_The Air Pirate_

Some Ranger Gull Books

_HIS GRACE'S GRACE_ _BACK TO LILAC LAND_ _THE CIGARETTE SMOKER_ _PORTALONE_ _THE SERF_ } _Historical_ _THE HOUSE OF TORMENT_ } _Novels_ _WHEN SATAN RULED_ } _THE HARVEST OF LOVE_ _A STORY OF THE STAGE_ _THE PRICE OF PITY_

_THE AIR PIRATE_

_By Ranger Gull, Author of "The Serf," "Back to Lilac Land," "The Snare of the Fowler," etc._

_LONDON: HURST AND BLACKETT, LTD. PATERNOSTER HOUSE, E.C._

Dedication

TO PERCY BURTON, Esq.

In memory of a certain celebrated walk from Great Holland to Frinton-on-Sea, and the salmon we met at the end of it. With all good wishes from the Author.

CONTENTS

CHAP. PAGE I.--THE COMMISSIONER OF AIR POLICE FOR GREAT BRITAIN RIDES TO PLYMOUTH IN GOOD COMPANY 9

II.--FATE OF THE TRANSATLANTIC AIR-LINER "ALBATROS" 24

III.--"COLD-BLOODED PIRACY IN THE HIGH AIR" 39

IV.--THE NEWSPAPERS IN FULL CRY 55

V.--THE FAMILIAR SPIRIT OF MR. VAN ADAMS 67

VI.--MR. DANJURO, THINKING MACHINE, EXPLAINS HIMSELF 83

VII.--THE CURIOUS FIGHT IN THE RESTAURANT 99

VIII.--THE HUNTING INSTINCT IS STIMULATED BY A PROCESSION 111

IX.--THE MAN WITH THE WICKED FACE 128

X.--SIR JOHN CUSTANCE COMES UPON THE HOUSE OF HELZEPHRON 138

XI.--"THE AIR WOLVES ARE HUNTING TO-NIGHT!" 150

XII.--THE KILLING OF MICHAEL FEDDON 165

XIII.--THE SECRET THAT PUZZLED TWO CONTINENTS 176

XIV.--THE AIR PIRATE AT LAST 187

XV.--LED OUT TO DIE 203

XVI.--THE HOUNDS FROM THIBET AND MR. VARGUS; WITH A DISCOVERY ON BOARD THE PIRATE 216

XVII.--THE MOMENT OF TRIUMPH 236

XVIII.--THE GOLDEN DREAM 253

XIX.--LAST FLIGHT OF THE PIRATE AIRSHIP 266

EPILOGUE 277

THE AIR PIRATE