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diff --git a/25858-h/25858-h.htm b/25858-h/25858-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c263576 --- /dev/null +++ b/25858-h/25858-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8117 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Radio Boys Trailing a Voice, by Allen Chapman</title> +<style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 0.5em;} + body {margin-left: 11%; margin-right: 10%;} + a {text-decoration: none;} + h3 {text-align:center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2em} + h3.pg {text-align:center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 110%; } + hr.full {width: 100%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;} + .figcenter {margin: 2em auto 2em auto; text-align: center;} + div.ce p {text-align: center; margin: auto 0;} + div.la p {text-align: left; margin: auto 0;} + .caption {font-size: 90%; text-align:center;} + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} + .pagenum {display: inline; font-size: x-small; text-align: right; position: absolute; right: 2%; padding: 1px 3px; font-style: normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration: none; color: silver; background-color: inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + div.ra p {text-align: right; margin: auto 0;} + hr.major {width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;} + hr.minor {width: 35%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;} + hr.silver {width: 100%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver;} + h2 {text-align:center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.4em} + + h1 { text-align: center; } + hr.pg { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 85%;} +// --> +/* XML end ]]>*/ +</style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Radio Boys Trailing a Voice, by Allen +Chapman</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Radio Boys Trailing a Voice</p> +<p> or, Solving a Wireless Mystery</p> +<p>Author: Allen Chapman</p> +<p>Release Date: June 20, 2008 [eBook #25858]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RADIO BOYS TRAILING A VOICE***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 class="pg">E-text prepared by Roger Frank<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="pg" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>THE RADIO BOYS TRAILING</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>A VOICE</p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus-fpc.jpg' alt='' title='' /><br /> +<p class='caption' style='text-align:center;'> +THE MAN WAS EVIDENTLY RECEIVING A MESSAGE.<br /> +<i>The Radio Boys Trailing a Voice. Page</i> 153 +<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-top:1em;'><i>THE RADIO BOYS SERIES</i></p> +</div> + +<hr class='minor' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom:3em;'>(Trademark Registered)</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.6em;'>THE RADIO BOYS</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.6em; margin-bottom:.5em;'>TRAILING A VOICE</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8; margin-bottom:1em;'>OR</p> +<p style=' font-size:1em; margin-bottom:2em;'>SOLVING A WIRELESS MYSTERY</p> +<p style=' font-size:1em;'>BY</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom:2em;'>ALLEN CHAPMAN</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>AUTHOR OF</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>THE RADIO BOYS’ FIRST WIRELESS</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>THE RADIO BOYS AT MOUNTAIN PASS</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom:3em;'>RALPH ON THE ARMY TRAIN, ETC.</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>WITH FOREWORD BY</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom:2em;'>JACK BINNS</p> +<p style=' font-size:1em;'><i>ILLUSTRATED</i></p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>NEW YORK</p> +<p style=' font-size:1em;'>GROSSET & DUNLAP</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom:0.5em;'>PUBLISHERS</p> +</div> + +<hr class='minor' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>Made in the United States of America</p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<table summary='books for boys' style='margin:auto; border: 1px solid black; padding-left:1em; padding-right:1em;'> +<tr><td colspan='2' style='text-align:center; font-size:1em;'>BOOKS FOR BOYS</td></tr> +<tr><td colspan='2' style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-variant:small-caps;'>By Allen Chapman</td></tr> +<tr><td colspan='2' style='text-align:center'><hr style='border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; width:30%' /></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan='2' style='text-align:center'>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.</td></tr> +<tr><td colspan='2' style='text-align:center'><hr style='border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; width:30%' /></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan='2' style='text-align:center; font-weight:bold;'>THE RADIO BOYS SERIES</td></tr> +<tr><td colspan='2' style='text-align:center; font-size:0.8em;'>(Trademark Registered)</td></tr> +<tr><td>THE RADIO BOYS’ FIRST WIRELESS<br /> + Or Winning the Ferberton Prize</td></tr> +<tr><td>THE RADIO BOYS AT OCEAN POINT<br /> + Or The Message that Saved the Ship</td></tr> +<tr><td>THE RADIO BOYS AT THE SENDING STATION<br /> + Or Making Good in the Wireless Room</td></tr> +<tr><td>THE RADIO BOYS AT MOUNTAIN PASS<br /> + Or The Midnight Call for Assistance</td></tr> +<tr><td>THE RADIO BOYS TRAILING A VOICE<br /> + Or Solving a Wireless Mystery</td></tr> +<tr><td colspan='2' style='text-align:center'><hr style='border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; width:30%' /></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan='2' style='text-align:center'><b>THE RAILROAD SERIES</b></td></tr> +<tr><td>RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE<br /> + Or Bound to Become a Railroad Man</td></tr> +<tr><td>RALPH IN THE SWITCH TOWER<br /> + Or Clearing the Track</td></tr> +<tr><td>RALPH ON THE ENGINE<br /> + Or The Young Fireman of the Limited Mail</td></tr> +<tr><td>RALPH ON THE OVERLAND EXPRESS<br /> + Or The Trials and Triumphs of a Young Engineer</td></tr> +<tr><td>RALPH THE TRAIN DESPATCHER<br /> + Or The Mystery of the Pay Car</td></tr> +<tr><td>RALPH ON THE ARMY TRAIN<br /> + Or The Young Railroader’s Most Daring Exploit</td></tr> +<tr><td colspan='2' style='text-align:center'><hr style='border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; width:30%' /></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan='2' style='text-align:center'>GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, New York</td></tr> +</table> + +<p style='font-size:0.8em;text-align:center'>COPYRIGHT, 1922, BY<br /> +GROSSET & DUNLAP</p> +<hr style='border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; width:30%' /> +<p style='font-size:0.8em;text-align:center'>The Radio Boys Trailing a Voice</p> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>FOREWORD</p> +<div style='margin-top:1em'></div> +<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>BY JACK BINNS</span></p> +</div> + +<p>Within a comparatively short time after this +volume is published the human voice will be +thrown across the Atlantic Ocean under conditions +that will lead immediately to the establishment +of permanent telephone communication with +Europe by means of radio. +</p> +<p>Under the circumstances therefore the various +uses of radio which are so aptly outlined in it +will give the reader an idea of the tremendous +strides that have been made in the art of communicating +without wires during the past few +months. +</p> +<p>Of these one of the most important, which by +the way is dealt with to a large extent in the +present volume, is that of running down crooks. +It must not be forgotten that criminals, and those +criminally intent are not slow to utilize the latest +developments of the genius of man, and radio +is useful to them also. However, the forces of +law and order inevitably prevail, and radio therefore +is going to be increasingly useful in our +general police work. +</p> +<p>Another important use, as outlined in this +volume, is in the detection of forest fires, and in +fact generally protecting forest areas in conjunction +with aircraft. With these two means hundreds +of thousands of acres can now be patrolled +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_215' name='page_215'></a>215</span> +in a single day more efficiently than a few acres +were previously covered. +</p> +<p>Radio is an ideal boy’s hobby, but it is not +limited to youth. Nevertheless it offers a wonderful +scope for the unquenchable enthusiasm +that always accompanies the application of youthful +endeavor, and it is a fact that the majority +of the wonderful inventions and improvements +that have been made in radio have been produced +by young men. +</p> +<p>Since this book was written there has been +produced in this country the most powerful +vacuum tube in the world. In size it is small, +but in output it is capable of producing 100 kilowatts +of electrical power. Three such tubes will +cast the human voice across the Atlantic Ocean +under any conditions, and transmit across the +same vast space the world’s grandest music. +Ten of these tubes joined in parallel at any +of the giant transmitting wireless telegraph stations +would send telegraph code messages practically +around the world. +</p> +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus-sig.png' alt='' title='' /><br /> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>CONTENTS</p> +</div> + +<table border='0' width='400' cellpadding='2' cellspacing='0' summary='Contents' style='margin:1em auto;'> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>I. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Splintering Glass</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#I_SPLINTERING_GLASS'>9</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>II. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>In a Dilemma</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#II_IN_A_DILEMMA'>20</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>III. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Stuttering Voice</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#III_THE_STUTTERING_VOICE'>31</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>IV. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Puzzling Mystery</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IV_A_PUZZLING_MYSTERY'>43</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>V. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Marvels of Wireless</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#V_MARVELS_OF_WIRELESS'>51</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>VI. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Forest Ranger</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VI_THE_FOREST_RANGER'>61</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>VII. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Radio and the Fire Fiend</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VII_RADIO_AND_THE_FIRE_FIEND'>70</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>VIII. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Near Disaster</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VIII_NEAR_DISASTER'>77</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>IX. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Happy Inspiration</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IX_A_HAPPY_INSPIRATION'>83</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>X. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Escaped Convict</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#X_THE_ESCAPED_CONVICT'>91</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XI. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Down the Trap Door</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XI_DOWN_THE_TRAP_DOOR'>99</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XII. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Groping in Darkness</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XII_GROPING_IN_DARKNESS'>106</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XIII. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Cunning Scoundrels</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIII_CUNNING_SCOUNDRELS'>112</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XIV. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Daring Holdup</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIV_A_DARING_HOLDUP'>119</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XV. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Off to the Woods</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XV_OFF_TO_THE_WOODS'>127</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XVI. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Put to the Test</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVI_PUT_TO_THE_TEST'>136</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XVII. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Bully Gets a Ducking</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVII_THE_BULLY_GETS_A_DUCKING'>143</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XVIII. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Startling Discovery</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVIII_A_STARTLING_DISCOVERY'>151</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XIX. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Robbers’ Code</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIX_THE_ROBBERS__CODE'>160</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XX. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>On the Trail</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XX_ON_THE_TRAIL'>168</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XXI. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Glimpse Through the Window</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXI_THE_GLIMPSE_THROUGH_THE_WINDOW'>177</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XXII. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Nefarious Plot</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXII_A_NEFARIOUS_PLOT'>185</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XXIII. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Preparing an Ambush</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXIII_PREPARING_AN_AMBUSH'>193</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XXIV. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Lying in Wait</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXIV_LYING_IN_WAIT'>202</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XXV. </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>An Exciting Struggle</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXV_AN_EXCITING_STRUGGLE'>208</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_9' name='page_9'></a>9</span></div> +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>THE RADIO BOYS TRAILING</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>A VOICE</p> +</div> + +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='I_SPLINTERING_GLASS' id='I_SPLINTERING_GLASS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> +<h3>SPLINTERING GLASS</h3> +</div> + +<p>“You fellows want to be sure to come round to +my house to-night and listen in on the radio concert,” +said Bob Layton to a group of his chums, +as they were walking along the main street of +Clintonia one day in the early spring. +</p> +<p>“I’ll be there with bells on,” replied Joe Atwood, +as he kicked a piece of ice from his path. +“Trust me not to overlook anything when it +comes to radio. I’m getting to be more and +more of a fan with every day that passes. +Mother insists that I talk of it in my sleep, but I +guess she’s only fooling.” +</p> +<p>“Count on yours truly too,” chimed in Herb +Fennington. “I got stirred up about radio a +little later than the rest of you fellows, but now +I’m making up for lost time. Slow but sure is +my motto.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_10' name='page_10'></a>10</span></p> +<p>“Slow is right,” chaffed Jimmy Plummer. +“But what on earth are you sure of?” +</p> +<p>“I’m sure,” replied Herb, as he deftly slipped +a bit of ice down Jimmy’s back, “that in a minute +you’ll be dancing about like a howling dervish.” +</p> +<p>His prophecy was correct, for Jimmy both +howled and danced as he tried vainly to extricate +the icy fragment that was sliding down his spine. +His contortions were so ludicrous that the boys +broke into roars of laughter. +</p> +<p>“Great joke, isn’t it?” snorted Jimmy, as he +bent nearly double. “If you had a heart you’d +lend a hand and get this out.” +</p> +<p>“Let’s stand him on his head,” suggested Joe. +“That’s the only thing I can think of. Then it’ll +slide out.” +</p> +<p>Hands were outstretched in ready compliance, +but Jimmy concluded that the remedy was worse +than the presence of the ice and managed to keep +out of reach. +</p> +<p>“Never mind, Jimmy,” said Bob consolingly. +“It’ll melt pretty soon, anyhow.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, and it’ll be a good thing for Jimmy to +grin and bear it,” added Herb brightly. “It’s +things like that that develop one’s character.” +</p> +<p>“‘It’s easy enough to be pleasant, when life +moves along like a song, but the man that’s worth +while, is the man who can smile when everything’s +going dead wrong,’” quoted Joe. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_11' name='page_11'></a>11</span></p> +<p>Jimmy, not at all comforted by these noble +maxims, glared at his tormentors, and at last +Bob came to his relief, and, putting his hand inside +his collar, reached down his back and brought +up the piece of ice, now greatly reduced in size. +</p> +<p>“Let’s have it,” demanded Jimmy, as Bob was +about to throw it away. +</p> +<p>“What do you want it for?” asked Bob. “I +should think you’d seen enough of it.” +</p> +<p>“On the same principle that a man likes to look +at his aching tooth after the dentist has pulled it +out,” grinned Joe. +</p> +<p>“Don’t give it to him!” exclaimed Herb, edging +away out of reach, justly fearing that he +might feel the vengeance of the outraged Jimmy. +</p> +<p>“You gave it to him first, so it’s his,” decided +Bob, with the wisdom of a Solomon, as he handed +it over to the victim. +</p> +<p>Jimmy took it and started for Herb, but just +then Mr. Preston, the principal of the high school, +came along and Jimmy felt compelled to defer +his revenge. +</p> +<p>“How are you, boys?” said Mr. Preston, with +a smile. “You seem to be having a good time.” +</p> +<p>“Jimmy is,” returned Herb, and Jimmy covertly +shook his fist at him. “We’re making the +most of the snow and ice while it lasts.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I don’t think it will last much longer,” +surmised Mr. Preston, as he walked along with +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_12' name='page_12'></a>12</span> +them. “As a matter of fact, winter is ‘lingering +in the lap of spring’ a good deal longer than usual +this year.” +</p> +<p>“I suppose you had a pleasant time in Washington?” +remarked Joe inquiringly, referring to +a trip from which the principal had returned only +a few days before. +</p> +<p>“I did, indeed,” was the reply. “To my mind +it’s the most interesting city in the country. I’ve +been there a number of times, and yet I always +leave there with regret. There’s the Capitol, the +noblest building on this continent and to my mind +the finest in the world. Then there’s the Congressional +Library, only second to it in beauty, +and the Washington Monument soaring into the +air to a height of five hundred and fifty-five feet, +and the superb Lincoln Memorial, and a host of +other things scarcely less wonderful. +</p> +<p>“But the pleasantest recollection I have of the +trip,” he went on, “was the speech I heard the +President make just before I came away. It was +simply magnificent.” +</p> +<p>“It sure was,” replied Bob enthusiastically. +“Every word of it was worth remembering. He +certainly knows how to put things.” +</p> +<p>“I suppose you read it in the newspaper the +next day,” said Mr. Preston, glancing at him. +</p> +<p>“Better than that,” responded Bob, with a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_13' name='page_13'></a>13</span> +smile. “We all heard it over the radio while he +was making it.” +</p> +<p>“Indeed!” replied the principal. “Then you +boys heard it even before I did.” +</p> +<p>“What do you mean?” asked Joe, in some bewilderment. +“I understood that you were in the +crowd that listened to him.” +</p> +<p>“So I was,” Mr. Preston answered, in evident +enjoyment of their mystification. “I sat right +before him while he was speaking, not more than +a hundred feet away, saw the motion of his lips +as the words fell from them and noted the changing +expression of his features. And yet I say +again that you boys heard him before I did.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t quite see,” said Herb, in great perplexity. +“You were only a hundred feet away and +we were hundreds of miles away.” +</p> +<p>“And if you had been thousands of miles away, +what I said would still be true,” affirmed Mr. +Preston. “No doubt there were farmers out on +the Western plains who heard him before I did. +</p> +<p>“You see it’s like this,” the schoolmaster went +on to explain. “Sound travels through the air +to a distance of a little over a hundred feet in the +tenth part of a second. But in that same tenth +of a second that it took the President’s voice to +reach me in the open air radio could have carried +it eighteen thousand six hundred miles.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_14' name='page_14'></a>14</span></p> +<p>“Whew!” exclaimed Jimmy. “Eighteen thousand +six hundred miles! Not feet, fellows, but +miles!” +</p> +<p>“That’s right,” said Bob thoughtfully. +“Though I never thought of it in just that way +before. But it’s a fact that radio travels at the +rate of one hundred and eighty-six thousand +miles a second.” +</p> +<p>“Equal to about seven and a half times around +the earth,” observed the principal, smiling. “In +other words, the people who were actually sitting +in the presence of the President were the very +last to hear what he said. +</p> +<p>“Put it in still another way. Suppose the President +were speaking through a megaphone in addition +to the radio and by the use of the megaphone +the voice was carried to people in the audience +a third of a mile away. By the time those +persons heard it, the man in the moon could have +heard it too—that is,” he added, with a laugh, +“supposing there really were a man in the moon +and that he had a radio receiving set.” +</p> +<p>“It surely sounds like fairyland,” murmured +Joe. +</p> +<p>“Radio is the fairyland of science,” replied Mr. +Preston, with enthusiasm, “in the sense that it is +full of wonder and romance. But there the similarity +ceases. Fairyland is a creation of the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_15' name='page_15'></a>15</span> +fancy or the imagination. Radio is based upon +the solid rock of scientific truth. Its principles +are as certain as those of mathematics. Its problems +can be demonstrated as exactly as that two +and two make four. But it’s full of what seem +to be miracles until they are shown to be facts. +And there’s scarcely a day that passes without a +new one of these ‘miracles’ coming to light.” +</p> +<p>He had reached his corner by this time, and +with a pleasant wave of his hand he left them. +</p> +<p>“He sure is a thirty-third degree radio fan,” +mused Joe, as they watched his retreating figure. +</p> +<p>“Just as most all bright men are becoming,” +declared Bob. “The time is coming when a man +who doesn’t know about radio or isn’t interested +in it will be looked on as a man without intelligence.” +</p> +<p>“Look here!” exclaimed Jimmy suddenly. +“What’s become of my piece of ice?” +</p> +<p>He opened his hand, which was red and wet +and dripping. +</p> +<p>“That’s one on you, Jimmy, old boy,” chuckled +Joe. “It melted away while you were listening +to the prof.” +</p> +<p>“It’s an ill wind that blows nobody good,” said +Herb complacently. “Jimmy meant to put that +down my back.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, there are plenty of other pieces,” said +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_16' name='page_16'></a>16</span> +Jimmy, as he picked one up and started for Herb. +</p> +<p>Herb started to run, but slipped and fell on the +icy sidewalk. +</p> +<p>“You know what the Good Book says,” chaffed +Joe. “The wicked stand on slippery places.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I see they do,” replied Herb, as quick +as a flash, looking up at him. “But I can’t.” +</p> +<p>The laugh was on Joe, and Herb felt so good +over the retort that he did not mind the fall, +though it had jarred him considerably. He +scrambled to his feet and brushed off his clothes, +while Jimmy, feeling that his comrade had been +punished enough, magnanimously threw away the +piece of ice that was to have been the instrument +of his vengeance. +</p> +<p>“The reason why I wanted you fellows to be +sure to be on hand to-night,” resumed Bob, as +they walked along, “was that I saw in the program +of the Newark station in the newspaper this +morning that Larry Bartlett was down for an +entirely new stunt. You know what a hit he +made with his imitations of birds.” +</p> +<p>“He sure did,” agreed Joe. “To my mind he +had it all over the birds themselves. I never got +tired listening to him.” +</p> +<p>“He certainly was a dabster at it,” chimed in +Jimmy. +</p> +<p>“Now he’s going in to imitate animals,” explained +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_17' name='page_17'></a>17</span> +Bob. “I understand that he’s been haunting +the Zoo for weeks in every minute of his +spare time studying the bears and lions and tigers +and elephants and snakes, and getting their roars +and growls and trumpeting and hisses down to +a fine point. I bet he’ll be a riot when he gives +them to us over the radio.” +</p> +<p>“He sure will,” assented Herb. “He’s got the +natural gift in the first place, and then he practices +and practices until he’s got everything down to +perfection.” +</p> +<p>“He’s a natural entertainer,” affirmed Bob. +“I tell you, fellows, we never did a better day’s +work than when we got Larry that job at the +sending station. Not only was it a good thing +for Larry himself when he was down and out, +but think of the pleasure he’s been able to give +to hundreds of thousands of people. I’ll bet +there’s no feature on the program that is waited +for more eagerly than his.” +</p> +<p>By this time the boys had reached the business +portion of the town and the short spring day +was drawing to a close. Already lights were +beginning to twinkle in the stores that lined both +sides of the street. +</p> +<p>“Getting near supper time,” remarked Bob. +“Guess we’d better be getting along home. Don’t +forget to come—Gee whiz!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_18' name='page_18'></a>18</span></p> +<p>The ejaculation was wrung from him by a +snowball that hit him squarely in the breast, staggering +him for a moment. +</p> +<p>Bang! and another snowball found a target +in Joe. It struck his shoulder and spattered all +over his face and neck. +</p> +<p>“That felt as though it came from a gun!” he +exclaimed. “It’s the hardest slam I ever got.” +</p> +<p>“Who did it?” demanded Bob, peering about +him in the gathering darkness. +</p> +<p>Halfway up the block they saw a group of dark +figures darting into an alleyway. +</p> +<p>“It’s Buck Looker and his crowd!” cried +Jimmy. “I saw them when they ran under that +arc light.” +</p> +<p>“Just like that crowd to take us unawares,” +said Bob. “But if they’re looking for a tussle +we can accommodate them. Get busy, fellows, +and let them have something in return for these +two sockdolagers.” +</p> +<p>They hastily gathered up several snowballs +apiece, which were easily made because the snow +was soft and packed readily, and ran toward the +alleyway just in time to see Buck and his crowd +emerging from their hiding place. +</p> +<p>There was a spirited battle for a few minutes, +each side making and receiving some smashing +hits. Buck’s gang had the advantage in that +they had a large number of missiles already prepared, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_19' name='page_19'></a>19</span> +and even in the excitement of the fight the +radio boys noticed how unusually hard they were. +</p> +<p>“Must have been soaking them in water until +they froze,” grunted Jimmy, as one of them +caught him close to the neck and made him +wince. +</p> +<p>As soon as their extra ammunition was exhausted +and the contending forces in this respect +were placed more on a footing of equality, Buck +and his cronies began to give ground before the +better aim and greater determination of Bob and +his comrades. +</p> +<p>“Give it to them, fellows!” shouted Bob, as +the retreat of their opponents was rapidly becoming +a rout. +</p> +<p>At the moment he called out, the progress of +the fight had brought the radio boys directly in +front of the windows of one of the largest drygoods +stores in the town. +</p> +<p>In the light that came from the windows Bob +saw a snowball coming directly for his head. He +dodged, and—— +</p> +<p>Crash! There was the sound of splintering +glass, and the snowy missile whizzed through the +plate glass window! +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='II_IN_A_DILEMMA' id='II_IN_A_DILEMMA'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_20' name='page_20'></a>20</span> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> +<h3>IN A DILEMMA</h3> +</div> + +<p>There was a moment of stupor and paralysis +as the meaning of the crash dawned upon the +radio boys. +</p> +<p>Buck and his crowd had vanished and were +footing it up the fast-darkening street at the top +of their speed. +</p> +<p>The first impulse of the radio boys was to follow +their example. They knew that none of them +was responsible for the disaster, and they were +of no mind to be sacrificed on behalf of the gang +that had attacked them. And they knew that +in affairs of that kind the ones on the ground +were apt to suffer the more severely. +</p> +<p>They actually started to run away, but had +got only a few feet from the scene of the smash +when Bob, who had been thinking quickly, called +a halt. +</p> +<p>“None of this stuff for us, fellows,” he declared. +“We’ve got to face the music. I’m not +going to have a hunted feeling, even if we succeeded +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_21' name='page_21'></a>21</span> +in getting away. We know we didn’t do +it and we’ll tell the plain truth. If that doesn’t +serve, why so much the worse for us. But at +any rate we won’t be despising ourselves as +cowards.” +</p> +<p>As usual, his comrades accorded him the leadership +and fell in with his plan, although it was +not without many misgivings that they awaited +the coming of the angry proprietor of the place, +who had already started in pursuit of them, accompanied +by many others who had been attracted +by the crash and whose numbers were +being rapidly augmented. +</p> +<p>“Here are the fellows that smashed my window!” +cried Mr. Larsen, the proprietor of the +drygoods store, rushing up to them and shaking +his fist in their faces. “Where are the police?” +he shouted, looking around him. “I’ll have them +arrested for malicious damage.” +</p> +<p>And while he faced them, gesticulating wildly, +his face purple with anger and excitement, it may +be well for the benefit of those who have not +read the preceding volumes of this series to tell +briefly who the radio boys are and what had been +their adventures before the time this story opens. +</p> +<p>The acknowledged leader of the boys was Bob +Layton, son of a prosperous chemist of Clintonia, +in which town Bob had been born and brought +up. Mr. Layton was a respected citizen of the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_22' name='page_22'></a>22</span> +town and foremost in its civic activities. Clintonia +was a thriving little city of about ten thousand +population, situated on the Shagary River, +about seventy-five miles from the city of New +York. +</p> +<p>Bob at the beginning of this story was about +sixteen years old, tall and stalwart and a clean-cut +specimen of upstanding American youth. He +was of rather dark complexion and had a pair +of eyes that looked straight at one. Those eyes +were usually merry, but could flash with indignation +when circumstances required it. He was +never on the lookout for trouble, but was always +ready to meet it half way, and his courageous +character together with his vigorous physique had +made him prominent in the sports of the boys +of his own age. He was a crack baseball player +and one of the chief factors of the high school +football eleven. No one in Clintonia was held in +better liking. +</p> +<p>Bob’s special chum was Joe Atwood, son of +the leading physician of the town. Joe was fair +in complexion and sturdy in makeup. He and +Bob had been for many years almost inseparable +companions, Bob usually acting as captain in anything +in which they might be engaged, while Joe +served as first mate. The latter had a hot temper, +and his impulsiveness sometimes got him into +trouble and would have involved him in scrapes +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_23' name='page_23'></a>23</span> +oftener if it had not been for the cooler head and +steadying influence of Bob. +</p> +<p>Two other friends of the boys who were almost +always in their company were Herb Fennington, +whose father kept a large general store +in the town, and Jimmy Plummer, son of a respected +carpenter and contractor. Herb was of +a rather indolent disposition, but was jolly and +good-natured and always full of jokes, some of +them good, others poor, which he frequently +sought to spring on his companions. +</p> +<p>Jimmy was a trifle younger than his mates, +fat and round and excessively fond of the good +things of life. His liking for that special dainty +had gained him the nickname of “Doughnuts,” +and few of such nicknames were ever more fittingly +bestowed. +</p> +<p>Apart from the liking that drew them together, +the boys had another link in their common interest +in radio. From the time that this wonderful +new science had begun to spread over the country +with such amazing rapidity, they had been among +the most ardent “fans.” Everything that they +could read or learn on the subject was devoured +with avidity, and they were almost constantly at +the home of one or the other, listening in on their +radio sets and, lately, sending messages, in the +latter of which they had now attained an unusual +degree of proficiency. