RADIO BOYS LOYALTY

 OR

 BILL BROWN LISTENS IN

 BY

 WAYNE WHIPPLE Author of "Radio Boys Cronies"

 AND

 S. F. AARON Co-author of "Radio Boys Cronies"

 MADE IN U. S. A. 

 M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY CHICAGO NEW YORK

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 Copyright, 1922, by Hurst & Company

 Printed in U. S. A. 

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 BILL BROWN LISTENS IN

 CHAPTER I

 STUDENTS

"They've got a splendid broadcasting station at the Tech, Bill. "

"I know it; hence my general exuberance. And if we don't get at it oncein a while, it'll be because we can't break in. "

"What do you want to shout into it first off?"

"Why, I thought you knew, Gus. I've got it all fixed, date and time, forProfessor Gray and Mr. Hooper to listen in. They're the chaps that areresponsible for our getting into the Tech and they deserve our firstmessage. I'll explain to President Field and I know he won't object. "

"What's this you were telling me about hazing?" asked Gus, but as thoughreally little interested. 

"Terry Watkins was telling me; his cousin went there. Lost a new hat thethird day, a pair of glasses the fourth and most of his clothes thefifth. His dad has a lot of dough, so he needn't have minded, but thatwon't be the case with us. I guess it's me for carrying a gun. "

"If they're mean enough to pick on you, old scout, I'll carry one, too, but I think you'll be exempt. If I'm to be a victim, I reckon I'll haveto grin and take----"

"No; you won't, either. We've come here to study--not to fool--and wehaven't got money to spend on ruined duds just to gratify a lot ofchumps. There are better things, too, than a gun; not so crude and notillegal. "

"I can imagine, " laughed Gus, and turned again to watch the fleetinglandscape. 

The chums journeyed in silence then, their minds busy conjecturing whattheir experiences and adventures were to be, after they became studentsof the Marshallton Technical School, which they were rapidly approachingand from which they held high hopes of gaining much knowledge. Theinstitution, despite its modest name, was nothing less than a universityof broad constructive teaching, with departments of engineering, electricity, chemistry, manual training and biology. 

It was within the first two of these departments that William Brown andAugustus Grier were to concentrate their mental efforts. They had, asalready related, earned this long-hoped-for opportunity to gaintechnical knowledge and training by showing what they could do alongthese lines. They had installed a small water-power plant and anelectric lighting system for the Hooper estate, and had also won greatercredit for constructing high-class radio receivers through which theyhad heard a no less personage than Thomas A. Edison speak. The boys hadbeen saving their earnings to meet tech school expenses for at least ayear. Their high school records, good common sense and scientificinclinations had been such as to receive the plaudits of their teacher, Professor Gray, and the members of their class. 

Intense application and mental force characterized William Brown, whowas called "Billy" by the high school girls--fine, bright-minded youngwomen--and "Bill" by the boys. He was just Bill to nearly everyone. Hisfriends referred to him as the school genius; and such he had proved tobe on more than one occasion. Though compelled by a twisted leg to use acrutch and to abstain from strenuous physical participation in sports, he was a favorite. All saw his worth, and Professor Gray said of himthat he possessed the mind of a philosopher and the expressiveness of apoet. 

Cheerful, delighting in the strength of others, Bill's natural love offriendly contests and admiration for physical prowess impelled him toadopt as his best chum Gus Grier, who had much in common with himconcerning mechanical matters. Gus was in many things almost the exactcounterpart of the lame boy. 

Gus was bright, shrewd, practical, reticent. He had the sort ofmentality that made him a good follower, with enough native wit todiscover his own limitations and to acknowledge Bill's superiorcharacteristics. Both displayed that loyalty of friendship whose rarequality has made notable history. Sometimes their classmates called theboys David and Jonathan, or Damon and Pythias; sometimes, the head andbody, the former referring to Bill and the latter, with no lessadmiration, to Gus because of his splendid athletic ability. The musclesof Gus were quite as remarkable in their way as Bill's brains; and bothboys were modest, aiding one another in every time of need, doubling alltheir efforts with the term "we, " which Bill used oftenest. 

If Bill mastered a mental problem it was: "We did it by this method. " IfGus entered upon a trial of strength or physical skill it was: "We'll doour best, " and then: "Well, we won, but it was no cinch"--in deferenceto the efforts of a beaten opponent. All this was a matter of course. And now, regarding the present, either friend might have said, "We'vepassed our exams and we're going to Tech. "

"Guilford! Guilford! All out for Marshallton!" shouted the brakeman, andin half a minute the boys were climbing into a taxi bound for theschool; in half an hour they were facing the great buildings which stoodfor so much learning, and in half a day they had matriculated and wereof the student body. 

 CHAPTER II

 FOOLED

"Come here quick and watch this!"

"What's going on? I've got this letter----"

"This is some livelier than letter writing, Bill, " Gus declared, and amoment later Bill was of the same mind. 

The boys gazed out of the window of their room in the school dormitoryto witness an upper-class reception of one of the freshmen, a lad ofalmost tender years, yet husky and of undoubted good nature. He wasexpensively dressed to begin with, a little foppish in appearance even, and it was known that his people were very wealthy. Such as he, then, could well afford the sacrifice demanded of him to become a member inhigh standing of the Marshallton student body. Whatever was done, shortof actual physical injury, must contribute to the violently initiatedyouth's general glorification, at least this was the popular impression. It occurred to but few to make serious objections to that which wascustomary in the school. 

Hazing, long since taboo or forbidden in many educational institutions, was still a part of Marshallton Tech, by reason of the belief that ahigh mentality and virile spirit demanded the extreme mental andphysical show-down which hazing is wrongly supposed to bring out. Thoughsevere enough, perhaps the initiations were not so terrible as to callfor much complaint. 

"By cracky, that's rotten!" exclaimed Gus, as he watched the progress ofthe affair. 

"Worse than mean!" agreed Bill. 

This comment was called forth as the victim, in his efforts to escapefrom his tormentors, had his coat and vest torn from him. In a littletime his shirt was reduced to ribbons. A fine gold watch and its brokenchain lay on the ground among the feet of the struggling boys, and anunsuspecting heel soon reduced the time-piece to little more value thanthe metal in the case. A wallet slid out of a pocket and disgorged fromits folds considerable cash and paper, some of which the bystandersgathered up with much difficulty. The freshman's panama, kicked about inthe dust, was not rescued until it resembled an uprooted weed. 

"We wouldn't enjoy being treated that way, " commented Gus, thesentimental. 

"We couldn't afford it, " amended Bill, the practical. "That sort ofthing may be well enough for rich fellows, though I think it's rankfoolishness at any time. But, Gus, we've got to dodge it in some way. "

Gus made no reply. He was thinking that his chum was right, but, still interested in the excitement without, he left the usualwhatever-it-must-be with Bill. When Bill spoke again, some few minutesafter the well-hazed youth had made a get-away, Gus listened withinterest. 

"We can get the materials, " Bill finished, "and it won't take long to dothe work. "

And it did not. Having procured a permit from the professor ofphysics--and no one could have refused Bill with his convincingtongue--the boys returned well loaded to their room. They took from apaper packing box, whose contents had been hidden from the curious, alot of wire, some switches, some acid and a number of storage batterycells. 

On their way from the central building the chums had been stopped by anumber of upper classmen. It was mid-afternoon, an optional study orplaytime, and just the hour for brewing mischief. This is what happened. 

"Come on there, Freeporters! Put down those boxes; we have a littlebusiness to transact with you, " the spokesman called. 

Gus gazed calmly at the five militant youths in front of him. Withoutundue egotism, he possessed an easy confidence, and he knew that, barring some bumps and scratches, that bunch would need assistance inhazing him. He would have complied forthwith, had not Bill given anultimatum. With a small box under his left arm, he shifted his crutch tohis left fingers and slipped the free hand into his pocket, drawingforth about the wickedest-looking pistol that any thug would use. Thefive began backing away, the spokesman turning quite pale and theothers, no doubt, feeling much as he looked. 

"Would you Indians want to haze me?" Bill asked. 

"Aw, no. You're exempt, of course. We don't bother with cripples, kids, old ladies nor natural criminals. " This attempt to be witty trailed offweakly. 

"Well, my friend here is carrying glass and we can't tarry now. Anyinterference with him will result in my turning criminal instanter, andI'm keen to do so. Go on, Gus. "

Gus went on, and Bill, with weapon still in hand, followed after. Heturned to call back to the flabbergasted five:

"You can find us in our room any time after to-day. Getting hazed isreally great sport, and we won't pull any guns on you then!"

Hardly half an hour elapsed before there came a knock at the door of theroom occupied by Bill and Gus. A moment before, Gus had been down to geta pair of pliers that had dropped out of the window and two wide-eyedlads in the hallway had hailed him:

"That crutch-thumper that rooms with you is in for the G. B. , " one hadsaid and the other had added:

"Say, he must be a blamed fool to carry a gun and pull it here. 'Prex'won't stand for that. "

Bill called a "Come in" in answer to the knock, and no less thanPresident Field and Professor Whitcomb, both looking very stern, entered. 

"Brown and Grier, I have heard with real pain and very great surprise, after the letter from Professor Gray highly recommending you two lads, that you have so soon shown utter disregard for the rules, the standing, the decency of our institution by carrying and drawing a deadly weapon, a pistol, and on slight provocation. This is deserving of instantexpul----"

"Sure is, Doctor Field, if it were so. But it isn't. And please, also, do not hold the idea that it was on slight provocation. They were goingto haze us, or rather Gus here, Doctor. We had just seen something ofthis sort, with the result that Fleming, of Chicago, had a ruined suitand panama, a fine watch destroyed, and a lot of money and papersprobably lost. We came here to study; our means are limited; if we metwith such a disaster our finances wouldn't stand it and we'd have to gohome; that's all there is to it. Now, I can't offer you a cigar, Doctor, because you don't and I don't smoke, but if I did I'd probably carrythem in this case. "

With that Bill drew forth the nickeled pistol again, snapped it open anddisclosed a rather unique cigar case which he extended toward the men. 

"Oh, you mean that this thing was----"

"Just that, Doctor. I hope we have respect for the institution to whichwe have come for a much needed and wanted education. But I saw no harmin fooling those chaps who think they have the right to compel us tolose a lot of time and money. Am I right?"

President Field was human; he tilted back his head and laughed mostheartily, nudging the professor also, in quite a boyish way. 

"We are greatly relieved, and I wish you had scared those young rascalsmore than you did. Professor, we shall simply have to put a stop to thishazing--stop it under pain of dismissal. And this joke, now--it shouldbe mentioned at chapel, eh? I really want to thank you, young gentlemen, for doing the school a distinct favor. "

"We hope to add to the joke somewhat by to-morrow, if you will kindlyhold up that hazing ban for one day. "

"And how is that, may I ask?"

