"Lowell Howard Morrow - Islands in the Air" - читать интересную книгу автора (Morrow Lowell Howard)

into my ears for many days I naturally absorbed some of the faith of its inventor, but as the work
progressed I began to have misgivings and to fear that, after all, his mind was unbalanced.

Of course the public was not admitted to the grounds. I began to suspect that many doubted the iron
machinery story, for several reporters and photographers finally came to visit us and were turned away
with a sharp rebuke.

One of our first tasks consisted of clearing a landing field, after which Greta always brought the Professor
and me over in her plane--a remarkable machine in its way. Although she did not understand these air
islands any more than I, she criticized the Professor for evolving them and was sceptical of their success.

We heard and saw little of Van Beck, but Greta saw him often--as I afterward learned. Then one day
she swooped down suddenly out of the sky, climbed from the cabin of the plane and was followed by
Van Beck.
Professor Stiener glared, but Van Beck grinned amiably through his black, bushy beard.

"Sir, you must know that you are not wanted here," fumed the Professor. He turned savagely to Greta.
"What is the meaning of this, Greta?"

"Why Professor Van Beck is an old friend," she said innocently. "I just landed here without thinking. I
beg your pardon, Gustave. We will be going."

Greta made for the plane. Just then McCann ran up with a blue print and asked the Professor a question.

"Certainly, certainly," chimed in Van Beck. "We do not wish to trespass."

The professor had been poring over a large blue print spread open in the sun when he rose to rebuke his
Dutch friend. Now he walked away with McCann and I followed. We were absent but a few minutes,
and when we turned back instead of seeing Van Beck getting into the plane I observed him turning away
from the blue print and I thought I saw him hastily thrust a black object into the capacious pocket of his
long black duster. There were no workmen near at the time and as I had no witnesses and could not be
sure I resolved to say nothing about it. Smiling graciously Van Beck ambled to the plane, took his seat by
Greta's side and they were off with a wave of the hand.

The Professor was furious over the unexpected visit.

"What is Greta thinking about?" he stormed. "Has she no respect for her brother and his work? Please
God he didn't learn anything--but maybe he did," he added fearfully. "He has a devilish way of learning
things. What do you think?"

I assured him I did not think it likely any of our secrets had leaked out in so short a space of time. And I
was in no amiable mood. Van Beck seemed to be exercising an hypnotic influence over Greta and I
resented it bitterly. However, shortly afterward I had reason to be thankful for the episode and the
resultant lecture which the Professor gave Greta. She was seen less often in Van Beck's company and
devoted herself closer to me and the work of her eccentric brother. Nor did we see any more of Van
Beck nosing around. He was seen but little about town and seemed to keep pretty close to the class
room. Near mid--summer we heard he had obtained a vacation and had gone abroad for a time.

The Professor breathed a sigh of relief. "We are rid of him for a time," he said gratefully. "Before he
returns the danger will be past."