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_24' name='page_24'></a>24</span></p> +<p>In decided contrast to Bob and his friends was +another group of Clintonia youth, between whom +and the radio boys there was a pronounced antipathy. +The leader of this group was Buck Looker, +a big overgrown, hulking boy, dull in his studies +and a bully in character. His two special cronies +were Carl Lutz, a boy of about his own age, and +Terry Mooney, both of them noted for their +mean and sneaking dispositions. Buck lorded it +over them, and as his father was one of the richest +men in the town they cringed before him and +were always ready to back him up in any piece +of meanness and mischief. +</p> +<p>The enthusiasm of Bob and his friends for +radio was fostered by the help and advice of the +Reverend Doctor Dale, the clergyman in charge +of the Old First Church of Clintonia, who, in +addition to being an eloquent preacher, was keenly +interested in all latter-day developments of science, +especially radio. Whenever the boys got +into trouble with their sets they knew that all +they had to do was to go to the genial doctor +and be helped out of their perplexities. +</p> +<p>An incident that gave a great impetus to their +interest in the subject was the offering of prizes +by Mr. Ferberton, the member of Congress for +their district, for the best radio sets turned out by +the boys of his congressional district by their +own endeavors. Bob, Joe, and Jimmy entered +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_25' name='page_25'></a>25</span> +into this competition with great zest. Herb with +his habitual indolence kept out of it. +</p> +<p>While the boys were engrossed with their radio +experiments an incident happened in town that +led them into many unexpected adventures. An +automobile run by a visitor in town, a Miss Nellie +Berwick, got out of her control and dashed +through the window of a store. Bob and Joe, +who happened to be at hand, rescued the girl from +imminent peril, while Herb and Jimmy did good +work in curbing the fire that followed the accident. +</p> +<p>How the boys learned of the orphan girl’s +story, got on the track of the rascal who had tried +to swindle her and forced him to make restitution; +what part the radio played in bringing the +fellow to terms; how they detected and thwarted +the plans of Buck Looker and his cronies to +wreck their sets; are told in the first volume of +this series entitled: “The Radio Boys’ First +Wireless; Or, Winning the Ferberton Prize.” +</p> +<p>That summer the chums went to Ocean Point +on the seashore, where many of the Clintonia +folks had established a little bungalow colony of +their own. What adventures they met with +there; what strides they made in the practical +work of radio; how they were enabled by their +knowledge and quick application of it to save +a storm-tossed ship on which members of their +own families were voyaging; how they ran down +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_26' name='page_26'></a>26</span> +and captured the scoundrel Cassey who had +knocked out with a blackjack the operator at the +sending station and looted his safe—these and +many more incidents are narrated in the second +volume of this series entitled: “The Radio Boys +at Ocean Point; Or, The Message That Saved +the Ship.” +</p> +<p>While the summer season was yet at its height, +the boys had occasion to rescue the occupants of +a rowboat that had been run down by men in a +stolen motor boat. The two rescued youths +proved to be vaudeville actors, and the boys grew +very friendly with them. The injury that crippled +one of them, Larry Bartlett; the false accusation +brought against him by Buck Looker; the +way in which the boys succeeded in getting work +for Larry at the sending station, where his remarkable +gift of mimicry received recognition; +how they themselves were placed on the broadcasting +program, and the clever way in which +they trapped the motor-boat thieves; are told in +the third volume of the series, entitled: “The +Radio Boys at the Sending Station; Or, Making +Good in the Wireless Room.” +</p> +<p>The coming of fall brought the boys back to +Clintonia, where, however, the usual course of +their studies was interrupted by an epidemic that +made necessary for a time the closing of the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_27' name='page_27'></a>27</span> +schools. This gave the radio boys an opportunity +to make a trip to Mountain Pass, a popular +resort in the hills. Here they came in contact +with a group of plotters who were trying to put +through a nefarious deal and were able to thwart +the rascals through the use of radio. By that +same beneficent science too they were able to save +a life when other means of communication were +blocked. And not the least satisfactory feature +was the utter discomfiture they were able to visit +upon Buck Looker and his gang. These and +many other adventures are told in the fourth +volume of the series, entitled: “The Radio Boys +at Mountain Pass; Or, The Midnight Call for +Assistance.” +</p> +<p>And now to return to the radio boys as they +stood facing the angry storekeeper amid a constantly +growing throng of curious onlookers. +They had been in many tighter fixes in their +life but none that was more embarrassing. +</p> +<p>“I’ll have them arrested!” the storekeeper repeated, +his voice rising to a shrill treble. +</p> +<p>“Now look here,” replied Bob. “Suppose you +cut out this talk of having us arrested. In the +first place, we didn’t break your window. In the +second place, if we had it wouldn’t be a matter +of arrest but of making good the damage.” +</p> +<p>“All right then,” said Mr. Larsen eagerly, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_28' name='page_28'></a>28</span> +catching at the last word. “Make good the damage. +It will cost at least two hundred dollars to +replace that window.” +</p> +<p>“I think you’re a little high,” returned Bob. +“But that doesn’t matter. I didn’t say that we’d +make the damage good. I said that if we’d +broken it, it would be a matter of making good. +But we didn’t break it, and that lets us out I’ll +say.” +</p> +<p>“It’s easy to say that,” sneered the merchant. +“How do I know that you didn’t break it? It +would of course be natural for you to try to lie +out of it.” +</p> +<p>“It wouldn’t be natural for us to lie out of +it,” replied Bob, controlling his temper with difficulty. +“That isn’t our way of doing things. +Why do you suppose we stayed here when it +would have been perfectly easy for us to get +away? It wasn’t a snowball we threw that broke +your window. It was one thrown by the fellows +we were fighting with.” +</p> +<p>“Always the other fellow that does it!” replied +the storekeeper angrily. “Who was that other +fellow or fellows then? Tell me that. Come on +now, tell me that.” +</p> +<p>Bob kept silent. He had no love for Buck +Looker and his gang, who had always tried to injure +him, but he was not going to inform. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_29' name='page_29'></a>29</span></p> +<p>“See,” said Mr. Larsen, misunderstanding his +silence. “When I ask you, you can’t tell me. +You’re the fellows that did it, all right, and you’ll +pay me for it or I’ll have you put in jail, that’s +what I’ll do.” +</p> +<p>“I saw the fellows who were firing snowballs +in this direction,” spoke up Mr. Talley, a caterer, +pushing his way through the throng. “I nearly +bumped into them as they were running away. +Buck Looker was one of them. I saw his face +plainly and can’t be mistaken. The others I’m +not so sure of, but I think they were Carl Lutz +and Terry Mooney. +</p> +<p>“For my part, Mr. Larsen,” he continued, “I +don’t see how a snowball could break that heavy +plate-glass window, anyway. My windows are +no heavier, and they’ve often had snowballs come +against them without doing any harm. Are you +sure it wasn’t something else that smashed the +glass?” +</p> +<p>“Dead sure,” replied Larsen. “Come inside +and see for yourself.” +</p> +<p>He led the way into his store, and Mr. Talley, +the boys, and a number of others crowded in +after him. +</p> +<p>“Look,” said Larsen, pointing to a piece of +dress goods that had been hanging in the window. +“See where the snow has splashed against it? +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_30' name='page_30'></a>30</span> +There’s no question that a snowball did it. You +can see the bits of snow around here yet if you’ll +only look.” +</p> +<p>This was true and the evidence seemed conclusive. +But just then Bob’s keen eyes detected +something else. He stooped down and brought +up quite a large sharp-edged stone which still had +some fragments of snow adhering to it and held +it up for all to see. +</p> +<p>“Here’s the answer,” he said. “This stone +was packed in the snowball, and that is why it +smashed the window!” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='III_THE_STUTTERING_VOICE' id='III_THE_STUTTERING_VOICE'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_31' name='page_31'></a>31</span> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> +<h3>THE STUTTERING VOICE</h3> +</div> + +<p>There was a stir of interest and exclamations +of surprise as those in the store crowded closer +to get a better view. +</p> +<p>“That explains it,” said Mr. Talley, as he examined +the missile. “I was sure that no mere +ball of snow could break that heavy window. +To put such a stone in a snowball was little less +than criminal,” he went on gravely. “If that had +hit any one on the temple it would almost certainly +have killed him.” +</p> +<p>“It was coming straight for my head when I +dodged,” said Bob. +</p> +<p>“That’s another proof that it wasn’t any ball +we threw that broke the window,” put in Joe. +“Each one of us is willing to swear that there +was no stone in any ball that we threw.” +</p> +<p>“Not only then but at any time,” put in Herb. +“Only a mean coward would do a thing like that. +None of us has done it any time in his life.” +</p> +<p>“I believe that,” replied Mr. Talley. “I’ve +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_32' name='page_32'></a>32</span> +known all you boys ever since you were little kids +and I know you wouldn’t be capable of it.” +</p> +<p>“That’s all very well,” said Mr. Larsen. “But +that doesn’t pay for my window. Whether any +of you boys threw the ball or not you can’t deny +that you were engaged in a snowball fight right +in front of my windows. If the fight hadn’t been +going on the window wouldn’t have been +smashed.” +</p> +<p>There was a certain amount of justice in this, +and the boys were fair enough to acknowledge it. +</p> +<p>“I suppose you are right there, Mr. Larsen,” +said Bob regretfully. “We ought to have kept +out of range of the windows, but in the excitement +we forgot all about that. Then, too, we +never would have supposed that any ordinary +snowball would have broken the window. Perhaps +that was in the back of our minds, if we +thought of it at all.” +</p> +<p>“Is the window insured?” queried Mr. Talley. +</p> +<p>“Yes, it is,” answered the storekeeper. +</p> +<p>“Well, then, that lets you out,” remarked Mr. +Talley, with a note of relief in his voice. “That +puts the matter up to the insurance company. If +they want to take any legal steps they can; and +of course they ought to be compensated by the +parents of the boy who may be found guilty of +having thrown the ball with a stone in it. For +my part, I doubt very much that it can ever be +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_33' name='page_33'></a>33</span> +proved, unless the boy himself owns up to it.” +</p> +<p>“Think of Buck Looker ever owning up to +anything!” muttered Jimmy. +</p> +<p>“As for these boys,” continued Mr. Talley, +“I am perfectly sure in my own mind that they are +telling the truth. You’ll have to look for the +culprit in the other crowd, and I’ve already told +you who they are, or who one of them is, at +least.” +</p> +<p>“Well,” said the storekeeper, who by this time +had cooled down considerably, “that, I suppose, +will be something for the insurance company to +settle. But by the terms of my contract with +them I’ll have to help them all I can to find out +the responsible party, and I’ll have to give them +the names of all the boys concerned in the fight.” +</p> +<p>“That’s all right,” responded Bob. “You +know our folks and you know that they’re good +for any judgment that may be found against +them. But I’m sure it will be somebody else that +will have to pay the bill.” +</p> +<p>There was nothing more to be done for the +present, and the boys filed out of the store, after +having expressed their thanks to Mr. Talley for +the way he had championed their cause. +</p> +<p>“Gee!” murmured Joe, as they went up the +street toward their homes, “I know how a fellow +feels now after he’s been put through the third +degree.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_34' name='page_34'></a>34</span></p> +<p>“It was rather a hot session,” agreed Bob. +“But I’m glad we had it out with him instead of +running away. It’s always best to take the bull +by the horns. And you can’t blame Mr. Larsen +for feeling sore about it. Any one of us would +probably have felt the same way.” +</p> +<p>“Sure thing,” admitted Herb. “But think of +that dirty trick of Buck Looker in putting stones +in snowballs! It wasn’t only that one that went +through the window. Every time I got hit it +made me jump.” +</p> +<p>“Same here,” said Jimmy. “I was thinking +all the time that they were the hardest snowballs +I ever felt, but it never came into my mind that +there were stones in them.” +</p> +<p>“Trust Buck to be up to every mean trick that +any one ever thought of,” returned Bob. “He +hasn’t got over the way we showed him up at +Mountain Pass. He thought he had us dead +to rights in the matter of that burned cottage, and +it made him wild to see the way we came out on +top. He and his gang would do anything to get +even.” +</p> +<p>“It will be interesting to see what he’ll say when +this matter of the window is put up to him and +his pals,” remarked Herb. +</p> +<p>“Not a doubt in the world what he’ll say,” replied +Joe. “He’ll swear till he’s blue in the face +that he never dreamed of using a stone in the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_35' name='page_35'></a>35</span> +snowballs. Do you remember how he told us +that he’d lie in court to keep us from putting anything +over on him? Any one that expects to get +the truth out of Buck is barking up the wrong +tree. I guess the insurance company would better +kiss their money good-by.” +</p> +<p>“I’m afraid so,” returned Bob. “It was dark +and there probably weren’t any witnesses who +saw them put the stones in, and it is likely that the +company will have to let the matter drop.” +</p> +<p>The lads had reached Bob’s gate by this time, +and they separated with a promise to come over +and listen in on the radio later on. +</p> +<p>Bob told the whole story to his parents at the +supper table that night, and his father and mother +listened with great interest and some concern. +</p> +<p>“I’m sorry you were mixed up in the thing at +all, Bob,” his father remarked thoughtfully. +“Being in it, however, you acted just as you +should have done. Just how far you and your +friends may be held responsible, in case they can’t +find the one who actually threw the ball that broke +the window, I’m not lawyer enough to say. It’s +barely possible that there may be some ground +for action on the score of culpable carelessness in +taking part in a snowball fight in front of store +windows, and of course you were wrong in doing +that. But the total amount involved is not very +great after all, and it would be divided up among +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_36' name='page_36'></a>36</span> +the parents of the four of you, so there’s nothing +much to worry about. It would gall me though to +have to pay for damages that were really caused +by that cub of Looker’s.” +</p> +<p>“I’m sorry, Dad,” said Bob. “I’m hoping yet +that something may develop that will put the +thing up to Buck, or whoever it was of his gang +that actually threw the ball.” +</p> +<p>“Let’s hope so,” returned Mr. Layton, though +without much conviction in his voice, and dismissed +the subject. +</p> +<p>A little while afterward the other three boys +came over to Bob’s house to listen in on the radio +concert. So much time, however, had been taken +up in discussing the afternoon’s adventure that +they missed Larry’s offering, which was among +the first on the program. This was a keen disappointment, +which was tempered, however, by the +probability that they could hear him some evening +later in the week. +</p> +<p>“Sorry,” remarked Joe. “But it only means +that we still have a treat in store when the old +boy begins to roar and growl and hiss so as to +make us think that a whole menagerie has broken +loose and is chasing us. In the meantime we can +fix up that aerial so as to get a little better results.” +</p> +<p>“Funny thing I noticed the other day,” remarked +Bob, as they embarked upon some experiments. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_37' name='page_37'></a>37</span></p> +<p>“All sorts of funny things in the radio game,” +observed Joe. “Something new turns up every +day. Things in your set that you think you can’t +do without you find you can do without and get +results just about as usual.” +</p> +<p>“Just what I was going to tell you,” returned +Bob. “You must be something of a prophet.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I wouldn’t go quite so far as to say that,” +replied Joe, with mock modesty. +</p> +<p>“Isn’t he the shrinking violet?” chaffed Jimmy. +</p> +<p>“Stop your kidding, you boobs, and let a regular +fellow talk,” chided Bob. “What I was going +to say was that while I was tinkering with the +set I disconnected the ground wire. Of course +I thought that would put the receiver out of business +for the time, and I was almost knocked silly +when I found that I could hear the concert that +was going on just about as well as though the +wire had been connected. How do you account +for that?” +</p> +<p>“Don’t account for it at all,” replied Herb. +“Probably just a freak, and might not happen +again in a thousand times. Likely it was one of +the unexplainable things that happen once in a +while. Maybe there was a ground connection +of some kind, if not by the wire. I wouldn’t +bank on it.” +</p> +<p>“It’s queer, too, how many kinds of things can +be used as aerials,” put in Joe. “I heard the other +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_38' name='page_38'></a>38</span> +day of a man in an apartment house where the +owner objected to aerials, who used the clothesline +for that purpose. The wire ran through the +rope, which covered it so that it couldn’t be seen. +It didn’t prevent its use as a clothesline either, for +he could hear perfectly when the wash was hanging +on it.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, almost anything will do as an aerial,” +chimed in Jimmy. “The rib of an umbrella, the +rainspout at the side of the house, the springs of a +bed give good results. And that’s one of the +mighty good things about radio. People that have +to count the pennies don’t have to buy a lot of +expensive materials. They can put a set together +with almost any old thing that happens to be +knocking around the house.” +</p> +<p>Bob had been working steadily, and, as the +room was warm, his hands were moist with perspiration. +He had unhooked an insulated copper +wire that led to his outside aerial. His head +phones were on, as he had been listening to the +radio concert while he worked. +</p> +<p>“I’ll have to miss the rest of that selection, I +guess,” he remarked regretfully, as he unhooked +the wire. “It’s a pity, too, for that’s one of the +finest violin solos I ever heard. Great Scott! +What does that mean?” +</p> +<p>The ejaculation was wrenched from him by +the fact that although he had disconnected the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_39' name='page_39'></a>39</span> +wire he still heard the music—a little fainter than +before but still with every note distinct. +</p> +<p>He could scarcely believe his ears and looked +at his friends in great bewilderment. +</p> +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Joe, jumping to +his feet. “Get a shock?” +</p> +<p>“Not in the sense you mean, but in another +way, yes,” replied Bob, still holding the exposed +end of the copper wire in his fingers. “What do +you think of that, fellows? I’m an aerial!” +</p> +<p>“Come out of your trance,” adjured Herb +unbelievingly. “They talk that way in the insane +asylums.” +</p> +<p>“Clap on your headphones,” cried Bob, too intent +on his discovery to pay any attention to the +gibe. +</p> +<p>They did so, and were amazed at hearing the +selection as plainly as did Bob himself. +</p> +<p>The latter had been holding the disconnected +wire so that his fingers just touched the uncovered +copper portion at the end. Now he hastily scraped +off several inches of the insulation and grasped +the copper wire with his hand. Instantly the +volume of sound grew perceptibly greater. +</p> +<p>Hardly knowing what to make of it, he scraped +off still more of the insulation. +</p> +<p>“Here, you fellows,” he shouted. “Each of +you take hold of this.” +</p> +<p>Joe was the first to respond, and the sound became +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_40' name='page_40'></a>40</span> +louder. Then Herb and Jimmy followed +suit, and it was evident that they served as amplifiers, +for with each additional hand the music +swelled to greater volume. +</p> +<p>The boys looked at each other as if asking +whether this was all real or if they had suddenly +been transferred to some realm of fancy. They +would not have been greatly surprised to wake +up suddenly and find that they had been dreaming. +</p> +<p>But there was no delusion about it and they listened +without saying another word until, in a +glorious strain of melody, the selection came to +an end. Nor did they break the silence until a +band orchestra was announced and crashed into a +brilliant overture. +</p> +<p>While it was still in full swing, Bob had an inspiration. +He took off his headphones and +clamped them on to the phonograph that stood +on a table near by. Instantly the music became +intensified and filled the room. When all their +hands were on the wire, it became so loud that +they had to close the doors of the phonograph. +</p> +<p>“Well,” gasped Bob, when the last strain had +died away and the demonstration was complete, +“that’s something new on me.” +</p> +<p>“Never dreamed of anything like it,” said Joe, +sinking back in his chair. “Of course we know +that the human body has electrical capacity and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_41' name='page_41'></a>41</span> +that operators sometimes have to use metal shields +to protect the tube from the influence of the +hand. And in our loop aerial at Ocean Point you +noticed that the receptivity of the tube was modified +when we touched it with our fingers.” +</p> +<p>“Of course, in theory,” observed Bob thoughtfully, +“the human body possesses inductance as +well as capacity, and so might serve as an antenna. +But I never thought of demonstrating it in practice.” +</p> +<p>“So Bob is an aerial,” grinned Herb. “I always +knew he was a ‘live wire,’ but I never figured +him out as an antenna.” +</p> +<p>“And don’t forget that if Bob is an aerial we’re +amplifiers,” put in Jimmy. +</p> +<p>“There’s glory enough for all,” laughed Joe. +“We’ll have to tell Doctor Dale and Frank Brandon +about this. We’ve got so many tips from +them that it’s about time we made it the other +way around.” +</p> +<p>They were so excited about this new development +which they had stumbled upon purely +through accident that they sat talking about it for +a long time until Bob chanced to look at his watch. +</p> +<p>“Just have time for the last selection,” he remarked, +as he reconnected the aerial. “We’ll +wind up in the regular way this time. It’s an aria +from Lucia and I don’t want to miss it.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_42' name='page_42'></a>42</span></p> +<p>He had some difficulty in making his adjustment, +as there was a lot of interference at the +moment. +</p> +<p>“Raft of amateurs horning in,” he muttered. +“All of them seem to have chosen just this time +to do it. I wonder——” +</p> +<p>He stopped as though he had been shot, and +listened intently. Then he beckoned to the others +to adjust their headphones. +</p> +<p>Into the receiver was coming a succession of +stuttering sounds that eventually succeeded in +framing intelligible words. Ordinarily this might +have provoked laughter, but not now. They had +heard that voice before. +</p> +<p>It was the voice of Dan Cassey! +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='IV_A_PUZZLING_MYSTERY' id='IV_A_PUZZLING_MYSTERY'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_43' name='page_43'></a>43</span> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +<h3>A PUZZLING MYSTERY</h3> +</div> + +<p>For the second time that evening the radio boys +thought they must be dreaming. +</p> +<p>Cassey! Cassey the swindler, whom they had +compelled to make restitution to the victim he +had wronged. Cassey the thug, whom they had +captured in that wild chase after he had looted the +safe and nearly killed the operator in the sending +station. Cassey the convict, who, to their certain +knowledge, had been sentenced to a long term in +prison. +</p> +<p>What was Cassey doing over the radio? That +it was that scoundrel they had no doubt. The +stuttering, the tones of the voice, the occasional +whistle which he indulged in in order to go on—all +these things they recognized perfectly. It was +the wildest kind of improbability that he had a +double anywhere who could reproduce him so +perfectly. +</p> +<p>Gone now was any thought of the aria from +Lucia. Bob motioned frantically to Jimmy to +hand him a pencil and a sheet of paper. Then he +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_44' name='page_44'></a>44</span> +jotted down the words, as after great efforts they +fell one by one from the stutterer’s lips. As +Bob did this he bent over the paper in frowning +perplexity. The words themselves were intelligible, +but they did not seem to make sense, nor +was there anywhere a connected sentence. +</p> +<p>Finally the stammering voice ceased, and after +they had waited several minutes longer to make +sure that it would not resume, the boys took off +their headphones and gazed at each other in utter +bewilderment. +</p> +<p>“Well, I’ll be blessed!” exclaimed Joe. “That +villain Cassey, of all men on the face of the earth! +What do you make of it, Bob?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know what to make of it,” confessed +Bob. “It has simply knocked me endways. I +never thought to hear of that rascal again for the +rest of my life. Yet here he is, less than a year +after he’s been sentenced, talking over the radio.” +</p> +<p>“Perhaps he’s received a pardon,” hazarded +Jimmy. +</p> +<p>“Not at all likely,” answered Bob. “It isn’t as +though he were a first offender. He’s old in +crime. You remember the raking over the judge +gave him when he sentenced him. Told him if +he had it in his power he’d give him more than +he actually did. No, I think we can dismiss that +idea.” +</p> +<p>“Isn’t it possible,” suggested Herb, “that he’s +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_45' name='page_45'></a>45</span> +employed as radio operator in the prison? He +understands sending and receiving all right.” +</p> +<p>“That doesn’t strike me hard either,” Bob objected. +“Likely enough the prison is equipped +with a wireless set, but it isn’t probable that they’d +let a prisoner operate it. It would give him too +good a chance to get in touch with confederates +outside the jail. Then, too, his stuttering would +make him a laughing stock. +</p> +<p>“The only explanation that I can see,” he went +on, “is that he’s escaped, and he’s sending this +message on his own hook. Though what the message +is about is beyond me.” +</p> +<p>“Just what did you get down?” asked Jimmy +curiously. “I caught a few words, but I don’t remember +them all.” +</p> +<p>“It’s a regular hodgepodge,” replied Bob, +spreading out the sheet of paper, while they all +crowded around to read. +</p> +<p>“Corn—hay—six—paint—water—slow—sick—jelly,” +read Joe aloud. “Sounds to me like the +ravings of a delirium patient.” +</p> +<p>“And yet I’m sure that I got all the words +down right,” said Bob perplexedly. “It must be +a code of some kind. We can’t understand it, and +Cassey didn’t mean that any one should except +some one person whose ear was glued to a radiophone. +But you can bet that that person understood +it all right.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_46' name='page_46'></a>46</span></p> +<p>“I wonder if we couldn’t make it out,” suggested +Herb. +</p> +<p>“No harm in trying,” said Joe, “though compared +to this a Chinese puzzle is as simple as +A B C. Let’s take a hack at it, anyhow. We’ll +each take a separate sheet of paper and try to get +something out of it that makes sense.” +</p> +<p>For nearly an hour the boys did their best. +They put the words in different orders, read them +forward and backward. But the ideas conveyed +by the separate words were so utterly dissimilar +that they could frame nothing that had the +slightest glimmering of sense and they were finally +compelled to give it up. +</p> +<p>“If time were money, we’d spend enough on +this stuff to make us bankrupt,” Joe remarked, in +vast disgust, as he rose to get his cap. “Dan +Cassey was foxy when he made this up. We’ll +have to give the rascal credit for that.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” admitted Herb, “it’s the best kind of a +code. Any one of those words might mean any +one of a hundred thousand things. A man might +spend a lifetime on it and be no nearer success at +the end than he was when he started. The only +way it can be unraveled is by finding the key that +tells what the words stand for. And even that +may not exist in written form. The fellows may +simply have committed them to memory. +</p> +<p>“I’ll tell you what I’ll do!” Bob exclaimed. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_47' name='page_47'></a>47</span> +“I’ll get the prison to-morrow on the long distance +’phone and ask them about Cassey. I’ll tell them +all about this radio message, and it may be a valuable +tip to them. They may be able to locate the +station from which the messages come, if there +are any more of them. You remember how Mr. +Brandon located Cassey’s sending station the first +time.” +</p> +<p>Bob was as good as his word, and got in communication +with the prison just before school +time. The warden was gruff and inclined to be +uncommunicative at first, but his manner changed +remarkably after he heard of the radio message +and he inquired eagerly for the slightest details. +</p> +<p>“Yes, Cassey has escaped,” he told Bob. “He +got away about two months ago. He had behaved +himself well for the first six months of his imprisonment, +and we made him a trusty. In that +capacity he had access to various parts of the +prison and occasionally to my own quarters, +which are in a wing connected with the prison. +In some way that hasn’t yet been discovered he +got possession of clothes to cover his prison uniform +and got away one day from the yard in +which he was working. Probably with his help, +two others got away at the same time. Their +names are Jake Raff and Toppy Gillen, both of +them desperate criminals and in for long terms. +Likely enough the three of them are operating together +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_48' name='page_48'></a>48</span> +somewhere. We made a careful search for +them and have sent out descriptions of them to the +police of all the important cities in the United +States. But this clue of yours is the only one we +have, and it may prove a most important one. +I’ll see that the Federal radio authorities are notified +at once. Keep in touch with me and let me +know if you come across anything else that seems +to point to Cassey. His escape is a sore point +with me, and I’d be glad to have him once more +behind the bars. You can be sure he’ll never get +away again until he’s served out the last day of +his sentence.” +</p> +<p>With a warm expression of thanks the warden +hung up his telephone receiver, and Bob hurried +off to school to tell his comrades of what he had +learned. +</p> +<p>There was no chance for this, however, before +recess, as he had been kept so long at the telephone +that he was barely able to reach the school before +the bell rang. +</p> +<p>When at last he told them of his talk with the +warden, they listened with spellbound interest. +</p> +<p>“So the villain managed to escape, did he?” +ruminated Joe. “That’s a black mark against the +warden, and it’s no wonder he’s anxious to get +him back. I’d hate to be in Cassey’s shoes if the +prison gates ever close on him again.” +</p> +<p>“You’d think it would be a comparatively easy +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_49' name='page_49'></a>49</span> +matter to capture him,” suggested Herb. “The +fact that he stutters so badly makes him a marked +man.” +</p> +<p>“You can bet that he doesn’t do any more talking +than he can help,” replied Joe. “And, for that +matter, I suppose there are a good many thousand +stutterers in the United States. Almost every +town has one or more. Of course it’s against +him, but it doesn’t by any means make it a sure +thing that he’ll be nabbed.” +</p> +<p>Buck Looker and his cronies happened to pass +them in the yard just at that moment and caught +the last word. Buck whispered something to Carl +Lutz, and the latter broke out into uproarious +laughter. +</p> +<p>It was so obviously directed against Joe that his +impulsive temper took fire at once. He stepped +up to the trio, despite Bob’s outstretched hand +that tried to restrain him. +</p> +<p>“Were you fellows laughing at me?” he asked +of the three, though his eyes were fastened directly +on Buck’s. +</p> +<p>“Not especially at you,” returned Buck insolently. +“But at something you said.” +</p> +<p>“And what was that?” asked Joe, coming a +step nearer, at which Buck stepped back a trifle. +</p> +<p>“About getting nabbed,” he said. “It made +me think of some fellows I know that were +nabbed last night for breaking windows.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_50' name='page_50'></a>50</span></p> +<p>“Oh, that was it!” remarked Joe, with dangerous +calmness while his fist clenched. “Now let +me tell you what it reminds me of. It makes me +think of three cowards who smashed a window +last night with a stone packed in a snowball and +then ran away as fast as their legs could carry +them. Perhaps you’d like me to tell you their +names?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” retorted +Buck, changing color. +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, you do,” replied Joe. “And while +I’m about it, I’ll add that the fellows who smashed +the window were not only cowards, but worse. +And their names are Buck Looker, Carl Lutz and +Terry Mooney.” +</p> +<p>“What’s that?” cried Buck, bristling up, while +an angry growl arose from his cronies. +</p> +<p>“You heard me the first time,” replied Joe; +“but to get it into your thick heads I’ll say it +again. The cowards, and worse, I referred to +are named Buck Looker, Carl Lutz and Terry +Mooney.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='V_MARVELS_OF_WIRELESS' id='V_MARVELS_OF_WIRELESS'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_51' name='page_51'></a>51</span> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> +<h3>MARVELS OF WIRELESS</h3> +</div> + +<p>“That’s fighting talk,” blustered Buck, as he +made a pretense of getting ready to throw off +his coat. +</p> +<p>“That’s precisely what I want it to be,” declared +Joe, as he tore off his coat and threw it to the +ground. +</p> +<p>By this time most of the boys in the school +yard had sensed the tenseness of the situation and +had gathered around Joe and Buck, forming a +ring many lines deep. +</p> +<p>“A fight!” was the cry. +</p> +<p>“Go in, Joe!” +</p> +<p>“Soak him, Buck!” +</p> +<p>Before Joe’s determined attitude and flashing +eyes, Buck wavered. He fingered his coat uncertainly +and glanced toward the school windows. +</p> +<p>“There’s one of the teachers looking out,” he +declared. “And it’s against the rules to fight on +the school grounds. If it wasn’t for that I’d +beat you up.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_52' name='page_52'></a>52</span></p> +<p>There was a general snicker from the boys at +Buck Looker’s sudden regard for the rules of the +school. +</p> +<p>“Any other place you can think of where you’d +like to beat me up?” said Joe sarcastically. “How +about this afternoon after school down by the +river?” +</p> +<p>“I——I’ve got to go out of town this afternoon,” +Buck stammered. “But don’t you worry. I’ll +give you all the fight you’re looking for the first +chance I get.” +</p> +<p>Murmurs of derision arose from the crowd, +and the flush on the bully’s sour face grew much +deeper. +</p> +<p>“You’re just a yellow dog, Buck!” exclaimed +Joe, in disgust. “Have I got to pull your nose to +make you stand up to me?” +</p> +<p>He advanced toward him, and Buck retreated. +What would have happened next will never be +known, for just at that moment one of the teachers +emerged from the school and came toward +the ring. Hostilities at the moment were out of +the question, and the boys began to scatter. Buck +heaved a sigh of evident relief, and now that he +felt himself safe, all his old bluster came back to +him. +</p> +<p>“It’s mighty lucky for you that Bixby came out +just then,” he declared. “I was just getting ready +to thrash you within an inch of your life.