"Would you mind if we keep it a small secret until then? We can promiseto refrain from anything dreadful. "

"But then we----"

"Please, Doctor. This, if you will trust us, will do more real good thananything the faculty can do in the way of _verboten_. Just twenty-fourhours, Doctor. "

"Well, well, we shall see. From what Gray wrote, I think we may trustyou. Good evening, boys. "

 CHAPTER III

 HAZED?

At the long supper table in the spacious basement of the dormitory, manycurious glances were aimed at Bill and Gus, and many a terse remark wasshot at them respecting their departure from the honorable ways and therules of the school. Most pronounced were the expressions of wonder overthe fact that the carrier of concealed weapons had not been expelled, orsuspended at once. Finally a sophomore whose influence seemed to countmost gave voice to the prevailing sentiment:

"Well, I must say if that gun had been pulled on me, I'd have made thecad use it. "

"I'll bet you would, too, Siebold!" declared an admirer. 

Bill got on his feet and there was an instant hush. There was somethingto expect from the daring and apparently successful gunman. He laughed, and that also charged the atmosphere. When he spoke he had undividedattention:

"You would have run like any other scared puppy, " Bill said to Siebold. "We would have listened to you ki-yi-ing for about a mile. Say, lookhere, you hazers: You're a bunch of muts! Hear me? The whole lot of youcouldn't haze anybody that puts up a fight, if you played anyway fairand gave a little notice. We'll give you a dare, Siebold, you and allyour deputies, though I suppose you'll send them and hang back yourself. We'll be ready to take all the hazing you fellows can give to-morrowafternoon at about three o'clock; only there isn't one of you who willhave the nerve to show up. Oh, 'no weapons?' That was only a cigar caseI pulled on you to-day. It wouldn't shoot, but, by cracky, it worked!"And Bill laughed, with Gus and a few others who admired the boy's nerve. 

There was a sensation at once. Never before in the history of the schoolhad a freshman dared the upper classmen to haze him, or had named thetime and place. Would such a plan hold out?

It would, and it did. The very novelty of the thing had assured it, asBill expected. Some little time before the hour given, a number ofwould-be spectators began to gather in the hallway, as Bill and Gus, studying in their room, could tell from the tramping of feet outsidetheir door. Then there was the louder tramp of feet coming nearer andwithout a preliminary call or knock the door flew open. The chums lookedup from their books with well simulated surprise. In the doorway andcrowding behind stood several upper classmen and easy confidence waswritten all over their eager faces. 

"Come right in, gentlemen; we are at your service, " said Bill. 

"Ho, men! What's this? Wire entanglements?"

The question was opportune; flimsily stretched across in front of theattacking party and about shoulder high were some copper wires, andabout equally spaced below were others. It could be seen that theseoffered no serious check, as anyone could spread them apart and pushthrough. It was evidently with this intention that the hazers fairlystruggled through the door in the effort of each to be first--at leasthalf a dozen youths had their hands on the wires. Then Bill leaned backagainst the wall and his hand came in contact with a button. 

Pandemonium! Cries of distress, yells of something more than discomfort, howls of dismay, calls for succor--the S O S in other than code signals. This was a very pretty chorus increased by some others who, hastilycoming to the rescue, also became entangled. The rest, chieflyonlookers, refrained from too close acquaintance with the very apparentcause of all the trouble. But the truly crucial part of the crisis wasdue to the fact that those who suffered by contact with the wires foundit impossible to get away from the source of distress. 

 CHAPTER IV

 GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES

Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with acombined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away fromthe wires and stood up. There would probably have been a general retreatmixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gustaken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned. A stream of waterfrom a long syringe, aimed over the heads of the sufferers, had clearedthe doorway of spectators. The jerk of a ceiling cord slammed the doorshut and it was deadlatched, requiring a key to open it. The would-behazers, thus trapped and fearful of attempting a further attack, turned, perforce, to face their captors. 

But there was one fellow, Albert Shurtlief, who so deeply resented theelectric shocking that his desire for instant retaliation robbed him ofcaution. He was coming right over the wires again and did get partlythrough before another touch of the wall button gave him a second siegeof writhing. The others looked on in wonder, convinced that the bestthing they could do was to remain quiescent. Gus said:

"Let up on him, Bill, and if he wants to come through----"

Again the button. The still furious sophomore did get past the wires andwas going to make a rush at Bill when Gus stood in his way. 

"Now, please. You ought to go a little slow. " That was a way Gus had inmaking a protest against what might end in a scrap. But without furtherado, Shurtlief, who was commonly known as "Scrapper Bert, " let fly anangry fist right at Gus' exposed jaw. 

If the electrically charged wires had surprised the mischief-makingupper classmen, the sudden collapsing of their fistic champion shockedthem even more. Scrapper Bert was rather noted for his prowess. No onecared to put on the gloves with him, nor to gain his displeasure. To seethe new boy, a "measly freshman, " not as tall, as heavy nor as old asBert, catch the assailant's hard-driven fist in the palm of an instantlyextended hand and then let drive with his own right a neat, short-armuppercut that got Bert just where he had meant to get Gus, was a neededlesson to the smug conceit that too often goes with added school years. Bert, from a seat on the floor, which he had taken without choice of thespot, regarded his opponent through half-closed eyes with a certainnonchalance, his anger fled. He slowly got to his feet, climbed backthrough the wires without further thought as to their being charged, andstood with his companions, quite submissive and mute. 

As usual on all occasions demanding words, Bill's tongue was loosened:

"Look here, fellows, we want to give you the right dope on this thing:You see we are here to study--to try and go through if our money holdsout. Our people are not rich and, like Tom Edison when he was a boy, we've got to hustle on short allowance. And we really can't afford to behazed, as you did that new chap yesterday. If we had to buy new clothesand watches and caps, we'd have to quit school--see? And we knew younever missed anybody much, so we naturally, asking your pardon, got upthis nice little reception for you. Now to get right down to brasstacks, you see our position and respect it--everyone of you--and, putting yourselves in our position, you don't blame us, nor hold anygrudges; isn't that so?"

Siebold, spokesman, made reply, after thinking a little. 

"Oh, well, I suppose all is fair in war. You've had your innings now, ofcourse, but we'll have ours later. " And then he added: "We'll get you. "

From what Doctor Field said, Bill and Gus knew better. Hazing would bebroken up on pain of expulsion, as it should be in all schools where theattendance is for business purposes, the getting of a technicaleducation as a means of livelihood. The boys felt that perhaps in acollege art course, where education becomes much play on the part ofwell-to-do lads, class fracases, bowl fights, initiations and the likemay not be amiss, but they did not intend to let open brutality rob themof their chance to study. And, however sure they felt that Siebold'sthreat was idle, there would be a satisfaction in winning their ownfight. 

"Now, that's just what we want to talk to you fellows about, " Billdeclared. "You don't want to think about 'getting' us. We want you tocall this all off and for good; we want you to give your word on it;see?"

"No; we can't--" began Siebold. 

"Won't, eh?" Bill's words came sharp and clear. "Well, then, take alittle more treatment for your blamed foolishness. " And Bill touchedanother button. 

The contortions, the writhings, the shrieks and cries that followedquite surpassed the former exhibitions. The well-worn woolen rug thatfitted from wall to wall across the end of the room where stood theseven seemed to be charged with red hot needles. Suddenly these ceasedto leap and jump and burn; the old rug and the hidden wires under itwere again quiescent. But the strident voices of the afflicted prisonerswere not silenced, though the late lamentings were given over to amedley of condemnations, appeals and pleadings. 

"Say, go a little slow on this!"

"Call it off, confound you!"

"Are you trying to electrocute us?"

"Say, Brown, please----"

"Let's call it quits, fellows!"

"We'll call it quits if you want. I suppose we've got to hand it to youtwo. " This last from Siebold. 

"Going to call it all off, then? Give us your word! We can't believethat any fellows in Marshallton Tech would go back on their word. " Billwas smiling genially. 

"That can't be called in question. All off. You're exempt. " There was ageneral acquiescence to this. The door slowly and to the seven quitemysteriously swung open; the seven started to file out. 

"Good-by, fellows, and no hard feelings. We were only having a littlefun with you as you were going to have with us. You can't----"

"Well, but you two have still got to remember, " said Siebold, shakinghis finger at Bill and Gus, "that you are freshies and must keep in yourplaces. You've got a little the better of us this time, but----"

"Golly, Dan, " spoke up a fellow hazer, "a _little_ the better? Strikesme we've all been good and licked and these chaps ought to get thecredit for----" The voice died away along the hall and Bill turned tohis chum. 

"We don't want any credit, do we, Gus? But we will get it just the samewhen this gets out. I sort o' think our little stock has gone up aboutone thousand percentum, even though we _are_ freshies. "

This proved quite correct. In a few minutes a lot of freshmen hadcrowded into the room and there was a sprinkling of sophs also. Questioned eagerly, Bill explained quite freely the purpose of theencounter and its result. Whereupon a big, fat soph declared quitevehemently:

"Huh! They were easily licked. No pluck. You're lucky to have run into abunch of quitters. "

"You wouldn't have quit, eh, Jumbo?" ventured another, grinning. 

"Huh! Nothing like this contraption--" began the husky fellow, advancingand laying his hand on the top cross wire. 

"Not even for a little thing like this?" queried Bill, reaching the wallbutton. 

"Ow! Blazes! Quit! Don't! Oh, darn! Stop! Turn--it--off! E-e-e-e-e-!Help!" And the instant the stabbing current ceased, Fatty fell back fromit and glared at Bill. 

"You really can't blame them for quitting, can you?" asked Bill, and foranswer the husky soph turned and fled from the room, followed by thejeering laughter of the crowd. 

And that ended it. After Bill had asked the crowd if any or all of themwanted to test the "convincer, " as he called the electrical rigging, hebade the onlookers who filled the hallway a pleasant _au revoir_, andGus again pulled the strings that closed the door. 

 CHAPTER V

 FAME AND FINANCES

Nothing could have taken place to put the lads from Freeport on thepedestal of fame more noticeably than this experiment. They had easilyand modestly staged a complete breakdown of the hazing habit atMarshallton Tech. Strangely perhaps there was no blame nor suspicion putupon Bill and Gus for the subsequent edict from the faculty forbiddingit. That seemed to be considered a natural aftermath to the news of theelectrical reception of the hazers. 

