seizing her arm
and almost pulling her after him. "Get into boots and breeches. You're
going to wear a chute. If anything should happen you'll be ready for it."

"But, Charlie, I've never used a chute," protested Jane.

"There's always a first time," said Charlie darkly. "Now mind what I
tell you."

Jane hurried into the stewardess quarters where she kept her flying
clothes in a locker. Miss Comstock came in while she was changing.

"What's this I hear about you piloting one of the planes for the movie
people?" she asked.

"I'm going to be a bold, bad bandit," smiled Jane. "They're short a
flyer and can't wait for another man to come up from Denver."

"But don't you think it's rather dangerous? I don't want to lose my
star stewardess."

"Nothing will happen," promised Jane. "I'll be flying Charlie's ship
and I could do that blindfolded."

She pulled her boots on and tied a scarlet scarf around her bobbed
hair. In brown boots, white breeches, a soft white silk shirt open at
the neck and the flaming scarf around her hair, Jane was a striking
picture.

"Look out," cautioned Miss Comstock, "or the film people will be
offering you a contract."

"No chance. You've got to be able to act." Jane dabbed a bit of fresh
powder on her cheeks and hurried out to greet Charlie Fischer. The tall
pilot was wearing one chute pack and he carried another in his arms.

"Just about time to start," he said. "The ships are over on the ramp
warming up."

Jane looked at Charlie's plane. The speedy old biplane had been
repainted and now was shining black. Just beyond it was a smaller and
faster biplane painted to represent an army pursuit craft. It was this
ship that Charlie was to handle.

Director James was waiting between the planes. He eyed Jane approvingly
as she approached for she looked cool and business-like.

"You're to fly as though attacking the No. 1 transport," he told Jane.
"Keep away from the second ship with the camera crew. Make it look
good. We've got a machine gun mounted on your plane and when you dash
in, pull the trigger and send bursts of blanks at the transport."

While he was giving his instructions, the first transport roared into
the air. As soon as the drone of the motors faded, he continued.

"On signal from the camera plane, Charlie will drop down on you. I want
you two to make it look like a good aerial dog-fight. Twist and turn
and do plenty of power diving. When you see a red flag waved from th