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_53' name='page_53'></a>53</span></p> +<p>Joe laughed sarcastically. +</p> +<p>“The trouble with you, Buck, is that you spend +so much time getting ready that you never have +any time for real fighting,” he remarked. “It +took you an awfully long time to get your coat +unbuttoned.” +</p> +<p>“They laugh best who laugh last,” growled +Buck. “And don’t forget that you fellows have +got to pay for that glass you broke.” +</p> +<p>“You’ve got another guess coming,” replied +Joe. “You or one of your gang broke that glass +and we can prove it.” +</p> +<p>“I wasn’t downtown that night at all,” said +Buck glibly. +</p> +<p>“Don’t add any more lies to your score,” said +Joe scornfully. “We’ve got you! You and your +gang are the only fellows in town who would put +stones in snowballs, anyway.” +</p> +<p>“If that’s all the evidence you’ve got, it +wouldn’t go far in a court of law,” sneered Buck. +“Any judge would see that you were trying to +back out of it by putting it up to somebody else.” +</p> +<p>“Perhaps you don’t know that Mr. Talley +bumped into you while you were running away,” +remarked Joe. +</p> +<p>This shot told, for Buck had banked on the +darkness and had forgotten all about his encounter +with Mr. Talley. He had been nursing the +comfortable assurance that all he had to do was +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_54' name='page_54'></a>54</span> +to deny. Now his house of cards had come tumbling +about his ears. Mr. Talley was a respected +citizen, and his word would be accepted by everybody. +</p> +<p>Joe saw the effect of his remark and smiled +drily. +</p> +<p>“Want to revise that statement of yours that +you weren’t downtown at all last night?” he +asked, with affected politeness. +</p> +<p>“He—he was mistaken,” stammered Buck +weakly, as he walked away, followed by his discomfited +cronies. +</p> +<p>“I guess that will hold him for a while,” +chuckled Jimmy, as the radio boys watched his +retreating figure. +</p> +<p>Two or three days passed without special developments. +The broken pane of glass had been +restored and the parents of the boys had been +formally notified by the insurance company that +they would be held responsible jointly for the +damages. A similar notice had been sent to the +fathers of Buck and his mates. +</p> +<p>Mr. Looker replied, denying that his son was +at all implicated in the matter and refusing to +pay. Mr. Layton admitted that his son had been +throwing snowballs in front of the store on the +night in question, but he stated that he had not +thrown the ball with a stone in it that broke the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span> +window. He added that any further communication +regarding the matter could be sent to his +lawyer. +</p> +<p>Of the others involved, some had taken similar +positions and others had ignored the matter altogether, +leaving it to the insurance company to +make the next move. And there for the time the +matter rested. +</p> +<p>The radio boys had missed Larry’s performance +on the night that he had opened with his new +repertoire, but they were bound not to be cheated +of the second, which took place only a few nights +later. +</p> +<p>They crowded eagerly about the radio set when +their friend’s turn was announced, and listened +with a breathless interest, that was intensified by +their warm personal regard for the performer, to +the rendition of the cries of various animals with +which Larry regaled them. +</p> +<p>The imitations were so lifelike that the boys +might well have imagined they were in a zoölogical +garden. Lions, tigers, bears, elephants, snakes, +moose, and other specimens of the animal and +the reptile tribes were imitated with a fidelity that +was amazing. In addition, the renditions were +interspersed with droll and lively comments by +Larry that added immensely to the humor of the +performance. When at last it was over, the boys +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_56' name='page_56'></a>56</span> +broke out into enthusiastic hand-clapping that +would have warmed Larry’s heart, had he been +able to hear it. +</p> +<p>“The old boy is all there!” chortled Bob enthusiastically. +</p> +<p>“He’s a wonder!” ejaculated Joe. “No question +there of a square peg in a round hole. He’s +found exactly the work in life he’s specially fitted +for.” +</p> +<p>“And think of the audience he has,” put in +Jimmy. “At this very minute there are probably +hundreds of thousands of people who have been +tickled to death at his performance. Just suppose +those people all clapped their hands at once just +as we have done and we could hear it. Why, it +would be like a young earthquake.” +</p> +<p>At this moment the doorbell rang, and Dr. +Dale was announced. He spent a few minutes +with Mr. and Mrs. Layton, and then came up to +have a little chat with the boys. This was one +thing he never overlooked. His interest in and +sympathy with the young were unbounded, and +accounted largely for the influence that he exerted +in the community. +</p> +<p>The radio boys greeted the minister warmly +and gladly made room for him around the table. +His coming was never felt by them to be an interruption. +They regarded him almost as one +of themselves. Apart, too, from the thorough +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_57' name='page_57'></a>57</span> +liking they had for him as a man, they were exceedingly +grateful to him for the help he had +been to them in radio matters. He was their +mentor, guide and friend. +</p> +<p>“I knew I’d find you busy with the radio,” he +said, with a genial smile. +</p> +<p>“We can’t be torn away from it,” replied Bob. +“We think it’s just the greatest thing that ever +happened. Just now we’ve been listening to Larry +Bartlett give his imitations of animals. You remember +Larry?” +</p> +<p>“I certainly do,” replied Dr. Dale. “And I remember +how you boys helped him get his present +position. It was one of the best things you ever +did. He’s certainly a finished artist. I heard him +on his opening night, and I’ve laughed thinking of +it many times since. He’s a most amusing entertainer.” +</p> +<p>It was the first opportunity the boys had had +to tell the doctor of the night when Bob found +that he was a human aerial, and he listened to the +many details of the experiment with absorbed +interest. +</p> +<p>“It’s something new to me,” he said. “You +boys have reason to be gratified at having had a +novel experience. That’s the beauty of radio. +Something new is always cropping up. Many of +the other sciences have been more or less fully +explored, and while none of them will ever be +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_58' name='page_58'></a>58</span> +exhausted, their limits have been to some extent +indicated. But in radio we’re standing just on the +threshold of a science whose infinite possibilities +have not even been guessed. One discovery +crowds so closely on the heels of another that we +have all we can do to keep track of them. +</p> +<p>“I’ve just got back from a little trip up in New +York State,” he went on, as he settled himself +more comfortably in his chair, “and I stopped off +at Schenectady to look over the big radio station +there. By great good luck, Marconi happened to +be there on the same day——” +</p> +<p>“Marconi!” breathed Bob. “The father of +wireless!” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” smiled Dr. Dale. “Or if you want to +put it in another way, the Christopher Columbus +who discovered the New World of radio. I +counted it a special privilege to get a glimpse of +him. But what attracted my special attention in +the little while I could spend there was a small +tube about eighteen inches long and two inches in +diameter which many radio experts think will +completely revolutionize long distance radio communication.” +</p> +<p>“You mean the Langmuir tube,” said Joe. “I +was reading of it the other day, and it seems to +be a dandy.” +</p> +<p>“It’s a wonderful thing,” replied the doctor. +“Likely enough it will take the place of the great +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_59' name='page_59'></a>59</span> +transatlantic plants which require so much room +and such enormous machinery. It’s practically +noiseless. Direct current is sent into the wire +through a complicated wire system and generates +a high frequency current of tremendous power. +I saw it working when it was connected with an +apparatus carrying about fifteen thousand volts +of electricity in a direct current. A small blue +flame shot through the tube with scarcely a particle +of noise. The broken impulse from the electrical +generators behind the tube was sent through +the tube to be flung off from the antenna into space +in the dots and dashes of the international code. +That little tube was not much bigger than a stick +of dynamite, but was infinitely more powerful. +I was so fascinated by it and all that it meant +that it was hard work to tear myself away from +it. It marks a great step forward in the field +of radio.” +</p> +<p>“It must have been wonderfully interesting,” +remarked Bob. “And yet I suppose that in a +year or two something new will be invented that +will put even that out of date.” +</p> +<p>“It’s practically certain that there will be,” assented +the doctor. “The miracles of to-day become +the commonplaces of to-morrow. That +fifty-kilowatt tube that develops twelve horsepower +within its narrow walls of glass, wonderful +as it is, is bound to be superseded by something +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_60' name='page_60'></a>60</span> +better, and the inventor himself would be the first +one to admit it. Some of the finest scientific +brains in the country are working on the problem, +and he would be a bold prophet and probably a +false prophet that would set any bounds to its +possibilities. +</p> +<p>“Radio is yet in its infancy,” the doctor concluded, +as he rose to go. “But one thing is certain. +In the lifetime of those who witnessed its +birth it will become a giant—but a benevolent +giant who, instead of destroying will re-create our +civilization.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VI_THE_FOREST_RANGER' id='VI_THE_FOREST_RANGER'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_61' name='page_61'></a>61</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> +<h3>THE FOREST RANGER</h3> +</div> + +<p>Some days later Bob and Herb and Joe were +on their way to Bob’s house to do a little experimenting +on the latter’s set, when they were +surprised at the alacrity with which Jimmy turned +a corner and came puffing up to them. +</p> +<p>“Say, fellows!” he yelled, as he came within +earshot, “I’ve got some mighty interesting news +for you.” +</p> +<p>“Let’s have it,” said Bob. +</p> +<p>“It’s about the snowball Buck fired through +the window,” panted Jimmy, falling into step beside +them. “I met a man who’s staying up at the +Sterling House. He says Buck’s the boy who +did it, all right.” +</p> +<p>“How does he know?” all of the others asked +with interest. +</p> +<p>“Saw Buck pick up a stone and pack the snow +hard around it,” said Jimmy importantly. “He +saw it himself, so we’ve got one witness for our +side, all right.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_62' name='page_62'></a>62</span></p> +<p>“That’s good,” said Bob, adding, with a glint +in his eye: “Say, wouldn’t I like to get my +hands on Buck, just for about five minutes!” +</p> +<p>“Well, you won’t have a chance,” said Jimmy, +enjoying being the bearer of so much news. +“Buck’s gone with his father to a lumber camp +up in Braxton woods.” +</p> +<p>“How do you know all this?” inquired Herb +curiously. “You seem to be chock full of information +to-day.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, a little bird told me,” said Jimmy, looking +mysterious. However, as Herb made a threatening +motion toward him, he hurried to explain. “I +met Terry Mooney,” he said. “I told him I knew +all about who put the stone in the snowball and I +told him that our crowd was going to make his +look like two cents. He laughed and said swell +chance we’d have. Said Buck had gone to the +lumber camp with his father and that he and +Carl Lutz were going to join him in a day or two. +Just like Buck to run away when he knows there’s +a good licking coming to him!” added Jimmy, +with a sneer. +</p> +<p>“Oh, well, what do we care?” said Joe. “At +least we sha‘n’t have those fellows around spoiling +all the fun.” +</p> +<p>“I’m glad you found out about the snowball +just the same,” said Bob thoughtfully. “Every +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_63' name='page_63'></a>63</span> +little bit helps when we have to fight against that +crooked gang of Buck’s.” +</p> +<p>“Here’s hoping,” said Herb fervently, “that +they stay away all the rest of the spring.” +</p> +<p>By this time the lads had reached Bob’s house. +It was Saturday afternoon, and as the boys +crowded noisily into the hall Bob noticed that his +father was in the library and that he seemed to +have company. +</p> +<p>He was starting upstairs with the other lads +when his father came out of the library and called +to him. +</p> +<p>“Come on in for a few minutes, boys,” he said. +“I have a friend here who is a man after your own +hearts,” and his eyes twinkled. “He’s interested +in radio.” +</p> +<p>The boys needed no second invitation, for they +never missed an opportunity of meeting any one +who could tell them something about the wonders +of radio. +</p> +<p>Mr. Layton’s guest was lounging in one of the +great chairs in the library, and from the moment +the boys laid eyes on him they knew they were +going to hear something of more than usual interest. +</p> +<p>The stranger was big, over six feet, and his +face and hands were like a Cuban’s, they were so +dark. Even his fair hair seemed to have been +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_64' name='page_64'></a>64</span> +burnt a darker hue by the sun. There was a tang +of the great out-of-doors about him, a hint of open +spaces and adventure that fascinated the radio +boys. +</p> +<p>“This is my son, Mr. Bentley,” said Mr. Layton +to the lounging stranger, still with a twinkle +in his eye. “And the other boys are his inseparable +companions. Also I think they are almost +as crazy about radio as you are.” +</p> +<p>The stranger laughed and turned to Bob. +</p> +<p>“I’ve been upstairs to see your set,” he said, +adding heartily: “It’s fine. I’ve seldom seen +better amateur equipment.” +</p> +<p>If Bob had liked this stranger before, it was +nothing to what he felt for him now. To the +radio boys, if any one praised their radio sets, this +person, no matter who it was, promptly became +their friend for life. +</p> +<p>“I’m glad you think it’s pretty good,” Bob +said modestly. “We fellows have surely worked +hard enough over it.” +</p> +<p>“This gentleman here,” said Mr. Layton to the +boys, “ought to know quite a bit about radio. He +operates an airplane in the service of our Government +Forestry.” +</p> +<p>“In the United States Forest Service?” cried +Bob, breathlessly, eyeing the stranger with increasing +interest. “And is your airplane equipped +with radio?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_65' name='page_65'></a>65</span></p> +<p>“Very much so,” replied Mr. Bentley. “It +seems almost a fairy tale—what radio has done +for the Forest Service.” +</p> +<p>“I’ve read a lot about the fighting of forest +fires,” broke in Joe eagerly. “But I didn’t know +radio had anything to do with it.” +</p> +<p>“It hadn’t until the last few years,” the visitor +answered, adding, with a laugh: “But now it’s +pretty near the whole service!” +</p> +<p>“Won’t you tell us something about what you +do?” asked Bob. +</p> +<p>Mr. Bentley waved a deprecating hand while +Mr. Layton leaned back in his chair with the +air of one who is enjoying himself. +</p> +<p>“It isn’t so much what I do,” protested this interesting +newcomer, while the boys hung upon his +every word. “It is what radio has done in the +fighting of forest fires that is the marvelous, the +almost unbelievable, thing. The man who first +conceived the idea of bringing radio into the +wilderness had to meet and overcome the same +discouragements that fall to the lot of every +pioneer. +</p> +<p>“The government declared that the cost of +carrying and setting up the radio apparatus would +be greater than the loss occasioned every season +by the terribly destructive forest fires. But there +was a fellow named Adams who thought he knew +better.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_66' name='page_66'></a>66</span></p> +<p>“Adams!” repeated Bob breathlessly. “Wasn’t +he the fellow who had charge of the Mud Creek +ranger station at Montana?” +</p> +<p>The visitor nodded and gazed at Bob with interest. +“How did you know?” he asked. +</p> +<p>“Oh, I read something about him a while ago,” +answered Bob vaguely. He was chiefly interested +in having Mr. Bentley go on. +</p> +<p>“I should think,” said Herb, “that it would +be pretty hard work carrying delicate radio apparatus +into the lumber country.” +</p> +<p>“You bet your life it is,” replied Mr. Bentley. +“The only way the apparatus can be carried is by +means of pack horses, and as each horse can’t +carry more than a hundred and fifty pounds you +see it takes quite a few of the animals to lug even +an ordinary amount of apparatus. +</p> +<p>“The hardest part of the whole thing,” he went +on, warming to his recital as the boys were so +evidently interested, “was packing the cumbersome +storage batteries. These batteries were +often lost in transit, too. If a pack horse happened +to slip from the trail, its pack became +loosened and went tumbling down the mountain +side——” +</p> +<p>“That’s the life!” interrupted Jimmy gleefully, +and the visitor smiled at him. +</p> +<p>“You might not think so if you happened to +be the one detailed to travel back over the almost +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_67' name='page_67'></a>67</span> +impassable trails for the missing apparatus,” observed +Mr. Bentley ruefully. “It wasn’t all fun, +that pioneer installation of radio. Not by any +means.” +</p> +<p>“But radio turned the trick just the same,” +said Bob slangily. “I’ve read that a message that +used to take two days to pass between ranger stations +can be sent now in a few seconds.” +</p> +<p>“Right!” exclaimed Mr. Bentley, his eyes glinting. +“In a little while the saving in the cost of +forest fires will more than pay for the installation +of radio. We nose out a fire and send word by +wireless to the nearest station, before the fire +fairly knows it’s started.” +</p> +<p>“But just what is it that you do?” asked Joe, +with flattering eagerness. +</p> +<p>“I do scout work,” was the reply. “I help +patrol the fire line in cases of bad fires. The men +fighting the fire generally carry a portable receiving +apparatus along with them, and by that means, +I, in my airplane, can report the progress of a fire +and direct the distribution of the men.” +</p> +<p>“It must be exciting work,” said Herb enviously. +“That’s just the kind of life I’d like—plenty +of adventure, something doing every +minute.” +</p> +<p>“There’s usually plenty doing,” agreed Mr. +Bentley, with a likable grin. “We can’t complain +that our life is slow.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_68' name='page_68'></a>68</span></p> +<p>“I should think,” said Bob slowly, “that it +might be dangerous, installing sets right there in +the heavy timber.” +</p> +<p>“That’s what lots of radio engineers thought +also,” agreed Mr. Bentley. “But no such trouble +has developed so far, and I guess it isn’t likely +to now.” +</p> +<p>“Didn’t they have some trouble in getting +power enough for their sets?” asked Joe, with +interest. +</p> +<p>“Yes, that was a serious drawback in the beginning,” +came the answer. “They had to design +a special equipment—a sort of gasoline charging +plant. In this way they were able to secure +enough power for the charging of the storage +batteries.” +</p> +<p>Bob drew a long breath. +</p> +<p>“Wouldn’t I have liked to be the one to fit up +that first wireless station!” he cried enthusiastically. +“Just think how that Mr. Adams must have +felt when he received his first message through +the air.” +</p> +<p>“It wasn’t all fun,” the interesting visitor reminded +the boys. “The station was of the crudest +sort, you know. The first operator had a box to +sit on and another box served as the support for +his apparatus.” +</p> +<p>“So much the better,” retorted Bob stoutly. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_69' name='page_69'></a>69</span> +“A radio fan doesn’t know or care, half the time, +what he’s sitting on.” +</p> +<p>“Which proves,” said Mr. Bentley, laughing, +“that you are a real one!” And at this all the +lads grinned. +</p> +<p>“But say,” interrupted Joe, going back to the +problem of power, “weren’t the engineers able to +think up something to take the place of the gasoline +charging stations?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes. But not without a good deal of experimenting. +Now they are using two hundred +and seventy number two Burgess dry batteries. +These, connecting in series, secure the required +three hundred and fifty-volt plate current.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VII_RADIO_AND_THE_FIRE_FIEND' id='VII_RADIO_AND_THE_FIRE_FIEND'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_70' name='page_70'></a>70</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> +<h3>RADIO AND THE FIRE FIEND</h3> +</div> + +<p>“Well, I hope that the boys know what you’re +talking about,” interrupted Mr. Layton at this +point, his eyes twinkling, “for I’m sure I don’t.” +</p> +<p>“They know what I’m talking about all right,” +returned his guest, admiration in his laughing +eyes as he looked at the boys. “Unless I miss my +guess, these fellows are the stuff of which radio +experts are made. I bet they’ll do great things +yet.” +</p> +<p>“Won’t you tell us more about your experiences?” +begged Herb, while the other boys tried +not to look too pleased at the praise. “It isn’t +often we have a chance to hear of adventures like +yours first hand.” +</p> +<p>“Well,” said Mr. Bentley, modestly, “I don’t +know that there’s much to tell. All we scouts do +is to patrol the country and watch for fires. Of +course, in case of a big fire, our duties are more +exciting. I remember one fire,” he leaned back +in his chair reminiscently and the boys listened +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_71' name='page_71'></a>71</span> +eagerly, hanging on every word. “It was a +beauty of its kind, covering pretty nearly fourteen +miles. Thousands of dollars’ worth of valuable +timber was menaced. It looked for a time +as if it would get the better of us, at that. +</p> +<p>“Men were scarce and there was a high wind +to urge the fire on. A receiving set was rushed +to the fire line, some of the apparatus in a truck +and some carried by truck horses. My plane was +detailed to patrol the fire line and give directions +to the men who were fighting the fire.” +</p> +<p>He paused, and the boys waited impatiently for +him to go on. +</p> +<p>“The good old plane was equipped for both +sending and receiving, and I tell you we patrolled +that fourteen miles of flaming forest, sometimes +coming so close to the tree tops that we almost +seemed to brush them. +</p> +<p>“My duty, of course, was to report the progress +of the fire. Controlled at one point, it broke out +at another, and it was through the messages from +my ’plane to the ground set stationed just behind +the fire line that the men were moved from one +danger point to the next. +</p> +<p>“Finally, the fire seeming nearly out along +one side of the ridge, I sent the men to fighting it +on the other side, where it had been left to rage +uncontrolled. No sooner had the men scattered +for the danger point than the brooding fire broke +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_72' name='page_72'></a>72</span> +out again and it was necessary to recall half the +men. +</p> +<p>“It was a long fight and a hard one, but with +the aid of the blessed old wireless, we finally won +out. As a matter of fact, the wireless-equipped +airplane has become as necessary to the Forest +Service as ships are to the navy. +</p> +<p>“In the old days,” he went on, seeing that the +boys were still deeply interested, “when they depended +upon the ordinary telephone to convey +warnings of fires they were surely leaning upon a +broken reed. +</p> +<p>“Often, just when they needed the means of +communication most, the fire would sweep +through the woods, destroying trees to which the +telephone wires were fastened, and melting the +wires themselves. So the eyes of the Forest +Service were put out and they were forced to +work in the dark.” +</p> +<p>“But I should think,” protested Bob, “that +there would be times when even wireless would +be put out of the job. Suppose the fire were to +reach one of the stations equipped with wireless. +What then?” +</p> +<p>Mr. Bentley laughed as though amused at +something. +</p> +<p>“I can tell you an interesting incident connected +with that,” he said. “And one that shows +the pluck and common sense of radio operators in +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_73' name='page_73'></a>73</span> +general—don’t think that I’m throwing bouquets +at myself, now, for first and last, I am a pilot, +even if sometimes I find it necessary to employ +radio. +</p> +<p>“Well, anyway, this operator that I am speaking +of, found himself in a perilous position. A +fire had been raging for days, and now it was so +close to his station that the station itself was +threatened. +</p> +<p>“One morning when he got up the smoke from +the burning forest was swirling about the open +space in front of the station and he knew that +before long he would be seeing flame instead of +smoke. The fire fighters had been working ceaselessly, +fighting gallantly, but the elements were +against them. The air was almost as dry and +brittle as the wood which the flames lapped up +and there was a steady wind that drove the fire +on and on. +</p> +<p>“If only there might come a fog or the wind +change its direction! But the radio man had no +intention of waiting on the elements. I don’t believe +he gave more than a passing thought to his +own safety—his chief interest was for the safety +of his beloved apparatus. +</p> +<p>“He decided to dismantle the set, build a raft +and set himself and the apparatus adrift upon the +water in the attempt to save it. +</p> +<p>“And so he worked feverishly, while the fire +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_74' name='page_74'></a>74</span> +came closer and he could hear the men who were +fighting the fire shouting to each other. Finally +he succeeded in dismantling the set and got it +down to the water’s edge. +</p> +<p>“Here he built a rough raft, piled the apparatus +upon it, jumped after it, and drifted out into the +middle of the lake.” +</p> +<p>“Did the station burn down?” asked Jimmy +excitedly. +</p> +<p>“No, fortunately. The wind died down in the +nick of time, giving the men a chance to control +the blaze. When it was evident the danger was +past, the operator set up his apparatus again and +prepared to continue his duties, as though nothing +had happened. +</p> +<p>“There you have the tremendous advantage of +radio. There were no wires to be destroyed. +Only a radio set which could be dismantled and +taken to safety while the fire raged.” +</p> +<p>“That operator sure had his nerve with him, +all right,” said Bob admiringly. +</p> +<p>“More nerve than common sense perhaps,” +chuckled Mr. Bentley. “But you certainly can’t +help admiring him. He was right there when it +came to grit.” +</p> +<p>After a while they began to discuss technicalities, +and the boys learned a great many things +they had never known before. The pilot happening +to mention that there were sometimes a number +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_75' name='page_75'></a>75</span> +of airplanes equipped with radio operating +within a restricted district, Joe wanted to know +if they did not have a good deal of trouble with +interference. +</p> +<p>“No. There was at first some interference by +amateurs, but these soon learned to refrain from +using their instruments during patrol periods. +</p> +<p>“You see,” he explained, “we use a special type +of transmitting outfit aboard our fire-detection +craft. It’s called the SCR-Seventy-three. The +equipment obtains its power from a self-excited +inductor type alternator. This is propelled by +a fixed wooden-blade air fan. In the steam-line +casing of the alternator the rotary spark +gap, alternator, potential transformer, condenser +and oscillation transformer are self-contained. +Usually the alternator is mounted on the underside +of the fuselage where the propeller spends its +force in the form of an air stream. The telegraph +sending keys, field and battery switch, dry +battery, variometer and antenna reel are the only +units included inside the fuselage. +</p> +<p>“The type of transmitter is a simple rotary gap, +indirectly excited spark and provided with nine +taps on the inductance coil of the closed oscillating +circuit. Five varying toothed discs for the +rotary spark gap yield five different signal tones +and nine different wave lengths are possible. +</p> +<p>“So,” he finished, looking around at their absorbed +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_76' name='page_76'></a>76</span> +faces, “you see it is quite possible to press +into service a number of airplanes without being +bothered by interference.” +</p> +<p>“It sounds complete,” said Bob. “I’d like a +chance to see one of those sets at close range +sometime.” +</p> +<p>The time passed so quickly that finally the +visitor rose with an apology for staying so late. +The radio boys were sorry to see him go. They +could have sat for hours more, listening to him. +</p> +<p>“That fellow sure has had some experiences!” +said Joe, as, a little later, the boys mounted the +stairs to Bob’s room. “It was mighty lucky we +happened along while he was here.” +</p> +<p>“You bet your life,” said Herb. “I wouldn’t +have missed meeting him for a lot.” +</p> +<p>“Say, fellows,” Jimmy announced from the +head of the stairs, “I know now what I’m going +to do when I’m through school. It’s me for the +tall timber. I’m going to pilot an airplane in the +service of my country.” +</p> +<p>“Ain’t he noble?” demanded Herb, grinning, +as the boys crowded into Bob’s room. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VIII_NEAR_DISASTER' id='VIII_NEAR_DISASTER'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_77' name='page_77'></a>77</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> +<h3>NEAR DISASTER</h3> +</div> + +<p>Several days later while the radio boys were +experimenting with their big set and talking over +their interesting meeting with the Forest Service +ranger, Herb displayed an immense horseshoe +magnet. +</p> +<p>“Look what he’s got for luck,” chortled Jimmy. +“The superstitious nut!” +</p> +<p>“Superstitious nothing!” snorted Herb. “If +I’d wanted it for luck I wouldn’t have got a magnet, +would I? Any old common horseshoe would +have done for luck.” +</p> +<p>“Well, what’s the big idea?” asked Bob, looking +up from the audion tube he was experimenting +with. “Or is there any?” he added, with a +grin. +</p> +<p>“You bet your life there is!” returned Herb. +“It’s got to do with that very audion tube you’re +fussing with.” +</p> +<p>“Ah, go on,” jeered Joe, good-naturedly. +“What’s a magnet got to do with an audion tube, +I’d like to know!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_78' name='page_78'></a>78</span></p> +<p>“Poor old Herb,” added Jimmy, with a commiserating +shake of the head. +</p> +<p>“Say, look here, all you fellows! Don’t you +go wasting any pity on me,” cried Herb hotly. +“If you don’t look out, I won’t show you my experiment +at all.” +</p> +<p>“Go on, Herb,” said Bob consolingly. “I’m +listening.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I’m glad there’s one sensible member of +this bunch!” cried Herb, and from then on addressed +himself solely to Bob. “Look here,” he +said. “You can make the audion tube ever so +much more sensitive to vibration if you put this +magnet near it.” +</p> +<p>“Who says so?” asked Bob, with interest. +</p> +<p>“I do. Here, put on the headphones and listen. +I’ll prove it to you.” +</p> +<p>Bob obeyed and tuned in to the nearest broadcasting +station where a concert was scheduled. +As soon as he signified by a nod of his head that +the connection was satisfactory Herb placed the +big horseshoe magnet in such a position that the +poles of the magnet were on each side of the +tube. +</p> +<p>Sure enough, Bob was amazed at the almost +magical improvement in the sound. It was +clearer, more distinct, altogether more satisfactory. +He listened in for another moment then +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_79' name='page_79'></a>79</span> +wonderingly took off the headphones while Herb +grinned at him in triumph. +</p> +<p>“Well, what do you think?” asked the latter +while Joe and Jimmy looked at them curiously. +</p> +<p>“Think?” repeated Bob, still wonderingly. +“Why, there’s only one thing to think, of course. +That fool horseshoe of yours, Herb, is one wonderful +improvement. I don’t know how it works, +but it surely is a marvel.” +</p> +<p>Herb glanced at Jimmy and Joe in triumph. +</p> +<p>“What did I tell you?” he said. “Perhaps now +you’ll believe that my idea wasn’t such a fool one +after all.” +</p> +<p>“But what did it do, Bob?” asked Joe, mystified. +</p> +<p>“It increased the sensitivity of that old audion +tube, that’s what it did,” replied Bob, absently, +his mind already busy with inventive thoughts. +“I can’t see yet just how it accomplished it, but +the connection with the station was certainly +clearer and more distinct than usual.” +</p> +<p>“But how can a magnet increase the sensitivity +of a vacuum tube?” asked Jimmy, not yet wholly +convinced. “It doesn’t make sense.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I don’t see why not,” contradicted Joe +slowly. “I suppose the improvement is due to the +magnetic effect of the magnet upon the electrons +flowing from the filament to the plate. I don’t +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_80' name='page_80'></a>80</span> +exactly see why it should be an improvement, but +if it is, then there must be some reason for it.” +</p> +<p>“I wish we could find the reason!” cried Bob +excitedly. “If we could make some improvement +upon the vacuum tube——” +</p> +<p>“Don’t wake him up, he is dreaming!” cried +Herb. “If you don’t look out, old boy, you’ll +have us all millionaires.” +</p> +<p>“Well, there are worse things,” retorted Bob, +taking the magnet from Herb’s hand and placing +it near the tube. “This has given us something +to think about, anyway.” +</p> +<p>For a while they puzzled over the mystery, trying +to find some way in which the discovery +might be made to serve a practical purpose—all +except Herb, who retired to one corner of the +“lab” to fuss with some chemicals which he +fondly hoped might be used in the construction of +a battery. +</p> +<p>So engrossed were the boys in the problem of +the magnet and vacuum tube that they forgot all +about Herb and his experiments. So what happened +took them completely off their guard. +</p> +<p>There was a sudden cry from Herb, followed +closely by an explosion that knocked them off +their feet. For a moment they lay there, a bit +dazed by the shock. Then they scrambled to +their feet and looked about them. Herb, being +the nearest to the explosion, had got the worst of +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_81' name='page_81'></a>81</span> +it. His face and hands were black and he was +shaking a little from the shock. He gazed at the +boys sheepishly. +</p> +<p>“Wh-what happened?” asked Jimmy dazedly. +</p> +<p>“An earthquake, I guess,” replied Bob, as he +looked about him to see what damage had been +done. +</p> +<p>Some doughnuts, which their namesake had recently +fetched from the store, lay scattered upon +the floor, together with some rather dilapidated-looking +pieces of candy, but aside from this, nothing +seemed to have been damaged seriously. +</p> +<p>Jimmy’s followed Bob’s gaze, and, finding his +precious sweets upon the floor, began gathering +them up hastily, stuffing a doughnut in his mouth +to help him hurry. What mattered it to Jimmy +that the floor was none too clean? +</p> +<p>“Say, what’s the big idea, anyway,” Joe demanded +of the blackened Herb. “Trying to start +a Fourth of July celebration, or something?” +</p> +<p>“I was just mixing some chemicals, and the result +was a flare-up,” explained Herb sulkily. +“Now, stop rubbing it into a fellow, will you? +You might know I didn’t do it on purpose.” +</p> +<p>Bob began to laugh. +</p> +<p>“Better get in connection with some soap and +water, Herb,” he said. “Just now you look like +the lead for a minstrel show.” +</p> +<p>“Never mind, Herb,” Joe flung after the disconsolate +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_82' name='page_82'></a>82</span> +scientist as he made for the door. “As +long as you don’t hurt anything but Jimmy’s +doughnuts, we don’t care. You can have as +many explosions as you like.” +</p> +<p>“Humph, that’s all right for you,” retorted +Jimmy. “But I’ll have you know I spent my last +nickel for those doughnuts.” +</p> +<p>“Just the same,” said Bob soberly, as they returned +to the problem of the vacuum tube, “we’re +mighty lucky to have come off with so little +damage. Mixing chemicals is a pretty dangerous +business unless you know just what you’re +doing.” +</p> +<p>“And even then it is,” added Joe. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='IX_A_HAPPY_INSPIRATION' id='IX_A_HAPPY_INSPIRATION'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_83' name='page_83'></a>83</span> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> +<h3>A HAPPY INSPIRATION</h3> +</div> + +<p>The days passed by, the boys becoming more +and more engrossed in the fascination of radio all +the time. They continued to work on their sets, +sometimes with the most gratifying results, at +others seeming to make little headway. +</p> +<p>But in spite of occasional discouragements they +worked on, cheered by the knowledge that they +were making steady, if sometimes slow, progress. +</p> +<p>There were so many really worth-while improvements +being perfected each day that they +really found it difficult to keep up with them all. +</p> +<p>“Wish we could hear Cassey’s voice again,” +said Herb, one day when they had tuned in on +several more or less interesting personal messages. +</p> +<p>“I don’t know what good it would do us,” +grumbled Joe. “If he speaks always in code he +could keep us guessing till doomsday.” +</p> +<p>“He’s up to some sort of mischief, anyway,” +said Bob; “and I, for one, would enjoy catching +him at it again.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_84' name='page_84'></a>84</span></p> +<p>“We would be more comfortable to have Dan +Cassey in jail, where he belongs,” observed +Jimmy. +</p> +<p>But just at present the trailing of that stuttering +voice seemed an impossible feat even for the +radio boys. If they could only get some tangible +clue to work on! +</p> +<p>They saw nothing of Buck Looker or his +cronies about town, and concluded that they were +still at the lumber camp. +</p> +<p>“Can’t stay away too long to suit me,” Bob +said cheerfully. +</p> +<p>It was about that time that Bob found out +about Adam McNulty. Adam McNulty was the +blind father of the washerwoman who served the +four families of the boys. +</p> +<p>Bob went to the McNulty cabin, buried in the +most squalid district of the town, bearing a message +from his mother. When he got there he +found that Mr. McNulty was the only one at +home. +</p> +<p>The old fellow, smoking a black pipe in the +bare kitchen of the house, seemed so pathetically +glad to see some one—or, rather, to hear some +one—that Bob yielded to his invitation to sit +down and talk to him. +</p> +<p>And, someway, even after Bob reached home, +he could not shake off the memory of the lonesome +old blind man with nothing to do all day +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_85' name='page_85'></a>85</span> +long but sit in a chair smoking his pipe, waiting +for some chance word from a passer-by. +</p> +<p>It did not seem fair that he, Bob, should have +all the good things of life while that old man +should have nothing—nothing, at all. +</p> +<p>He spoke to his chums about it, but, though +they were sympathetic, they did not see anything +they could do. +</p> +<p>“We can’t give him back his eyesight, you +know,” said Joe absently, already deep in a new +scheme of improvement for the set. +</p> +<p>“No,” said Bob. “But we might give him +something that would do nearly as well.” +</p> +<p>“What do you mean?” they asked, puzzled. +</p> +<p>“Radio,” said Bob, and laid his hand lovingly +on the apparatus. “If it means a lot to us, just +think how much more it would mean to some one +who hasn’t a thing to do all day but sit and think. +Why, I don’t suppose any of us who can see can +begin to realize what it would mean not to be able +even to read the daily newspaper.” +</p> +<p>The others stared at Bob, and slowly his meaning +sank home. +</p> +<p>“I get you,” said Joe slowly. “And say, let +me tell you, it’s a great idea, Bob. It wouldn’t +be so bad to be blind if you could have the daily +news read to you every day——” +</p> +<p>“And listen to the latest on crops,” added +Jimmy. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_86' name='page_86'></a>86</span></p> +<p>“To say nothing of the latest jazz,” finished +Herb, with a grin. +</p> +<p>“Well, why doesn’t this blind man get himself +a set?” asked Jimmy practically. “I should +think every blind person in the country would +want to own one.” +</p> +<p>“I suppose every one of them does,” said Bob. +“And Doctor Dale said the other day that he +thought the time would come when charities for +the blind would install radio as a matter of humanity, +and that prices of individual sets would +be so low that all the blind could afford them. +The blind are many of them old, you know, and +pretty poor.” +</p> +<p>“You mean,” said Herb slowly, “that most of +the blind folks who really need radio more than +anybody else can’t afford it? Say, that doesn’t +seem fair, does it?” +</p> +<p>“It isn’t fair!” cried Bob, adding, eagerly: “I +tell you what I thought we could do. There’s +that old set of mine! It doesn’t seem much to us +now, beside our big one, but I bet that McNulty +would think it was a gold mine.” +</p> +<p>“Hooray for Bob!” cried Herb irrepressibly. +“Once in a while he really does get a good idea +in his head. When do we start installing this +set in the McNulty mansion, boys?” +</p> +<p>“As soon as you like,” answered Bob. “Tomorrow’s +Saturday, so we could start early in the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_87' name='page_87'></a>87</span> +morning. It will probably take us some time to +rig up the antenna.” +</p> +<p>The boys were enthusiastic about the idea, and +they wasted no time putting it into execution. +That very night they looked up the old set, +examining it to make sure it was in working +order. +</p> +<p>When they told their families what they proposed +to do, their parents were greatly pleased. +</p> +<p>“It does my heart good,” said Mr. Layton to +his wife, after Bob had gone up to bed, “to see +that those boys are interested in making some one +besides themselves happy.” +</p> +<p>“They’re going to make fine men, some day,” +answered Mrs. Layton softly. +</p> +<p>The boys arrived at the McNulty cottage so +early the next morning that they met Maggie +McNulty on her way to collect the day’s wash. +</p> +<p>When they told her what they were going to +do she was at first too astonished to speak and +then threatened to fall upon their necks in her +gratitude. +</p> +<p>“Shure, if ye can bring some sunshine into my +poor old father’s dark life,” she told them in her +rich brogue, tears in her eyes, “then ye’ll shure +win the undyin’ gratitude uv Maggie McNulty.” +</p> +<p>It was a whole day’s job, and the boys worked +steadily, only stopping long enough to rush home +for a bit of lunch. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_88' name='page_88'></a>88</span></p> +<p>They had tried to explain what they were doing +to Adam McNulty, but the old man seemed +almost childishly mystified. It was with a feeling +of dismay that the boys realized that, in all +probability, this was the first time the blind man +had ever heard the word radio. It seemed incredible +to them that there could be anybody in +the world who did not know about radio. +</p> +<p>However, if Adam McNulty was mystified, he +was also delightedly, pitifully excited. He followed +the boys out to the cluttered back yard +where they were rigging up the aerial, listening +eagerly to their chatter and putting in a funny +word now and then that made them roar with +laughter. +</p> +<p>Bob brought him an empty soap box for a seat +and there the old man sat hour after hour, despite +the fact that there was a chill in the air, blissfully +happy in their companionship. He had been +made to understand that something pleasant was +being done for him, but it is doubtful if he could +have asked for any greater happiness than just +to sit there with somebody to talk to and crack +his jokes with. +</p> +<p>They were good jokes too, full of real Irish +wit, and long before the set was ready for action +the boys had become fond of the old fellow. +</p> +<p>“He’s a dead game sport,” Joe said to Bob, in +that brief interval when they had raced home for +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_89' name='page_89'></a>89</span> +lunch. “I bet I’d be a regular old crab, blind +like that.” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Layton put up an appetizing lunch for the +blind man, topping it off with a delicious homemade +lemon pie and a thermos bottle full of +steaming coffee. +</p> +<p>The way the old man ate that food was amazing +even to Jimmy. Maggie was too busy earning +enough to keep them alive to bother much +with dainties. At any rate, Adam ate the entire +lemon pie, not leaving so much as a crumb. +</p> +<p>“I thought I was pretty good on feeding,” +whispered Joe, in a delighted aside, “but I never +could go that old bird. He’s got me beat a +mile.” +</p> +<p>“Well,” said Jimmy complacently, “I bet I’d tie +with him.” +</p> +<p>If the boys had wanted any reward for that +day of strenuous work, they would have had it +when, placing the earphones upon his white head, +they watched the expression of McNulty’s face +change from mystification to wonder, then to +beatific enjoyment. +</p> +<p>He listened motionless while the exquisite +music flooded his starved old soul. Toward the +end he closed his eyes and tears trickled from beneath +the lids down his wrinkled face. He +brushed them off impatiently and the boys noticed +that his hand was trembling. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_90' name='page_90'></a>90</span></p> +<p>It was a long, long time before he seemed to +be aware that there was any one in the room with +him. He seemed to have completely forgotten +the boys who had bestowed this rare gift upon +him. +</p> +<p>After a while, coming out of his dream, the +old man began fumbling with the headphones as +if he wanted to take them off, and Bob helped +him. The man tried to speak, but made hard +work of it. Emotion choked him. +</p> +<p>“Shure, an’ I don’t know what to make of it +at all, at all,” he said at last, in a quivering voice. +“Shure an’ I thought the age of miracles was +passed. I’m only an ignorant old man, with no +eyes at all; but you lads have given me something +that’s near as good. Shure an’ it’s an old sinner +I am, for shure. Many’s the day I’ve sat here, +prayin’ the Lord would give me wan more minute +o’ sight before I died, an’ it was unanswered my +prayers wuz, I thought. It’s grateful I am to +yez, lads. It’s old Adam McNulty’s blessin’ ye’ll +always have. An’ now will yez put them things +in my ears? It’s heaven’s own angels I’d like to +be hearin’ agin. That’s the lad—ah!” +</p> +<p>And while the beatific expression stole once +more over his blind old face the boys stole silently +out. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='X_THE_ESCAPED_CONVICT' id='X_THE_ESCAPED_CONVICT'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_91' name='page_91'></a>91</span> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> +<h3>THE ESCAPED CONVICT</h3> +</div> + +<p>The boys saw a good deal of Adam McNulty +in the days that followed, and the change in the +old man was nothing short of miraculous. +</p> +<p>He no longer sat in the bare kitchen rocking +and smoking his pipe, dependent upon some +passer-by for his sole amusement. He had radio +now, and under the instruction of the boys he had +become quite expert in managing the apparatus. +Although he had no eyes, his fingers were extraordinarily +sensitive and they soon learned to +handle the set intelligently. +</p> +<p>His daughter Maggie, whose gratitude to the +boys knew no bounds, looked up the radio program +in the paper each day and carefully instructed +her father as to just when the news reports +were given out, the story reading, concerts, +and so forth. +</p> +<p>And so the old blind man lived in a new world—or +rather, the old world which he had ceased to +live in when he became blind—and he seemed +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_92' name='page_92'></a>92</span> +actually to grow younger day by day. For radio +had become his eyes. +</p> +<p>Doctor Dale heard of this act of kindness on +the part of the boys and he was warm in his +praise. +</p> +<p>“Radio,” he told the boys one day when he met +them on the street, “is a wonderful thing for +those of us that can see, but for the blind it is +a miracle. You boys have done an admirable +thing in your kindness to Adam McNulty, and I +hope that, not only individuals, but the government +itself will see the possibilities of so great a +charity and follow your example.” +</p> +<p>The boys glowed with pride at the doctor’s +praise, and then and there made the resolve that +whenever they came across a blind person that +person should immediately possess a radio set if +it lay within their power to give it to him. +</p> +<p>On this particular day when so many things +happened the boys were walking down Main +Street, talking as usual of their sets and the +marvelous progress of radio. +</p> +<p>Although it was still early spring, the air was +as warm almost as it would be two months later. +There was a smell of damp earth and pushing +grass in the air, and the boys, sniffing hungrily, +longed suddenly for the freedom of the open +country. +</p> +<p>“Buck and his bunch have it all their own +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_93' name='page_93'></a>93</span> +way,” said Herb discontentedly. “I wouldn’t +mind being up in a lumber camp myself just +now.” +</p> +<p>“Too early for the country yet,” said Jimmy +philosophically. “Probably be below zero to-morrow.” +</p> +<p>“What you thinking about, Bob?” asked Joe, +noticing that his chum had been quiet for some +time. +</p> +<p>“I was thinking,” said Bob, coming out of his +reverie, “of the difference there has been in generators +since the early days of Marconi’s spark +coil. First we had the spark transmitters and +then we graduated to transformers——” +</p> +<p>“And they still gave us the spark,” added Joe, +taking up the theme. “Then came the rotary +spark gap and later the Goldsmith generator——” +</p> +<p>“And then,” Jimmy continued cheerfully, “the +Goldsmith generator was knocked into a cocked +hat by the Alexanderson generator.” +</p> +<p>“They’ll have an improvement on that before +long, too,” prophesied Herb. +</p> +<p>“They have already,” Bob took him up quickly. +“Don’t you remember what Doctor Dale told us +of the new power vacuum tube where one tube +can take care of fifty K. W.?” +</p> +<p>“Gee,” breathed Herb admiringly, “I’ll say +that’s some energy.” +</p> +<p>“Those same vacuum tubes are being built +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_94' name='page_94'></a>94</span> +right now,” went on Bob enthusiastically. “They +are made of quartz and are much cheaper than +the alternators we’re using now.” +</p> +<p>“They are small too, compared to our present-day +generators,” added Joe. +</p> +<p>“You bet!” agreed Bob, adding, as his eyes +narrowed dreamily: “All the apparatus seems to +be growing smaller these days, anyway. I bet +before we fellows are twenty years older, engineers +will have done away altogether with large +power plants and cumbersome machinery.” +</p> +<p>“I read the other day,” said Joe, “that before +long all the apparatus needed, even for transatlantic +stations, can be contained in a small room +about twenty-five feet by twenty-five.” +</p> +<p>“But what shall we do for power?” protested +Herb. “We’ll always have to have generators.” +</p> +<p>“There isn’t any such word as ‘always’ in +radio,” returned Bob. “I shouldn’t wonder if in +the next twenty or thirty years we shall be able, +by means of appliances like this new power +vacuum tube, to get our power from the ordinary +lighting circuit.” +</p> +<p>“And that would do away entirely with generators,” +added Joe triumphantly. +</p> +<p>“Well, I wouldn’t say anything was impossible,” +said Herb doubtfully. “But that seems to +me like a pretty large order.” +</p> +<p>“It is a large order,” agreed Bob, adding with +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_95' name='page_95'></a>95</span> +conviction: “But it isn’t too large for radio to +fill.” +</p> +<p>“Speaking of lodging all apparatus in one fair-sized +room,” Joe went on. “I don’t see why that +can’t really be done in a few years. Why, they +say that this new power vacuum tube which +handles fifty K. W. is not any larger than a desk +drawer.” +</p> +<p>“I see the day of the vest-pocket radio set coming +nearer and nearer, according to you fellows,” +announced Herb. “Pretty soon we’ll be getting +our apparatus so small we’ll need a microscope to +see it.” +</p> +<p>“Laugh if you want to,” said Bob. “But I bet +in the next few years we’re going to see greater +things done in radio than have been accomplished +yet.” +</p> +<p>“And that’s saying something!” exclaimed Joe, +with a laugh. +</p> +<p>“I guess,” said Jimmy thoughtfully, “that there +have been more changes in a short time in radio +than in any other science.” +</p> +<p>“I should say so!” Herb took him up. “Look +at telephone and telegraph and electric lighting +systems. There have been changes in them, of +course, but beside the rapid-fire changes of radio, +they seem to have been standing still.” +</p> +<p>“There haven’t been any changes to speak of +in the electric lighting systems for the last fifteen +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_96' name='page_96'></a>96</span> +years or more,” said Bob. “And the telephone +has stayed just about the same, too.” +</p> +<p>“There’s no doubt about it,” said Joe. “Radio +has got ’em all beat as far as a field for experiment +is concerned. Say,” he added fervently, +“aren’t you glad you weren’t born a hundred +years ago?” +</p> +<p>The boys stopped in at Adam McNulty’s cabin +to see how the old fellow was getting along. +They found him in the best of spirits and, after +“listening in” with him for a while and laughing +at some of his Irish jokes, they started toward +home. +</p> +<p>“I wish,” said Bob, “that we could have gotten +a line on Dan Cassey. It seems strange that we +haven’t been able to pick up some real clue in all +this time.” +</p> +<p>For, although the boys had caught several other +mysterious messages uttered in the stuttering +voice of Dan Cassey, they had not been able to +make head nor tail of them. The lads liked +mysteries, but they liked them chiefly for the fun +of solving them. And they seemed no nearer to +solving this one than they had been in the beginning. +</p> +<p>“I know it’s a fool idea,” said Herb sheepishly. +“But since we were the ones that got Cassey his +jail sentence before, I kind of feel as if we were +responsible for him.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_97' name='page_97'></a>97</span></p> +<p>“It’s pretty lucky for us we’re not,” remarked +Joe. “We certainly would be up against it.” +</p> +<p>On and on the boys went. Presently Joe began +to whistle and all joined in until suddenly Jimmy +uttered a cry and went down on his face. +</p> +<p>“Hello, what’s wrong?” questioned Bob, leaping +to his chum’s side. +</p> +<p>“Tripped on a tree root,” growled Doughnuts, +rising slowly. “Gosh! what a spill I had.” +</p> +<p>“Better look where you are going,” suggested +Herb. +</p> +<p>“I don’t see why they can’t chop off some of +these roots, so it’s better walking.” +</p> +<p>“All right—you come down and do the chopping,” +returned Joe, lightly. +</p> +<p>“Not much! The folks that own the woods +can do that.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t find fault, Jimmy. Remember, some +of these very roots have furnished us with shinny +sticks.” +</p> +<p>“Well, not the one I tripped over.” +</p> +<p>It was some time later that the boys noticed +that they had tramped further than they had intended. +They were on the very outskirts of the +town, and before them the heavily-wooded region +stretched invitingly. +</p> +<p>Jimmy, who, on account of his plumpness, was +not as good a hiker as the other boys, was for +turning back, but the other three wanted to go on. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_98' name='page_98'></a>98</span> +And, being three against one, Jimmy had not the +shadow of a chance of getting his own way. +</p> +<p>It was cool in the shadows of the woods, and +the boys were reminded that it was still early in +the season. It was good to be in the woods, just +the same, and they tramped on for a long way +before they finally decided it was time to turn +back. +</p> +<p>They were just about to turn around when +voices on the path ahead of them made them hesitate. +As they paused three men came into full +view, and the boys stood, staring. +</p> +<p>Two of the men they had never seen before, +but the other they knew well. It was the man +whose voice they had been trailing all these weeks—Dan +Cassey, the stutterer! +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XI_DOWN_THE_TRAP_DOOR' id='XI_DOWN_THE_TRAP_DOOR'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_99' name='page_99'></a>99</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> +<h3>DOWN THE TRAP DOOR</h3> +</div> + +<p>It seemed that in the semi-darkness of the +woods Cassey did not at once recognize the +radio boys. He was talking excitedly to his +companions in his stuttering tongue and he was +almost upon the boys before he realized who they +were. +</p> +<p>He stopped still, eyes and mouth wide open. +Then, with a stuttered imprecation, he turned and +fled. The men with him stayed not to question, +but darted furtively into the woods. +</p> +<p>“Come on, fellows!” cried Bob, with a whoop +of delight. “Here’s where we nail Dan Cassey, +sure.” +</p> +<p>The boys, except poor Jimmy, were unusually +fleet, and they soon overtook Cassey. Bob’s +hand was almost upon him when the man doubled +suddenly in his tracks and darted off into the +thick underbrush. +</p> +<p>Bob, with Herb and Joe close at his heels, was +after him in a minute. He reached a clearing +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_100' name='page_100'></a>100</span> +just in time to see Cassey dash into an old barn +which had been hidden by the trees. +</p> +<p>The boys plunged into the barn with Jimmy +pantingly bringing up the rear. In Bob’s heart +was a wild exultation. They had Cassey cornered. +Once more they would bring this criminal +to justice. +</p> +<p>“You guard the door,” he called in a low tone +to Joe. “See that Cassey doesn’t get out that +way, and Herb and I will get after him in +here.” +</p> +<p>The barn was so dark that they could hardly +see to move around. There was a window high +up in the side wall, but this was so covered with +dirt and cobwebs that it was almost as though +there was none. +</p> +<p>However, Cassey must be lurking in one of +those dark corners, and if they moved carefully +they were sure to capture him! +</p> +<p>There was a loft to the barn, but if there had +been a ladder leading up to it it had long since +rotted and dropped away, so that Bob was reasonably +sure the man could not be up there. +</p> +<p>It was eery business, groping about in the +musty darkness of the old barn for a man who +would go to almost any lengths of villainy to +keep from being caught. +</p> +<p>Suddenly Bob saw something move, and, with +an exultant yell, jumped toward it. Once more +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_101' name='page_101'></a>101</span> +he almost had his hand upon Cassey when—something +happened. +</p> +<p>The floor of the barn seemed to open and let +him through, and his chums with him. As he +fell through the hole into blackness he had confused +thoughts of an earthquake. Then he +struck bottom with a solid thump that almost +made him see stars. +</p> +<p>He heard similar thumps about him and realized +that Herb and Jimmy had followed him. Whatever +it was they had shot through had evidently +magically closed up again, for they were in absolute +darkness. +</p> +<p>“Well,” came in a voice which Bob recognized +as Jimmy’s, “I must say, this is a nice note!” +</p> +<p>“We’ve been pushed off the end of the world, +I guess,” said Herb, with a sorry attempt at humor. +“Who all’s in this party anyway? Are +we all here?” +</p> +<p>“I guess so,” said Joe, and at the sound of his +voice Bob jumped. +</p> +<p>“What are you doing here?” he asked. “I +thought you were going to guard the door.” +</p> +<p>“That’s what I should have done, but I played +the big idiot,” retorted Joe bitterly. “I couldn’t +resist coming after you fellows to be in on the +big fight. I suppose while I was trailing you +boys somebody sneaked in the door and signed +our finish.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_102' name='page_102'></a>102</span></p> +<p>“Looks like it,” said Bob, feeling himself to +make sure there were no bones broken. “And +now, instead of delivering Cassey to justice we’re +prisoners ourselves. Say, I bet the old boy isn’t +laughing at us or anything just now.” +</p> +<p>“I’m awful sorry, Bob,” said Joe penitently. +“I thought if I kept my eye on the door——” +</p> +<p>“Oh, it’s all right,” said Bob generously. “Accidents +will happen and there’s no use crying over +spilled milk. I suppose the most sensible thing +for us to do right now is to hustle around and +find a way out of this place.” +</p> +<p>“Maybe there isn’t any,” said Jimmy dolefully. +“Then what’ll we do?” +</p> +<p>“Stay here and let the rats eat us, I guess,” +said Herb cheerfully, and Jimmy groaned. +</p> +<p>“Gosh, don’t talk about eating, old boy,” he +pleaded. “I’m just about starved this minute.” +</p> +<p>“You’ll probably stay starved for some little +time longer,” said Bob unfeelingly. He had +risen cautiously to his feet, and finding that their +prison was at least high enough for them to stand +up in, reached his hands tentatively above his +head. +</p> +<p>As, even by standing on tiptoe, his fingers encountered +nothing but air, he decided that they +must have dropped further than he had thought +at the time. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_103' name='page_103'></a>103</span></p> +<p>A hand reached out and took hold of him and +he realized that Joe was standing beside him. +</p> +<p>“Must have been some sort of trap door opening +inward, I guess,” said the latter. “You +didn’t see anything, did you, Bob?” +</p> +<p>“No. It happened too suddenly. One minute +I was reaching forward to grab hold of Cassey +and the next moment I found myself flying +through space.” +</p> +<p>“Humph,” grunted Joe. “It was lucky for +Cassey that we all happened to be in a bunch,” he +said. “He couldn’t have gotten rid of us so +quickly if we’d been scattered about——” +</p> +<p>“As we should have been,” added Bob. “Just +the same,” he added, after a minute, “I don’t suppose +it would have done any good if one of us +had been left up there. It must have been the +men who were with Cassey who sprang the trap +on us; and if that’s so, the fight would have been +three to one.” +</p> +<p>“I’d like to have tried it just the same,” said +Joe belligerently. “I bet Cassey would have +got a black eye out of it, anyway.” +</p> +<p>For some time they groped around the black +hole of their prison, hoping to find some way of +escape, but without success. They were beginning +to get tired and discouraged, and they sat +down on the floor to talk the situation over. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_104' name='page_104'></a>104</span></p> +<p>The queer thing about this hole in the ground +was that it possessed a flooring where one would +have expected to find merely packed-down dirt. +The flooring consisted of rough boards laid side +by side, and when the boys moved upon it it +sounded like the rattling of some rickety old +bridge. +</p> +<p>“There’s some mystery about this place,” said +Bob. “I bet this is a regular meeting place for +Cassey and whoever his confederates may be. In +case of pursuit all they would have to do would +be to hide in this hole and they’d be practically +safe from discovery.” +</p> +<p>“I wonder,” said Herb, “why Cassey didn’t do +that now.” +</p> +<p>“Probably didn’t have time,” said Bob. “I +was right on his heels, you know, and probably he +didn’t dare stop for anything.” +</p> +<p>“And so they turned the trick on us,” said Joe. +“And it sure was a neat job.” +</p> +<p>“Too neat, if we don’t get out of here soon,” +groaned Jimmy. “I bet they’ve just left us here +to starve!” +</p> +<p>“I wouldn’t put it beyond Cassey,” said Herb +gloomily. “It would be just the kind of thing +he’d love to do. He’s got a grudge against us, +anyway, for doing him out of Miss Berwick’s +money and landing him in jail, and this would +be a fine way to get even.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span></p> +<p>“Well, if that’s his game, he’s got another +guess coming,” said Bob, adding excitedly: +“Say, fellows, if that was a trap door that let us +down into this hole, and it must have been something +of that sort, we’ll probably be able to get +out the same way.” +</p> +<p>“But it’s above our heads,” protested Herb. +</p> +<p>“What difference does that make?” returned +Bob impatiently. “One of us can stand on the +other’s back, and we can haul the last fellow out +by his hands.” +</p> +<p>“Simple when you say it quick,” said Joe +gloomily. “But I bet that trap door is bolted on +the outside. You don’t think Cassey’s going to +let us off that easy, do you?” +</p> +<p>“Well, we could see anyway,” returned Bob. +“Anything’s better than just sitting here. Come +on, let’s find that trap door.” +</p> +<p>This feat, in itself, was no easy one. They +had wandered about in the dark so much that they +had become completely confused. +</p> +<p>Since Herb was the slightest, he was hoisted +up on Bob’s shoulders and they began the stumbling +tour of their prison. It seemed ages before +Herb’s glad cry announced a discovery of some +sort. +</p> +<p>“I’ve found a handle,” he said. “Steady there, +Bob, till I give it a pull.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XII_GROPING_IN_DARKNESS' id='XII_GROPING_IN_DARKNESS'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_106' name='page_106'></a>106</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> +<h3>GROPING IN DARKNESS</h3> +</div> + +<p>Herb tugged gently and gave another yell of +delight when whatever was attached to the handle +yielded grudgingly to the pull. +</p> +<p>“It’s the trap door, fellows!” he cried. “Move +over a bit, Bob, till I pull the thing down.” +</p> +<p>Bob, who, about this time, was finding Herb’s +weight not any too comfortable, moved over, and, +in doing so, stumbled, nearly pitching himself and +Herb to the floor. +</p> +<p>As it was, Herb lost his balance and leaped +wildly. He landed on his feet and reached out +a hand to find Bob. +</p> +<p>“Of all the tough luck,” he groaned. “There +I had the thing in my hand and now we’ve gone +and lost it again.” +</p> +<p>“Sorry. But stop your groaning and get +busy,” Bob commanded him. “I haven’t moved +from this spot, so if you get up on my shoulders +again you ought to be able to get hold of the +handle easily enough.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_107' name='page_107'></a>107</span></p> +<p>So, hoisted and pushed by Joe and Jimmy, +Herb finally regained his perch and felt for the +handle. He found it, and this time pulled the +door so far open that the boys could see through +the opening in the barn floor. +</p> +<p>“If somebody can hold that door,” panted +Herb, “I think I can get through this hole. Grab +hold, boy. It sure is heavy.” +</p> +<p>So Joe caught the door as it swung downward +and Herb scrambled through the aperture. Bob +gave a grunt of relief as the weight was taken +from his shoulders. +</p> +<p>“You’re next, Joe,” Bob was saying when +Jimmy came stumbling up, carrying something +that banged against Bob’s legs. +</p> +<p>“I’ve got it,” he panted. “Had an idea I +might find something like it. Trust your Uncle +Jimmy——” +</p> +<p>“For the love of butter, what are you raving +about?” interrupted Joe, and Jimmy proudly exhibited +his prize. +</p> +<p>“A soap box,” he said. “And a good big one, +too. If we stand on that we can reach the opening +easily.” +</p> +<p>“Good for you, Doughnuts,” cried Bob, joyfully +seizing upon the soap box. “This beats +playing the human footstool all hollow. Jump +up on it, Jimmy, and see how quick you can get +out of here.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_108' name='page_108'></a>108</span></p> +<p>Jimmy needed no second invitation. He +scrambled up on the tall box, and by stretching +up on tip toe could just manage to get his fingers +over the edge of the flooring above. +</p> +<p>“Give me a boost, some one,” he commanded, +and Bob obligingly administered the boost. +</p> +<p>Joe was next. Bob went last, holding the trap +door with his foot to keep it from closing too +quickly. Once upon the floor of the barn he +took his foot away and the door banged to with +a snap, being balanced by a rope and weight +above. +</p> +<p>“Well, there’s that!” exclaimed Bob, eyeing the +closed door with satisfaction. “If Cassey +thought he was going to fool us long, he sure was +mistaken.” +</p> +<p>“Maybe he’s hiding around here somewhere,” +suggested Herb, lowering his voice to a whisper. +</p> +<p>“No such luck,” replied Bob. “I’d be willing +to wager that the moment we struck bottom there, +Cassey and his friends beat it away from here as +fast as their legs could take them.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t you think we’d better look around a +little bit, anyway?” suggested Joe. +</p> +<p>“It wouldn’t do any harm,” agreed Bob. “But +first let’s have a look outside. We don’t want +to overlook any clues.” +</p> +<p>The boys thrashed around the bushes about the +barn until they were satisfied no one was hiding +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_109' name='page_109'></a>109</span> +there and then returned to the barn. They were +curious to find out just how they had been shot +through that trap door. +</p> +<p>They thought at first that it was perhaps +worked by some sort of apparatus, but they found +that this was not the case. They found by experimenting +that the trap door yielded easily to +their weight, and decided that it had been their +combined rush upon Cassey that had done the +trick. The weight of the four of them upon it +had shot the door down so rapidly that they had +not had time even to know what was happening +to them, much less scramble to safety. Then it +had shut on them. +</p> +<p>“It couldn’t have worked better for them,” +said Herb, as they turned toward the door of the +barn. “I bet they’re laughing yet at the way +they put things over.” +</p> +<p>“Let ’em laugh,” said Bob, adding fiercely: +“But I bet you anything that the last laugh will +be ours!” +</p> +<p>“I wonder what Cassey was doing here, anyway,” +said Jimmy, as they walked slowly homeward. +“It was lucky, wasn’t it, that we happened +along when we did?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t see where it’s so lucky,” grumbled Joe. +“We’re no nearer catching him now than we ever +were.” +</p> +<p>“Except that we know he’s around this +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_110' name='page_110'></a>110</span> +locality,” put in Bob. “I guess the police will be +glad to know that.” +</p> +<p>“Oh! are you going to tell the police?” asked +Jimmy, whose thoughts had been upon what he +was going to get for dinner. +</p> +<p>“Of course,” said Bob. “He’s an escaped +criminal, and it’s up to us to tell the police all we +know about him.” +</p> +<p>“I only wish we knew more to tell,” said Joe +disconsolately. +</p> +<p>Since they had been flung through the trap +door, Joe had called himself every unpleasant +name he could think of for his carelessness. If +he had stayed at the door where he belonged, +there would have been one of them left to grapple +with Dan Cassey. Probably the two men who +had been with Cassey when they had surprised +him had not been anywhere around. They belonged +to the type of criminal that always thinks +of its own safety first. Probably they had not +been anywhere near the barn. And if it had been +only Dan Cassey and himself, well, he, Joe, could +at least have given the scoundrel a black eye—maybe +captured him. +</p> +<p>He said something of this to his chums, but +they laughed at him. +</p> +<p>“Stop your grouching,” said Bob. “Haven’t +we already agreed that there’s no use crying over +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_111' name='page_111'></a>111</span> +spilled milk? And, anyway, you just watch out. +We’ll get Cassey yet.” +</p> +<p>As soon as the boys reached town they went +straight to the police station and told the story +of their encounter with Cassey to the grizzled old +chief, who nodded his head grimly and thanked +them for the information. +</p> +<p>“I’ll send some men out right away,” he told +them. “If there’s a criminal in those woods, +they’re sure to get him before dark. It’s too bad +you lads couldn’t have got him yourselves. It +would sure have been a feather in your caps!” +</p> +<p>“Why doesn’t he rub it in?” grumbled Joe, +as they turned at last toward home and dinner. +“He ought to know we feel mad enough about +it.” +</p> +<p>“Well,” said Bob, “if the police round him up, +because of our information, it will be almost as +good as though we’d caught him ourselves. I +wouldn’t,” he added, with a glint in his eye, “exactly +like to be in Cassey’s shoes, now.