The stunt did more than earn the boys a large share of fame. It madethem so deservedly popular, even with most of the upper classmen, thatthey soon counted a good many friends and a considerable number ofpatrons for radio construction. It is a rather odd fact that methodsalready mastered by those of their own age appeal to boys more than theteachings of their elders. So, although the students were getting, orhad got, the theory of radio activity and the practice of wireless fullystuffed into them, they turned often to Bill and Gus for help. Therewere a number of the well-to-do, even among the seniors, who wantedradio receivers made, or coaching in making their own, and to this Billand Gus responded out of school hours, with the consent of thepresident, thus earning a good many dollars. 

So as not to interfere in any way with the school-shop program, and notto crowd those lads who were finding the room in the shop and the toolsto their advantage, Bill and Gus rented an unused storeroom in thebasement of the dormitory. They cleared it out, sent for their own toolsat Freeport, purchased others--a foot-power lathe, a jigsaw and a handwall-drill--and put up some benches. Besides working therein themselves, they charged also the modest price of twenty-five cents an hour toothers mechanically inclined. 

The liberal-minded school faculty found no fault with an arrangementwhich could only mean a more thorough learning and a finer comradeshipamong the students. The professors, who often visited and even worked inthe little shop--some of them paying their quota also--came to referfamiliarly to the place as the "commercial and sales department. "

Professor Grant, the very able teacher of physics, who possessed farmore theoretical knowledge than practice, gave the boys many valuableideas out of class, and got some himself, being also a deadhead. AndSearch, the manual-training teacher, who knew the use of tools as a beeknows honey, got a few ideas while imparting many, as he also was madewelcome to tinker around the boys' shop. 

These were truly strenuous days and weeks for Bill and Gus. They hadlittle studying to do, for Bill grasped problems as a trout takes inminnows, and he needed but to coach Gus briefly. The latter spent only aquarter-hour each day in the gym, never indulging in contests, butcontent to work hard at the things that best kept him fit. He hadelected not to put himself under the instructor, grudging the time. Butone day when he went over and, with his bare, work-hardened fists, punched a lively rubber bag for several minutes, Professor LeRoy, whohad been watching, came to Gus with almost a demand that he join theboxing class in view of the Marshallton Tech entering contests withother schools during the coming winter. But Gus declined. 

"No; I haven't the speed and I am weak with my left, as you may havenoticed. Hurt it once on a lathe in my father's shop; never will be anygood for quick work. "

"We will overcome that, " said the instructor, "develop it. "

"Also, " declared the boy, "I have neither the time nor the inclination. Must work and nothing much else. But I thank you, Professor. "

"Sorry, my boy; you've certainly got a wicked right and you can use theother. "

"I'd want to use both, " asserted Gus, laughing. 

As for Bill, the hours each day and all of Saturday spent in the shopsufficed for exercise; the rest was spent in study, brief eating and nomore sleep than he needed. And nearly every moment that could be sparedfound both boys in their shop. 

They had under way the construction of five radio receivers of the finertype, for each of which they would get sixty dollars, the materialscosting about fifteen dollars. These receivers were equal to more than athousand miles, with strong, durable batteries and very wideamplification. As with their first radio and the one for their good oldfriend, Mr. Hooper, they made nearly all the parts themselves, even tothe switch arms, contacts, buzzer and binding posts, cutting all threadswith a fine set of standard taps and dies. 

They also had two crystal sets to make, for which they charged twentydollars each, and made a profit of seventeen dollars over the cost ofthe materials. 

The most interesting was the making of four portable sets, with vacuumtube detectors and loop aėrials not over six inches in diameter, eachpacked in small, neatly made wooden cases about the size of an ordinarypaper shoe box, the lids when opened forming the upright panels and theloop aėrials hinged to open out and upright. Being rather unique indesign, and satisfying fads for unusual construction, the boys felt theyshould get at least fifty dollars for each of these sets, the materialscosting about twelve dollars. 

Earning enough in this way to help them along very nicely with theirschooling, and being more deeply interested in their work than inanything else, it was not surprising that Bill and Gus found little timefor play. 

When they had finished one of the larger and two cheaper sets, that uponinstallation at fraternity and boarding houses were found to work mostsatisfactorily, the cash was quickly paid over. Bill divided it equallyand handed half to Gus. 

"No, you don't, old fellow!" Gus demurred. "You get this and you can payme a sort of wages if you want to, or you needn't. You did all of theplanning, the--" He got no further for Bill started in with thisindignant tirade:

"You're a fatheaded, heterogeneous, quadrangular parallelepipedon! Whatare you trying to get through your topknot, anyway? Don't we always worktogether? Isn't it a partnership?"

"But--er--Bill----"

"'Butter bill'? Sure. This will pay our bread bill, too, and our entireboard bill for some time. And what we'll get out of these other setswill see us through all of next year nicely, without worrying. Thensomething will turn up for the third year. Now, then, will you write toCotton & Staples for that additional wire, or shall I?"

"I will, of course, but this money----"

"Oh, shut up! If you say another word about it, I'll lam a battery coilat you--'b'gorry'--as Mr. Hooper says. Well, now, reckon I'd better turnup and thread some more binding posts. "

 CHAPTER VI

 ANOTHER FELLOW

It was in and over the work of the boys' shop that Bill and Gus firstmet the Italian student. Among the upper classmen they had noticed asmall, olive-skinned, black-eyed chap, with a rather solemn face, whoappeared to be very reticent. It was said that he was a close and abright student who, though not lacking for money, took little interestin sports, belonging only to the "bruisers, " as the boxing class wascalled. One afternoon, with Gandy, who was getting a radio set made, thestranger appeared and stood in the doorway, gazing at the busy workers. At first neither of the radio experts saw him. Then he advanced. 

"I have the desire very much to make for myself complete a radiogetter--ah--what you call? Yes, a receiver. " He addressed Gus, who waslaying out the hook-up for a crystal set. 

"There's nothing very hard about it, " Gus replied, looking up with hisready smile and scrutinizing the Italian boy. 

"You pay the right here, the privilege; is that not so?"

"Yes, we rent the room, " said Gus. 

"Ah, so; but I mean--" The newcomer turned partly toward Bill who drewnear at the moment and had overheard the question. 

"You mean we charge those who work here? Yes, for the use of our toolsand machines, but not for any hints and advice we can give. The schoolshop is at your mercy, too, without charge, as you know. " Bill alsosized up his questioner with a certain curiosity and was pleasantlyimpressed. 

"I do not like the school shop. There are so very many con--con--whatyou call it? Yes, conflicting. I should like--prefer--choose to comehere, if I may do so. "

"Come along. You keep account of your own time here, and you can pay uswhen you like. You can get your own materials, or we can get them foryou at the prices we pay. We bought up some old pieces of furniturecheap to cut up for bases and cabinets--enough walnut to make a hundred. No charge for it. Help yourself. "

"You are, I wish to say it, veree liber--kind--generous. It is toolittle that you pay--charge, I mean it. I will ask for your materialsand I will commence--begin--start, eh? on to-morrow. Will that besatisfy?"

"Any old time. If we are not here, walk in and go to it. Check yourhours up on this pad, see? What is your name?"

"Anthony Sabaste it is. I am called Tony by most. My country it isItaly, but American I now am. My father is of the city--living there. Here, now, I will pay you five dollars on acc----"

"No, you won't, " said Bill. "We'd rather have you pay after a while andyou can see that the work goes all right. Here, I'll show you theropes. "

"Ropes? But I care not to make--build a ship. It is a radio----"

"Oh, sure, I get you; but that's only slang. You have been here longenough, I should guess from your talk, to get on to our American guff. Well, we're glad to know you, Mr. ----"

"Sabaste, but I best like--I prefer calling me Tony. It means in yourlanguage, I get on to it, as fine, grand, fat--no--but swellout--somebody much, eh?"

"It does, sure! I'll introduce my partner, Augustus Grier; Gus forshort, or he'll get mad. They call me Bill Brown, generally forgettingthe Brown, even here at school, where 'most everyone gets his last name. First names are more friendly. "

"I like it, too. In my native it is more mostly Signor, even toyoung--what you call it? Kids, as us, eh?" Tony smiled genially, hisface lighting up most agreeably. "Some they call me 'Wop, ' or'Sphagetti'. "

The boys learned that the intelligent young foreigner was in thegraduating class which had escaped a lot of practical radio work; thathe kept much to himself, either because of a real or fancied notion thatsocial lines might be drawn against him, or because he was naturallyunsocial. But after he began the making of a radio set and came in dailycontact with Bill and Gus, the young Italian seemed to grow a little outof himself, becoming less reticent and secluded. The good fellowship oftwo lads a little younger than he, both giving him friendship andconfidence, laughing at his errors of speech in perfect good nature andwithout ridicule, and at their own foibles as well, compelled theItalian boy to like the country of his adoption much better than he hadbefore. This he expressed to Gus:

"You like me--no, I mean I you like. Yes, that is making to laugh, eh?Funny, very. Well, I mean to say it, you and Bill very much also. Whynot? You love the live. You love the study. You make the happiness. Youhave the great--the large, eh? the big heart. All to you is nice andfine and it is equal to the doing, but you say it, it is worth thewhile. This makes good-will and kind thoughts to others, also byothers--no; from others. You are like one _dolce_ picture in my home. Itis by two little birds fabricating their nest and all the time thus theyare of song, singing, gay with living and working, helping so muchalways also to make all the country, this old world happy andsatisfy--content. So, to my--to me, you are really it, eh? You are thereal thing. "

"If Bill had heard you say all this, Tony, he'd declare you're both anorator and a poet, " said Gus, laughing. 

"And neither am I. But of my country there are many of such, and oflearning also, science, the great learning. Many large men of theyesterday and many of the to-day also. In this work, too, the first, foris not Marconi----"

"Say that name to Bill and hear him shout some praises. "

"So? And will Bill speak good--noble--high of Signor Marconi? Then I, too, can speak noble of Signor Edison, the American. But what say now ifI can tell it to you that my father, he is one sure and big friend ofSignor Marconi. Our home, in Italia, what you call--the estate of us, itis not much a great distance from Signor Marconi of his estate. Often Ihave seen him. And so you understand?"

"By cracky! Radio must have been in the air over there and you caughtit!" declared Gus. "Nobody could have it down any more pat than youhave. Bill and I have got some dandy ideas from you. "

"That we have, " agreed Bill, thumping in. "What is it now, Gus, that ourfriend----"

"Why, Bill, Tony knows Marconi! Just telling me about it. " And Gus wenton briefly to repeat that which the Italian had related. Bill, to use aterse but slangy term, proceeded to go up in the air. 

