"I missed." "well, we haven't missed many, have we, WiIIi?" "julio, hand me the binoculars." "What is it, Race?" "I'm not sure, Dr. Quest." "Looks like another leak in the oil line." "I should have checked that relief valve in San Martin." "That's bad." "There's no place to put down in these mountains." "We'd better find a place." "Pressure's dropping." "Hey, Bandit sees something." "Look, it's a landing strip!" "You're right, Jonny." "On top of that plateau." "A landing strip in the heart of the Andes?" "It's like a miracle." "It'II be a miracle if I can land this thing on that short runway." "Looks like we're about to have company, julio." "Unexpected." "And uninvited." "Landing at this altitude would be tough, even with perfect engines." "Poor Bandit." "I think he would Iike to be safe on the ground." "And so would I." "Me too." "hold on, we're coming in." "If I can just keep her nose up." "well done." "excellent flying." "excellent!" "You handled that beautifully, Race." "Thanks, doctor." "I thought we weren't going to make it." "I was so scared, I forgot I was airsick." "So did Bandit." "Say, that's quite a building for the middle of nowhere." "Take a look at those old planes." "One looks like a Fokker D-7 and the other, a Spad." "Or maybe an old Nieuport." "That's right, Jonny." "Hey, this place is gonna be fun." "Let us go and greet our visitors, WiIIi." "Keep the rifle handy, julio." "I am Baron Heinrich Von FroeIich." "welcome to Marienburg." "Marienburg, my humble castle in the Andes." "Named after my family's castle on the Rhine." "Thank you, sir." "I'm Dr. Quest." "Benton Quest." "I gather you have motor trouble?" "Yes." "An oil leak, I'm afraid." "trouble with the relief valve." "My hangar workshop is fully equipped." "You are welcome to use it." "please accept the hospitality of Marienburg, such as it is." "We have few guests." "It takes Bandit a while to get used to strangers." "Bandit and I have something in common." "You're a nice fellow." "What's your name?" "My dachshund?" "WiIIi." "His father was the great German champion, WiIheIm of Hanover." "I wouldn't expect two planes like that here." "Mementos of the past." "I fly them very little anymore." "You've kept them in fine shape, baron." "How else would a man treat his memories, Dr. Quest?" "Very interesting, Dr. Quest." "I heard the government was installing a new type air filter in the silver mines." "I didn't think I would have the honor of a visit from the inventor himself." "You know, you were lucky to sight my landing strip." "There isn't another between here and La Paz." "We were lucky to get our ship down on that runway considering the altitude and winds." "You are far too modest, Mr. Bannon." "I haven't seen flying like that since my old squadron was disbanded." "Your old squadron?" "You mean those planes?" "Bandit has discovered that big bird up there." "I think he is afraid of it." "He should be." "The mountain ledges above this castle are one of the Iast homes of the giant condor." "Aren't they sort of a giant vulture?" "That's right." "Sometimes they drop in unexpectedly to pick up one of my sheep." "Your sheep?" "Of course, they usually feed on carrion dead bodies, but sometimes they will go for small live animals." "I never let WiIIi out of my sight." "They are the kings of the Andean skies." "Strong, fearless and free." "I envy them." "And now, if you will excuse me, gentlemen." "I retire early." "julio will show you your rooms." "Poor julio." "A fine and faithful servant, but unable to speak." "Born mute." "Come, WiIIi." "Good night, gentlemen." "And bless Dad." "And Race." "And that landing strip." "Amen." "Aren't you forgetting someone, boys?" "Baron FroeIich." "Oh, and that spooky old Baron FroeIich, I guess." "Amen again." "I have a strange feeling about this place, Jonny." "Scary, isn't it?" "What's that?" "Maybe one of those hungry condors." "It sounded more like Bubo the owl." "Poor Bandit." "He is really scared." "He's scared?" "Look at me." "And I thought this place was gonna be fun." "Now, Iet me see." "The baron." "Where have I heard of him before?" "What do you think?" "About FroeIich?" "I think he's a weirdo." "Between his memories, his condors and his old squadron..." "...he's got it bad." "Of course." ""The Condor Squadron."" "I knew the name Baron Von FroeIich sounded familiar." "Back in 1 91 8, he was his country's top ace with 84 kills to his credit." "They say when the war ended, he flew into a rage." "He wanted to raise his score to 1 00." "He's