw him?" demanded Linda, incredulously. "But you must have been out hunting for us, first, Roger. Oh, I think you're just wonderful!"
"No – the credit goes to Mr. Mackay," returned Roger, modestly. "And the German fellow, with his apple-cart." And he proceeded to relate in detail everything that had led to their pursuit and discovery.
"Your shoulder is all right, Ted?" inquired Linda, after she heard that he was back at his job.
"Yes, fine, thank you. And I can never thank you enough for what you did for me, Linda! I'll tell you all about it later."
"Oh, that was nothing!" protested the girl lightly. Then, turning anxiously to Roger, "Have you any news of my father?"
"He is alive, but that is all my mother could learn last night from the housekeeper over the telephone. But don't worry – you'll be there yourself in a few hours!"
"How?" she asked, glancing helplessly at her plane. "There's something wrong with my motor. It may take a long time to fix – and – if I go by train – Daddy might – " she stopped; she just couldn't say "die."
"You're flying in my new plane!" Roger informed her. "Which I have just purchased from Mr. Mackay. We'll leave right away, or as soon as he examines yours, so he can tell me what to send out to him here. We'll stop somewhere and phone for help."
"Roger, would you really do that?" cried Linda, in relief. "That would be wonderful!"
"A pleasure!" he said. "Now – tell us what happened to you."
"I really don't know, except that the motor acted awfully queer. But I was lucky enough to make a safe landing."
"It was just dreadful," put in Louise. "I was absolutely certain we were going to be killed. Linda was wonderful."
"She's a fine little pilot," said Ted, admiringly. "Shows she can keep her head in an emergency – and that's one of the most important things for an aviator… Now, let's have a look at the plane."
They all went with him while he examined it.
"I'm afraid I can't fix it without some new parts, and some special tools," he said, making notes as he spoke. "But it's nothing that can't be repaired quickly. If you'll telephone our Denver field, Mr. Stillman, and read this note to the mechanic, they'll send a man out. And as soon as it's fixed, I'll pilot it to you at the ranch, Linda… Be sure to give me the directions… Now, have you girls had anything to eat?"
"Oh, yes, we had supper last night," answered Louise, "left over from our picnic lunch, and we even saved some fruit and some chicken for breakfast."
"Then you people might as well start," urged Ted. "No use wasting time."
"One thing more," added Louise, while Linda busied herself writing the directions for Ted, "we almost forgot! We found a wrecked plane last night – two men dead – and recovered the necklace!"
"What?" demanded Ted, in consternation.
Roger, however, did not know what they were talking about, and no one had time to explain.
"The wreck's over by a stream – about half a mile beyond those bushes," Louise informed Ted. "You can explore it while you're waiting."
"And maybe salvage some of it!" added Ted, hopefully.
Five minutes later the other three took off in the new plane, Louise somehow sitting on Linda's lap. It wasn't very comfortable, but it would not be for far. They would descend at the nearest landing place, Roger getting in touch with Denver, while Louise called Miss Carlton, Mrs. Stillman, and her parents, and then summoned a taxicab, to take her to a railroad station.
The rest of the trip was smooth and uneventful. Once only did they make a stop after Louise left – that time to get some lunch at a hotel in Fort Worth. In another hour they reached the ranch and landed right on Mr. Carlton's field, for Linda knew from former directions just where the best spot would be.
"Come in with me, Roger," she invited, trying to keep her voice steady.
They approached the house, an old-fashioned, rambling affair, and knocked at the screen door. A middle-aged woman, neatly dressed, came through the hall.
"How do you do, Mrs. Cates," said Linda. "I am Mr. Carlton's daughter, and this is Mr. Stillman, who has brought me in his plane."
"Good afternoon," replied the older woman. "Come right in, my dear. I've been expecting you."
Linda had been watching her face, to try to ascertain from her expression whether the news of her father was bad.
"How – how – is Daddy?" she asked, with trembling lips, as she and Roger followed Mrs. Cates into the big room where her father evidently spent most of his indoor hours. A huge fireplace occupied most of one wall, and there were many book-shelves. A table, a few chairs, and an old couch were all the other furnishings, so that the great room looked almost empty and desolate without its master.
"He is still alive – but unconscious," sighed Mrs. Cates, shaking her head mournfully. Her expression was one of resignation; she felt sure that Mr. Carlton could not get better.
"Unconscious!" repeated Linda. "Has he been so, long?"
"Ever since his fall. He was riding a new horse – that he never should have bought – and was thrown down a steep bank. His leg is broken, but worse than that, he suffered severe internal injuries. Dr. Winston is afraid there ain't much hope."