"Why, holy cats, Tony, you are from henceforth the cheese! This schoolhas gone wireless mad, --you know that, --and the country is pretty muchin the same fix, and for the reason that radio is about the biggestthing in the world. And, fellows, this just fits. We are doingthings--everybody is--in radio and now we are going--this school isgoing--to honor the situation if we can start it that way. For, fellows, Marconi's yacht, the _Elettra_, is in New York Harbor, with Marconi onboard most of the time. And Tony, we'll get Doctor Field to let us havea whack at the transmitter and you can talk to your friend, or telegraphyour dad and have him come up and radiophone Marconi. And then we'lllisten in for his reply, for I've read he's awfully fine andgood-natured. Isn't that so?"

"It is so, sure and indeed!" declared the Italian youth. "I amoverenjoyed; you say so, eh? that we shall do this. Let us now go, uponthis moment, and talk to the good doctor. There will be no lecturing atthis time over the casting abroad----"

"The broadcasting transmitter? No, we can surely get a whack at it. "

 CHAPTER VII

 MESSAGES

Doctor Field, much interested, accompanied the boys to the schoolbroadcasting room, and after determining from some data at hand the wavelengths that would be receivable on the Marconi yacht, Tony begantalking earnestly, almost too rapidly, into the horn, the crack andbuzzing of the battery charges making a sound like that of a riflegallery. The president, Bill and Gus also had receiving 'phones clampedto their ears. 

"If he doesn't mind, you might ask him to reply in English, please, "requested the Doctor, and Tony nodded. 

And presently a reply did come, though in Italian. Tony got it, at somelittle length; then with a gesture of disappointment he turned to theothers:

"It is an attend--an assister. He informs me that the wireless wizard, Signor Marconi, whom I explain is a friend to me and my family and heknow our name, that the signor is away on the earth--no, on land, yousay it, --attends some occasion, or is entertain of American friends andhe will not return this many hour. So that it is no value, or you sayuseless, to cast wide to him again now at this moment and I am, as yousay, deject?"

They all laughed and cheered Tony with the assurance that there would beanother occasion. Then Bill offered his idea to the president:

"Doctor, we have a notion that this radio business right now ought tohave a sort of celebration 'most everywhere; and our school might setthe example. Radio is getting to be an awfully big thing, nearly as bigas the movies. And now here's Marconi. Couldn't we start a generalhurrah for radio, bring the apparatus down to the assembly room, have abig concert, send out some messages and get Tony here, who knowsMarconi, to give us a talk on the inventor of the wireless when he was aboy, and that sort of thing? Of course, if this would interfere withstudies, or----"

"It need not, Brown, it need not in the least, " agreed the president. "Ilike your idea immensely and I foresee some features that we can add. Suppose we fix it for the latter part of this week, handbill it in thetown also and make it a gala occasion. It is another way of callingattention to the school and the kind of work we do here. You will allhelp Professor Grant and the janitor with the mechanical details, whichshould not take long. And if Sabaste will communicate with Marconi so asto make sure we can get a message from him, that will be the climax. "

The idea proved immensely popular. There are many such plans for callingstudents together to instil interest in various things that prove "wetblankets" when put into operation, but radio, as elsewhere, had takenthe school by storm. Separate departments had been organized this yearfor it. It was equally an interesting plaything and a source of mentalgymnastics. It was a matter of curiosity, and not to be interested, wasto be out of the swim. 

Bill got busy, as hardly ever before in his strenuous career. Because ofhis uncertain English, Tony balked at giving an address on Marconi, soBill copied facts and wrote the whole thing out for Tony to memorize, putting in many of the Italian's phrases, corrected. And getting the_Elettra_ again, Marconi's former and youthful neighbor was able to makea date for a message from the wireless wizard on the evening of theradio celebration. 

That night there was a crowd in the assembly room. Every student wasthere, half the town, many people from the country around and a fewfriends of the school from various distances. Doctor Field introducedthe occasion briefly. Professor Grant gave a talk on the history andrapid growth of radio communication. Professor Judson, assistant inphysics, talked on the "little bottles, " as the vacuum tubes are oftencalled. Professor Search talked on the possible future of radio. Thenthe Doctor arose again and said:

"We want to have members of our student body, also, express to you ourinterest in this great subject. We are fortunate to have this year apupil who, though yet a freshman, has shown an unusual grasp of thetechnicalities of radio. I am going to ask Mr. William Brown to explainbriefly some of the methods employed in building, or selecting, a radioreceiving set, such as those he has been engaged in making here at theschool. His associate, Mr. Augustus Grier, who is an artist, inmechanical matters at least, will aid Mr. Brown at the blackboard. "

Bill laid aside his crutch and hobbled forward to the platform, followedby Gus, whose easy motions were in direct contrast. A round of applausegreeted the boys. This was increased and a burst of laughter added whenGus took a piece of chalk and with a few quick strokes made what suggesteda broadcasting station, with a rooster shouting "cock-a-doodle-doo" intothe transmitter. Then he drew a lot of zigzag lines to indicate theHertzian waves, and at the other end of the board, a hen listening in andregistering horror when she hears the sounds translated into "quack, quack. " Meanwhile, Bill had plunged headlong into his subject. 

 CHAPTER VIII

 RADIO GALORE

"A good many folks, " said Bill, "get scared when they think about radioconstruction. The big words come at them all in a bunch like a lot ofbees, and it is to dodge. And when they go to the dictionary they arelost for sure. Potentiometer, variometer, variocoupler, radio frequency, amplification, loop aėrials, audion and grids--no, I am not sayingthese words to show off. They are only a part of radio terminology. Andyou've got to get 'em, or you might as well take radio theory andconstruction on faith and be satisfied simply to listen in. 

"Anybody can commit these words to memory without a dictionary, andthat's where my partner shines. He has heard the big words so much thathe talks them in his sleep, and he ought to know all their meanings, butthe one most his size is 'grid. '"

Here Gus drew a much scared boy, with hair on end and knees knockingtogether, surrounded by a lot of the words that Bill had pronounced. Then Bill, putting his hand to the side of his mouth and leaning towardhis audience as though in confidence, said in a stage whisper:

"He's doing that to show that he knows how to spell these words. 

"To be serious about it, if I'm allowed, " continued Bill, "this subjectof radio is a coiner in every way. Just think of someone sayingsomething in San Francisco and someone else in Maine listening to it, and without any speaking tubes, nor wires to carry the sound along! Agood many folks are wondering how it happens--how speech can be turnedinto electricity that goes shooting in all directions and how this isturned back into speech again. 

"Well, it's done on the telephone, over wires. The voice in the receiveris turned into electric energy that passes over the wires and at theother end turns again into sounds exactly like the voice that startedit. But somebody found out that this same energy could be shot into theair in all directions and carried any distance, maybe as far as thestars, and then when pretty much the same principles were applied tothis as to the telephone, with some more apparatus to send and catch theenergy, why, then, that was wireless. 

"It is really too bad, with all the useless short syllables in ourlanguage going to waste, that the fellows who got up the terms for radiowork couldn't have used words like 'grid, ' for instance. They could havecalled a variocoupler a 'gol, ' a potentiometer a 'dit, ' an inductioncoil a 'lim, ' (l-i-m) and a variable condenser would look just as prettyif it were written out as a 'sos'--but no! They forgot the good exampleset by the grid, the volt and the ohm and they went and usedjawbreakers. 

"I'll tell you another thing that makes this electro-motive force asused in wireless easier to understand. It is the sun and its light. Agreat scientist, Doctor Steinmetz, says that light and electric wavesare the same thing. Perhaps they are, though they surely workdifferently under different conditions. But if the sun has an awful lotof heat it can't send it ninety-five million miles--not in reason! Theheat only makes light and that light travels through space. It reachesthe atmosphere of our earth and is converted into heat again. Perhapslight of the sun and stars and the reflected light of the planets do notshine through space as light, but as radio waves that either by ouratmosphere, or by our electrical conditions here are converted intolight again, --but this is hardly open to proof even. "

Bill glanced at the blackboard; Gus had drawn a big sun, with radiatingrays, a grinning face, a small body with one short leg and two gesturinghands and had labeled it "Bill Brown, radio radiator. " Bill made amotion of his thumb toward the caricature, then spread his hands in mockdespair, but not without a side glance expressing pride in hislieutenant's performance, all of which pleased the audience immensely. 

Then Bill proceeded: "This electro-motive force which travels around andthrough our little earth is what we can actually experiment with. We donot know just what it is, but we are finding out pretty fast what itwill do. Perhaps there is hardly any limit to what it will do. It isgenerated for power and light and heat, for carrying signals and soundsover wires and through the air. What next? Just now we have got all thethinking we can do about radio. It is the sixth wonder that electricityhas sprung upon us. I guess we won't include electrocution. 

"Now, there's no use going into technicalities about construction, that's a thing that must be studied out and thought over, not mussed upin a talk like this. I'll say this much, however, it is the vacuum oraudion tube detector that gives results, and the application of a loudspeaker is only possible with a vacuum or audion tube. It is as easy tobuild a vacuum tube set as a crystal set and only a very little moreexpensive. So, whether you are building or buying a set, make it a goodset, something that you can hear with a good many hundred miles. 

"Now, you can buy the parts and build a receiving set that willgenerally give more satisfaction than a bought set. " (Bill stepped overto the blackboard and took up a pointer. ) "I may need this for thispartner of mine if he persists in caricaturing me instead of drawingwhat we want. We'll make things about four times as big as they ought tobe. You can use an aėrial outdoors, which everybody now understands, or, just as well and a lot handier, a loop aėrial indoors, the biggerthe better, but two feet in diameter is big enough. 

"Here is your base and upright panel and this is the way to hook up orwire the parts. Here's your aėrial and its ground, between which isplaced your variable condenser and tuning coil, thus, off here betweencondenser and coil comes the wire to your vacuum tube, with its fixedcondenser and grid leads, the wire being connected directly to the grid, while here the wire from the tube plate is connected with the six-voltstorage battery and in turn with the phones, like this. Then, from thephones to the ground wire, the wire is carried thus through a secondarydry cell battery, on each side of which the wires are taken off to arheostat, though my partner has sketched this to look more like a birdafter a caterpillar. 

"I am not going to tell you how to make all these parts--if I did you'dprobably go to sleep, if you are not half way there already. So, if youcan't find out how to make the parts, or contrive them in some wayyourself, why, then, you'd better buy them. Only you can make the baseand do the wiring, attaching and so forth. Even my partner can do thatif he is watched pretty closely; it is almost as easy as making a sketchof it. 

