Aerial eavesdropping! Turber was aware of our plans! Nanette's voice added: "Turber is off somewhere, but Jonas thinks he can locate him. I wanted you to know it. I think Turber may take us in the aero and go." I exclaimed: "Yes, Nanette! Go!" Alan tried to speak, but I silenced him. This at least was mine! These few last minutes--Nanette's and mine! "Go, Nanette!" "Jonas wants us to go now, to escape without Turber! But he does not know how to operate the aero. The Indian does--Bluntnose the Indian--but he won't go now--he wants to wait for Turber. Edward, I must talk quickly--I heard what you and Alan were saying. About me--death--but I know that, of course. "Tell Lea I said good-by. I can hear Jonas coming back now! You must have your men stop talking there--or whisper very carefully! And--can Alan hear me? Good-by, Alan, dear." He gulped: "Oh, Nanette, little sister--" "And--good-by. Edward--" I stammered: "Good-by." I choked over it. "Good-by--Edward, I--always loved you--very much--ah, so much! And I want you to know it." I thought: "Dear God!" I stammered: "Nanette, darling--I've always loved you--" "He's here! Don't speak!" I gasped hurriedly: "Get away in the aero, Nanette!" "Edward! No more! Good-by, dear." We waited, but there was only silence. CHAPTER XXII SIXTY MINUTES "Alan, will you be all right? Can you do it?" "Yes, I must." He set his jaw grimly. "I must." I touched his hand, where it rested on the projector; his fingers were cold, but steady. This forward gondola-cabin, hanging almost under the nose of the swift, small ship, was silent, with only a low thrum audible from the rear motors. From where we sat, with Lea beside us at the projector, the wide transparent windows gave us an unobstructed view forward and down. We were rising now from the Hudson air-stage--a brief flight, and we would be over the city roof. Sixty minutes! The world-power was off now; in sixty minutes it would flash on again and our weapon would be useless. Sixty minutes! A very little time! Yet, it can be an eternity. The officials at the Hudson shops had said to Alan and me: "You know this girl--and she knows the weapon--its operation. The Council ordered that one of you operate it, with the girl beside you." I looked at Alan. My heart was pounding. I wanted Alan to speak, and he did not. It seemed that he never would. Then he said: "I'm older--I'll do it, if--if they think I should."