"There is no pilot aboard the _Scorpion_, or any other machine for that matter, who can hold a candle to Keane, but--it is the amazing speed and climbing powers of the other machine that I fear. Still, it will be some fight, and if we fail to trap the brigand down here, well, it is just possible, despite his disadvantages, that Keane may bring the rascal down. He’ll have to keep well out of sight, though, and run at less than half-throttle behind that cloud bank till the moment comes to strike. And now to stations, all of you, and keep well out of sight. Professor Verne, I am afraid you will have to take charge of the two prisoners. Don’t let them get away for heaven’s sake. You must shoot them first." "I’ll take care of them, Colonel," replied the eminent man, "though it is a somewhat unusual occupation for me." "Needs must when the devil drives, Professor! I told you it would be some desperate adventure. Have you had any luck with that evil genius, yet?" "Not the slightest, so far. He is prejudiced against the English mind, and is secretly rejoicing over the expected arrival of the _Scorpion_." "Tell him from me, Professor, that if he attempts to escape, I shall shoot both him and his accomplice without the slightest compunction," said the colonel, as he turned away to re-examine all his defensive posts, and to alter the position of one of the machine guns, which had been entrusted to Captain Sharpe. Fifteen minutes passed away, and the Bristol, hidden away behind the cloud bank, kept its engine well-throttled down, lest the roar of the powerful motor should reveal its presence, when, suddenly, from one of the watchers, the cry arose:-- "Aeroplane approaching from the south-east." "Is it the _Scorpion_, Captain Watson?" the colonel asked, as soon as the machine had been located. "Yes, it is the same brigand, sir." Then, with amazement bordering on the supernatural, the little garrison saw the _Scorpion_ moving across the sky at a miraculous speed, and making directly for the secret aerodrome. Once or twice it circled around at three thousand feet, then dived a clean two thousand five hundred upon its objective, silently, like a mysterious phantom bird. At five hundred feet it flattened out, rode gaily above the tree tops, then swooping like a falcon, once more touched the ground lightly, and came to rest within thirty yards of the secret hangar. "Haende in die hohe!" cried Colonel Tempest, stepping out into the open, and confronting the visitors with a couple of revolvers, as they prepared to leap from the armoured conning-tower. "Ach Himmel! We are betrayed!" cried Spitzer. "The _verdammt_ English have captured the aerodrome." Without thought of surrender the brigands tumbled swiftly back into the armoured cell, just as a shower of bullets from both revolvers swept the upper surface of the cockpit.