"If any of you really want to know how to build a radio set in apractical, get-there way, all you'll have to do is to get Doctor Field'sconsent and come round to our shop in the basement of the schooldormitory and we won't soak you much. I thank you all for yourattention. "

Very warm applause indicated the approval of the audience, as Bill andGus left the platform. Again the president arose to say:

"Another of our students has a message for us in regard to radio. Amongthe notable pioneers and probably one to give the subject its greatestpractical impetus is William Marconi, whose name is familiar to you all. The great inventor is now an honored guest of this country, his yacht_Elettra_ lying off our shores. It seems doubly fitting that more thanspecial mention should be made of him, and as Mr. Antonio Sabaste was, in his native land, a neighbor of Marconi, his father being really afriend of the wizard, I think we shall listen with pleasure to what thisstudent of the school has to say. "

 CHAPTER IX

 MARCONI

"My native country, " said Tony, speaking very slowly in an effort to getthe construction of his sentences in accordance with Bill's coaching andas per his written arrangement, "is Italy; my adopted country isAmerica. I say both with pride, and therefore you can imagine with whatdelight I speak about one of the greatest of Italians and one of thegreatest among the scientists of the world, to Americans who perhapsmost appreciate and make use of his discoveries. 

"Guglielmo Marconi lived not far from Bologna. His father's estate iscalled 'Villa Griffone. ' Not far from these many acres was my formerhome, and my father, who is a little older than Signor Marconi, knew himwell, as well indeed as anyone might know one who was from boyhood arather shy, retiring fellow, with a mind given over largely tomechanical experiments and caring very little for playfellows. 

"Signor Marconi, the elder, was proud of his son's tendencies and gavehim mechanical toys when Guglielmo was only a little fellow. His motherwas a beautiful English or Irish lady and she also encouraged her son inhis tastes. Electricity had a strange fascination for the boy and as hegrew older and began to grasp the theories and methods employed in itsuse he addressed himself more and more to electrical phenomena, neverbeing content with mere performances, but being eager to know theprecise methods of application and effect. 

"At first Guglielmo had tutors and he led them a merry chase to keep upwith his questions. Then, when still young, he was sent to an advancedschool in Leghorn, later entering the University at Bologna. But withall that he learned of theory and practice concerning what had becomehis hobby, he obtained more knowledge at home, for his investigationswere not along discovered routes, but in new fields. 

"When Guglielmo was only sixteen his father had provided him with allthe instruments and apparatus he could wish for and he knew no handicapsof this kind. 

"In this country a poor boy, without social hindrances, has an equalchance with a rich lad. In my native land, in Europe I think, the ladwith means has a better opportunity. Here you have many great men inevery walk of life who have been poor, but over there that is a rarething. Wealth brings opportunity and quick recognition. Guglielmo hadthis advantage, but if he had not also possessed an earnest, painstakingand brilliant mind he could have gained no distinction. Most of hisacquaintances led pleasure-loving, easy, indolent lives and he couldhave done the same thing. Therefore, what credit is due Guglielmo forthe great success he has achieved!

"While Guglielmo was still in his teens he turned his father's estateinto a vast laboratory and experimenting station. His great successseemed to come from using all outdoors as his workshop. 

"In this way he learned the magic of sound waves and vibrations, so thathe could send his 'telegrams' without a wire. His first experiments werefor only a few yards. Then he made the distance longer and longer, little by little, till at the end of five years of constant, perseveringtrial, with thousands of failures to be sure, he sent an air message twomiles. 

"Of course, people made fun of him. They thought he was a crank, if notdownright crazy and said that his father was very foolish indeed toencourage him in wasting so much time and money in a way that everyperson with common sense could see was worse than merely simple. 

"Guglielmo set his rude transmitting apparatus on a pole on one side ofa field and on the other side a corresponding pole was set up andconnected with a receiving apparatus. 

"The young inventor's interest must have been keen and his hopes high ashe sat and watched for the tick of his recording instrument, that heknew should come from the spark sent across the field. Weeks had beenspent in the building of these instruments, now to be tested. 

"Suddenly the Morse sounder began to record the distant transmission andthe boy's heart gave an exultant bound--the first wireless message hadbeen sent and received. 

"Many experiments followed. Varying heights of poles were used and itwas found that the distance could be increased in proportion to thealtitude of the poles. 

"In these first experiments of the young inventor he used practicallythe same methods that he employs to-day. The transmitting apparatusconsisted of electric batteries, an induction coil by which the force ofthe current is increased, a telegrapher's key to make and break thecircuit. Batteries were connected with the induction coil and thetelegrapher's key was placed between the battery and the coil. 

"One spark made a single dot, a stream of sparks the dash of the Morsetelegraphic code, and with this crude apparatus, sometimes failing torecord the signals, Marconi labored with growing faith. He knew he wason the right track and persevered. When he had succeeded in sending amessage two miles through the air, Guglielmo determined that it could betwo hundred, or two thousand miles, but he chose a shorter distance toprove his theory. He went to the English Channel and before long theworld was astounded to learn that this young stranger and experimenterhad sent a wireless message over thirty miles. A little later dispatcheswere sent through the air across the English Channel and received fromthe Isle of Wight to Land's End, more than one hundred and eighty milesdistant. 

"This youth, twenty-one years old, had succeeded in accomplishing a featthe possibilities of which can hardly yet be conceived. Then Marconicame to London to upbuild and link nation to nation more closely. He waswell received in England and began his further work with all theencouragement possible. A series of tests followed that were astounding. Messages were sent through walls, houses, through hill and dale, provingbeyond a doubt that the electric waves penetrate everything. 

"A few years later, when Marconi was twenty-four, he made wirelessreports of the Kingston regatta for evening papers in Dublin, Ireland. This attracted Queen Victoria's attention at her summer residence atOsborne House, also on the Isle of Wight. At this time the Prince ofWales, who afterward became King Edward the Seventh, was ill on hisyacht. This was soon connected with the Queen's summer castle and onehundred and fifty messages passed between the suffering prince and hisroyal mother. 

"All these wireless marvels--they seemed miracles then--made WilliamMarconi world-famous before he finished his twenty-fifth year. 

"But Guglielmo--I like the Italian pronunciation of his name better, "continued Tony, "for I am afraid, if I did geeve the English form, Ishould turn it into Beel. " He smiled at our hero who had come down fromthe platform to a front seat and sat listening intently, and Bill Brownshook his head deprecatingly. 

"Guglielmo did not cease with these triumphs. No, not he. He saw successonly in greater distances and he went at this problem with his usualquiet determination. He made no announcements, but sailed for the Islandof Newfoundland and there he set up his instruments in an old barracksat the mouth of the harbor near St. Johns. In a few days hispreparations were made, quite secretly. His plans were communicated tono one, except his assistants, for he knew there would be the generalskepticism concerning his effort to send wireless messages across theAtlantic Ocean, but he felt assured of success. A transmitting stationhad been established near Poldhu, Cornwall, the southwestern point ofEngland. The aėrial wires were on masts two hundred and ten feet high. 

"As an aėrial Guglielmo sent up a large kite made of bamboo and silk, flown on a wire, of course; the wind increased, snapping the wire andblowing the kite into the ocean. Thereupon Guglielmo used a balloonfilled with hydrogen gas and sent it up when the weather was clear, butthe balloon broke away and disappeared. 

"It was on December 12, 1901 that he sent up another kite. This held atan elevation of nearly four hundred feet, and then, after having cabledhis assistants to begin sending certain signals previously agreed upon, at a certain hour in the afternoon and continuing until night, Guglielmomade allowance for the difference in time and sat with the telephonereceiver at his ear, listening, wondering, hopeful. It must have been amoment of almost painful expectation. He looked out from his positionhigh on the cliff and could see the dim, rocky outlines of Cape Spear, the most eastern point of the North American continent. Beyond thisrolled the blue Atlantic, two thousand miles across which was the coastof the British Isles. Only two persons were present in the oldbarrack-room besides the inventor. There were no reporters--no one hadbeen apprised of the attempt. Marconi's faith in the success of hisexperiment was unshaken. He believed from the first that he would getsignals across the great stretch of ocean. 

"Suddenly there was the sharp click of the instrument that could onlycome from some electric disturbance; but it was not the signal. Marconi, without excitement, asked Mr. Kemp, the assistant, to take the telephonereceiver connected with the instrument and listen for a time. A momentlater, faintly, yet distinctly and unmistakably, came the three clicksindicating the dots of the letter S, according to the Morse code, thesignal that had been agreed upon with the assistants on the Englishcoast. A few minutes later more signals came and the inventor and hisassistant assured themselves again and again that there could be nomistake. Thus was tested successfully one of the great scientificdiscoveries. 

"Then the achievement was given to the public, after two days ofrepeated signaling. The honors that were at once heaped upon Marconiwould have turned the head of anyone less modest and sane. From everyquarter of the world came plaudits. The cable company, fearing injury toits business, demanded that he cease operations in its territory, whichwas a high compliment, indeed. The people of the Colony of Newfoundlandhonored him, wondering at his youth; he was then only twenty-seven, butan experimenter of wide knowledge. 

"Such was the practical achievement upon a great discovery reached byMarconi the Italian and now, more correctly, the cosmopolitan. Though hestill makes his home in his native land, he belongs to all countries, toall oceans, for it is everywhere now that his great discovery is madeuse of. No need for me to mention the present day uses of wirelesstelegraphy and radio communication aided greatly by the inventions ofothers. But it is to Marconi these owe their initial adoption. "

 CHAPTER X

 A MESSAGE

A round of applause was given the Italian lad as he was about to leavethe platform. Suddenly Tony stopped and held up his hand for silence. 

"You must not--ah, applaud to me for this speaking. I have the inspireto do it, yes, but not the words entire. So it is my friend Brown whoset me correct on the words and the speeching. We are then both equallythe speechers, my friend Bill Brown and I. "

The applause was continued now, --a goodly number appreciated the honestyof this declaration. Tony had taken his seat. The president arose andbegan to talk again, but could not be heard for some mischief-makingstudents who kept up the racket. 

Gus leaned over and spoke to Tony and then to Bill. Without more adoBill got up, grabbed Tony's hand and the two got out on the floor, facedabout and bowed. The clapping took a spasmodic leap and ceased. 

Bill pushed Tony away from him and limped back several feet. Then he puthis hollowed fist to his mouth and shouted into it:

"This is broadcasting station P D Q! I hope you are listening in!"

Tony caught the idea at once and put his hand to his ear. Billcontinued:

"Strikes me this crowd here is crazy! A noisy bunch! Maybe they thinkwe're candidates for mayor, or something! This radio business is somepumpkins; eh, boy? I'd radiophone you a message in Italian, only I'veleft my dictionary at home! Well, I guess they've looked at us longenough now, so let's switch off!"

Amid laughter, the boys returned to their seats. 