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XIII_CUNNING_SCOUNDRELS' id='XIII_CUNNING_SCOUNDRELS'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_112' name='page_112'></a>112</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> +<h3>CUNNING SCOUNDRELS</h3> +</div> + +<p>But, contrary to the expectations of the radio +boys, the police were not able to locate Cassey nor +any of the rest of the gang. They searched the +woods for miles around the old barn about which +the boys had told them, even carrying their search +into the neighboring townships, but without any +result. It seemed as though the earth had opened +and swallowed up Cassey together with his rascally +companions. If such a thing had actually +happened, their disappearance could not have been +more complete. +</p> +<p>“They must be experts in the art of hiding,” +grumbled Bob, upon returning from a visit to the +chief of police. “I was certain they would be +rounded up before this.” +</p> +<p>“Guess they must have made a break for the +tall timber,” said Joe. +</p> +<p>“Decided, maybe, it isn’t just healthy around +here,” added Herb, with a grin. +</p> +<p>And then, just when they had decided that +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_113' name='page_113'></a>113</span> +Cassey and his gang had made a masterly getaway, +the radio boys got on their trail once again. +</p> +<p>That very evening, when tuning in for the concert, +they caught another of those mysterious, +stuttering messages in the unmistakable voice of +Dan Cassey! +</p> +<p>“Rice, rats, make hay,” was the substance of +this message, and the boys would have laughed if +they had not been so dumbfounded. +</p> +<p>“What do you know about that?” gasped +Jimmy. “That old boy sure has his nerve with +him.” +</p> +<p>“They’re still hanging around here somewhere!” +cried Bob excitedly. “They’ve probably +got a hiding place that even the police can’t find.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, if we could only make sense of this!” exclaimed +Herb, staring at the apparently senseless +message which he had written down. “If we +only had their code the whole thing would be +simple.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, if we only had a million dollars, we’d +be millionaires!” retorted Jimmy scornfully. +“Where do you get that stuff, anyway?” +</p> +<p>“Well,” said Bob, temporarily giving up the +problem, “as far as I can see, all there is for us +to do is to keep our eyes and ears open and trust +to luck. Now what do you say we listen in on +the concert for a little while?” +</p> +<p>In the days that followed Cassey’s voice came +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_114' name='page_114'></a>114</span> +to them several times out of the ether, and always +in that same cryptic form that, try as they would, +they could not make out. +</p> +<p>It was exasperating, that familiar voice coming +to them out of the air day after day without +giving them the slightest clue to the whereabouts +of the speaker. +</p> +<p>And then, while they were in town one day, +they quite unexpectedly ran into their old friend, +Frank Brandon, the wireless inspector, whose +work for some time had taken him into another +district. +</p> +<p>However, he was to stay in Clintonia for a few +days on business now, and since he had nothing +particular to do that day, Bob enthusiastically invited +him up to his home for a visit. +</p> +<p>“Maybe you can give us some tips on our set,” +Bob added, as Mr. Brandon readily accepted the +invitation. “We’re not altogether satisfied with +our batteries. For some reason or other they +burn out too quickly.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I’ll take a look at it,” agreed Mr. Brandon +good-naturedly. “Although I imagine you +boys are such experts by this time I can’t tell you +very much. What have you been doing with +yourselves since we last met?” +</p> +<p>The boys told him something of their experiences, +in which he showed intense interest, and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_115' name='page_115'></a>115</span> +in return he told them some interesting things that +had happened to him. +</p> +<p>And when he spoke of catching mysterious +messages in the stuttering voice of Dan Cassey, +Bob broke in upon him eagerly. +</p> +<p>“We’ve caught a good many such messages +too,” he said. “Have you managed to make anything +of them?” +</p> +<p>“Not a thing,” said Mr. Brandon, shaking his +head. “If it is a criminal code, and I am about +assured that it is, then it is a remarkably clever +one and one that it is almost impossible to decipher +without a key. I’ve just about given up +trying.” +</p> +<p>Then the boys told of their encounter with +Cassey in the woods and their adventure in the +old barn, and Frank Brandon was immensely excited. +</p> +<p>“By Jove,” he said, “the man is up to his old +tricks again! I’d like to get hold of him before +he does any serious harm. That sort of criminal +is a menace to the community. +</p> +<p>“The funny part of it,” he continued, as they +turned the corner into Bob’s block, “is that these +messages are not all in Cassey’s voice. Have you +noticed that?” +</p> +<p>It was the boys’ turn to be surprised. +</p> +<p>“That’s a new one on us,” Bob confessed. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_116' name='page_116'></a>116</span> +“The only messages we have caught so far have +been in Cassey’s voice.” +</p> +<p>Frank Brandon slowly shook his head. +</p> +<p>“No,” he said, “I have caught a couple in a +strange voice, a voice I never heard before.” +</p> +<p>“The same kind of message?” asked Herb +eagerly. +</p> +<p>“The same kind of message,” Brandon +affirmed. “I have taken it for granted that the +owner of the strange voice is a confederate of +Cassey’s.” +</p> +<p>“Maybe one of the fellows who was with him +in the woods,” said Jimmy, and Mr. Brandon +nodded gravely. +</p> +<p>“It’s possible,” he said. “I don’t know, of +course, but I imagine that there are several in +Cassey’s gang.” +</p> +<p>By this time they had reached Bob’s home, and +as it was nearly lunch time, Mrs. Layton insisted +that they all stay to lunch. The boys, not liking +to make her trouble, said they would go home and +come back later, but the lady of the house would +have none of it. +</p> +<p>“Sit down, all of you,” she commanded, in her +cheerful, hospitable way. “I know you’re starved—all +but Jimmy—” this last with a smile, “and +there’s plenty to eat.” +</p> +<p>Frank Brandon was very entertaining all during +the meal and kept them in gales of laughter. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_117' name='page_117'></a>117</span> +Mrs. Layton found him as amusing as did the +boys. +</p> +<p>At last the lunch came to an end and Mr. +Brandon professed himself ready to talk shop. +</p> +<p>He was enthusiastic over the radio set the boys +showed him and declared that he could see very +little improvement to suggest. +</p> +<p>“You surely have kept up with the march,” he +said admiringly. “You have pretty nearly all the +latest appliances, haven’t you? Good work, +boys. Keep it up and you’ll be experts in +earnest.” +</p> +<p>“If we could only find some way to lengthen +the life of our storage batteries,” said Bob, not +without a pardonable touch of pride, “we wouldn’t +have much to complain about. But that battery +does puzzle us.” +</p> +<p>“Keep your battery filled with water and see if +it doesn’t last you about twice as long,” suggested +the radio expert. “Don’t add any acid to your +battery, for it’s only the water that evaporates.” +</p> +<p>“Will that really do the trick?” asked Joe, +wondering. “I don’t just see how——” +</p> +<p>“It does just the same,” Brandon interrupted +confidently. “All you have to do is to try it to +find out. Don’t use ordinary water though. It +needs to be distilled.” +</p> +<p>“That’s a new one on me, all right,” said Bob, +adding gratefully: “But we’re obliged for the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_118' name='page_118'></a>118</span> +information. If distilled water will lengthen the +life of our battery, then distilled water it shall +have.” +</p> +<p>“It seems queer,” said Mr. Brandon reflectively, +“how apparently simple things will work immense +improvement. Marconi, for instance, by merely +shortening his wave length, is discovering wonderful +things. We cannot even begin to calculate +what marvelous things are in store for us +when we begin to send out radio waves of a few +centimeters, perhaps less. We have not yet explored +the low wave lengths, and when we do +I believe we are in for some great surprises.” +</p> +<p>“Go on,” said Joe, as he paused. “Tell us +more about these low wave lengths.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XIV_A_DARING_HOLDUP' id='XIV_A_DARING_HOLDUP'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_119' name='page_119'></a>119</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> +<h3>A DARING HOLDUP</h3> +</div> + +<p>Frank Brandon shook his head and smiled. +</p> +<p>“I’m afraid I don’t know much more to tell,” +he said. “As I have said, what will happen when +we materially decrease the wave length, is still in +the land of conjecture. But I tell you,” he added, +with sudden enthusiasm, “I’m mighty glad to be +living in this good old age. What we have already +seen accomplished is nothing to what we are going +to see. Why,” he added, “some scientists, Steinmetz, +for instance, are even beginning to claim +that ether isn’t the real medium for the propagation +of radio waves.” +</p> +<p>“What do you mean by that?” asked Bob, with +interest. “Is it some sort of joke?” +</p> +<p>“Joke, nothing!” replied Frank Brandon. “As +a matter of fact, I fully believe that electro-magnetic +waves can as easily be hurled through a void +as through ether.” +</p> +<p>The boys were silent for a moment, thinking +this over. It sounded revolutionary, but they +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_120' name='page_120'></a>120</span> +had great respect for Frank Brandon’s judgment. +</p> +<p>“There’s the Rogers underground aerial,” Bob +suggested tentatively, and Brandon took him up +quickly. +</p> +<p>“Exactly!” he said. “That leans in the direction +of what I say. Why, I believe the day is +coming—and it isn’t so very far in the future, +either—when no aerial will be used. +</p> +<p>“Why, I believe,” he added, becoming more and +more enthusiastic as he continued, “that ten years +from now we shall simply attach our receiving +outfits to the ground and shall be able to receive +even more satisfactorily than we do to-day.” He +laughed and added lightly: +</p> +<p>“But who am I to assume the rôle of prophet? +Perhaps, like a good many prophets, I see too +much in the future that never will come true.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t believe it,” said Bob. “I shouldn’t +wonder if all your prophesy will come true in a few +years.” +</p> +<p>“Well,” said Herb, with a grin, “it will be a relief +not to get any more broken shins putting up +aerials.” +</p> +<p>Mr. Brandon laughed. +</p> +<p>“I’m with you,” he said. “I’ve been there myself.” +</p> +<p>“Have you read about that radio-controlled +tank?” Joe asked. “The one that was exhibited +in Dayton, I mean?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_121' name='page_121'></a>121</span></p> +<p>“I not only read about it, I saw it,” Mr. Brandon +answered, and the boys stared at him in surprise. +“I happened to be there on business,” he +said; “and you can better believe I was on hand +when they rolled that tank through the traffic.” +</p> +<p>“What did it look like?” asked Jimmy eagerly. +</p> +<p>“The car was about eight feet long and three +feet high,” responded Brandon. “It was furnished +with a motor and storage batteries, and I +guess its speed was about five or six miles an +hour.” +</p> +<p>“And was it really controlled by radio?” put in +Herb, wishing that he had been on the spot. +</p> +<p>“Absolutely,” returned Brandon. “An automobile +followed along behind it and controlled it +entirely by wireless signals. The apparatus that +does all the work is called the selector, and it’s only +about the size of a saucer. It decodes the dots +and dashes and obeys the command in an inconceivably +short time—about a quarter of a second.” +</p> +<p>“It can be controlled by an airplane, too, can’t +it?” asked Bob, and the radio inspector nodded. +</p> +<p>“In case of war,” he said slowly, “I imagine +these airplane-controlled tanks could do considerable +damage.” +</p> +<p>Their guest left soon after that, and, of course, +the boys were sorry to have him go. His last +words to them were about Cassey. +</p> +<p>“Keep your eyes open for that scoundrel,” he +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_122' name='page_122'></a>122</span> +said, “and we’ll find out what he’s up to yet.” +</p> +<p>But in the next few days so many alarming +things happened that the boys had little time to +think about Dan Cassey. The alarming happenings +consisted of a series of automobile robberies +in neighboring towns, robberies committed so +skillfully that no hint nor clue was given of the +identity of the robbers. +</p> +<p>And then the robberies came nearer home, even +into Clintonia itself. The president of one of +the banks left his machine outside the bank for +half an hour, and when he came out again it was +gone. No one could remember seeing any suspicious +characters around. +</p> +<p>Then Raymond Johnston, a prominent business +man of the town, had his car taken in the +same mysterious manner from in front of his +home. As before, no one could give the slightest +clue as to the identity of the thieves. +</p> +<p>The entire community was aroused and the +police were active, and yet the mystery remained +as dark as ever. +</p> +<p>Then, one day, Herb came dashing over to +Bob’s home in a state of wild excitement. Joe +and Jimmy were already there, and Herb stopped +not even for a greeting before he sprang his news. +</p> +<p>“Say, fellows!” he cried, sprawling in a chair +and panting after his run, “it’s time somebody +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_123' name='page_123'></a>123</span> +caught those auto thieves. They are getting a +little too personal.” +</p> +<p>“What’s up?” they demanded. +</p> +<p>“One of dad’s trucks has been held up!” gasped +Herb. “In broad daylight, too!” +</p> +<p>“Was anything taken?” asked Joe. +</p> +<p>“Anything? Well, I should say! They looted +the truck of everything. It’s a wonder they didn’t +steal the machinery.” +</p> +<p>“That’s a pretty big loss for your dad, isn’t it?” +said Bob gravely. +</p> +<p>“It is!” replied Herb, running his fingers +through his hair. “He’s all cut up about it and +vows he’ll catch the ruffians. Though he’ll have +to be a pretty clever man if he does, I’ll say.” +</p> +<p>“They do seem to be pretty slick,” agreed Bob. +</p> +<p>“I wonder if the same gang is responsible for +all the robberies,” put in Joe. +</p> +<p>“It looks that way,” said Jimmy. “It looks +as if there were a crook at the head of the bunch +who has pretty good brains.” +</p> +<p>“A regular master criminal, Doughnuts?” gibed +Herb, then sobered again as he thought of his +father’s loss. +</p> +<p>“It’s bad enough,” he said gloomily, “to hear of +other people’s property being stolen, but when it +comes right down to your own family, it’s getting +a little too close for comfort.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_124' name='page_124'></a>124</span></p> +<p>“What is your dad going to do about it?” asked +Bob. +</p> +<p>Herb shrugged his shoulders in a helpless gesture. +</p> +<p>“What can he do?” he asked. “Except what +everybody else has done—inform the police and +hope the rascals will be caught. And even if they +are caught,” he added, still more gloomily, “it +won’t do dad much good, except that he’ll get revenge. +The crooks will probably have disposed of +all their stolen property before they’re caught.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I don’t know,” said Bob hopefully. +“Those fellows are getting a little bit too daring +for their own good. Some day they’ll go too far +and get caught.” +</p> +<p>“I hope so. But crooks like that are pretty +foxy,” returned Herb, refusing to be cheered. +“They’re apt to get away with murder before +they’re caught.” +</p> +<p>The lads were silent for a moment, trying to +think things out, and when Bob spoke he unconsciously +put into words something of what his +comrades were thinking. +</p> +<p>“It seems as if radio ought to be able to help +out in a case like this,” he said, with a puzzled +frown. “But I must say I don’t see how it can.” +</p> +<p>“It can’t,” returned Herb. “If some one had +been lucky enough to get a glimpse of one of the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_125' name='page_125'></a>125</span> +thieves, then good old radio would have its chance. +We could wireless the description all over the +country and before long somebody would make +a capture.” +</p> +<p>Bob nodded. +</p> +<p>“That’s where the cunning of these rascals +comes in,” he said. “Either nobody sees them at +all, or when they do the thieves are so well disguised +by masks that a useful description isn’t +possible.” +</p> +<p>“Were the fellows who held up your father’s +truck masked?” asked Jimmy with interest. +</p> +<p>Herb nodded. +</p> +<p>“From all I can hear,” he said. “It was a regular +highway robbery affair—masks, guns, and all +complete. The driver of the truck said there were +only two of them, but since they had guns and +he was unarmed, there wasn’t anything he could +do. +</p> +<p>“They made him get down off the truck, and +then they bound his hands behind him and hid +him behind some bushes that bordered the road. +He would probably be there yet if he hadn’t managed +to get the gag out of his mouth and hail some +people passing in an automobile. Poor fellow!” +he added. “Any one might have thought he had +robbed the truck from the way he looked. He +was afraid to face dad.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_126' name='page_126'></a>126</span></p> +<p>“Well, it wasn’t his fault,” said Joe. “No man +without a weapon is a match for two armed rascals.” +</p> +<p>“Didn’t he say what the robbers looked like?” +insisted Jimmy. “He must have known whether +they were short or tall or fat or skinny.” +</p> +<p>“He said they were about medium height, both +of them,” returned Herb. “He said they were +both about the same build—rather thin, if anything. +But their faces were so well covered—the +upper part by a mask and the lower by bandana +handkerchiefs—that he couldn’t give any +description of them at all.” +</p> +<p>“I bet,” Bob spoke up suddenly, “that whoever +is at the head of that rascally gang knows the +danger of radio to him and his plans. That’s +why his men are so careful to escape recognition.” +</p> +<p>The boys stared at him for a minute and then +suddenly the full force of what he intimated +struck them. +</p> +<p>At the same instant the name of the same man +came into their minds—the name of a man who +used radio for the exchange of criminal codes, a +man who stuttered painfully. +</p> +<p>“Cassey!” they said together, and Herb added, +thoughtfully: +</p> +<p>“I wonder!” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XV_OFF_TO_THE_WOODS' id='XV_OFF_TO_THE_WOODS'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_127' name='page_127'></a>127</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> +<h3>OFF TO THE WOODS</h3> +</div> + +<p>For days the town hummed with the excitement +that followed the daring robbery of the truck +belonging to Mr. Fennington, but as time passed +and there seemed little prospect of bringing the +robbers to justice, interest died down. But the +radio boys never abated their resolve to do all in +their power to recover the stolen merchandise, +although at that time they were kept so busy in +high school, preparing for a stiff examination, +that they had little time for anything else. +</p> +<p>“It’s getting so bad lately that I don’t even get +time to enjoy my meals,” grumbled Jimmy, one +sunny spring afternoon. “Swinging an oar a la +Ben Hur would be just a little restful exercise +after the way we’ve been drilling the last week.” +</p> +<p>“Get out!” exclaimed Joe. “Why, you +wouldn’t last two hours in one of those galleys, +Doughnuts. They’d heave you over the side as +excess baggage once they got wise to you.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_128' name='page_128'></a>128</span></p> +<p>“After two hours of rowing in one of those old +galleys, he’d be glad to get heaved overboard, I’ll +bet,” put in Herb, grinning. “I think Jimmy +would rather drown any day than work that +hard.” +</p> +<p>“Huh! I don’t see where you fellows get off +to criticize,” retorted the harassed youth. “I +never saw any of you win gold medals for hard +and earnest work.” +</p> +<p>“Lots of people deserve medals who never get +them,” Bob pointed out. +</p> +<p>“Yes. But, likewise, lots of people don’t deserve +’em who don’t get ’em,” retorted Jimmy, +and for once appeared to have won an argument. +</p> +<p>“I guess you’re right at that,” conceded Bob. +“But, anyway, I’m going to pass those examinations +no matter how hard I have to work. It +will pretty near break my heart, but it can’t be +helped.” +</p> +<p>The others were equally determined, and they +dug into the mysteries of Horace and Euclid to +such good effect that they all passed the examinations +with flying colors. After that came a +breathing space, and just at that time a golden +opportunity presented itself. +</p> +<p>Mr. Fennington, Herbert’s father, had become +interested, together with several other business +men of Clintonia, in a timber deal comprising +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_129' name='page_129'></a>129</span> +many acres of almost virgin forest in the northern +part of the state. He was going to look over +the ground personally, and when Herb learned +of this, he urged his father to take him and the +other radio boys along for a brief outing over +the Easter holiday. When his father seemed extremely +dubious over this plan, Herb reminded +him that Mr. Layton had taken them all to Mountain +Pass the previous autumn, and that it would +be only fair to reciprocate. +</p> +<p>“But the Lookers are up in that part of the +country, too,” said Mr. Fennington. “Aren’t you +fellows scared to go where Buck Looker is?” he +added, with a smile lurking about his mouth. +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, we’re terribly afraid of that!” answered +Herb sarcastically. “We’ll take our +chances, though, if you’ll only let us go with +you.” +</p> +<p>“Well, well, I’ll see,” said his father, and Herb +knew that this was practically equivalent to surrender. +Accordingly he hunted up his chums and +broached the project to them. +</p> +<p>“Herb, your words are as welcome as the flowers +in May,” Bob told him, with a hearty slap on +the back. “If this trip actually works out, we’ll +forgive you all last winter’s jokes, won’t we, +fellows?” +</p> +<p>“It’s an awful lot to ask of a fellow, but I +suppose we can manage it,” said Joe, and Jimmy, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_130' name='page_130'></a>130</span> +after pretending to think the matter over very +seriously, finally said the same. +</p> +<p>They were all overjoyed at the prospect of such +a trip, and had little difficulty in getting the consent +of their parents. Mr. Fennington eventually +consented to take the radio boys with him, and +there ensued several days of bustle and excited +packing. At length all was ready, and they +found themselves, one bright spring morning, installed +in a big seven-passenger touring car <i>en +route</i> for Braxton Woods, as the strip of timberland +was called. +</p> +<p>“This is the life!” chortled Jimmy, as the miles +rolled away behind. “Fresh air, bright sun, the +song of birds, and—doughnuts!” and he produced +a bulging paper bag full of his favorite dainty. +</p> +<p>“How do you get that way?” asked Joe severely, +although he eyed the bag hungrily. “The +‘song of doughnuts!’ You’re the only Doughnut +that I ever heard of that could sing, and you’re +no great shakes at it.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, you know what I meant!” exclaimed +Jimmy. “At least, you’re thicker than usual if +you don’t.” +</p> +<p>“Do you hear that, Joe?” laughed Bob. “The +boy’s telling you that you’re thick. Are you going +to stand for that?” +</p> +<p>“He knows it’s true. And, anyway, he doesn’t +dare talk back for fear I won’t give him one of +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_131' name='page_131'></a>131</span> +these delicious little morsels,” said Jimmy placidly. +“How about it, Joe?” +</p> +<p>“That’s taking mean advantage of a poor fellow +who’s practically dying of starvation,” said Joe. +“Give me a doughnut, and I won’t talk back—until +after I’ve eaten it, anyway.” +</p> +<p>“That’s all right then,” said his plump friend. +“After you’ve eaten one, you’ll feel so grateful +to me that you’ll regret all the low-down things +you’ve ever said about me.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, you’re the finest pal any fellow ever had,” +declared Joe. “How many doughnuts have you +left, Jimmy?” +</p> +<p>“Something tells me that you don’t mean all you +say,” said Jimmy suspiciously. “Just the same, +I’ll take a chance and give you another one. They +won’t last long at the rate they’re going; I can +tell that without half trying.” +</p> +<p>“Well, a short life but a merry one,” said Bob. +“Come across with another, Jimmy, will you?” +</p> +<p>“You know I love you too much to refuse you +anything, Bob,” said Jimmy. “Just the same, +I’m going to hold out another for myself, and +then you big panhandlers can finish them up. I’ve +just had four, but I suppose those will have to last +me for the present.” +</p> +<p>“Say, that’s tough—only four!” exclaimed +Herb, in mock sympathy. “What will you ever +do until lunch time, I wonder?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_132' name='page_132'></a>132</span></p> +<p>“I’m wondering the same thing myself; but I’m +used to suffering whenever I’m with you fellows, +so I suppose I’ll have to grin and bear it somehow.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t see why you didn’t bring some more, +while you were about it,” complained Bob. “You +might have known that wouldn’t be half enough.” +</p> +<p>“It will be a long time before I buy any more +for you Indians, you can bet your last dollar on +that,” said Jimmy, in an aggrieved voice. +“You’ve been going to school a number of years, +now, but you still don’t know what ‘gratitude’ +means.” +</p> +<p>“The only one that should be grateful is yourself, +Doughnuts,” Joe assured him. “You know +if you had eaten that whole bag full of doughnuts +that you’d have been heading a funeral to-morrow +or next day. It’s lucky you have us around to +save you from yourself.” +</p> +<p>While Jimmy was still framing an indignant +reply to this there was a loud report, and the +driver quickly brought the big car to a halt. +</p> +<p>“Blowout,” he remarked laconically, walking +around to view a shoe that was flat beyond the +possibility of doubt. It was not an unmixed evil +to the boys, however, for they welcomed the +chance to get out and stretch their cramped muscles. +They helped the driver jack up the wheel +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_133' name='page_133'></a>133</span> +and change shoes, and in a short time they were +ready to proceed. +</p> +<p>Back they climbed into their places, and with a +rasp of changing gears they were on their way +once more. +</p> +<p>Braxton Woods lay something over a hundred +miles from Clintonia, but the roads were good +most of the way, and they had planned to reach +their destination that evening. When they had +covered sixty miles of the distance, Mr. Fennington +consented to stop for the lunch for which the +boys had been clamoring for some time. They +took their time over the meal, building a fire and +cooking steak and frying potatoes. +</p> +<p>“Gee, this was a feast fit for a king!” exclaimed +Jimmy, when it was over. +</p> +<p>The boys lay down on the newly sprouted grass, +but had hardly got settled when the driver, who +appeared restless, summoned them to proceed. +</p> +<p>“We’ve got a long way to go yet,” he said, +“and the last fifteen miles are worse than all the +rest of the trip put together. The road is mostly +clay and rocks, and at this time of year it’s apt +to be pretty wet. I don’t want to have to drive it +after dark.” +</p> +<p>Mr. Fennington was also anxious to get on, so +their rest was a brief one, and they were soon on +their way again. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_134' name='page_134'></a>134</span></p> +<p>The radio boys laughed and sang, cracked jokes, +and waved to passing cars, while the mileage record +on the speedometer mounted steadily up. The +sun was still quite a way above the western horizon +when they reached the place where the forest +road branched off from the main highway. The +driver tackled this road cautiously, and they soon +found that his description of it had not been overdrawn. +It was a narrow trail, in most places not +wide enough for two cars to pass, and they wondered +what would happen should they meet another +car going in the opposite direction. But in +the whole fifteen miles they met only one other +motor, and fortunately that was at a wide place +in the road. +</p> +<p>The scent of spring and growing things was +strong in the air, and compensated somewhat for +the atrocious road. The boys were often tossed +high in the air as the car bumped over logs and +stones, or came up with a lurch out of some deep +hole. But they hung on to each other, or whatever +else was most convenient, and little minded +the rough going. +</p> +<p>After one particularly vicious lunge, however, +the heavy car came down with a slam, and there +was a sharp noise of snapping steel. With a muttered +exclamation the driver brought his car to +a halt and climbed out. +</p> +<p>“Just as I thought!” he exclaimed. “A spring +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_135' name='page_135'></a>135</span> +busted, and the nearest garage twenty miles away. +Now we’re up against it for fair!” +</p> +<p>“Do you mean that we can’t go on?” asked Mr. +Fennington anxiously. “It will be dark in another +hour.” +</p> +<p>“I know it will,” replied the chauffeur. “But +what can we do about it?” +</p> +<p>“Can’t we make a temporary repair?” suggested +Bob. “We can’t have much further to go now.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I’m open to suggestions, young fellow,” +growled the driver. “If you can tell me how to +fix this boiler up, go to it. It’s more than I can +do.” +</p> +<p>Bob and the others made a thorough examination +of the damage, and they were not long in +concocting a plan. Bob had brought with him a +small but very keen-edged ax, and it was the +work of only a few minutes to cut a stout limb +about six inches in diameter from a tree. +</p> +<p>With this, and a coil of heavy rope that was +carried in the car for emergencies, they proceeded +to make the temporary repair. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XVI_PUT_TO_THE_TEST' id='XVI_PUT_TO_THE_TEST'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_136' name='page_136'></a>136</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> +<h3>PUT TO THE TEST</h3> +</div> + +<p>First of all the boys trimmed the branch to a +length slightly greater than the distance between +axle and axle of the car. Then, near each end, +they cut a notch about two inches deep, one to fit +over the front and one over the rear axle. Next +they placed the branch in position, and with the +heavy rope lashed it securely into position. Thus +the front and rear axles were kept at the proper +distance from each other, and, moreover, the +side of the car that was over the broken spring +could rest on the stout pole. +</p> +<p>The driver, who at first had watched their efforts +with a derisive grin, took their plan more +seriously as he realized the scheme, and now he +examined the completed job with an air of surprised +respect. +</p> +<p>“I’ve got to admit that that looks as though +it might do the trick,” he admitted, at length. +“I’ve seen a lot of roadside repairs in my time, +but blest if that hasn’t got ’em all beat. I’ll take +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_137' name='page_137'></a>137</span> +it at slow speed the rest of the way, and we’ll see +if it will stand up long enough to get us in.” +</p> +<p>And get them in it did, in spite of much creaking +and groaning and bumping. +</p> +<p>The automobile drew up before a long one-story +building, constructed roughly but substantially +of unpainted boards. Supper was being +served, and they were just in time to partake of a +typical lumber camp meal. The big table was +laden with huge joints of meat, platters of biscuits +and vegetables, while strong, black coffee +was served in abundance. After this plates of +doughnuts were passed around, greatly to Jimmy’s +delight, and for once he could eat all he wanted +with nobody to criticize, for the lumbermen were +no tyros at this sort of thing, and packed away +food in quantities and at a speed that made the +boys gape. +</p> +<p>“Gee!” exclaimed Bob, after they had emerged +into the balmy spring air outside, “I used to think +that Jimmy could eat; but he can’t even make the +qualifying heats with this crowd. You’re outclassed, +Doughnuts, beyond the chance of argument.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t see but what I’ll have to admit it,” +sighed his rotund friend. “But I don’t care. It +seems like Heaven to be in a place where they +serve doughnuts like that. There’s none of this +‘do-have-a-doughnut’ business. Some big husky +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_138' name='page_138'></a>138</span> +passes you a platter with about a hundred on it +and says, ‘dig in, young feller.’ Those are what +I call sweet sounding words.” +</p> +<p>“And you dug, all right,” remarked Joe, grinning. +“I saw you clean one platter off all by +your lonesome—at least, you came pretty near it,” +he qualified, with some last lingering regard for +the truth. +</p> +<p>“I didn’t anything of the kind! But I only wish +I could,” lamented Jimmy. +</p> +<p>“Never mind, Doughnuts, nobody can deny +that you did your best,” laughed Herb. “After +you’ve had a little practice with this crowd, I’ll +back you against their champion eater any day.” +</p> +<p>“So would I,” said Bob. “We’ve often talked +about entering Jimmy in a pie-eating contest, but +I never before thought we could find anybody who +would even stand a chance with him. Up here, +though, there’s some likely-looking material. +Judging from some of those huskies we saw to-night, +they might crowd our champion pretty +hard.” +</p> +<p>“You can enter me any time you want to,” said +Jimmy. “Even if I didn’t win, I’d have a lot of +fun trying. I never really got enough pie at one +time yet, and that would be the chance of a lifetime.” +</p> +<p>At first the boys were more than half joking, +but after they had been at the camp a few days +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_139' name='page_139'></a>139</span> +and had begun to get acquainted, they let drop +hints regarding Jimmy’s prowess that aroused +the interest of the lumbermen. He was covertly +watched at meal times, and as the bracing woodland +air and long hikes combined to give an added +edge to his appetite, his ability began to command +attention. There were several among the woodsmen +who had a reputation for large capacity, but +it was soon evident that Jimmy was not to be +easily outdistanced in his own particular department. +</p> +<p>At length interest became so keen that it was +decided to stage a real old-fashioned pie-eating +contest, to determine whether the champions of +the camp were to be outdistanced by a visitor from +the city. The cook was approached, and agreed +to make all the pies that, in all human probability, +would be needed. +</p> +<p>“Jimmy, you’re in for it now!” exclaimed Herb, +dancing ecstatically about his plump friend. +“Here’s your chance to make good on all the +claims we’ve ever advanced for you. You’re up +against a strong field, but my confidence in you +is unshaken.” +</p> +<p>“It simply isn’t possible that our own Jimmy +could lose,” grinned Bob. “I’ve seen him wade +into pies before this, and I know what he can do.” +</p> +<p>“I appreciate your confidence, believe me,” said +Jimmy. “But I don’t care much whether I win +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_140' name='page_140'></a>140</span> +or not. I know I’ll get enough pie for once in my +life, and that’s the main thing.” +</p> +<p>The time for the contest was set for the following +evening, the third of their stay. Five lumbermen +had been put forward to uphold the reputation +of the camp, and they and Jimmy ate no supper +that night, waiting until the others had finished. +Then the board was cleared, and the cook +and his helper entered, bringing in several dozen +big pies of all varieties. One of these was placed +before each of the contestants, and they could +help themselves to as many more as their capacity +would admit. +</p> +<p>The cook, as having the best knowledge of matters +culinary, was appointed judge, and was provided +with a pad and pencil to check up each contestant. +A time limit of two hours was set, the +one having consumed the greatest amount of pie +in that time to be declared the winner. +</p> +<p>The cook gave the signal to start, and the contest +was on. +</p> +<p>The lumbermen started off at high speed, and +at first wrought tremendous havoc among the +pies, while Jimmy ate in his usual calm and placid +manner, evidently enjoying himself immensely. +Each of the lumbermen had his following, who +cheered him on and urged him to fresh endeavors. +Bob and Joe and Herb said little, for they had observed +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_141' name='page_141'></a>141</span> +Jimmy’s prowess over a period of several +years, and knew his staying qualities. +</p> +<p>At the end of the first half hour their friend +was badly outdistanced, but the other contestants +had slowed up noticeably, while Jimmy still ate +calmly on, no faster and no slower than when he +had started. He was only starting on his second +pie when all the others were finishing theirs, but +the confidence of his three comrades remained +unshaken. They observed that the lumbermen +chose their third pies very carefully, and started +to eat them in a languid way. They were only +about half through when Jimmy disposed of his +second one, and started on a third. +</p> +<p>“How do you feel, Jimmy?” asked Herb, with +a grin. “Are you still hungry?” +</p> +<p>“No, not exactly hungry, but it still tastes +good,” replied Jimmy calmly. “You sure can +make good pies, Cook.” +</p> +<p>The other contestants essayed feeble grins, but +it was easy to see that their pies no longer tasted +good to them. More and more slowly they ate, +while Jimmy kept placidly on, his original gait +hardly slackened. He finished the third pie and +started nonchalantly on a fourth. At sight of +this, and his confident bearing, two of the other +contestants threw up their hands and admitted +themselves beaten. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_142' name='page_142'></a>142</span></p> +<p>“I used to like pie,” groaned one, “but now I +hope never to see one again. That youngster +must be made of rubber.” +</p> +<p>“I’ve often said the same thing myself,” chortled +Bob. “Just look at him! I believe he’s good +for a couple more yet.” +</p> +<p>Excitement ran high when two of the remaining +lumbermen were forced out toward the middle +of their fourth pie, leaving only Jimmy and a +jolly man of large girth, who before the start +had been picked by his companions as the undoubted +winner. +</p> +<p>“Go to it, Jack!” the lumbermen shouted now. +“Don’t let the youngster beat you out. He’s +pretty near his limit now.” +</p> +<p>It was true that flaky pie crust and luscious filling +had lost their charm for Jimmy, but his opponent +was in even worse plight. He managed to +finish his fourth pie, but when the cook handed +him a fifth, the task proved to be beyond him. +</p> +<p>“I’ve reached my limit, fellers,” he declared. +“If the youngster can go pie number five, he’ll be +champion of the camp.” +</p> +<p>Excitement ran high as Jimmy slowly finished +the last crumbs of his fourth pie, and the cook +handed him a fifth. Would he take it, or would +the contest prove to be a draw? +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XVII_THE_BULLY_GETS_A_DUCKING' id='XVII_THE_BULLY_GETS_A_DUCKING'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_143' name='page_143'></a>143</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> +<h3>THE BULLY GETS A DUCKING</h3> +</div> + +<p>“Our man doesn’t have to eat another whole +pie,” protested Bob. “If he just eats some of it +he’ll win, Mr. Judge.” +</p> +<p>“That’s right,” nodded the cook. “How about +you, young feller? Are you able to tackle it?” +</p> +<p>“Sure thing,” responded Jimmy. “Hand it +over.” +</p> +<p>He forced himself to cut and eat a small piece, +and when he had finished, pandemonium broke +loose. The judge declared him undisputed +champion of the camp, and he was caught up and +elevated to broad shoulders while an impromptu +triumphal procession was organized that circled +the camp with much laughter and many jokes at +the expense of the defeated aspirants for the +title. +</p> +<p>After this was over, the boys held a little private +jubilation of their own in the little cabin +where they were quartered with Mr. Fennington. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_144' name='page_144'></a>144</span> +He had been away during the contest, but he returned +shortly afterward, and laughingly congratulated +Jimmy on his newly won honors. +</p> +<p>“How do you feel?” he inquired. “Do you +think you could manage another piece of pie? +I’ll see that you have a large piece if you think +you can.” +</p> +<p>“No, sir! I’ve had enough pie to last me for +a good while to come,” declared Jimmy positively. +“I’ll be ashamed to look a pie in the face. For +the next week or so I’ll have to stick to my favorite +doughnuts for dessert.” +</p> +<p>“Well, you did nobly, Doughnuts, and I love +you more than ever,” declared Bob. “You were +up against a field that anybody might be proud +to beat.” +</p> +<p>“And the best part of it, to me, is the feeling +that our confidence in Jimmy’s eating powers was +justified,” declared Joe. “After all the wonderful +exhibitions he’s given in the past, it would have +been terrible if he hadn’t come up to scratch to-night.” +</p> +<p>“The way that fellow they call Jack started off, +I never thought you had a chance, Jimmy,” confessed +Herb. +</p> +<p>“If he could have held that pace, I wouldn’t +have had a look-in,” admitted Jimmy. “I figured +he’d have to slow down pretty soon, though. +‘Slow but sure’ is my motto.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_145' name='page_145'></a>145</span></p> +<p>“How would you like to take a nice three-mile +sprint now?” asked Herb mischievously. +</p> +<p>“Three mile nothing!” exclaimed Jimmy scornfully. +“I couldn’t run three yards right now. I +think I’ll lie down and give my digestion a +chance,” and in a few minutes he was peacefully +snoring. +</p> +<p>The next morning he showed no ill effects from +the prodigious feast, but ate his usual hearty breakfast. +The others were forced to the conclusion +that his table ability was even greater than they +had suspected, and from that time on they firmly +believed him to be invincible in his particular +department. +</p> +<p>By this time they were thoroughly familiar with +the camp, and decided to make an excursion into +the woods the following day, taking lunch with +them and making it a day’s outing. The cook +so far departed from his usual iron-clad rules as +to make them up a fine lunch, making due allowance +for Jimmy’s proven capacity. +</p> +<p>They started out immediately after breakfast. +Not being particular as to direction, they followed +the first old logging road that they came to. It +led them deeper and deeper into the forest that +was alive with the sounds and scents of spring. +Last year’s fallen leaves made a springy carpet +underfoot, while robins sang their spring song +in the budding branches overhead. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_146' name='page_146'></a>146</span></p> +<p>For some time the boys tramped in silence, +breathing deeply of the exhilarating pine and balsam +atmosphere and at peace with all the world. +Soon there was a glint of water through the +trees, and the boys, with one accord, diverged +from the faint trail that they had been following +and were a few minutes later standing at the +water’s edge. +</p> +<p>They found themselves on the shore of a large +lake. It was ringed about with big trees, many of +which leaned far out over it as though to gaze at +their reflections in the water. The ripples lapped +gently on a sloping sandy beach, and the invitation +to swim proved irresistible to all but Jimmy. +</p> +<p>“I know what lake water is like at this time of +year,” he said. “You fellows can go in and freeze +yourselves all you like, but I’ll stay right here and +look after the things. Just dive right in and +enjoy yourselves.” +</p> +<p>“Well, we won’t coax you,” said Bob. “But +that water looks too good to miss. It is pretty +cold, but I guess that won’t kill us.” +</p> +<p>Off came their clothes, and with shouts and +laughter they splashed through the shallow water +and struck out manfully. The icy water made +them gasp at first, but soon the reaction came, and +they thoroughly enjoyed their swim. They tried +to coax Jimmy in, but he lay flat on his back +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_147' name='page_147'></a>147</span> +under a tree and was adamant to all their pleadings. +</p> +<p>The others did not stay in very long, but +emerged glowing from the effects of exercise and +the cold water. As they were getting into their +clothes they heard voices coming toward them, +and they had hardly finished dressing when the +voices’ owners came crashing through the underbrush +close to where the boys were standing. +</p> +<p>The two groups stared in astonishment for a +few moments, for the newcomers were none other +than Carl Lutz, Buck Looker, Terry Mooney, +and another older fellow, who was a stranger to +the radio boys. +</p> +<p>Buck’s expression of surprise quickly gave place +to an ugly sneer, and he turned to his friends. +</p> +<p>“Look who’s here!” he cried, in a nasty tone. +“I wonder what they’re up to now, Carl?” +</p> +<p>“We’re not hiding from the cops because we +broke a plate glass window and were afraid to +own up to it,” Bob told him. +</p> +<p>“Who broke a window?” demanded Buck. +“You can’t prove that it wasn’t a snowball that +one of your own bunch threw that broke that +window.” +</p> +<p>“We don’t throw that kind of snowballs,” said +Joe. +</p> +<p>“What do you mean by that?” asked Buck. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_148' name='page_148'></a>148</span></p> +<p>“Are you trying to say that we put stones in our +snowballs?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t have to say it,” retorted Joe. “You +just said it yourself.” +</p> +<p>Too late Buck realized his mistake, and his +coarse red face grew purple as Herb and Jimmy +grinned at him in maddening fashion. +</p> +<p>“Don’t you laugh at me, Jimmy Plummer!” he +exclaimed, picking on Jimmy as being the least +warlike of the radio boys. “I’ll make you laugh +out of the other side of your mouth in a minute,” +and he started to dash past Bob to reach his +victim. +</p> +<p>But to do so he had to pass between Bob and +the bank of the lake, which just at this point was +a foot or so above the water. +</p> +<p>As he rushed past, Bob adroitly shot out a +muscular arm and his elbow caught the bully fair +in the side. Buck staggered, made a wild effort +to regain his balance, and with a prodigious +splash disappeared in the icy waters of the +lake. +</p> +<p>For a few seconds friend and enemy gazed +anxiously at the spot where he had gone under, +but he soon came to the surface, and, sputtering +and fuming, struck out for the shore and dragged +himself out on to dry land. +</p> +<p>He made such a ludicrous figure that even his +cronies could not forbear laughing, but he turned +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_149' name='page_149'></a>149</span> +on them furiously and their laughter suddenly +ceased. Then he turned to Bob. +</p> +<p>“If I didn’t have these wet clothes on, I’d +make you pay for that right now, Bob Layton,” he +sputtered. “I’ll make you sorry for that before +you’re much older.” +</p> +<p>“Why not settle it right now?” offered Bob. +“Your clothes will dry soon enough, don’t worry +about that.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I know you’d like nothing better than to +see me get pneumonia,” said Buck. “You wait +here till I go home and get dry clothes on, and +I’ll come and give you the licking that you deserve.” +</p> +<p>“That’s only a bluff, and you know it,” said +Bob contemptuously. “But if any of your friends +would like to take your place, why, here I am. +How about you, Lutz?” +</p> +<p>But Carl muttered something unintelligible, and +backed away. The others likewise seemed discouraged +by the mischance to their leader, for +they turned and followed his retreating form +without another word. +</p> +<p>“Some sports!” commented Joe. +</p> +<p>“Game as a mouse,” supplemented Herb. +</p> +<p>“That was a swell ducking you gave Buck,” +chuckled Jimmy. “Just when he was going to +pick on me, too. I owe you something for that, +Bob.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_150' name='page_150'></a>150</span></p> +<p>“Pay me when you get rich and famous,” +laughed his friend. “You don’t owe me anything, +anyway. It was a pleasure to shove Buck into +the lake. I’m perfectly willing to do it again any +time I get the chance.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, it’s my turn next time,” said Joe. “I +can’t let you hog all the fun, Bob.” +</p> +<p>“All right,” replied his friend. “If we run +into him again, I’ll leave him to your tender mercies. +But I don’t imagine he or his friends will +bother us any more to-day, so why not have +lunch?” +</p> +<p>“I was thinking the same thing,” remarked +Jimmy, and they forthwith set to work to prepare +what Jimmy termed a “bang-up lunch.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XVIII_A_STARTLING_DISCOVERY' id='XVIII_A_STARTLING_DISCOVERY'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_151' name='page_151'></a>151</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> +<h3>A STARTLING DISCOVERY</h3> +</div> + +<p>The cook had supplied the radio boys with a +lavish hand, but their long walk and the swim +had given them ravenous appetites, and by the +time they finished there was little left of the +lunch. Even this little was soon disposed of by +the bright-eyed birds that ventured close in pursuit +of the tempting bits. By sitting as still as +statues the boys succeeded in enticing the little +fellows almost within arm’s length, and derived no +little amusement at the evident struggle between +greed and caution. +</p> +<p>But soon the last crumb was gone, and after +a short rest the lads began to think of returning +to camp. They did not want to go back by the +same road over which they had come, however, +so decided to follow the shores of the lake until +they should find some other path. This was, of +course, a roundabout way of getting home, but +they had the better part of the afternoon before +them, and were in no particular hurry. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_152' name='page_152'></a>152</span></p> +<p>“Come on over to the north,” suggested Joe. +“I think there is another trail in that direction.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, and I imagine the walking is better,” put +in Herb. +</p> +<p>“Say, you don’t want to go too far out of the +way,” came hastily from Jimmy. “We’ve got to +walk back remember.” +</p> +<p>“Forward it is!” cried Bob. “Come on, Jimmy, +you’ve got to walk off that big lunch you stowed +away.” +</p> +<p>“Gee, if I walk too far I’ll be hungry again +before I get home,” sighed the stout youth. +</p> +<p>“Wow! hear Jimmy complain,” burst out Joe. +“He hardly has one meal down than he’s thinking +of another.” +</p> +<p>To find another trail was not as simple a matter +as it had seemed, and they must have traveled +over two miles before Bob’s keen eyes detected a +slight break in the dry underbrush that might +denote a path such as they sought. They found a +dim trail leading in the general direction in which +they wished to go, and set out at a brisk pace, +even Jimmy being willing to hurry as visions of +the loaded supper table floated before him. +</p> +<p>Gradually the path widened out, as others ran +into it, until it became a fairly well-defined woods +road. It was thickly strewn with last year’s soft +and rotting leaves, and the boys made little sound +in spite of the rapidity of their pace. Bob and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_153' name='page_153'></a>153</span> +Joe and Herb were striding along in a group, +Jimmy having dropped behind while he fixed +a refractory shoe lace, when suddenly Bob halted +abruptly and held up a warning hand. The +others, scenting something amiss, stopped likewise, +looking inquiringly at Bob. +</p> +<p>Silently he pointed to a spot slightly ahead of +them and several paces off the road. Even as +the others gazed wonderingly, Bob beckoned them +to follow and slipped silently into the brush that +lined the road. +</p> +<p>On the other side stood a big tree, its trunk and +branches sharply outlined against the clear sky. +At the base of this tree, with his back toward +them, stood a man. Now, the surprising part of +it all, and that which had caused the boys to proceed +so cautiously, was the fact that the man +wore headphones and was evidently receiving a +message of some kind. Fastened to the tree was +a box, which evidently contained telephonic apparatus. +At first the boys thought he must be +listening at an ordinary telephone, but the fact +that he had no transmitter indicated that he was +listening in on a radio receiving set. +</p> +<p>The boys had hardly reached their place of concealment +when the man turned sharply about, +darting furtive glances here and there, evidently +in search of possible intruders. The boys +crouched lower behind the bushes and prayed +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_154' name='page_154'></a>154</span> +fervently that Jimmy would not arrive before the +man had gone. The fellow was of fair size, with +a deeply tanned face, and wore a moustache. +Fortunately, after they had been watching him a +few minutes, he removed the earphones, placed +them in the box, and, after locking it, started into +the woods, following a dimly marked footpath. +</p> +<p>It was well that he left when he did, for not two +minutes later Jimmy came puffing along, looking +anxiously for the others. He stopped in amazement +when he saw his friends emerge from the +bushes, and was about to raise his voice in vehement +questionings when Bob leaped at him and +clapped a hand over his mouth. +</p> +<p>“Be quiet!” he hissed into his ear. “There’s +some funny work going on here, and we want to +find out what it is.” +</p> +<p>Thus admonished, Jimmy was released, and in +low tones the others told him of what they had +seen and showed him the box fastened to the tree. +While they were about it, they made a hasty +search for the antenna, and found it strung close +to the trunk of the tree, extending from the top +almost to the roots. After this discovery they +hurried after the man with the moustache, fearful +lest they should lose his trail. +</p> +<p>It was no easy matter to follow the dimly +marked path, for it passed at times over stony +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_155' name='page_155'></a>155</span> +ground and big boulders, where often it took much +searching here and there before they picked up its +continuation. +</p> +<p>“We may be taking all this trouble for nothing,” +said Bob, after one of these searches. +“Maybe he’s just a lumberman receiving instruction +by wireless from his employers. Big business +firms are using radio more and more for +such purposes.” +</p> +<p>“I didn’t like the way he kept looking about +him, as though he had something to conceal,” objected +Joe. “It can’t do any harm to see where +he goes, anyway. We may find out something +important.” +</p> +<p>“His hands weren’t those of a lumberman,” observed +Herb. “Those hands never saw rough +work nor, judging from the man’s face and manner, +honest work. Come on, fellows.” +</p> +<p>Accordingly the boys followed the difficult trail +with untiring patience, and at last their perseverance +was rewarded. The path widened out into a +little clearing, and at the further side of this was +a rough log cabin. The little shack had two small +windows, and with infinite caution the boys approached +until they could see into the nearest one. +</p> +<p>The interior was rudely furnished with a heavy +table and two crudely fashioned chairs, while in +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_156' name='page_156'></a>156</span> +the corner furthest from them two bunks had +been built, one above the other. In another corner +was a compact radio transmitting set. +</p> +<p>At the table was seated the man with the +moustache, intently studying a notebook propped +up before him. From this he made notes on a +sheet of paper, scowling at times like one engaged +in a difficult task. At length he shoved back his +chair, rose to his feet, and, striding across the +little shack, carefully placed the notebook under a +board on a shelf. Luckily he was so absorbed in +what he was doing that he did not even glance +toward the window where the radio boys were +observing his every motion. +</p> +<p>But Bob now judged that they had seen enough, +and he wished to run no unnecessary risk of detection. +At a signal from him they made for the +underbrush at the edge of the clearing, where they +could command a view of the door, and waited to +see if the mysterious stranger would emerge. +</p> +<p>In a few minutes the door opened and the man +stepped out, stopping to fasten it securely behind +him. Then, with a quick glance about the little +clearing, he made for the path leading to the main +road and in a short time the sound of his going +died away. +</p> +<p>The boys waited a few minutes, thinking that +possibly he might return for something forgotten, +but no further sound came from the path. At +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_157' name='page_157'></a>157</span> +length they ventured to approach the deserted +cabin. +</p> +<p>The door had been fastened with a heavy padlock, +but this was not sufficient to deter the radio +boys. Searching through their pockets for some +implement with which they could undo the lock, +Jimmy discovered a stout fish-hook, and after +they had ground off the barbs against a flat stone +this made an ideal tool. With it Bob probed about +in the interior of the padlock, and at length, with +a sharp click, it sprung open. Ordinarily he +would not have done this, but he had every reason +to believe that he was dealing with a criminal and +that he was justified in the interest of law and +order in taking steps that would prevent any +further depredations against society. +</p> +<p>“More ways than one of killing a cat,” remarked +Bob, as he pushed open the heavy door +and entered the cabin. “We’ve got to know +what’s in that notebook before we leave this place. +Let’s have a look.” +</p> +<p>The boys quickly brought the book from its place +of concealment and carried it to the table, where +they bent eagerly over it as Bob turned the pages. +</p> +<p>“It doesn’t look like sense to me,” complained +Jimmy. “I never saw such a lot of fool words +jumbled together.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, but something tells me there’s method in +this madness,” said Bob, his brows knit as he +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_158' name='page_158'></a>158</span> +concentrated on the problem before him. “Say, +fellows!” he exclaimed, as sudden excitement +gripped him, “do you remember those nights we +were listening to our big set and we heard the +mysterious messages? They were just a lot of +words, and we couldn’t make anything out of +them at the time.” +</p> +<p>“You bet I remember!” exclaimed Joe. “I +think I could even tell you most of the words. +Why, there’s some of them in that book, right +now!” +</p> +<p>“Exactly,” replied Bob, nodding. “I remember +them, too, and this must be the key to the code. +My stars, what luck! Let’s see how close we can +recall the words we caught, and then we’ll see if +we can make sense of them with the help of this +key.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll tell you the words as I remember them, +and you check me up,” suggested Joe, and this +they accordingly did. +</p> +<p>Between them they managed to get it straight, +just as they had heard it, “Corn-hay-six-paint-water-slow-sick-jelly.” +</p> +<p>“I think that’s right,” said Bob. “Anyway, +we’ll see if it comes right with the key. You read +the words, Joe, and I’ll find them in this notebook +and you can write them down. Shoot the +first one.” +</p> +<p>“Corn,” said Joe. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_159' name='page_159'></a>159</span></p> +<p>Bob hunted rapidly down the columns of code +words and their equivalents, and soon found the +one he was after. +</p> +<p>“Motor truck,” he read out. +</p> +<p>“That sounds promising!” exclaimed Joe. +“The next word I’ve got is ‘hay.’ What’s the +answer to that?” +</p> +<p>“Silk,” said Bob, after a shorter search this +time. +</p> +<p>“Six,” read Joe. +</p> +<p>“Castleton Road!” exclaimed Bob, his voice +shaking with excitement as he traced down the +columns of words. Herb and Jimmy were also +excited; especially the former, as he realized better +than the others how serious a loss the theft +of his father’s truckload of silk had been and +now thought he saw some clue in this message that +might throw light on the whereabouts of the +stolen goods. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XIX_THE_ROBBERS__CODE' id='XIX_THE_ROBBERS__CODE'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_160' name='page_160'></a>160</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> +<h3>THE ROBBERS’ CODE</h3> +</div> + +<p>“The next word is ‘paint,’” said Joe. “What +does that stand for, Bob?” +</p> +<p>“Just a minute, till I find it,” replied his friend, +and after turning over several pages found the +word he sought. +</p> +<p>“It means ‘to-night,’” he said. “Read what we’ve +got so far.” +</p> +<p>“Motor truck—silk—Castleton Road—to-night,” +read Joe. “That’s clear enough so far. +The next code word is water.” +</p> +<p>“‘No guards,’” said Bob. And so they went, +until the completed message read as follows: +</p> +<p>“Motor truck—silk—Castleton Road—to-night—no +guards—hold up—take everything to +usual place—notify when job is done.” +</p> +<p>“That’s the message that caused the theft of +my father’s merchandise!” exclaimed Herb, jumping +to his feet. “If we had only had the key then, +when there was still time, we could have prevented +the hold-up.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_161' name='page_161'></a>161</span></p> +<p>“Very likely we could,” agreed Bob soberly. +“But we may be able to do the next best thing, +Herb—get the stuff back again. If we make a +copy of this key and then leave the book just +where we found it, the thieves will never dream +that anybody knows their secret, and they’ll keep +right on using the same code.” +</p> +<p>“I see,” said Herb slowly. “And then if we +hear any more code messages we can translate +them with this key, and likely get on the trail of +the crooks.” +</p> +<p>“Exactly!” replied Bob. “Now, I have a notebook +here, and if one of you fellows will dictate +that code, I’ll copy it down and we’ll get out of +here while the getting’s good. There’s no telling +what minute some of the gang will show up.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll dictate,” volunteered Joe. “But while you +and I are doing that, Bob, why can’t Jimmy and +Herb act as lookouts? Then if any of the gang +comes along they can give us warning and we’ll +clear out.” +</p> +<p>“That’s good advice,” agreed Bob, and Herb +and Jimmy went outside and up the path a short +distance, where they crouched, listening, with +every muscle tense to warn their comrades if +danger threatened. +</p> +<p>Meanwhile, in the cabin, Bob’s pencil flew at +furious speed as Joe dictated. The code was very +complete, and consisted of over two hundred +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_162' name='page_162'></a>162</span> +words, each word, in some cases, standing for a +whole phrase. Bob wrote as he had never written +before, but in spite of his utmost efforts it took +over an hour to copy the entire list. He and Joe +expected every minute to hear Herb or Jimmy +give the alarm, but the woods remained calm and +peaceful, and they finished their task without +interruption. +</p> +<p>“There’s the last word, Bob!” exclaimed Joe, +with a sigh of relief. “Let’s put that little book +back on the shelf where we found it, and make a +quick getaway.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, we’ve got to make tracks,” agreed Bob. +“It will be away after dark now when we get +back to the camp. If we don’t hurry they will be +organizing searching parties for us.” +</p> +<p>With great care he placed the notebook back +on the shelf, under the board, and then gazed +searchingly around the cabin to make sure that +no signs of their visit were left behind to warn +the thieves. After assuring himself that everything +was exactly as they had found it, he and Joe +left the rude habitation, snapping the big padlock +through the hasp. +</p> +<p>“That’s a swell lock,” observed Joe, grinning. +“It looks strong enough to discourage anybody, +but Jimmy’s fish-hook licked it to a frazzle in no +time.” +</p> +<p>“That’s the way with a lot of padlocks,” said +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_163' name='page_163'></a>163</span> +Bob, as the two started off in search of the others. +“It would take dynamite to break them open, but +they’re easy enough to pick.” +</p> +<p>“If you know how, that is,” supplemented Joe, +with a grin. +</p> +<p>“Oh, that’s understood,” replied Bob. “It’s +hard to do anything without the know-how.” +</p> +<p>They soon picked up the two sentinels, who +were greatly relieved to see them. +</p> +<p>“I thought you were going to spend the night +there,” grumbled Jimmy. “What happened? +Did you both fall asleep in the middle of it?” +</p> +<p>“You’re an ungrateful rascal, Doughnuts,” answered +Joe. “Here Bob and I have worked like +slaves for the last hour, while all you had to do +was loaf around in the nice fresh air. Then instead +of thanking us, you growl because we took +so long.” +</p> +<p>“Well, don’t get sore,” protested Jimmy. “I +suppose we should all be so happy over this discovery +that we shouldn’t mind anything. I’ll bet +your father will be tickled to death, Herb.” +</p> +<p>“I guess he will,” agreed Herb. “Although +we’re still a long way from getting back the stolen +silk. There’s no doubt that we’ve struck a mighty +promising clue, that much is sure.” +</p> +<p>Bob was about to make some remark when he +checked himself and halted in a listening attitude. +</p> +<p>“I think some one is coming!” he exclaimed, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_164' name='page_164'></a>164</span> +in a low tone. “I’m sure I heard voices. Let’s +duck into the underbrush, quick!” +</p> +<p>They were not a moment too soon, for they had +hardly reached a place of concealment behind a +great fallen tree when two men appeared around a +bend in the path. One was the same whom they +had followed a few hours before, while the other +was a stranger to them. This man was of a desperate +and unprepossessing appearance, and a +bulge under his coat suggested the possible presence +of a weapon. +</p> +<p>The boys congratulated themselves that this +formidable looking personage had not arrived +half an hour sooner, for they were of course unarmed +and would have been hard put to it had +they been caught in the cabin. +</p> +<p>They lay snugly hidden in their retreat behind +the fallen tree until the voices of the two men +had died away in the direction of the lonely cabin. +Then they returned cautiously to the path and +hastened toward the main road. This they +reached without meeting any one else, and set +out for camp at a pace that caused Jimmy to cry +for mercy. But the shadows lay long athwart +the path, camp was still an indefinite distance +away, and they hurried the unfortunate youth +along at a great rate in spite of his piteous protests. +</p> +<p>“It will be the best thing in the world for you, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_165' name='page_165'></a>165</span> +Doughnuts,” said Joe unfeelingly. “What you +need is plenty of exercise to take that fat off +you.” +</p> +<p>“Besides, think of what a fine appetite you’ll +have when we reach camp,” laughed Bob. +</p> +<p>“I’ve got all the appetite now that I know +how to have,” groaned Jimmy. “You fellows +haven’t a heart between you. Where other people +keep their hearts, you’ve all got chunks of Vermont +granite.” +</p> +<p>“Flash a little speed, and don’t talk so much,” +advised Herb. “Be like the tramp that the fellow +met going down the street one day with an expensive +rug.” +</p> +<p>“Who wants to be like a tramp?” objected +Jimmy. +</p> +<p>“You do, when you want to loaf all the time,” +retorted Herb. “But now I’ll tell you a good +joke to make the way seem shorter. Jimmy got +me started, and now I’ll have to get it out of my +system.” +</p> +<p>“Is it about a tramp?” asked Jimmy suspiciously. +</p> +<p>“Yes. And it’s a pippin,” Herb assured him. +“It seems this tramp was running down the street +with an expensive rug over his shoulder, and +somebody stopped him and began to ask questions. +</p> +<p>“‘Where did you steal that rug from?’ asked +the suspicious citizen. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_166' name='page_166'></a>166</span></p> +<p>“‘I didn’t steal it,’ answered the tramp, trying +to look insulted. ‘A lady in that big house down +the street handed it to me and told me to beat it, +and I am.’” +</p> +<p>“Say, that’s a pretty good joke, for you, Herb,” +said Bob, laughing with the others. +</p> +<p>“Oh, that’s nothing. I’ve got others just as +good,” said Herb eagerly. “Now, here’s one +that I made up myself the other day, but I forgot +to tell it to you. Why——” +</p> +<p>“Suffering tomcats!” exclaimed Joe. “Don’t +tell us anything that you made up yourself, Herb! +Or, at least, wait until we get back and have supper, +so that we’ll be strong enough to stand it.” +</p> +<p>“That’s what I say,” agreed Jimmy. “I’m so +hungry that I can’t think of anything but supper, +anyway. I know your joke is as good as usual, +Herb, but I wouldn’t be able to appreciate it just +now.” +</p> +<p>“It’s discouraging to a high-class humorist to +have to throw away his choice offerings on a +bunch like this,” said Herb, in an injured voice. +“Some day, when I am far away, you’ll wish you +had listened to those gems of humor.” +</p> +<p>“I’d like to believe you, but that hardly seems +possible,” said Bob. “Can you imagine the day +ever coming when we’d actually want to sit down +and listen to Herb’s line of humor?” +</p> +<p>“My imagination isn’t up to anything like that,” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_167' name='page_167'></a>167</span> +replied Joe. “But, of course, you don’t really +ever have to ask Herb to spill some of those jokes. +The hard thing is to keep him from doing it.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, all right,” retorted Herb. “Only, remember +that it is ‘easier to criticize than to create.’” +</p> +<p>For some time after this they plodded along +hoping to reach camp before it got entirely dark. +Bob was the first to see a distant point of light +through the trees, and he emitted a whoop that +startled the others. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XX_ON_THE_TRAIL' id='XX_ON_THE_TRAIL'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_168' name='page_168'></a>168</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> +<h3>ON THE TRAIL</h3> +</div> + +<p>“I can see the lights from the camp!” Bob +exclaimed. “Use your eyes, fellows. A little to +the left of us, through the trees.” +</p> +<p>“Well, it’s about time,” groaned Jimmy, as +they all looked in the direction indicated. “I was +just getting ready to lie down and die peacefully. +I couldn’t travel another mile if you paid me for +it.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, buck up, Doughnuts, and get a move +on!” exclaimed Bob. “You never know what +you can do until you try. Come on, let’s take it +on the double.” +</p> +<p>He and Joe and Herbert broke into a lively +trot, and rather than be left behind Jimmy overcame +his reluctance for further effort, and with +much puffing and blowing and fragmentary complaint +managed to hold the pace until they arrived +at the mess house. +</p> +<p>Luckily for them, supper had been delayed +owing to the failure of some supplies to arrive +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_169' name='page_169'></a>169</span> +on time, and the lumbermen had just started eating +when the radio boys burst in through the +door. +</p> +<p>The lumbermen stopped eating long enough to +welcome their arrival, and they found their places +set as usual. +</p> +<p>“Glory be!” exclaimed Jimmy, as he slid into +his chair. “If there were a pie-eating contest on +to-night, I could show you fellows some real class. +I feel empty right down to my toes.” +</p> +<p>“It’s lucky we got a head start, Champ,” remarked +one of the men, with a grin. “Pass everything +down this way, you amateurs. There’s a +professional here wants to show us some fancy +eating.” +</p> +<p>By this time Jimmy was too busily occupied to +make any answer, and the other radio boys were +also showing good appetites. The long trip and +the excitement of their discovery of the secret +code had sharpened their naturally keen appetites +until for once they all felt on equal terms with the +lumbermen. Jimmy surpassed himself, and great +was the admiration expressed for his ability as a +trencherman. +</p> +<p>After supper the boys sought out Mr. Fennington +and told him of their discovery in the +lonely cabin. Then Bob showed him the copy +he had made of the code, and Mr. Fennington +studied this a long time with knit brows. