The Phantom Airman

THE SECRET OF THE SCHWARZWALDRittmeister Heinrich von Spitzer late flight-commander in the German Air Service was one of the Prussian irreconcilables who rather than submit to the peace terms enforced by the Allies after the defeat of Germany resolved to become an aerial brigand an outlaw of the nations and to wage a bitter warfare of violence and plunder against his late enemies.His proud spirit refused to bend before the conquerors for the iron shaft of defeat had embittered his soul particularly against Britain whom he had ever regarded as the evil genius of the Entente.One day when his plans were well matured he unburdened his spirit to a couple of his friends kindred souls men after his own heart both of them apt pupils of the great Richthofen who was still referred to by his disciples as the red airman. They had been engaged that day in dismantling an aerodrome on the edge of the Schwarzwald; to them at least a hateful job.Comrades he said this peace has ruined us. Germania delenda est but I will not sit still amid the ruins of the Fatherland. Glorious we have lived like kings of the air; let us not inglorious die.I am with you Rittmeister. I will follow you to the gulfs exclaimed one of his companions named Carl who had been a famous scout pilot in the Richthofen circus and the lightning flashed from the young airman's eyes as he spoke.But what can we do against the empires of the world? asked a Gotha pilot who had raided the English towns a score of times.For answer the chief turned a withering look upon the last speaker and said:-Max you have faced death a hundred times in the air and over the British lines. You have thirty enemy machines to your credit and yet you ask me what can we do?What of it Rittmeister? Tell us what is in your mind.Listen then both of you and I will tell you what still remains for brave men to do. All is not lost while courage and hope remain and whilst he spoke the German chief drew his two friends away from the half-dismantled aerodrome on the southern edge of the Schwarzwald to a narrow path that led amongst the trees.When the aerodrome was hid from view he began to speak once more huskily at first as though restraining some pent up excitement.I am in possession of a secret he said which I may not tell even to you unless you first swear to follow me on some great adventure.They both looked at him not a little amazed and bewildered and neither spoke for a moment.I have chosen you continued Spitzer because I know you to be men of daring and resource. You are both dissatisfied with the condition of things in the Fatherland. Ach Himmel! This occupation of the sacred German soil by the Britisher the Frenchman and the American is breaking my heart. I will endure it no longer but I will strike a blow at the enemy before I die.As he spoke thus he almost hissed out the words which he uttered for his voice had now lost its strange huskiness while his eyes gleamed like the fierce glittering orbs of the tiger about to make its spring from the hidden jungle. Nor was his present madness without its visible effect upon his two companions for he had strange powers of magnetic influence this Prussian Junker.CONTENTSThe Secret of the SchwarzwaldThe Wonder 'PlaneTempest of the Aerial PoliceA Midnight ConsultationThe Aerial LinerAn Up-to-Date Cabin BoyA Duel with WordsSons of the DesertThe Phantom BirdThe Brigand of the Eastern SkiesThe Air-King's TributeThe Maharajah's ChoiceThe Missing AirshipBetrayed by the CameraDiamond cut DiamondThe Ghostly VisitantThe WatchersLive WiresThe Devil's WorkshopHands Up!The Coming FightAn Aerial Duel