"This is a gala occasion, " said Doctor Field, "and you must bear withthe exuberance of our youthful enthusiasts. We have one otherinteresting experience for you, demonstrating the wonders of radio. Now, then, Mr. Sabaste, if you will----"

Tony and Gus quickly left the room. Presently, through the open door andfrom above, sharp, cracking sounds something like miniature pistol shotswere heard. There was also a droning buzz and the sound of a loudspeaking voice, the words unrecognized. The president added:

"Mr. Sabaste is now broadcasting a message, in Italian, to the yacht_Elettra_, outside New York harbor. He previously appointed this hour tosend such a communication to none other than _Signor_ William Marconi, asking him for a message to our school. We hope Sabaste may besuccessful. "

In a few moments the sounds from the transmitter in the broadcastingroom ceased. There came a brief period of expectant silence, some of theaudience staring about uncertainly, others more intelligently looking atthe big horn of the receiver on the platform table. The time lengthened. It threatened to grow a little tedious. Then as Tony and Gus hastilyappeared in the doorway, the sound of a human voice and good, clearEnglish words emanated from the horn. 

"The yacht _Elettra_, Marconi speaking. My young friend, the son of myfriend Sabaste, now a citizen of America, has asked me to send a word ofgreeting to the Marshallton Technical College, --I hope I have the namecorrectly. I confess my being called on seems rather unusual, but yet Iam glad to be able to communicate with an American educationalinstitution, especially one devoted to physical knowledge, mechanics andelectricity. 

"It is not unlikely you have among your students some future greatinventors--perhaps some Edison, Bell or Morse--time will only determinethis. America is a nation of inventors--the leaders in this mechanicalage. Study, close application, the not too stringent adherence toformulę and old methods are bound to win. Inspiration, vision, theseizing of opportunities to improve, the wish to gain somethingdesired--these are the keynotes to success in the field of mechanicalendeavor and scientific discovery. In the words of one of the greatestAmericans who had visions and did things: 'It is up to you. ' I wish yourschool and its students every success. "

The voice in the horn ceased to be heard. There was a moment ofbreathless silence, as everyone in the audience, with attention rivetedon the radio receiver, listened for other words to follow. Then onceagain the Doctor was on his feet. 

"We shall later radio our gratitude to Mr. Marconi for this kind andhelpful message which is a fitting climax to our wireless celebration. We feel that our students have been benefited and inspired and we hopeyou have all been entertained. Good night. "

 CHAPTER XI

 FEUDAL FOOLERY

There seemed to be a dissatisfying influence, a feeling perhaps akin toenvy, or at least as offending class pride in the sentiment that aroseamong a certain clique concerning Bill Brown. The boy had become popularand it was thought by some unduly, or somewhat undeservedly so. Bill'sclassmates had not shown this tendency, or if so individually it was notmade evident. But to certain older fellows, that a mere freshman shouldso shine both in the opinion of teachers and the student body generally, seemed most inconsistent. 

Siebold, the moving spirit of wholesome mischief among the upperclassmen, seemed to be the chief instigator of the tendency to belittleBill, aided by one Luigi Malatesta, a Sicilian. Siebold never hadforgiven Bill and Gus for the electrical trap sprung on his hazingparty. He had a certain following that shared most of his opinions andplans. 

Malatesta was also a soph, with a very decided penchant for getting intotrouble and showing temper. It might have been expected that between theonly two natives of Italy in the school there would be at least somefraternal feeling, but these lads appeared instinctively to avoid eachother, and Tony's being a senior, made this easily possible on his part. Malatesta, seeing that Bill and Gus were both exceedingly friendly withTony, seemed to take especial pleasure in making contemptuous remarksconcerning all three, or in making offensive, insulting gestures thatthey could not help seeing. At first this was altogether puzzlingbecause the motive was not apparent. It became more evident, however, following an incident. 

Bill and Tony were coming from the school library, to be followed laterby Gus, who remained to add some notes. The subject with which they wereall wrestling covered voltmeter tests and relative amperage, principallywith regard to battery construction. The boys were building their ownbatteries and must make no mistakes. 

Bill was thumping along, talking, and Tony listening, as usual. Theycame through the double swinging doors of the dormitory on the way tothe shop and passed a small group of upper classmen in the hallway, Malatesta among them, holding forth. The two went down the basementstairway, a door closed behind them and they were alone. Tony stopped. 

"I may ask you, _mio amico_, you did see that fellow, my countryman, upthere?"

Bill nodded, wondering. 

"Well, it is so, " continued Tony, "that he watches us--you because ofme, and me because of--to tell you it is something, shall I? Yes, itwill give me satisfy. That Malatesta--Luigi his name it is--why youthink he comes on this school? I will say he comes to spy to me. Perhapsyou think this is absurd quite, but not so. In Italy his people and mypeople are at fighting--no, you call it 'scrap, ' eh? We make war, byfamily. My mother's people, one of the years long ago, kill one of thisfellow's people at the town _festa_ and they seek to kill all her peopleand my father's people take no part--know nothing. But when my fathermeet my mother and they are declared to marry, then the Malatesta fightwith him and his people. Is it not strange and very ridiculo?

"And now I am come to the family war because no more longer a littlechild and this Luigi he swear he look after me here in America, andalready I see the poniard lifted to strike at my breast, but I shalldodge and then maybe use my own, though hating the vendetta--feuds. Whyshall all this be? How have I made anger and strife with theseassassins? But to reason with them is to invite a more insult thandeath. You understand my telling?"

"Sure I do, " said Bill. "It is what we call in this country a feud, butit is rotten. Why don't you go to the Doctor and----"

"Oh, no! My friend Bill, you cannot intend so. That would bepoltrone--coward! We fight without people stopping--to end, if must be. "

"But a fellow like that--to come to school here just----"

"Oh, but he is smart, Luigi Malatesta, and to him learning is also good, though some of his people are low and many years ago they were of thebanditti. And some were of the boat builders and some were rich. "

The boys had reached the shop and were still alone. Bill forgot hisloved problems in trying to comprehend this state of affairs. 

"But I can't understand how such a thing could really be, " he said. "Wehave the black hand, it is true, but----"

"Ah, no, this the black hand is never!" declared Tony. "This is offamilies--not to rob, though maybe they do rob in time and ask ofransoms. Such was done by some Malatesta of my mother's cousin and hewas lost to us, never returning. "

"But, confound it, Tony, here he wouldn't dare----"

"Here he will dare more than in Italy, because there all who make familywars are suspect and many such quit and have become friends when timegoes, but other forgetta never. This Luigi he forgetta never, and maybeyou will see. We--my father thought we had left behind this fighting, but to this country also come Malatesta, for small is the world andlarge is hate. "

Bill pondered this and turned to his work, but dropped his tools in amoment, explaining to Tony that there were other figures they must havefor calculating the strength of the battery and he would go back andtell Gus. 

Bill reached the basement stairs, and in an alcove, alone, as thoughseeking to hide, was the fellow Luigi. He turned sharply, facing Billand glaring in evident resentment at the latter's broad, curious stare. Then the Sicilian spoke:

"Well, you see me. I it is, freshman. Stare at me some more as if I weresomething to step on and I will give you more reason to stare. "

"What's the matter with you, you, you--" demanded Bill, stopping shortand much incensed. 

"Ah! Wop? Guinea? Dago? Sphagett--so I am insulta--is it? And by ashort-leg!"

"I'd rather have short legs than short brain. "

"I like you so well I smash you in the face!"

Suiting the action to the word Luigi advanced upon Bill, who turned andswung his crutch menacingly. 

What then would have occurred it is impossible to surmise, for thecrippled boy was handy with the familiar implement that so readily couldbe used as a weapon, though the Italian was sturdier, heavier and mucholder--in fact, although small, he was almost a man. 

But just at the moment there was a quick, descending footfall on thestair and the door opened. Gus, with wide eyes, stared at the near andunequal combatants. 

"Hold on!" said the big fellow, glaring. The Italian hesitated, thoughbut for a moment. "You wouldn't really hit a fellow who is lame, wouldyou?"

"Ah, get away! Go off!" snarled Malatesta, attempting to thrust Gusaside as the strapping youth stepped in front of him. But the thrust wasfutile and then Luigi, growing furious, struck at Gus a powerful blow. The fellow was muscular and quick, but there was no thought behind theblow. And there was in contrast a smile on the face of the easy, athletic American. 

The Italian's fist was clutched by a ready hand, much as a baseballwould have been caught, and then a very differently directed fist shotout and came in contact with Luigi's upper stomach--he got thatgenerally final solar plexus blow. Luigi gave a soft, aching grunt andsank to his knees, then to his elbows and rolled over on his side, in ahalf-minute more sitting up and gazing around, but still in pain. He wasagain alone. 

 CHAPTER XII

 TESTS

"I suppose now we'll all get blown up, or poisoned, or something, " Billsaid to Tony, after telling of the eclipse of Luigi Malatesta. 

"Oh, no; the Malatesta are foemen worthy of our steel, to agree by anEnglish poet; is it not?"

"'Foeman worthy of a steal, ' I guess you mean, " laughed Gus. 

"Yes, that's more like it. I wouldn't trust that pig-faced villainacross a ten-acre lot with a ten-cent piece!" declared Bill. 

"The soul of honor doesn't dwell in a husky guy who'd strike a cripple, "said Gus. "And I bet a cow he's going to stir up more trouble aroundhere before he quits maneuvering. "

Tony made no reply, but stood for a long time, gazing at the floor. Presently only the sound of tools and machines was heard in the shop. 

It is not probable that Luigi told of the precise outcome of his clashwith Bill and Gus, though he may have said enough to influence sophomoresentiment against Bill's standing in the school. At any rate, thefeeling grew in strength and spread until it became a subject of commentamong freshmen and seniors who were inclined to sympathize with thebrainy and keen-witted lame boy. At least he had many friends, both highand low, and most of the teachers admired him openly. 

So far the sentiment had been rather more doubtful and erratic thandetermined. There had been nothing to warrant the assumption that Billthought himself more intelligent than the sophomores, or members of hisown class. His radio knowledge was somewhat a thing apart and in that heshared with the less obtrusive Gus. 

And then the lightning struck, suddenly and hard. Once each week anoutsider from the engineering department of some big industrial plant, or large university, lectured to the entire student body of theMarshallton Tech in the assembly-room, and there were some of thesetalkers who got much pleasure out of it. Not only was it interesting tohold forth to a lot of eager, responsive boys on subjects that elicitedtheir curiosity, as the building of great dams and bridges, thetunneling under mountains, the erection of mighty machines, but it wasalso diverting to hear their various comments which also led to acomparative estimate of their understanding. 

Davidson, chief mechanical engineer of a great mill buildingcorporation, was especially interested in the personal equationconcerning the students, particularly after Bill Brown bad asked him alot of questions, some of which he had replied to rather lamely. Evenmore as a matter of getting back at this young investigator who sat witha crutch held before him and regarded these replies with a smile thanfor the desire to measure minds, Davidson gathered a few catch problemsthat were stumpers, and upon his third visit, after talking awhile heswitched off on the subject of problems, short cuts to solutions andthen put a question, looking hard at Bill, as though uttering achallenge. 

