Printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay & Sons, Limited, Bungay, Suffolk. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. Mr. Greatorex is Astonished 9 II. Herr Schwab 20 III. Tom makes Experiments 34 IV. A Prisoner in Zemmur 51 V. Off the Barbary Coast 63 VI. Salathiel ben Ezra 81 VII. The Hills of Zemmur 98 VIII. The Swordsmith of Ain Afroo 116 IX. A Bolt from the Blue 133 X. The Kasbah 148 XI. Prison Breakers 167 XII. A Hitch 182 XIII. Diplomacy 196 XIV. The Troglodytes 218 XV. View Halloo! 233 XVI. Icarus 248 XVII. Compliments and Thanks 262 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS “He clutched at the grapnel, let go his hold of the mast, and swung clear” 79 “His sword flew from his grasp, and he reeled dizzily to the ground.” 130 “Tom, seizing a big stone, threw it with all his force into the black room beneath” 187 “Abdul bent over the brink and smartly rapped his knuckles with the butt of Tom’s revolver” 222 KING OF THE AIR CHAPTER I—MR. GREATOREX IS ASTONISHED Mr. John Greatorex was very wealthy, and very obstinate. He had made a large fortune as a manufacturer of chemicals, but disclaimed any knowledge of chemistry. He had dabbled a little in mechanics, and was convinced that he possessed an accurate practical knowledge of its applications. Consequently, when his new motor-car arrived, he saw no necessity to take a chauffeur with him on its trial spin. He was like a child with a new toy, jealous of participation. “My dear,” said Mrs. Greatorex, as she handed him his motor goggles, “are you sure you will not take Timothy? What if it breaks down?” “My _love_,” said Mr. Greatorex in his emphatic way, “I do not _want_ Timothy. It will not break down. If it _does_, I flatter myself I am _competent_ to make any _necessary_ repairs. I shall be back at seven-thirty—in good time for dinner; and I _hope and trust_ the soup will _not_ be cold.” He gave a preliminary _honk! honk!_ looking round with a smile that plainly said, “There! you see that _everything_ is in order!” Then he steered the car accurately down the drive to the road.