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_170' name='page_170'></a>170</span></p> +<p>“There seems little doubt that you boys have +unearthed an important clue, and one that may +easily lead to the discovery of the crooks who +stole my merchandise,” he said, at length. “I +suppose I should put this information in the hands +of the police. And yet perhaps we had better +say nothing until we learn something further. +With your radio outfit you may be able to catch +another code message that would give us more +definite information, and then it would be time +enough to call in the police.” +</p> +<p>“I think that would be the best thing to do, +Dad,” agreed Herb. “As soon as we get back +home we’ll fix it so one of us will be at the set a +good part of every afternoon and evening, and +we’ll be almost certain to catch some more messages +like the last one.” +</p> +<p>His father nodded, and was still considering +the matter when there came a knock at the door. +Herb crossed over and opened it, and he and his +friends uttered exclamations of astonishment and +delight as they recognized the visitor. He was +none other than Frank Brandon, the government +radio inspector. +</p> +<p>On his part, he was no less pleased to see them, +and they all shook hands heartily, with many questions +and explanations, after which the radio inspector +was introduced to Mr. Fennington. +</p> +<p>“I suppose you’re all wondering what I’m +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_171' name='page_171'></a>171</span> +doing up here,” he said, after the greetings were +over. +</p> +<p>“Yes, in a way,” admitted Bob. “Although we +know that your position calls you all over, and +we may expect to meet you almost any old place.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, that’s a fact,” replied Brandon. “I’m +up here on the same old business, too. Somewhere +in this neighborhood there’s an unauthorized +sending station, but in these thick woods it +may prove a rather difficult place to locate exactly. +However, it will only be a matter of time +when we nail it.” +</p> +<p>The boys glanced at one another, and the same +thought was in all their minds. They remembered +the radio apparatus they had seen in the +lonely cabin, and had little doubt that this would +prove to be the unauthorized station of which the +radio man was in search. +</p> +<p>He must have read something of this in their +expression, for he looked searchingly from one +to another. +</p> +<p>“Looks to me as though you fellows knew +something,” he remarked. “I might have known +if there was anything going on in the radio line +within fifty miles of where you are that you’d +know something about it.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I’ve got a hunch that we could lead +you right to the place you’re looking for,” said +Bob quietly. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_172' name='page_172'></a>172</span></p> +<p>“What?” shouted Brandon, leaping excitedly +to his feet. “Do you really mean that? Tell +me all about it.” +</p> +<p>For the second time that evening Bob recounted +the happenings of their eventful excursion, while +the radio inspector listened intently, throwing in +a question here and there. When Bob had finished +he made no comment for a few minutes. +</p> +<p>Then he took the copy of the code and examined +it intently, jotting down phrases here and +there in his own notebook. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he said at length, “this looks to be a +much bigger thing than I had supposed. Of +course I heard of the robbery of the motor-truck, +but I never for a moment connected that with this +sending station we’ve been looking for. It seems +fairly evident, though, that if we can lay our +hands on the operators of the unauthorized sending +outfit, we’ll also have the perpetrators of that +hold-up. This is a case where we’ll have to think +out every move before we act.” +</p> +<p>“Just before you arrived I was considering the +advisability of putting the matter into the hands +of the police,” said Mr. Fennington. “What +would you do?” +</p> +<p>“Keep the whole thing to ourselves for the +present,” said Mr. Brandon decisively. “I’ll +send for a couple of good men to come up here +and help me, and we’ll keep a watch on that cabin +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_173' name='page_173'></a>173</span> +for a few days. If this thing got into the papers, +it would put the crooks on their guard, and probably +spoil our chances of catching them and getting +back the loot. I’ve got a small but extremely +efficient receiving and sending set in my car, and +if any more code messages are sent out we’ll catch +them.” +</p> +<p>His confidence was contagious, and the boys +felt almost as though the capture of the criminals +had already been accomplished. +</p> +<p>“What puzzles me, though,” remarked Mr. +Fennington, “is how you knew that there was an +unauthorized radio sending station in this +neighborhood, Mr. Brandon. I should think it +would be almost impossible to locate such a station, +even approximately.” +</p> +<p>“On the contrary,” replied Frank Brandon, “it +is little more than a matter of routine. Probably +any of these radio fiends here could explain the +method as well as I can, but I’ll try to make it +plain to you. +</p> +<p>“There is a certain type of aerial that has what +we call ‘directional’ properties, that is, when it is +shifted around, the incoming signals will be +loudest when this loop aerial, as it is called, is +directly in line with the sending station. The receiving +antenna is wound on a square frame, and +when the signals are received at their maximum +strength, we know that the frame is in a practically +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_174' name='page_174'></a>174</span> +straight line with the sending station we’re +after.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, but that still leaves you in the dark as +to whether the station is one mile away or a hundred +miles,” observed Mr. Fennington, as Brandon +paused. +</p> +<p>“That’s very true,” answered the other. “And +for that reason we can’t stop at using just one +loop aerial. What we actually do is to have +three stations, each one equipped with a loop. +These three stations are located a good many +miles apart. Now, with these three loops, we +have three lines of direction. We lay out these +lines on a chart of the territory, and where they +intersect, is the place where the unlicensed station +is located. Is that clear?” +</p> +<p>“Perfectly,” said Mr. Fennington. “But what +looks like a point on the map may be a large space +on the actual territory.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, our work isn’t done by any means +after we have got our first rough bearings,” continued +Brandon. “Having determined the approximate +position, we take the loops and receivers +to what we know is a place quite near the +station we’re after, and then we repeat the former +process. This time it is much more accurate. +Gradually we draw the net tighter until we find +the antenna belonging to the offender, and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_175' name='page_175'></a>175</span> +then—well, we make him wish he hadn’t tried to fool the +government.” +</p> +<p>“You certainly have it reduced to an exact +science,” acknowledged Mr. Fennington. “I don’t +wonder that everybody interested in radio gets +to be a fanatic.” +</p> +<p>“We’ll make a ‘bug’ out of you before we get +through, Dad,” declared Herb, grinning. +</p> +<p>“If my load of silk is recovered through the +agency of radio, I’ll be enthusiastic enough over +it to suit even you fellows,” said his father. “It +will mean the best set that money can buy for +you if I get it back.” +</p> +<p>“We’ll hold you to that promise,” threatened +Herb. “Radio can do anything,” he added, with +the conviction of a devotee. +</p> +<p>“Well, pretty nearly everything,” qualified Mr. +Brandon. “A little while ago it was considered +marvelous that we could transmit the voice by +radio, and now the transmission of photographs +by radio has been successfully accomplished.” +</p> +<p>“What!” exclaimed Mr. Fennington incredulously. +“Do you mean to say that an actual recognizable +photograph has been sent through the +air by radio? That seems almost too much to +believe.” +</p> +<p>“Nevertheless, it has been done,” insisted Frank +Brandon. “I saw the actual reproduction of one +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_176' name='page_176'></a>176</span> +that had been sent from Italy to New York by +the wireless route, and while I can’t claim that it +was perfect, still it was as plain as the average +newspaper picture. And don’t forget that this is +a new phase of the game, and is not past the experimental +stage yet.” +</p> +<p>“Well, after that, I am inclined to agree with +Herbert that ‘radio can do anything,’” admitted +Mr. Fennington. +</p> +<p>“I don’t think we’ll have much trouble making +a convert of you,” laughed the radio inspector. +“No doubt the quickest way, though, will be to +recover your stolen shipment, so we’ll start working +in that direction the first thing in the morning.” +</p> +<p>And in this he was as good as his word. He +was up betimes, getting in touch with headquarters +by means of his compact portable outfit. He +kept at work until he had received the promise of +two trustworthy men, who were to report to him +at the lumber camp as soon as they could get +there. Then he routed out the radio boys, and +after a hasty breakfast they all set out to locate +the cabin where the boys had found the code key. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXI_THE_GLIMPSE_THROUGH_THE_WINDOW' id='XXI_THE_GLIMPSE_THROUGH_THE_WINDOW'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_177' name='page_177'></a>177</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> +<h3>THE GLIMPSE THROUGH THE WINDOW</h3> +</div> + +<p>The sun was just climbing above the treetops +when the radio boys and Frank Brandon +set out over the forest road, to the accompaniment +of a full chorus of lusty feathered singers. Robin +and starling and thrush combined to make the +dewy morning gladsome, and the boys whistled +back at them and wished Larry Bartlett were +there to learn some new notes. +</p> +<p>“This would be just his dish,” commented +Herb. “After he got warmed up, you wouldn’t +be able to tell him from the birds.” +</p> +<p>“The only difference is, that he’s better,” declared +Joe. “If he were here now, he’d be teaching +the dicky birds a new song or two. That boy +is certainly a wonder.” +</p> +<p>“He’s very clever,” acknowledged Brandon. +“He’s getting along wonderfully well at the broadcasting +station, and I understand he’s had several +good offers from the big vaudeville circuits.” +</p> +<p>“Why doesn’t he accept one?” questioned Joe. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_178' name='page_178'></a>178</span></p> +<p>“He hasn’t fully recovered from the effects of +the accident yet. And, besides, he says he likes +the radio work better. He can stay in one place, +and cut out all the traveling. That seems to be a +strong consideration with him.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know that I can blame him,” commented +Bob. “I should think that continual +jumping around from place to place would get +on anybody’s nerves.” +</p> +<p>“Still, it gives one a fine chance to see the +country,” argued Frank Brandon. “If any of you +fellows ever get into radio work in a commercial +way, the chances are you won’t be able to ‘stay put’ +in one place very long.” +</p> +<p>“There’s one great advantage about traveling, +anyway,” said Jimmy. +</p> +<p>“What’s that, Doughnuts?” queried Joe. “I +should think that with your restful nature you’d +rather stay in the same place and grow old and +fat in perfect comfort.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, that part of it is all right,” admitted +Jimmy. “But don’t forget that different parts +of the country have different kinds of cooking. +In New York the specialty is shore dinners; go +a little South, and you get fried chicken and corn +pone cooked by guaranteed southern mammies; +go up North, and you get venison steaks; in the +West they’ll feed you mutton chops as big as a +plate. And so it goes.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_179' name='page_179'></a>179</span></p> +<p>“You’ve even forgotten some places,” laughed +Bob. “How about a steaming dish of beans in +Boston?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, or frijoles and chile con carne in New +Mexico,” suggested Herb. +</p> +<p>“Cease, cease!” groaned Jimmy. “Why talk +about such things when we’re such a long way +from them? Every time you mention something +new it makes me feel hungrier.” +</p> +<p>“Hungrier!” exclaimed Mr. Brandon. “Why, +it’s hardly half an hour since we finished breakfast!” +</p> +<p>“What has breakfast got to do with it?” demanded +the insatiable Jimmy. “That’s past and +done with. It’s time to think of lunch, now.” +</p> +<p>“You win,” laughed Brandon. “Your capacity +will make you famous some day.” +</p> +<p>“It’s made him famous already—at least, up +here,” Bob informed the radio inspector. “Didn’t +you know that he is the undisputed champion pie +eater of the camp?” +</p> +<p>“No, I didn’t know that, but it doesn’t surprise +me in the least to hear it,” said Brandon, +with a smile. “How did he gain his laurels?” +</p> +<p>Then Bob told him about the contest, and when +he had finished Mr. Brandon laughingly congratulated +Jimmy. +</p> +<p>“I always had a sneaking idea that you could +do it,” he admitted. “But after my experience +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_180' name='page_180'></a>180</span> +with lumbermen’s appetites, I realize that you +must have been on your mettle all the way.” +</p> +<p>“It was rather hard at the end,” admitted +Jimmy, “but take it all together it was a real +pleasure. That cook sure does know how to +make good pies,” and an expression of blissful +reminiscence spread over his round countenance. +</p> +<p>“He made a regular pig of himself, but we +knew he would, and that’s why we had such confidence +in him,” said Joe. +</p> +<p>“Nothing of the kind!” protested Jimmy. +“You know you fellows got me into it in the first +place. You fixed it all up, and I only went in as +a favor to you. But I might know better than to +expect gratitude from this bunch.” +</p> +<p>“You’ll find it in the dictionary,” Joe informed +him. “You ought to be grateful to us for providing +you with a feed like that. It would have +cost you a lot of money to buy all those pies +back home.” +</p> +<p>“I think he came well out of it, at any rate,” +interposed the radio man. “But we must now be +getting somewhere near that cabin, and we’d better +go as quietly as we can. We know that there +are two of the gang hanging out in it, and there’s +no telling how many more there may be.” +</p> +<p>“Not so very near the cabin yet,” answered +Bob. “Nearer that tree to which they had the +receiving set attached.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_181' name='page_181'></a>181</span></p> +<p>Nevertheless, they advanced as silently as possible, +keeping a sharp lookout for any sign of the +black-moustached stranger and his friend. The +woods seemed devoid of human presence other +than their own, however, and they saw nothing +to arouse suspicion until at length they reached +the tree to which the receiving set was fastened. +Frank Brandon examined this with interest. The +box was securely locked, but the radio man drew +a big bunch of various-sized keys from his pocket. +</p> +<p>“I want to see what’s in this box, but first I +think we’d better post sentries,” he said, in a low +voice. “Suppose you go back a few hundred feet +the way we came, Jimmy. You go the same distance +in the other direction, Herb. And Joe can +go a little way up the path that leads toward the +cabin. You can stay here and help me get this +box open, Bob. If any of you hear some one +coming, imitate a robin’s note three times, and +then keep out of sight. We don’t want the crooks +to suspect yet that anybody is on their trail.” +</p> +<p>The three radio boys scattered to their appointed +posts, and Frank Brandon proceeded to +try key after key in the lock. He had to try fully +a dozen before at last the lock clicked and the door +of the box swung open. +</p> +<p>Inside was a complete radio receiving set, with +vacuum tube detector and batteries in perfect +working order. Between the roots of the tree an +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_182' name='page_182'></a>182</span> +iron pipe had been driven into the earth to act as +a ground. The antenna was strung from top to +bottom of the tree on the side away from the +path, and there was nothing to differentiate the +box from an ordinary wire telephone set, except +that it was slightly larger. There were a number +of regular wire telephones scattered throughout +the woods, to aid in fighting forest fires, so that +anybody traveling along the path would have been +unlikely to give this outfit more than a passing +glance, if they noticed it at all. Had the radio +boys not chanced to see the black-moustached +man listening, with wireless headphones over his +ears, the fact that the box contained a wireless +receiving outfit might never have been discovered. +</p> +<p>Brandon and Bob went carefully over every article +of the equipment. They were on the lookout +for another notebook such as the boys had +found in the cabin, but there was nothing of the +kind in the box. When they were satisfied of this, +Mr. Brandon carefully replaced everything as he +had found it, and snapped the lock shut. +</p> +<p>“So much for that!” he exclaimed. “Now, let’s +get hold of the others and we’ll see what that +mysterious cabin looks like.” +</p> +<p>Joe and Herb and Jimmy were soon recalled +from their sentry duty, and all set out along the +path to the cabin. When they got close to the +clearing the three sentries were again posted, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_183' name='page_183'></a>183</span> +while Bob and the inspector made a detour +through the woods so as to approach the cabin on +the side away from the path, where there was +little likelihood of those inside keeping a lookout. +Very cautiously they advanced from the +concealment of the woods, Frank Brandon with +his right hand on the butt of a deadly looking +automatic pistol. They crept close to the wall of +the cabin, and listened intently for some sign of +life within. +</p> +<p>That there was at least one man in the cabin, +and that he was still sleeping, soon became evident, +for they heard the heavy breathing of one +sound asleep. Mr. Brandon cautiously raised +himself as high as the window, and peered within. +From this position he could not see the sleeper, +however, and he and Bob moved silently to the +other side of the shack. From there they commanded +a good view of the interior, and could +plainly see the sleeping man, who was the same +whom the boys had first encountered the day +before. +</p> +<p>His black-moustached face was toward them, +and Brandon gave a start of recognition, while +his fingers tightened on his pistol. For a few +moments he stood tense, evidently deciding what +to do. Then he beckoned to Bob to follow, and +made for the path where the others anxiously +awaited them. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_184' name='page_184'></a>184</span></p> +<p>“I know that man in there!” exclaimed Brandon +excitedly. “He is known as ‘Black’ Donegan, +on account of his black hair and moustache. He’s +wanted by the police of New York and Chicago, +and I guess other cities, too. We could easily get +him now, but if we did, the chances are the rest +of the gang would take alarm, and we’d miss the +chance of bagging them and getting back Mr. +Fennington’s stolen property. It’s hard to say +what is the best thing to do.” +</p> +<p>But on the instant a plan occurred to Bob, and +he lost no time in communicating it to the others. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXII_A_NEFARIOUS_PLOT' id='XXII_A_NEFARIOUS_PLOT'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_185' name='page_185'></a>185</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> +<h3>A NEFARIOUS PLOT</h3> +</div> + +<p>“If this fellow in the cabin is such a bad man, +we can’t afford to risk losing sight of him,” said +Bob. “Suppose Joe and Jimmy and I stay here, +while Herb goes back with you, Mr. Brandon. +We can stay here until your two regulars show up, +and Herb can then bring them here to relieve us. +How does that strike you?” +</p> +<p>“It’s a way out of the predicament,” answered +Frank Brandon, his frown vanishing. “You fellows +are apt to have a long vigil, though. My +men won’t get to the camp until this afternoon, +and after that it takes quite a while to reach this +place.” +</p> +<p>“I guess we can stand it,” said Bob. “Can’t +we, fellows?” he asked, glancing at the others. +</p> +<p>Both Joe and Jimmy agreed, although the latter +had secret misgivings as he thought regretfully +of the dinner he would miss. However, such considerations +were of little weight just then, and it +was finally decided to adopt Bob’s plan. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_186' name='page_186'></a>186</span></p> +<p>“I’ll leave my pistol with you,” said Brandon, +as he and Herb prepared to leave. “But whatever +else you do, steer clear of this gang and don’t use +firearms unless as a last resort. Remember, that +if they once find out their hiding place is discovered, +our whole scheme will be ruined.” +</p> +<p>The boys promised to exercise the greatest caution, +and then Mr. Brandon and Herb started +back toward camp. +</p> +<p>Bob, after a brief inspection, dropped the +deadly automatic pistol into his pocket, and then +the three friends considered how they might best +keep watch on the cabin without being discovered. +First of all, at Joe’s suggestion, they armed +themselves with serviceable clubs, that might come +in handy in time of necessity. Then they slipped +silently into the underbrush, and worked their +way along until they had attained a position where +they commanded a view of the cabin’s only door. +</p> +<p>The spot they had chosen was surrounded by +dense thickets, and one might have passed within +ten feet without spying them. Bob carefully +parted the bushes and broke off twigs here and +there until they could see plainly enough, and yet +were securely hidden from the cabin. This done, +the boys made themselves as comfortable as possible +under the circumstances, and prepared for +a long vigil. +</p> +<p>They had been in their retreat less than half an +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_187' name='page_187'></a>187</span> +hour when the door of the shack was flung open, +and the black-moustached man appeared on the +threshold. He gazed searchingly about the little +clearing, then glanced up at the mounting sun and +stretched prodigiously. At length, apparently satisfied +that all was as it should be, he turned back +into the cabin, and soon the aroma of bacon and +coffee came floating down the wind to where the +boys lay. Jimmy’s nose twitched and his mouth +watered, but he thought of the importance of the +mission that had been intrusted to them by the +radio inspector and stifled his longings. +</p> +<p>The man in the cabin ate a leisurely breakfast, +and apparently was in no hurry. Indeed, from +the way he loitered over the meal, the boys rather +suspected that he was awaiting the arrival of some +other members of the gang. Nor were they mistaken. +After a time the lads could hear the +sound of approaching voices, and soon three men +entered the clearing and made for the cabin. At +the first sound of their voices, the man inside had +stepped swiftly to the door, one hand in the +bulging pocket of his coat; but when he recognized +the others an ugly grin spread over his face, +while his hand dropped to his side. +</p> +<p>“So you have got here at last, eh?” he snarled. +“I’m glad to find you didn’t hurry yourselves any. +I thought I sent you a wireless message to get +here early.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_188' name='page_188'></a>188</span></p> +<p>“So you did, chief,” spoke up one of the newcomers. +“But we couldn’t get here no sooner.” +</p> +<p>“You couldn’t?” snapped the other. “Why +couldn’t you?” +</p> +<p>“We got word that one of the government radio +inspectors was at the lumber camp, so we had to +come here by the long way. We were afraid he +might recognize one of us if we happened to bump +into him.” +</p> +<p>“Well, the cops have photoed all of you so often +that I don’t wonder you’re shy,” sneered the +leader. “But come on inside. There’s no use of +standing chinning here.” +</p> +<p>Two of the men muttered sullenly to themselves, +but ceased abruptly as the leader’s frowning +gaze fell on them. They all shuffled into the +cabin, and the black-moustached man shut the +door with a bang. +</p> +<p>“Say,” whispered Bob, “we’ve got to listen in +on this pow-wow, fellows. I’m going to sneak +up to the window and try to hear what they’re +saying. They must have some purpose in meeting +here like this.” +</p> +<p>“Well, be mighty careful, Bob,” said Joe +anxiously. “They’re a tough crowd, and we’ve +got to watch our step. If they discover you, head +for here, and if we can’t get away we’ll put up a +battle.” +</p> +<p>“If I have any kind of luck, they won’t discover +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_189' name='page_189'></a>189</span> +me,” Bob assured him. “Just sit tight, and +I’ll be back in a jiffy.” +</p> +<p>Very cautiously he crept through the underbrush +toward the cabin. In spite of all his care +a branch snapped under him and the second time +the door was flung wide and the ill-favored leader +of the gang stepped out and peered about him. +</p> +<p>Bob flattened out as close to the ground as he +could get and lay tense, while the outlaw gazed +suspiciously at the bushes amid which he was concealed. +</p> +<p>“What’s the matter, Blackie?” called one of +the gang. “Did you think you heard somethin’?” +</p> +<p>“I know I did!” exclaimed the other. “But I +suppose it was only some animal prowling +around.” +</p> +<p>“Bein’ alone in this shack has got on your +nerves, maybe,” taunted one of the gang. +</p> +<p>“Nerves, my eye!” exclaimed the other. “I +don’t own such things! But I’ve got a notion to +take a look through those bushes, anyway,” and +he started in Bob’s direction. +</p> +<p>“Come on back, Blackie,” urged another of the +gang. “We can’t be foolin’ around here all day. +Be yourself, can’t you?” +</p> +<p>The others chimed in to the same effect, and +their leader reluctantly abandoned his search and +returned to the cabin. Had he gone another +twenty feet he would inevitably have discovered +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_190' name='page_190'></a>190</span> +Bob, who had been on the point of springing to +his feet and giving battle. It was a narrow escape, +and the radio boys heaved sighs of relief as the +door of the cabin closed on the formidable figure +of the leader. They knew that these men were +desperate criminals, heavily armed, who would +not hesitate at murder to avoid capture. +</p> +<p>Bob resumed his advance, an inch at a time, and +at length reached the edge of the clearing. Before +him lay a stretch of perhaps twenty feet of open +ground, and should one of the desperados chance +to open the door while he was crossing this space, +discovery would be certain. However, this was +a chance that Bob knew he must take, and without +hesitation he sprang to his feet and ran swiftly +but silently toward the cabin. +</p> +<p>Fortunately he reached it unobserved, and +crouched close to the wall beneath one of the little +windows. There were numerous cracks in the +side of the rude structure, and he had no difficulty +in hearing what was going on inside. +</p> +<p>The crooks were engaged in a heated debate, +but soon the voice of their leader spoke out commandingly +and the others fell silent. +</p> +<p>“I tell you we haven’t had a chance to get rid +of that last load of silk we got near Castleton,” he +said, in an angry voice. “I couldn’t get the price I +wanted for it, and, besides, it will be just as easy +to get rid of two loads as one, and no more risk. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_191' name='page_191'></a>191</span> +Now, I’m going to send out a radio message in +code to the rest of the gang, and we’ll pull off the +job to-night, just as I’ve already told you.” +</p> +<p>There were no dissenting voices, and presently +Bob heard the whirr of the sending set, followed +by the voice of the leader. +</p> +<p>“HDEA’ HDEA’,” he called again and again, +switching over to the receiving set to get an answer. +At length he evidently reached the station +he was after, for he listened intently for a few +minutes. Then the generator hummed again, and +Bob heard the black-moustached man speaking +again. +</p> +<p>“Get this, and get it right,” he commanded, +and there followed a string of words that would +have been mere gibberish to Bob had he not held +the key to their meaning. He searched frantically +in his pockets for a pencil, and scribbled the words +down as the man spoke them. When he had finished, +the leader of the gang shut down the generator, +and turned to the others. +</p> +<p>“That’s fixed,” he said. “There won’t be much +to do for the rest of the day but look over your +guns and make sure they’re in good working order. +Since we got that last truck they’ve been +putting guards on them, and we want to be prepared +to shoot before they do.” +</p> +<p>There was a general pushing back of chairs, +and Bob realized that at any moment the door +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_192' name='page_192'></a>192</span> +might open. His mind worked quickly, and instead +of going back to his friends the way he had +come, he made a rush for the woods on the opposite +side of the clearing. In this way the “blind,” +or windowless, end of the cabin was toward him, +so that he would not be likely to be detected unless +the robbers came out and walked around the +house. +</p> +<p>Lucky it was for Bob that he acted as he did, +because he had barely started when the door was +flung open and those inside came streaming out. +For a few moments they stood in a group in +front of the door, talking, and then scattered, some +walking about, while others threw themselves on +the ground and smoked. +</p> +<p>But by this time Bob had reached the cover of +the woods undiscovered, and set out to rejoin +his friends. This necessitated a long detour, and +it was a full hour later that he crept silently into +their hiding place. So quietly did he come that +Jimmy was on the point of uttering a startled exclamation, +but checked himself just in time. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXIII_PREPARING_AN_AMBUSH' id='XXIII_PREPARING_AN_AMBUSH'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_193' name='page_193'></a>193</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> +<h3>PREPARING AN AMBUSH</h3> +</div> + +<p>“Say, you came as quietly as a shadow,” whispered +the plump youth. “How do you ever do it?” +</p> +<p>“You don’t expect me to blow a whistle under +the circumstances, do you?” asked Bob. +</p> +<p>“Never mind that, but tell us what you heard,” +said Joe impatiently. “What are they up to, +Bob?” +</p> +<p>“I can’t tell you until I compare what I copied +down with the code key,” said Bob, as he fished in +his pocket for the bit of paper on which he had +noted down the robber’s message. Having found +this, he and Joe searched through the key and +soon had the following message pieced together: +</p> +<p>“Truck—silk—Barberton Road—to-night. +Meet me and others—Hicks Bridge—eight +o’clock. Truck due—ten o’clock.” +</p> +<p>Having deciphered the message, the boys gazed +questioningly at one another. +</p> +<p>“That doesn’t give us much time to act,” said +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_194' name='page_194'></a>194</span> +Joe. “If we wait here it may be close to eight +o’clock before the others come to relieve us, and +then it will be too late to prevent the robbery.” +</p> +<p>“The answer is, that we won’t wait here,” said +Bob decisively. “As long as we know their plans +up until this evening, there’s no need of watching +this cabin any longer, anyway. We’d better start +back right away, and tell Mr. Brandon what we’ve +found out. He’ll know the best thing to do then.” +</p> +<p>“That sounds all right to me,” said Joe, and as +Jimmy saw a chance of getting back to camp in +time for dinner, he put in no objections. +</p> +<p>“Now, for the love of butter, try to go quietly, +Jimmy,” warned Bob. “If those fellows hear a +sound from this direction, they’ll be right after us, +because their suspicions are already aroused.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll do the best I can,” promised his rotund +friend. “But I’m heavier than you fellows, and I +can’t slide around so easily.” +</p> +<p>“Well, go easy, anyway,” said Bob. “Now, +are we all ready?” +</p> +<p>With infinite caution the boys wormed their +way through the brushwood, Bob leading. By +luck rather than good management Jimmy managed +to be as quiet as his friends, and after almost +an hour of this slow progress Bob judged that +they were far enough away from the cabin to risk +a faster pace. The shack was out of sight among +the trees when he sprang to his feet, followed by +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_195' name='page_195'></a>195</span> +the others, and in a short time they had reached +the path leading to the main road. Here it was +still necessary to be extremely careful, for they +never knew at what moment some turn in the +path would bring them face to face with some of +the robber band. Fortunately nothing of the kind +happened, and soon they reached the main road +and started at high speed for camp. +</p> +<p>“I wonder if we can’t take some sort of a short +cut,” came from Joe as they raced along. +</p> +<p>“That’s the talk,” puffed poor Jimmy, who had +great difficulty in keeping up with his chums. +“The shorter the better.” +</p> +<p>“We won’t dare risk it,” returned Bob. “Why +we might get lost.” +</p> +<p>“Who’s afraid of getting lost?” +</p> +<p>“We are, for we might lose too much time and +all our plans would go to smash. No, we’ve got +to stick to the main road.” +</p> +<p>“How much further have we to go?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know.” +</p> +<p>“We’ve got to chase along until we reach +camp,” put in Joe. “Hustle now, every minute +may be precious.” +</p> +<p>“I can’t hustle any more than I am hustling,” +panted poor Jimmy. “Do you want me to drop +down of heart failure or something like that?” +</p> +<p>“Maybe we’d better go along and leave Jimmy +behind,” suggested Joe, with a wink at Bob. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_196' name='page_196'></a>196</span></p> +<p>“Not much,” cried the stout youth, and after +that did his best to keep up with the others. +</p> +<p>Not a great while later they came in sight of +camp, much to their relief. +</p> +<p>Mr. Brandon was astonished to see them back +so soon, but as briefly as possible Bob told him +of what they had learned and showed him the +code message. +</p> +<p>“You fellows have done a clever bit of detective +work, and with reasonable luck it ought to be +possible to bag the whole gang to-night,” said +Brandon. “I know where Hicks Bridge is. It’s +about five miles this side of Barberton, and an +ideal place for an ambuscade. The road runs between +high banks just before it gets to the bridge, +and some of the gang posted on those banks could +command the road from either direction. But I’ll +get in communication with the chief of police of +Barberton, and we’ll see if we can’t catch the +thieves in their own trap.” +</p> +<p>“I suppose the two men you were expecting +haven’t arrived yet, have they?” inquired Bob. +</p> +<p>“No. And I’m afraid we won’t be able to wait +for them, either,” said Brandon. “I could radio +to the Barberton chief, but I’m afraid the message +might be intercepted by the crooks, if one +of them happened to be listening. I guess it will +be better to go by way of my automobile, although +I hate to lose the time that it will take.