"Now, how would you go about it, " he shot at his audience, "if you wereasked to measure the cubic contents of an electric light bulb?"

A number of smiles greeted the question; these may have been from ladsmostly in the advanced courses who knew the trick. The lecturer askedfor hands to be raised by those who thought they could do it, and notingwith satisfaction that the crippled boy was not among the number whoresponded, he began hearing them, one at a time. 

"Measure it outside and allow for the thickness of the glass, " said onefellow. 

"But how about the carbon inside?" asked Davidson. 

"Break the glass and measure the loop, " called out a soph. 

"How many of you would go at it in that way?"

A number of hands went up, some rather reluctantly, as though theirowners scented a trick. 

Davidson still eyed the cripple. "How would you do it?" he asked. 

Bill shook his head and said, "It is that old trick of Edison's and it'sdead easy. I guess a good many of our fellows know about it. You simplypunch a hole in the bulb, fill it with water, pour it back and measurethe water. "

"Yes; that's right. It is really the only sure way, " said the man, hismanner showing disappointment. 

"Oh, no; it isn't, begging your pardon. Oh, no, not the only way, " saidBill. 

"Well, now, how else----"

"Put water in a graduated glass, stick the bulb in up to the plasterseal and note the increase. Then break the glass and the carbon and putthat in separately, deducting the last amount from the first. "

Davidson scratched his head. "Yes; that would do it, of course, too, but----"

"But you said the other was the only way, " insisted Bill. 

"Oh, well, the only quick and sure way. Of course, there are othermethods. "

"I'm sorry to have to disagree with you, but my method is just as sureand quicker. "

"It might do--it might do! You seem to be ready with short cuts inmechanics. How would you quickly divide a board seventeen andthree-eighths inches wide into five equal parts? Can anyone here do it?"

"That's easy, " said Bill. 

"Well, then, how about this one? If a pint cup----"

"Your question about dividing the board is too interesting to pass overso hastily, " interrupted Professor Search. "If you will pardon me, Iwould suggest that Brown go to the board and demonstrate it. "

"Will you let Grier do it? He knows that old trick, and he is handierwith the chalk than I. "

Gus went forward, took a two-foot rule from his pocket and laying offtwo parallel lines seventeen and three-eighths inches apart, laid therule diagonally across them so that the space would measure twentyinches. Then he ticked off at the figures four, eight, twelve andsixteen. Laying the rule straight across from an outer line to the firsttick he turned and announced:

"Each space is practically three and fifteen-thirty-seconds inches. "

This brought forth something like applause, along with many very audibleremarks, such as: "Pretty cute. " "Handy. " "Where'd he get it?" "Can'tfool either of 'em, can you?" "Those fellows are practical, that'ssure. "

Mr. Davidson smiled sort of absently. He had to give approval, butdropped the question rather abruptly, going back to his last problem. 

"Now, see if you can tell me this: I have a half-pint cup even full ofwater, the liquid exactly level with the edge of the glass. About howmany one-inch brads must I drop into the cup before the water overflows?Water, you understand--not oil, nor molasses. This is an old experimentand it concerns a well-known physical law. If anyone has seen it done hewill kindly remain silent. Now, who will make a guess as to the numberof nails?"

Every brow was wrinkled, except those of a few conclusion jumpers ofwhom there must be some in every crowd. One of these latter fellowsshouted at once: "About a half dozen and it'll slop over!"

"It'll take only one or two, " said another. 

"Not more than a dozen, anyway. "

But the others, mostly lads capable of real mental exercise, were allcudgeling their brains. It was a subject which had much to be taken intoconsideration. Presently one senior spoke up:

"It ought to take more than an ounce of them. "

"Nearly as much, anyway. "

"More. That'll fool you mightily. "

"It looks as though a few brads would do it, but it will take a lot. "

"And why?" asked Mr. Davidson. "Come, what do you say about this?" Heagain appealed to Bill, turning then also to Gus. 

"Well, sir, I think I can see that it will take nearly all of that boxof brads, perhaps a hundred. It is a matter of cohesion and even waterpossesses that, so that to overflow, it will have to rise a good dealabove the rim. The area of the glass plus the rise that will be requiredfor the overflow will be, in solid contents, easily as much as that boxof loosely filled brads; if they were melted down they wouldn't begreater than the water area. It is a good deal like the loading of aboat: the displacement is a uniform, compact mass; the load is a jumblewith more air space than material. And it is like the floating of aheavy iron pot. "

For answer the lecturer turned and drew a half-pint of water in a glass, brought from his pocket a box of brads and began dropping, one at a timeand counting, them into the water. There was profound silence. As thenumber increased, reaching above two score of the small nails, therebegan to be heard comments here and there. 

"Zowie! Who'd a thunk it?"

"Better just dump 'em all in and start over. "

"Don't reckon those nails are soaking the water up; eh?"

"If it were molasses you could fill it half full of brads before itwould slop over. "

"Say, look, he's up to sixty! Would you believe that?"

"Hey there, Fatty, you guessed one nail; didn't you----"

"Sixty-eight, sixty-nine, seventy; looks to me like a spill prettysoon. "

"When the freshet starts----"

"It'll drown a lot of people. "

Mr. Davidson stopped dropping the nails into the tumbler and held up hishand. 

"There it goes, boys--the first drop over! Eighty-two brads. You can seewho guessed best. The cohesion of the liquid explains it, as our youngfriend here has said. I'm glad you have one thinker among you. Now Iwant to tell you something about the installation of machinery byindividual motors driven by a central generator, as compared to thedrive from a mill long countershaft and pulleys. " And he proceeded withhis talk. 

Yes, the lightning had struck. From this moment the respect shown toBill, and to Gus also, by those who had no desire to do otherwise wasreally almost overdone, his classmates being generally proud of him, andthe teachers and seniors pleased to have him a member of the school. Butthe sophs mostly grew more inclined to consider both boys a menace totheir peace of mind. 

 CHAPTER XIII

 QUICK WORK

"I must have to report to you the utter spoil of your shop and yourwork; also my own complete!" Such was the breath-taking remark of TonySabaste, as he stuck his head into the room of Bill and Gus and regardedthe boys at their studies soon after daylight. 

With no more than a word of surprise or doubt the young mechanicsfollowed their Italian friend into the basement and were not long infinding his words true. 

The crown plate of the drill had been broken in two with a hammer andprobably the same means had been used to crack the lathe pulley andsmash some of the tools. Materials were not harmed, but the work justbegun on two new radio sets of the better value, along with Tony'sefforts, was reduced to splinters. 

The door of the shop had never been locked; the miscreant had entered inthe night and engaged in the work of destruction. 

"Well, who----?" began Bill. 

"Ah, say not that question, " said Tony. "Do not you know? Is there adoubt; even one? I have no enemy in the school but one, and whoelse----"

"Oh, sure, anyone but friendly, innocent Bill would know. Malatesta, ofcourse. "

Gus was ready with short cuts to names as well as to problems, hisgenius for detection having been proved in a like instance, before this. He went over and picked up a hammer, holding it by the head and scanningthe handle. 

"Here, I suppose, are some thumb prints, " he said; "it only remains forus to get hold of----"

Gus was interrupted by the sudden entrance of a member of the seniorclass, Jim Lambert, who had but a few days before completed a crystalradio set in the shop. He gazed about him. 

"About as I thought. This is rotten, fellows, and if I know anything, itis going to be paid for. "

"Who will--?" began Bill. 

"Let me tell you. I room right above here, as you know. Late last night, very late, probably toward morning, I was wakened by a noise. I listenedand heard the sound of a blow that was surely down here. Then I heardsome more noises, muffled, though, --the floor, you know, is fire-proofedand thick. I didn't wake Smith, but I got up and went to the door andlooked out. I hadn't been there two minutes before I was aware thatsomeone came up out of the basement and was standing in the hall. Ithink he must have suspected something, for he came along toward my doorand I got inside and closed it, with my hand on the knob so as not toclick the latch. Then I felt a pressure on the door--the fellow had thenerve to try it. He wanted to see if it was open, probably thinking itwas left ajar and he may have seen the light from the window, pulled itopen then and there he was--pretty much through the door before I closedit. Well, I just surprised, I guess. "

"Who, who?" from Bill. 

"Why, Malatesta, of course, " said Gus, with positive finality. 

"Say, young fellow, you've got it. Good guesser. He must have somegrudge against----"

"What said he? How explain?" demanded Tony, visibly excited, his darkeyes glittering with wrath. 

"Not a word. Just grinned and turned away as cool as a glacier andmosied off. Said I: 'Well, what are you after?' But he made no reply andbeat it. "

"If this isn't the limit!" Bill exclaimed. 

"It'll be his limit! Come on! The Doctor is an early riser and we'll seehim at once, " Lambert urged. 

"But we aren't going to squeal on a--" Bill's loyalty to schoolpractices was extreme. 

"Oh, yes you are in this case! This is no prank. It's a crime, and itwould be another to keep it to myself. Loyalty to the school demandsthat we squeal. To be sure we have only circumstantial evidence----"

"No, actual, " said Gus, holding up the hammer. "Let's get the man andwe'll do the rest with some ink, a piece of paper and a magnifyingglass. "

"Glory! That's the cheese! I never thought of that, " Lambert said, leading the way out of the building and to the office, discussing thecase further on the way. The boys met the Doctor returning from an earlymorning walk, which was a habit with him, and within the office he heardLambert's report calmly. 

"We cannot call in any of the teachers, or the janitor, as hardly anyoneis up yet. We shall have to handle the case without gloves and depend onyou boys. You will understand my position, so I will ask you, Lambert, to bring Malatesta here at once, saying I wish to see him. Wake him, ifneed be. "

"But if he refuses at this hour?" asked the senior. 

"But will he, if it is at my request?"

"Very likely. I know him. Rage, scare, ugly, even knife; no telling!"Tony declared. 

"Then we had better wait for the janitor. Go call him. "

"No, Doctor, please, " urged Gus. "I'll go with Lambert and we'll fetchhim here. And he won't hurt anybody. "

"But can you be sure of this? We always try to avoid publicity inmatters of this kind. It would be best to have Malatesta here thisearly, before most of the boys are up and about, but there must be notrouble. "

"You may be sure there will be no trouble, " Gus insisted. "Bill can tellyou why. It's really quite simple. "

"Well, at least call on Malatesta and tell him. I will call thejanitor. "

Gus and Lambert hastened away. Bill, also eager to have the Sicilianapprehended at once, and knowing Gus would put it over, sought to detainthe Doctor. Tony, like-minded, aided in this. In a few minutes Lambertwas knocking on Malatesta's door, Gus having gone to his own room. 

