human
Greetings from Sultan Selim, Air King of the Hamadian Desert. I regret to inform you that of late there has been a serious increase of aerial crime in these regions. The frequent passing of large airships containing mails and other commodities, without due payment of tribute to my customs officials, is a serious infringement of the laws of my dominion. This action not only imperils the liberties of small communities, but is also a crafty form of aerial brigandage, inasmuch as it defrauds my exchequer of its just and equitable revenue. This practice must cease forthwith, and I have taken steps to-day which, in my opinion, will render it unwise for this shameful trespass to continue. The bearer of this letter will give you further details of the action which I have been compelled to take on behalf of my subjects. Your five missing scouts will be found between the wells of Nefud and the Hedjaz coast. I have destroyed their machines as a salutary warning to future violaters of these my dominions.
gpt
What do you think of it?
human
It’s a topping letter, sir, but I think he’s trying hard to be funny, this von Spitzer, as you call him. A German with a sense of humour, sir, that’s the best way to regard him,
gpt
Humour indeed! rasped out the colonel, becoming ruffled.
human
It’s confounded impudence, and worse, when you remember that, apart from the damage to the airship, which is considerable, there is a net loss of specie and other valuables--to wit, the Maharajah’s jewels--which is estimated at a quarter of a million sterling. I only hope and pray that we may encounter and waylay this bandit before he does any more damage. The deuce only knows what he’ll do next, or where he’ll go.
gpt
Ireland is to be the scene of his next adventure, sir,
human
Ireland?
gpt
Yes, sir.
human
Are you sure?
gpt
I heard the professor say so. They are to work hand in hand with the revolutionists there, and stir up strife which will make that unhappy land a still greater thorn in the side of Great Britain.
human
Just what I feared! exclaimed the now irate commissioner.
gpt
That explains partly those mysterious messages and rumours floating about Dingle Bay, and unfortunately I have had to withdraw nearly all the aerial police from that quarter to send them out east.
human
You might as well recall them, sir.
gpt
Why?
human
The raider has left the Hamadian Desert by this time, and is in hiding somewhere, but will call here on his way to Ireland.
gpt
H’m! We’re being thoroughly fooled, and if you hadn’t found this demon’s nest I should have gone mad. At any rate I should have been compelled to resign my post.
human
Still, public opinion had to be satisfied, and you sent the patrols where the public demanded that they should be sent. Besides, if you recall them now, this raider will probably pick up your messages and change his tactics. I can tell you this, Colonel, that while he can get his necessary supplies of uranis, and a few extra spares from the workshop here, this von Spitzer intends to carry out his mad policy of destroying the civilized world by piecemeal. It is all part of a great plan to save Germany from the evil consequences of the Peace terms. But, whilst we hold this citadel, and retain these two men captive, his activities are limited to his present supply of this secret element--uranis.