never gotten over his disappointment." "The sooner we get out of here, the better." "Think we can?" "I hope so." "I probably should be down at the hangar right now working on that relief valve." "well, that's that, WiIIi." "No one will leave here until I have played my little game." "Bandit." "What are you doing out here?" "You could've been grabbed by one of those old condors, Iike the baron said." "Hey, that sounded like a gun." "Boy, even in the daytime this is a scary old place." "An aim like that must be a little rough on your feathered friends." "only the cardboard ones, Dr. Quest." "It is not this easy when the target is alive and moving." "I am lucky to get an occasional tall feather." "That shouldn't be too hard to do." "Mr. Bannon, would you care to try your luck?" "Thanks, baron." "How about that loose tail feather?" "Good shot, Mr. Bannon!" "You would make a worthy opponent." "Baron, I just came from the hangar." "Someone seems to have tinkered with our plane." "really?" "julio, probably." "always trying to help." "I will have a talk with him." "well, talk won't replace that relief valve." "I'II have to get to La Paz for a new one." "would you care to borrow my Spad, Mr. Bannon?" "Is there no other way off this plateau?" "None." "The only trail has been wiped out by a landslide." "well, in that case, I accept your offer." "excellent." "You will find the necessary equipment in my study." "Thanks." "I'II get my gear." "In this old flying outfit, I Iook like a late, late movie." "With all these relics, it looks like the baron came out of one." "I wonder what's on his mind." "He might have given us a hint when he said I'd make a worthy opponent." "please, gentlemen." "I must warn you." "julio." "I thought" "Oh, I can talk, gentlemen when there is something that has to be said." "What's wrong, julio?" "Mr. Bannon is dealing with the devil himself." "If he flies that plane, take care." "well, what was that all about?" "I don't know." "The old fellow's upset about something." "A little exercise will help you dry off." "Here, boy, fetch the stick." "Go on, fetch, boy." "Fetch the stick." "Speak to me, julio." "What did you tell them?" "What did you tell them?" "I know you can talk, I heard you!" "What have you done with WiIIi?" "What have you done with WiIIi?" "AII right, so you won't answer me." "As soon as my game with Mr. Bannon is finished I will be back to take care of you, once and for all." "Come on." "The old baron just left." "We'II untie you, julio." "Don't worry about me." "Open that cupboard." "Just open that cupboard." "WiIIi's in it." "There go Dad and Race, with the baron." "The baron intends to kill Mr. Bannon, once he's in the air." "kill Race?" "How?" "In one last dogfight." "Mr. Bannon will fly the Spad, the baron, the D-7." "But he may not succeed without WiIIi, his good-Iuck charm." "That is why I hid him in the cupboard." "Come on." "We'd better try to stop them." "There you are, Mr. Bannon." "The Spad is warmed up and ready to go." "My other plane too." "Your other plane?" "It is a difficult flight out of here to La Paz." "I thought I would lead the way." "I know the mountain passes." "Thanks, baron, but that isn't necessary." "But I insist, Mr. Bannon." "I insist." "Come on, julio." "Step on it!" "So long, Race, and good luck." "Thanks, Benton." "Oh, Dr. Quest if you watch from the edge of the plateau you may have an interesting view of our flight." "Thanks, and good luck to you!" "Yes." "I may need a little of that today without WiIIi." "Hurry, julio." "Hurry!" "Dad." "Dad!" "The baron's going to shoot Race down in an aerial dogfight." "An aerial dogfight?" "So that's it." "But with Race, the baron may have his hands full." "possibly." "Except the baron's guns are loaded." "Mr. Bannon's are not." "Hey, what is this?" "You crazy or--?" "AII right, baron, you're asking for it." "I'II check my guns." "Empty." "Dad, what can we do?" "Pray, Jonny." "Just pray." "Switch tanks." "Where's that selector switch?" "careful, Race." "careful." "Come on, Race." "well, here we go again." "Don't look now, you're being followed." "Thanks again for all the help, julio." "Sure you won't change your mind and come with us?" "Thank you, no, Dr. Quest." "This is our home." "Mine and WiIIi's." "We wouldn't be happy anywhere else." "Adios, Dr. Quest." "Adios, julio." "An amazing story, Race." "Your being saved by a giant condor." "Look." "There's one now!" "It's sure good that condor was on our side." "Yes, it is." "Thanks for all the help!" "Amen."