rding.)

They looked in at Parson's Library _just_ to order a book Miss Ann
wanted; and, on a little farther, _just_ to match some crewel silks for
a tea-cosy Miss Ann was making.

These commissions duly executed, they were free to make their way to
the Leas parade, whence they would look down upon the beach, and enjoy
a distance view across the Channel. They took the side street which
brought them out upon the esplanade, close to the lift by which people
continuously mounted or descended the steep face of the cliff.

A considerable crowd lined the esplanade railing, looking over eagerly.
Apparently there was some object of particular interest to be seen
below.

Christobel and the Professor advanced to the railing, and also looked
over.

She saw a strange thing floating in the sea, between the promenade pier
and the harbour. It seemed a huge insect, with broken wings. Its body
was a mass of twisted wires. Around this, a little fleet of
rowing-boats had gathered. They looked black, on the blue wind-swept
waters, like water-boatmen on a village pond. They darted in and out
and round about the wreckage of the huge wings and twisted wire, and
seemed waiting for a chance to help.

A man stood next to Christobel and the Professor; a man who talked to
himself.

"Ah, poor chap," he said; "poor chap! So nearly back! So nearly broke
the record! Such a sport!"

"What is that thing in the water?" inquired the Professor.

The man turned and looked at him.

"An aeroplane," he said, slowly, speaking with a sort of stolid
deliberation. "A wrecked aeroplane. Caught in a cross-current, worse
luck! Just accomplished one of the finest flights on record. Started
from up here; skimmed over the Channel to Boulogne; circled round the
cathedral--such a clear day; we could watch the whole flight with
field-glasses--came gaily back without a stop; was making for the cliff
again, when a cross-current caught him; something went wrong with the
steering-gear; and down it goes, with a plunge, head first into the
sea."

"And the--er--occupant?" inquired the Professor.

"The aeronaut? Ah, he didn't fall clear, worse luck, or they could
soon have fished him out. He stuck to his seat and his wheel, and fell
smash in among his wires. They are trying to extricate him now. Bad
luck, poor chap! Such a sport."

"Do you know his name?" asked the Professor, peering down at the
waiting crowd which lined the beach.

"Guy Chels