The words were the cruelest Linda had ever heard; she burst out crying, and hid her face on Mrs. Cates' motherly shoulder. Roger Stillman remained standing, embarrassed. He did not know what to do.
He coughed slightly, and Linda looked up, ashamed of herself for breaking down.
"Is there anything at all, Linda, that I can do for you?" he asked. "Or for you, Mrs. Cates?"
"I'm afraid not, thank you, Roger," replied the girl. "But don't you want something to eat before you start back?"
"No, thanks. I ought to be home early this evening, and I'll get supper then. I'm not a bit hungry now." And with a sympathetic handshake, he left her.
"Would you like to go to your room, my dear – or do you want to see your father first?" asked the housekeeper. "I have him here on the ground floor."
"I want to see Daddy!" replied Linda, wiping the tears from her eyes.
The older woman led her across the hall to a room where the door was open, and she caught sight of her father, lying almost lifeless upon the bed. Impulsively Linda rushed in to him. It just didn't seem possible that he wouldn't recognize her, and hold out his arms to receive her!
But he continued to lie death-like upon the bed, his head motionless upon the pillow. His eyes were closed.
"Daddy! Daddy darling!" she cried, in a voice that shook with pain. Dropping to her knees, she knelt beside his bed, and covered his limp hand with kisses.
But there was no response whatever to her greeting!
For some time she stayed there, praying that he would get better. Mrs. Cates had left them alone, but in half an hour she came back.
"Come, my dear, you must get some rest. Take off your clothing, and wash your face and hands and lie down for a while. Then perhaps you will be able to eat some supper."
Obediently Linda did as she was told, for she realized that the housekeeper was only trying to be kind. And, after a short nap, she had to admit that she felt better.
"Any change, Mrs. Cates?" was her first question, when she sat down to supper with the woman and her husband. The rest of the help ate in the kitchen, but Mrs. Cates realized that this was no time for the girl to be alone.
"No. Not a bit."
"Oughtn't there to be a trained nurse?"
"Dr. Winston didn't think so. I'm doing what needs to be done."
"When will the doctor be back?"
"Tonight, after supper."
Somehow Linda felt dissatisfied, as if enough were not being done. Another doctor should have been called in – a surgeon, perhaps. And surely a trained nurse.
She spoke of these things to Dr. Winston when he came over about eight o'clock that evening. But he shook his head.
"I'm afraid nothing can save your father, my child," he said. "There's only one chance in a thousand he might get well, if we operated. And there's only one surgeon in the United States who ever had any success with that sort of operation."
"But if there is one!" cried Linda, eagerly jumping to the tiny hope his words suggested. "We must get that surgeon! Who is he? Where is he?" She was talking rapidly, excitedly, almost incoherently.
"He is a Dr. Lineaweaver. A marvelous man. But I happen to know he is away on his vacation now."
"Where does he go?"
"That I don't know."
"But you know where he lives?"
"Yes. St. Louis."
"Then won't you please call his home and find out where he is, and I'll go for him as soon as I get my plane back."
The doctor shook his head sorrowfully.
"I'm afraid it's too late, my child. I – I – doubt if your father will live through the night. And you couldn't fly at night – even if your plane were here."
"I can – and will! And I think I hear my plane now – yes, I'm sure that's it. Get me the address – quick – and you put in the call while I run out and see my plane! And try to get a trained nurse immediately. I'll be back before dawn – unless the surgeon's in Europe or Canada!"
And, dashing in to give her father one kiss, she hurried out to find faithful Ted Mackay, alighting from her beloved Arrow.
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 him of her plans.
"If I could only go with you!" sighed the young man. "I hate to think of you flying alone at night!"
"But you do believe I'm capable, don't you, Ted?" Linda's eyes searched his for the truth; she was not asking for flattery, she really wanted his opinion.
"Yes indeed I do!" Ted answered, with assurance. "But it's always safer for two pilots to go together. However, the Pursuit is in fine shape now – and filled up with gas… Linda, I have something to tell you."
"Yes?"
"About the wreck – and – those thieves… The other dead man was my father."
"Your father! Ted!" Every bit of color left the girl's face. What a dreadful, ghastly thing to happen to anybody, and especially to a fine boy 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 tightly in silence.
"So you see how much I have to do – why I can't go with you," he continued. "I have reported the wreck to my company, and made arrangements about my father's body. But I must go right home to my mother."
"But how do you explain it all, Ted?" Linda asked.
"I think my father was paying one of his regular visits to the Spring City Flying School – he came there once in so often to get money from me – and he was disappointed to find I had gone. Whether he knew that other 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 and get the necklace… That is why it is really fortunate the man got the necklace by a ruse. You see he was armed with a gun – as I later found out, and if he had had to fight for the jewels, I'm sure he wouldn't have hesitated to fire on you!"