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_197' name='page_197'></a>197</span></p> +<p>“Isn’t there a telephone line from the camp?” +suggested Joe. +</p> +<p>“No, unfortunately, one hasn’t been installed +yet,” replied the inspector. “But we can do the +trick with the car if we start right away. I suppose +there’s no need of asking if you fellows +would like to come with me?” +</p> +<p>“None whatever,” answered Bob, grinning. +“Just give us a chance to go in and snatch a little +grub off the table, and we’ll eat it on the way.” +</p> +<p>Frank Brandon nodded, and the three boys +dashed into the mess hall and caught up anything +in the way of eatables that came nearest to hand, +Jimmy, of course, specializing on his favorite +doughnuts. Then they hurried out, and found +Mr. Brandon waiting for them, with the motor +running. After a short search they found Herb +fast asleep in his bunk, and roused him unceremoniously, +hustling him out before he was fairly +awake. +</p> +<p>“What’s it all about?” he questioned, rubbing +his eyes. “Has the camp caught fire, or do you +just want to borrow some money from me?” +</p> +<p>“Never mind the funny business now, we’ll tell +you all about it while we’re traveling,” said Bob, +as they reached the automobile. “In you go, +Herb.” +</p> +<p>Before they could find seats Mr. Brandon had +let in the clutch, and the car started with a jerk +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_198' name='page_198'></a>198</span> +that landed them in a heap on the cushions. Regardless +of the rough road, he kept picking up +speed, and soon it was all they could do to stay in +the car at all. Barberton was about thirty miles +from the camp, and to reach it they had to cross +Hicks Bridge. All looked calm and peaceful just +then, and it was hard to believe that in a few short +hours a desperate fight might be raging between +the high banks that flanked the road. The bridge +was some two hundred feet long, and passed over +a deep cut between two hills. In spite of its present +peaceful appearance it was easy to see that +the place would be an ideal one to perpetrate such +a crime as the robbers contemplated, and after +they had passed over the bridge Mr. Brandon +opened the throttle wider in his impatience to +reach Barberton. +</p> +<p>They slowed down to go through the streets +of the town, and as they drew up in front of the +police station, Brandon shut off his motor and +leaped to the sidewalk. +</p> +<p>“Come on in, boys, and we’ll tell the chief about +the little party scheduled for this evening,” he +said, and the boys followed him into the police +station. +</p> +<p>Fortunately the chief of police, Mr. Durand, +was in, and he greeted Mr. Brandon with a heartiness +that showed they were old friends. +</p> +<p>After they had shaken hands, Brandon introduced +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_199' name='page_199'></a>199</span> +the radio boys, and then proceeded to acquaint +the chief with the details of the plot they +had discovered. As Mr. Durand listened a dark +frown gathered between his bushy eyebrows, and +his fingers drummed angrily on the table before +him. When Mr. Brandon had finished, the chief +jumped to his feet and strode fiercely up and down +the room. +</p> +<p>“This won’t be the first trouble we’ve had with +those rascals!” he exclaimed wrathfully. “Members +of the same gang have held up and robbed +stores in this town, and we have two of them +doing their bit in jail right now. And if we have +any luck to-night we’ll have the whole gang under +lock and key before the morning. These young +fellows must have been right on the job from start +to finish, Frank.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I guess they were,” replied Brandon. +“If we land this gang, we’ll have them to thank +for it. But now what are your plans for capturing +the crooks?” +</p> +<p>For answer the chief pressed a button, and a +capable looking police lieutenant appeared. +</p> +<p>“Get together ten of our best men,” he directed, +“and put them into two automobiles. +When they are ready to start, report to me.” +</p> +<p>The lieutenant saluted, and left the room. +</p> +<p>“According to the code message, the robbers +won’t be at Hicks Bridge much before eight +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_200' name='page_200'></a>200</span> +o’clock, which is after dark these days,” said the +chief. “We’ll get there a lot earlier than that, +and I’ll conceal my men in the woods. Then I’ll +leave orders here to stop the motor truck as it +comes through, and replace its crew with a few +picked men from my force. When the robbers +try to hold up that truck, they’ll have a big surprise +in store for them.” +</p> +<p>“It might be a good plan,” suggested Bob, “to +mount a searchlight or two on the motor truck. +At the right minute you could turn these on the +crooks, and while it would confuse them, it would +give your men in the woods a big advantage, as +they’d be able to see the hold-up men plainly without +being seen themselves.” +</p> +<p>“Young man, that’s a first-rate suggestion!” +exclaimed the chief, eyeing him appraisingly, +“and you can believe we’ll take advantage of it. +I’ll commandeer a couple from the Electric Light +Company in readiness to mount on the truck when +it comes along. I wish we could persuade you +and your friends to join the Barberton police +force.” +</p> +<p>“We’ll be pretty nearly a part of it until those +crooks are captured, if you’ll let us,” said Bob. +“We all want to be in at the finish.” +</p> +<p>“It will be a dangerous business, and bullets +may fly thick,” the chief warned him. “You fellows +have done more than your full duty already, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_201' name='page_201'></a>201</span> +and we can hardly call on you to do any more.” +</p> +<p>“Just the same, we’ll come along if you don’t +mind,” insisted Bob. +</p> +<p>“Oh, I’ll be very glad to have you, as far as I’m +concerned,” said Mr. Durand. “I suppose you’ll +want to be in on it, too, Frank?” +</p> +<p>“You’re dead right,” Brandon assured him emphatically. +“I’ve gone too far with this to want +to drop out now.” +</p> +<p>At this point the lieutenant appeared and reported +that the men were in the automobiles, +ready to start. Picking up the telephone, the chief +ordered his own car. He invited Mr. Brandon +and the radio boys to ride with him. +</p> +<p>“You can leave your car in the police garage, +Frank,” he said, and Brandon was not slow in +availing himself of this offer. In a short time +he returned, and the three automobiles started for +the scene of the projected hold-up, the chief’s car +leading and the other two following close behind. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXIV_LYING_IN_WAIT' id='XXIV_LYING_IN_WAIT'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_202' name='page_202'></a>202</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> +<h3>LYING IN WAIT</h3> +</div> + +<p>“Doesn’t look as though there’s going to be +much monotony in our young lives to-night,” remarked +Bob, as, tightly packed in the tonneau of +the car, the boys rode on through the gathering +darkness. +</p> +<p>“For that matter there hasn’t been much for +several days past,” chuckled Joe, who sat at his +right. “A fellow would have to be a glutton to +want more adventure than we’ve had since we +came to Braxton Woods. What with Buck +Looker and Black Donegan, we ought to be pretty +well satisfied.” +</p> +<p>“I only hope Cassey will be in the gang that +is rounded up to-night,” observed Herb. “It +would be too bad if only the rest were captured +and that all-around scoundrel slipped through the +meshes.” +</p> +<p>“I guess Cassey is the brains of the whole +bunch,” put in Jimmy. “Probably the others +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_203' name='page_203'></a>203</span> +didn’t know anything about radio until he put +them on to it. He’ll be there all right. And he’s +likely to put up a pretty stiff fight before he lets +himself be captured, for he knows what it means +to him to be sent back to prison. With a new +sentence tacked on to the old one it’ll probably +mean that he’ll be in for life.” +</p> +<p>In a little while they reached the scene of the +proposed robbery. They were well in advance of +the time set by the plotters, and the chief took his +time in carefully disposing his forces, availing +himself of Frank Brandon’s advice in doing +this. +</p> +<p>The bridge stretched between two hills at the +bottom of which was a small stream, about a +hundred feet below. On each side, almost down +to the bridge itself, extended trees and shrubbery +that afforded excellent hiding places. The only +trouble was that both the outlaws and the officers +who were trying to apprehend them were likely to +seek the same shelter and might in this way stumble +across each other before the trap was ready to +be sprung. +</p> +<p>This, however, was a contingency that had to +be faced, and preparations were made accordingly. +The men were placed at strategic points on both +sides of the bridge. Whether the attempt at hold-up +would be made at the entrance to the bridge or +on the further side was a matter of speculation. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_204' name='page_204'></a>204</span> +The chief went on the theory, however, that it +would probably take place at the entrance, and +there he placed the majority of the men under +him. +</p> +<p>The radio boys hinted that there was where +they would like to be also, but in this the chief +was adamant. +</p> +<p>“I’ve stretched a point in letting you young fire-eaters +come along at all,” he said. “As it is, I +may have a hard time explaining to your parents. +And I hate to think what my position would be if +anything happened to you. So I am going to +put you where I think you’ll be comparatively out +of danger. You’re just to be lookers on at this +shindig. And if the bullets begin to fly, you just +lie flat on the ground behind the trees until they +stop. It may not be so glorious, but it’s likely to +be a mighty sight more healthy.” +</p> +<p>So, much against their will, the boys were compelled +to obey orders and take the place assigned +to them which was on the further side of the +bridge. +</p> +<p>“Putting us up in the gallery when we ought to +have seats in the orchestra,” grumbled Joe, as the +boys ensconced themselves in a thicket behind a +big clump of trees. +</p> +<p>“Cheer up, you old gloom hound,” chaffed Bob. +“We may get in on this yet. At any rate, if we +are in the gallery, we have a good view of the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_205' name='page_205'></a>205</span> +stage. Or at least we shall have, when the searchlight +gets busy.” +</p> +<p>The darkness deepened until the night became +as black as Egypt. There was no moon, and even +the stars were obscured by clouds that heavily +veiled the sky. The night was chill, and the boys +buttoned their coats tightly about them as they +sat waiting for developments. +</p> +<p>They had perhaps an hour to wait, but it was +not known but that some of the robbers would be +on the ground at an earlier time than had been set, +and every sense was on the alert as all strained +their ears for the slightest sound and peered into +the darkness on the chance that they might catch +glimpses of shadowy forms. After the first few +moments they had not ventured to talk for fear +that they might be overheard. But this did not +debar them from thinking, and they thrilled with +excitement as they pictured each to himself the +struggle that seemed about to take place on the +road. +</p> +<p>The minutes dragged along interminably, and +in the intense silence the lads could almost hear +the beating of their hearts. Then at a little distance +a twig cracked and sent the blood racing +madly through their veins. +</p> +<p>Soon footsteps were heard approaching, and +the lads crouched still lower in their hiding place. +The sounds came nearer, and they could detect the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_206' name='page_206'></a>206</span> +tread of two men. They were approaching without +any excessive degree of caution, as they had +no reason to believe that their plans had been discovered. +As they drew closer, the boys could +hear them conversing in low tones. +</p> +<p>“I tell you it’s all right,” said a rough voice, +which they recognized as that of Black Donegan. +“All the fellows are tipped off and know just +what they’ve got to do. Jake and Toppy will do +the holding up, and then the rest of us will jump +in if the driver cuts up rough. If he does, there’ll +be one more dead driver.” +</p> +<p>The boys waited for the answer that seemed to +be long in coming. What they heard finally was +a whistle that made them jump. They had heard +that whistle before! +</p> +<p>“Cassey!” whispered Bob to Joe. “Cassey, as +sure as you’re born!” +</p> +<p>The next instant his belief became a thrilling +certainty. +</p> +<p>“It-t-t-t isn’t the d-d-driver.” The voice came +out, with an explosive quality. “It’s the g-g-guards +he may have w-w-with him. The p-p-police +are getting pretty l-l-leary about all the robberies +t-t-t-that have been taking place around +here lately, and they’ve g-g-g-,” again came the +whistle, “g-got to do something or lose their jobs. +At any rate t-t-this is the last thing we’re g-g-going +to pull off around here——” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_207' name='page_207'></a>207</span></p> +<p>“I guess he’s right about that,” Joe whispered +to Bob. +</p> +<p>“——and j-j-just as soon as we’re through +with this, w-w-we’d better p-pull up stakes and +try somewhere else.” +</p> +<p>The voice was now so close at hand that if the +boys had reached out of the thicket they would +almost have touched the speaker. At this thought +Jimmy and Herb, especially, felt a thrill of excitement. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXV_AN_EXCITING_STRUGGLE' id='XXV_AN_EXCITING_STRUGGLE'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_208' name='page_208'></a>208</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2> +<h3>AN EXCITING STRUGGLE</h3> +</div> + +<p>“I think myself that we’ve hung round this +neck o’ the woods about long enough,” agreed +Donegan. “And I ain’t any too well pleased to +have that radio inspector snooping around the +woods. He ain’t up to any good if you ask me. +But brace up, Cassey, for this last haul. You ain’t +generally chicken-hearted.” +</p> +<p>“You’ll f-f-find that I have my n-n-nerve with +me when the pinch comes,” replied Cassey. “I’d +rather be k-k-killed by a bullet than g-g-g-go back +to prison.” +</p> +<p>The voices receded as the men went on, and +soon the sound of their footsteps ceased. It was +evident they were searching for the most advantageous +place for the crime that they contemplated. +</p> +<p>“I told you that I had a hunch that that villain +would be here,” whispered Jimmy, when they felt +that it would be safe to speak. +</p> +<p>“Good thing, too,” said Bob grimly. “Cassey’ll +get to-night what’s coming to him.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_209' name='page_209'></a>209</span></p> +<p>Half an hour passed—an hour—an hour and a +half. Then far in the distance the boys heard the +hum of a motor engine and the rumble of a heavy +truck. +</p> +<p>“There it comes!” ejaculated Joe, throwing +caution to the winds in his excitement. +</p> +<p>The rumbling grew louder, and soon the boys +knew that it must be close to the bridge. Then +they saw the lamps of an auto truck sending out +their beams of light a hundred feet in advance, +and could just discern above them the massive +body of the truck. +</p> +<p>It came on at a moderate rate of speed, slowing +up somewhat as it struck the bridge. +</p> +<p>Suddenly shots rang out and the boys could +see two dark figures standing on the bridge and +waving their hands at the driver, as they bellowed +out orders to stop. At the same time, as +though the shots had been a signal, three other +figures came rushing from other directions. +</p> +<p>It was impossible for the boys to keep still, and +they too sprang to their feet and started for the +scene of the hold-up, running at the top of their +speed. +</p> +<p>Just as they left their covert there was a blinding +flash that made the whole bridge as bright as +day. A searchlight had been turned on from the +top of the truck full in the faces of the robbers. +They staggered as though they had been struck, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_210' name='page_210'></a>210</span> +and at the same instant there came a volley of +shots and the police were upon the hold-up +men. +</p> +<p>There was a wild mélée of struggling men, as +they swayed back and forth in a desperate struggle. +The robbers had been taken completely by +surprise and were outnumbered two to one. +There were shouts and the crack of revolvers, and +the thud of pistol butts. +</p> +<p>But the battle, though fierce, was of short duration. +In a few minutes the robbers had been subdued. +One lay stunned on the bridge and another +lay by him wounded. Two more were held in the +grasp of officers. +</p> +<p>One, however, tore himself away from the officer +who had grappled with him, and came rushing +in the direction of the radio boys. In the +glare from the searchlight they recognized Cassey. +</p> +<p>He saw them, too, and fired his revolver at +them. The shot went wild. He pressed the +trigger again but with no result. Then, realizing +that his weapon was empty, he hurled it at Bob, +who was nearest to him. +</p> +<p>Bob dodged, and the next instant grabbed at +Cassey’s legs. The expertness that had made +him the star of his football team stood him in good +stead. His arms closed round Cassey in a flying +tackle, and they came heavily to the bridge +together. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_211' name='page_211'></a>211</span></p> +<p>Cassey struggled desperately to rise, but Bob +held him in an unbreakable grip, and a second +later his comrades had come to his assistance and +the scoundrel was overpowered and delivered over +to the police, who came rushing up. +</p> +<p>The robbers were securely bound and bundled +into the auto truck that they had planned to rob. +Then in high spirits the party drove back to Barberton. +The chief was jubilant, and the praises +he heaped upon the radio boys made their ears +burn. They stayed long enough at his office to +see the prisoners safely jailed and then, though +the hour was late, rode back to their quarters in +the woods with Mr. Brandon. +</p> +<p>They slept long and late after their exciting +experience, and it was almost noon the next day +when they awoke. Bob was somewhat surprised +to find a letter waiting for him. It bore no stamp, +and had evidently been brought there by one of the +lumbermen. +</p> +<p>He opened it curiously and glanced at the signature. +Then he gave a shout that brought his +comrades quickly to his side. +</p> +<p>“What do you think of this, fellows?” he cried. +“Buck Looker’s writing to me.” +</p> +<p>There was a chorus of wondering exclamations. +</p> +<p>The last paragraph caught Bob’s eye and he +read it aloud: +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_212' name='page_212'></a>212</span></p> +<p>“As for Bob Layton and those other chumps, +all we’ve got to do is to stand pat. No one saw +us put the stones in the snowballs, and if we just +deny it, they can’t pin anything on us. They’ll +have to pay for the window, and that’ll even up +things for what they did to us at Mountain Pass. +</p> +<div class='ra'> +<p style='text-align: right; '>“Yours,</p> +<p style='text-align: right; '>“<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Buck.</span>”</p> +</div> + +<p>Bob was utterly dumbfounded. Then he +glanced at the heading of the letter and let out a +whoop. +</p> +<p>“Oh, this is too rich!” he cried, almost choking +with laughter. “This letter is directed to Carl +Lutz. You know he went home two or three days +ago. Buck has written two letters, one to Lutz +and the other to me—probably a roast—and he’s +put them in the wrong envelopes. Oh, how he’s +given himself away!” +</p> +<p>Bob’s comrades were fairly convulsed, and +Jimmy grew so purple in the face that they had +to slap him vigorously on the back. They had +scarcely got him into a calmer frame, before he +threatened to go off again, for he saw Buck +Looker strolling along the road. +</p> +<p>“Probably’s come along to see how you were +bearing up under the roast,” chuckled Joe. +</p> +<p>Bob ran over toward Buck, followed by his +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_213' name='page_213'></a>213</span> +comrades. Buck looked alarmed and put himself +in a posture of defense. +</p> +<p>“Oh, we’re not going to hurt you,” said Bob. +“I only wanted to tell you that I got your letter.” +</p> +<p>“I hope it blistered your hide,” growled Buck. +</p> +<p>“It made me nearly laugh myself to death,” replied +Bob. “But let me advise you, Buck, to +make sure the next time that you get the right +letter in the right envelope.” +</p> +<p>“What do you mean by that?” asked Buck, in +apprehension. +</p> +<p>“Only that I got the letter you meant for Carl +Lutz,” replied Bob. “Maybe you’ve forgotten +what you said, so I’ll read the last paragraph,” +and, dwelling on every word, he read it over deliberately. +</p> +<p>Before he had quite finished, Buck made a +desperate grab at the letter, but Bob was too +quick for him. +</p> +<p>“No, you don’t!” he exclaimed, as he folded it +and put it carefully into his pocket. “That letter’s +going to cost you about two hundred dollars, for +that’s what it will cost to pony up for the broken +window. We’ve got you dead to rights, and you’d +better pay up and pay up quick. So long, Buck. +And do be more careful next time to get the right +letter in the right envelope.” +</p> +<p>With all his bluster knocked out of him, Buck +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_214' name='page_214'></a>214</span> +slunk away. The boys were not surprised to +learn in the next letter from home that the insurance +company had been paid. +</p> +<p>“Some excitement we have had here,” remarked +Bob. “Wonder if we’ll ever have such +strenuous times again.” +</p> +<p>“Sure,” declared Joe promptly, and he was +right, as we shall see in the next volume of this +series, to be called, “The Radio Boys with the +Forest Rangers.” In that volume we shall see +how they fought a fire that came close to ending +tragically. +</p> +<p>After a good dinner, the boys lay sprawled out +on the grass basking in the spring sunshine and +utterly at peace with themselves and the world. +</p> +<p>“Well, it’s been hard work, but we’ve had +pretty good luck at trailing a voice,” observed +Bob. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” agreed Joe with a grin, “and s-s-s-such +a v-v-v-voice!” +</p> +<p>And Jimmy whistled. +</p> +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:2em;'>THE END</p> +</div> + +<hr class='full' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>THE RADIO BOYS SERIES</p> +<p>(Trademark Registered)</p> +<div style='margin-top:1em'></div> +<p>By ALLEN CHAPMAN</p> +<p>Author of the “Railroad Series,” Etc.</p> +<div style='margin-top:1em'></div> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em; font-weight:bold;'>Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers For Each Story. Every Volume Complete in Itself.</p> +</div> + +<p>A new series for boys giving full details of radio work, +both in sending and receiving—telling how small and +large amateur sets can be made and operated, and how +some boys got a lot of fun and adventure out of what they +did. Each volume from first to last is so thoroughly fascinating, +so strictly up-to-date and accurate, we feel sure +all lads will peruse them with great delight. +</p> +<p><b>Each volume has a Foreword by Jack Binns, the well-known +radio expert of the New York Tribune.</b> +</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE RADIO BOYS’ FIRST WIRELESS;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or, Winning the Ferberton Prize.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE RADIO BOYS AT OCEAN POINT;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or, The Message That Saved the Ship.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE RADIO BOYS AT THE SENDING STATION;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or, Making Good in the Wireless Room.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE RADIO BOYS AT MOUNTAIN PASS;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or, The Midnight Call for Assistance.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE RADIO BOYS TRAILING A VOICE;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or, Solving a Wireless Mystery.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE FOREST RANGERS;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or, The Great Fire on Spruce Mountain.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE ICEBERG PATROL;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or, Making Safe the Ocean Lanes.</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<hr class='minor' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>THE TOM SWIFT SERIES</p> +<p>By VICTOR APPLETON</p> +<div style='margin-top:1em'></div> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em; font-weight:bold;'>Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers. Every Volume Complete in Itself.</p> +</div> + +<p>Every boy possesses some form of inventive genius. +Tom Swift is a bright, ingenious boy and his inventions +and adventures make the most interesting kind of reading. +</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<hr class='minor' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS SERIES</p> +<p>By CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN</p> +</div> + +<p>The outdoor chums are four wide-awake lads, sons of +wealthy men of a small city located on a lake. The boys +love outdoor life, and are greatly interested in hunting, fishing, +and picture taking. They have motor cycles, motor boats, +canoes, etc., and during their vacations go everywhere +and have all sorts of thrilling adventures. The stories give +full directions for camping out, how to fish, how to hunt wild +animals and prepare the skins for stuffing, how to manage a +canoe, how to swim, etc. Full of the spirit of outdoor life. +</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE FOREST</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or Laying the Ghost of Oak Ridge.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or Rescuing the Lost Balloonists.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON A HOUSEBOAT</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or The Rivals of the Mississippi.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE BIG WOODS</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or The Rival Hunters at Lumber Run.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AT CABIN POINT</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or The Golden Cup Mystery.</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-top:1em; font-weight:bold;'>12mo. Averaging 240 pages. Illustrated. Handsomely bound in Cloth.</p> +</div> + +<hr class='minor' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH SERIES</p> +<p>By GRAHAM B. FORBES</p> +</div> + +<p>Never was there a cleaner, brighter, more manly boy +than Frank Allen, the hero of this series of boys’ tales, and +never was there a better crowd of lads to associate with than +the students of the School. All boys will read these stories +with deep interest. The rivalry between the towns along the +river was of the keenest, and plots and counterplots to win +the champions, at baseball, at football, at boat racing, at +track athletics, and at ice hockey, were without number. +Any lad reading one volume of this series will surely want +the others. +</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or The All Around Rivals of the School</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE DIAMOND</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or Winning Out by Pluck</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE RIVER</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or The Boat Race Plot that Failed</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE GRIDIRON</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or The Struggle for the Silver Cup</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE ICE</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or Out for the Hockey Championship</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH IN TRACK ATHLETICS</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or A Long Run that Won</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH IN WINTER SPORTS</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Or Stirring Doings on Skates and Iceboats</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-top:1em; font-weight:bold;'>12mo. Illustrated. Handsomely bound in cloth, with cover design and wrappers in colors.</p> +</div> + +<hr class='minor' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>SERIES</p> +<p>BY VICTOR APPLETON</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em; font-weight:bold;'>UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING. INDIVIDUAL COLORED WRAPPERS.</p> +</div> + +<p>Moving pictures and photo plays are famous the world over, +and in this line of books the reader is given a full description +of how the films are made—the scenes of little dramas, indoors +and out, trick pictures to satisfy the curious, soul-stirring pictures +of city affairs, life in the Wild West, among the cowboys +and Indians, thrilling rescues along the seacoast, the daring of +picture hunters in the jungle among savage beasts, and the +great risks run in picturing conditions in a land of earthquakes. +The volumes teem with adventures and will be found +interesting from first chapter to last. +</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE WEST</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS ON THE COAST</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN EARTHQUAKE LAND</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS AND THE FLOOD</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS AT PANAMA</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS UNDER THE SEA</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS ON THE WAR FRONT</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS ON FRENCH BATTLEFIELDS</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>MOVING PICTURE BOYS’ FIRST SHOWHOUSE</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>MOVING PICTURE BOYS AT SEASIDE PARK</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>MOVING PICTURE BOYS ON BROADWAY</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS’ OUTDOOR EXHIBITION</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS’ NEW IDEA</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<hr class='minor' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>THE FAMOUS ROVER BOYS SERIES</p> +<p>BY ARTHUR M. WINFIELD</p> +<p>(Edward Stratemeyer)</p> +<div style='margin-top:1em'></div> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>OVER THREE MILLION COPIES SOLD OF THIS SERIES</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em; font-weight:bold;'>Uniform Style of Binding. Colored Wrappers.</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em; font-weight:bold;'>Every Volume Complete in Itself.</p> +</div> + +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS IN THE AIR</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS IN NEW YORK</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS IN ALASKA</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS IN BUSINESS</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS ON A TOUR</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS AT COLBY HALL</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS UNDER CANVAS</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS ON A HUNT</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS IN THE LAND OF LUCK</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG BEAR LAKE</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS SHIPWRECKED</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<hr class='minor' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em; font-variant:small-caps;'>The Putnam Hall Stories</p> +<p><b>Companion Stories to the Famous Rover Boys Series</b></p> +<p>By ARTHUR M. WINFIELD</p> +<p>(Edward Stratemeyer)</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING. INDIVIDUAL COLORED WRAPPERS.</p> +</div> + +<p>Being the adventures of lively young fellows at a Military Academy. Open +air sports have always been popular with boys and these stories that +mingle adventure with fact will appeal to every manly boy. +</p> +<div class='la'> +<p><b>THE MYSTERY OF PUTNAM HALL</b></p> +<p> <b>Or The School Chums’ Strange Discovery</b></p> +</div> + +<p>The particulars of the mystery and the solution of it are very interesting +reading. +</p> +<div class='la'> +<p><b>CAMPING OUT DAYS AT PUTNAM HALL</b></p> +<p> <b>Or The Secret of the Old Mill</b></p> +</div> + +<p>A story full of vim and vigor, telling what the cadets did during the +summer encampment, including a visit to a mysterious old mill, said to be +haunted. The book has a wealth of fun in it. +</p> +<div class='la'> +<p><b>THE REBELLION AT PUTNAM HALL</b></p> +<p> <b>Or The Rival Runaways</b></p> +</div> + +<p>The boys had good reasons for running away during Captain Putnam’s +absence. They had plenty of fun and several queer adventures. +</p> +<div class='la'> +<p><b>THE CHAMPIONS OF PUTNAM HALL</b></p> +<p> <b>Or Bound to Win Out</b></p> +</div> + +<p>In this volume the Cadets of Putnam Hall show what they can do in various +keen rivalries on the athletic field and elsewhere. There is one victory +which leads to a most unlooked-for discovery. +</p> +<div class='la'> +<p><b>THE CADETS OF PUTNAM HALL</b></p> +<p> <b>Or Good Times in School and Out</b></p> +</div> + +<p>The cadets are lively, flesh-and-blood fellows, bound to make friends from +the start. There are some keen rivalries, in school and out, and something +is told of a remarkable midnight feast and a hazing with an unexpected +ending. +</p> +<div class='la'> +<p><b>THE RIVALS OF PUTNAM HALL</b></p> +<p> <b>Or Fun and Sport Afloat and Ashore</b></p> +</div> + +<p>It is a lively, rattling, breezy story of school life in this country, +written by one who knows all about its pleasures and its perplexities, its +glorious excitements, and its chilling disappointments. +</p> +<hr class='minor' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>The Railroad Series</p> +<p>By ALLEN CHAPMAN</p> +<p>Author of the Radio Boys, Etc.</p> +<p>Illustrated. Handsomely Bound in Cloth.</p> +<p>Every Volume Complete in Itself.</p> +</div> + +<p>In this line of books there is revealed the whole workings of a great +American railroad system. There are adventures in abundance—railroad +wrecks, dashes through forest fires, the pursuit of a “wildcat” +locomotive, the disappearance of a pay car with a large sum of money on +board—but there is much more than this—the intense rivalry among +railroads and railroad men, the working out of running schedules, the +getting through “on time” in spite of all obstacles, and the manipulation +of railroad securities by evil men who wish to rule or ruin. +</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>RALPH OF THE ROUND HOUSE;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>Or, Bound to Become a Railroad Man.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>RALPH IN THE SWITCH TOWER;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>Or, Clearing the Track.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>RALPH ON THE ENGINE;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>Or, The Young Fireman of the Limited Mail.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>RALPH ON THE OVERLAND EXPRESS;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>Or, The Trials and Triumphs of a Young Engineer.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>RALPH, THE TRAIN DISPATCHER;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>Or, The Mystery of the Pay Car.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>RALPH ON THE ARMY TRAIN;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>Or, The Young Railroader’s Most Daring Exploit.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>RALPH ON THE MIDNIGHT FLYER;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>Or, The Wreck at Shadow Valley.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>RALPH AND THE MISSING MAIL POUCH;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>Or, The Stolen Government Bonds.</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<hr class='minor' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK</span></p> +</div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="pg" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RADIO BOYS TRAILING A VOICE***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 25858-h.txt or 25858-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/5/8/5/25858">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/8/5/25858</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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