_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._ [Illustration: Decoration] _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 CHAPTER I THE COMMISSIONER OF AIR POLICE FOR GREAT BRITAIN RIDES TO PLYMOUTH IN GOOD COMPANY Nearly two years ago a leading London daily newspaper said: "The Government have assured us that all danger from present and future air piracies is now over, and that the recent events which so startled and horrified both this country and the United States of America can never recur. For our own part we accept that assurance, and we do not think that the Commissioner of Air Police for the British Government will be caught napping again.