"And I suppose your father's being involved would explain why you were suspected," 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 feel so, Ted?"
"Yes, I do. It – will be so much easier for my mother… But Linda, we mustn'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 change into 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 Ted instantly located on a map that he gave to Linda.
"I won't even start off with you," the young man said, "because that would mean an extra stop for you. Now – are you sure you are all right – and that you can stay awake?"
"Yes, I'm sure," replied the girl, forcing a smile. "Mrs. Cates has just given me a thermos bottle full of coffee, and a sandwich, to help me!"
A moment later she climbed into the cockpit and started the motor. The Pursuit, whose engine purred with the smooth even whir of one in perfect order, gained speed until it rose into the air. It was Linda's first flight at night.
Darkness was all around her, but overhead the stars shone brightly, and the moon came from behind a cloud to light her way. Strange, lonely, mysterious, it seemed to her, as she flew through the night, but nevertheless thrilling. Gradually a sense of peace settled over her, as if a Divine Providence was surely guiding her, and she experienced the firm conviction that everything was right, that she was going to be successful in her mission to save her father's life.
For the first time she realized how much her confidence had to do with Ted Mackay. Because he had repaired and inspected the motor, she felt certain there would be no accident, and a successful flight was a 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 solitary girl flew on, swift and straight to her course, steadfast in her undertaking. About two o'clock she arrived at the little seaport, found a landing place back of the one big hotel, and went inside.
Fortunately a night clerk was on duty, and he rose immediately to greet her. The flyer's costume identified her so that he had no need to ask what a girl of her age was doing alone at this early hour of the morning.
"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's life."
Her voice was steady now; there was no danger of tears. She seemed almost mature as she spoke the words.
"Yes," replied the clerk. "He is staying at Dr. Grayson's bungalow – a couple 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 for several minutes. A fishing trip had tired both doctors, and they were sleeping soundly. At last, however, there came a reply, and Linda took the 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. Eagerly she pleaded with him to dress and come immediately, informing him that she 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 quite experienced. Oh please, please, say yes!"
"I'll be at the hotel in ten minutes," replied the great man. "And meanwhile, you get something to eat."
Linda sank gratefully into a chair, thinking that the hardest part of her task was over – the winning of Dr. Lineaweaver's consent to break into his vacation and go back with her. Now, if her father only lived until they returned, all would surely be well!
Still keeping herself in control, she ate her sandwich and drank her coffee, while she waited for the doctor to come. True to his word, he appeared in exactly ten minutes.
The flight back to the ranch was much pleasanter than the one to the seaport. No longer was Linda alone; it was a comfort to have the great surgeon with her, to know that he would do all in his power to save her father. The darkness gradually faded, giving place to a faint gray, and finally to a beautiful, inspiring sunrise. A dawn that perhaps meant new life to her father!
It did not take Dr. Lineaweaver long to realize that Linda was an accomplished pilot, and he settled back into his seat in full enjoyment of the ride. His surprise at her youth – she was much younger than he had supposed from the telephone conversation – gradually gave way to admiration of her skill and her poise. He had no fear for his own safety; he was confident that she would make the journey without a mishap.
About seven o'clock she brought the Pursuit to a stop on the field that belonged to her father's ranch. Cates was already there to greet them.
"Is my father still alive?" she demanded, with the first indication of any 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 both in 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 nurse smiled at her, and she believed hopefully that all was well.
The inaction, the weary, tense waiting of the next two hours was more difficult for Linda than her flight to Louisiana, alone in the darkness. She had nothing to do. Sleep was out of the question, yet she was terribly tired. But she could not sit still; aimlessly she followed Mrs. Cates around, begging for work. At last the good woman, realizing that the girl could not rest, set her to washing dishes and preparing vegetables for the noon-day meal.
But finally the operation was over, and Linda's heart stood still as she heard Dr. Winston coming out of her father's room. Suppose it had all been in vain! She covered her face with her hands, she dared not trust herself to look into his eyes, that would tell her, before he could utter the words, whether her father had lived.
And then came the glorious news that set her heart to singing as if the whole world had been recreated in joy and happiness:
"Your father is doing nicely, Miss Carlton… Dr. Lineaweaver believes that he will get well."
Now the tears came in floods, tears of thankfulness and gladness, and she hugged Mrs. Cates in her ecstasy.
"It was a wonderful operation," continued Dr. Winston. "Dr. Lineaweaver is 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 ran off like a happy child, unmindful of the terrible strain she had just been through.