There was no response at first; then, a sleepy grunt. The time was yetan hour or more before the first rising bell, so this early summonsmight properly be resented. But when Lambert called in a low voice: "Ihave a message from Doctor Field, " the Italian's roommate, Johnston, amorose, dull-witted chap whose whole mind was bent on keeping up withhis classes, made reply:

"Who do you want?"

"Both of you, " said Lambert, which was true, for he knew he could notenter without seeing Johnston also. 

At that Johnston got up, opened the door and Lambert entered, in hishand a paper which he made a pretense of consulting, as though it were amemorandum of his errand, his real purpose being to hold off until Gusappeared. Somehow the senior had faith in this quiet, smiling, precisefreshman. 

Then Gus came swiftly along the hall and through the room door, advancing near the bed still occupied by the Italian. Lambert, ratherinclined to dodge trouble, stepped back a little. Said Gus:

"Malatesta, Doctor Field wants to see you at once. He wants no fuss, Johnston, he said, so please let on to know nothing about it. Comeon!"--this to the Sicilian. 

"What to see me about?" demanded the Italian, angrily. "Well, I willpresently see him--go tell him that! It is not yet the time for school. I am yet wishing to sleep a little. Good day to you. "

"You get up and into your duds! This is no joke. " Gus advanced a step. 

"And who are you to so order of me? Get out of this room!"

"Come on, you! If you don't slide out of there in about three shakeswe'll drag you out and take you up as you are. "

Malatesta got out, but not in the spirit of obedience demanded of him. He tossed the bed clothes aside and, to the astonishment of all threebeholders, proved to be fully dressed, excepting his coat and shoes. With his feet on the floor, he quickly reached behind him and drew fortha long-bladed clasp-knife, flinging it open with the dexterity of longpractice. But Gus was quicker. In two seconds the fellow was staringinto the muzzle of a revolver. 

"Put it up if you don't want to look like a sieve. Now, then, shoes. Coat. And put down that knife. That's right. Now move!"

Malatesta was not equal to any further braggadocio. Intuition goes farat such times, and there seemed to be something about this holder of themore powerful weapon that demanded respect. The fellow hardly gave asecond glance at the gun, but stepped into his shoes. Without stoppingto lace them, he grabbed his coat and got into it as he headed for thedoor. The march to the school office, single file, Luigi, Gus andLambert in the order named, was as silent as it was hasty, Gus thrustingthe pistol, a real one this time and loaded, into his pocket as theywent. Nor did he need to draw it again. 

"Luigi Malatesta, I am sorry to have been compelled to bring you here atthis hour, " said the president, "but you are suspected of----"

"Oh, I know! But me it was not! Yet I know who, though to tell I shallnever do. "

"How do you know? Were you present, then, when the injury was done?"

"No, not present, but I know. "

"You must tell us----"

"Never!"

"Why not?"

"It is not the way of the school to blow----"

"Pardon me, please, Doctor, but we won't get anywhere this way, "interposed Bill when Gus nudged him. "If I may suggest----"

The president had come to regard this boy as possessing ideas and hehesitated. Bill turned to Gus who stood with the hammer and a magnifyingglass held behind him. 

"Please have this man, " said Bill, indicating the Italian, "make a printof his thumb--this way. " Bill smeared some ink on a blotter and took upa bit of white paper. Malatesta frowned, then smirked, then laughed. 

"And why not may I?" he questioned. "This will make of these villainsfools!"

The animal-like snarl that the Sicilian put into this last sentence didnot gain him any sympathy, but there was only confidence in his quickmotions and ready compliance. He stepped to the desk, pressed his thumbon the wet ink spot, then on the white paper, fell back a few steps andglared defiantly. Gus brought forth the hammer and the expression onMalatesta's face changed somewhat. 

Silence followed as the Doctor took up the hammer handle and went overit with the magnifying-glass, paused at a spot where the handle would bemost commonly held and examined the surface long and carefully. Heturned to the thumb-print on the paper, then back again to the handle, comparing the two impressions. Presently he glanced at Bill and then atGus, nodding; he turned to Malatesta. 

"We do not wish to let such an unfortunate circumstance as this becomehurtful to the school by making it public. The janitor will be here in amoment. He will accompany you to your room and you will obtain yourproperty and leave at once. When you return this way I shall give youthe sum paid us for your tuition. The school will make good the damageyou caused. Ah, here is Royce now. " The president proceeded to instructthe janitor. 

Lambert, followed by Bill and Gus, returned at once to the dormitory, after a word of caution from Doctor Field, and, aside from the fact thatMalatesta left before the school was fully awake, the students knewnothing. 

The injury to the shop was kept as secret as possible. In a few days thework went on as before, only one other fellow besides Lambert knowingthere had been a smash-up. So that incident was closed, but out of it, or as a part of it, more serious circumstances showed that Malatesta, wherever he may have gone, had by no means forgotten the feud that nowincluded Bill and Gus as well as Tony. 

Gus was never questioned as to his possession of a revolver which madehis wild west method of intimidating Malatesta possible. Probably theDoctor believed the cigar case had been used again. 

 CHAPTER XIV

 FISTICUFFS

Siebold, a keen-witted fellow and an athlete, was the leading spiritamong the sophomores of Marshallton Tech. He was class president, stoodeasily at the head of his classes, if head there was, and in most thingshe admittedly surpassed his fellows. His people being well-to-do, heindulged in all the little "side kicks, " as the boys termed sports, social diversions and the like. 

A really fine chap was Siebold, though he possessed one unfortunatefailing--he persisted in holding to a grudge; and he had never forgivenBill and Gus for that hazing fiasco, nor for bringing down the scorn ofthe school on what had been considered a harmless kind of fun. 

Of course, the school had a debating society, of which the membershipwas from all classes. Bill joined it; Gus did not, and it was the onlything in which they acted separately, with the exception of thegymnasium. Bill was sorry he had joined the society, for upon beingchosen one of the three speakers on one side of a subject so decidedlyin their favor that the question should never have been selected asoffering a negative, Bill had so completely overcome the opposition ledby Siebold, who especially prided himself as a debater, that hisopponent and his mates were held up to much ridicule. Whereupon thebreach widened, and Siebold took many occasions to show a paltry spiteagainst Bill and even toward Gus because he was Bill's chum. 

In the gym, Siebold also shone as a good boxer, fencer and wrestler. This rarely brought him into contact with Gus who, during his shortexercise, avoided others. Tony, however, was willing to become a victim. The young Italian liked to put on the gloves, as he was quick, strongand good-natured; but the instructor had, for some reason known only tohimself, passed him by. 

Late one afternoon Gus stopped pulling weights to watch Siebold box witha big soph who was a mark for quick, scientific work and whose heavypunches and swings often fell short of their aim. Tony also was aninterested spectator and came forward with the request that Siebold showhim some of the points he had mastered. Whereupon Siebold had theItalian lad put on the gloves with Sadler and the big fellow promptlyhit Tony and knocked him off his feet. 

The Italian's dark eyes flashed fire, but he smiled and came back. Theinstructor refused to let the bout continue, saying that Tony must gainmore experience. Gus called Tony over. 

"I don't want to butt in, " he said, "but I didn't like that. You couldlearn that game. Would you mind if----" he hesitated modestly. 

"Could you show me? Everything you do so verra good. "

Tony was so eager that Gus consented. They agreed to come to the gym ata time when no one, not even the instructor, was there. Then, inaddition, Tony bought a set of gloves so that the two could practice inthe shop now and then. A month went by. Cold weather came; then theChristmas holidays. Bill and Gus went home for the one big day, and cameback to study and to continue their shop work; but Tony was away for tendays, during which he took a few lessons from one of the best teachersof the fistic art that could be found. 

"He said I am now there, " gleefully announced Tony when the three gottogether again; "and that I can learn one poco, for I did puncha himtimes several and he no hit me sempra. I think you, " his dark eyesappraised Gus, "are quite--no, I not throw bouquets--are gooda as he. "

"Oh, not so good as Ben Duffy? I know all about him. I went once with mycity uncle to see him fight. He's a crackerjack, sure. "

"But he not poka me more as you do, " argued Tony. 

"Well, I've been studying your defense longer--it's mine too, you know. That's the reason. " The generous Gus smiled. "Anyway, let's go to thegym to-morrow. I want to see how you mix it up now with Sadler. "

Tony did "mix it up" much to Sadler's discomfort. Siebold stepped up:

"Say, Italy, where did you get it?" And Tony, proud, ever eager to givecredit to a friend, nodded toward Gus. 

"To him I do owe it. He one granda master with the feest. "

"So? Expert electrician, mechanic, sport spoiler and bruiser, eh? Somecombination. " And Siebold turned away with something too much like asneer on his fine face. Gus was hurt, but smiled, as usual. Tonyresented the slur. 

"For all which, " he said, "the cervel--the brain, is required, eh?Maybe, Soph, if you brain ancora had you could beata heem--but no sonow. "

"No? I'll bet a sardine that you could put it all over him, " Sieboldsaid, desiring to mollify an upper classman. Tony laughed. 

"No; not coulda you ancora, nor any other one in this school. "

Siebold turned away, as he added: "You won't have a chance to provethat. I pick my company. But you will get another go at Sadler after Igive him some more pointers. " It was evident that the leader among thesophomores was something of a snob. A little later his prediction cametrue regarding Sadler and Tony. 

Gus was again a witness to the bout. It had become noised around and thegym held a goodly crowd of students. At such times the instructor, though interested and often a witness, dodged participation because ofthe slugging tendency and its possible effect on the school if heencouraged such a thing. 

Tony went into the game with a smile. Sadler, though generallygood-natured, was serious and determined from the start. He got a numberof stinging cracks on his ribs and in the stomach, Tony hardly beingable to reach his head. Beaten again at points, landed on five times asoften as he landed, he began to resort to a waiting game, for there wasno doubt he could stand punishment. Stand it he did until Tony gotenough confidence for infighting, though he should never have attemptedto swap punches with such a big fellow. 

Suddenly Sadler caught the smaller man starting a short arm upper cutfor the jaw and he took it open, delivering at the same instant a hookthat no man when giving a blow could hope to block. He caught Tonycoming in and that lent additional momentum to the blow which got Tonyon the side of the neck, over the artery, and it was as clean aknock-out as could be given. They carried the Italian to a wrestlingmat, fanned and bathed his face, and when he came to and sat up, Sieboldwas there with his ready tongue. 

"He's too heavy for you. No fellow could hope to stand up to Sadler athis own game. I told you so. "

Gus saw Tony's real hurt and was incensed. "Oh, don't you believe that, "he said to Tony. "Another time----"

"Huh, fellow! Maybe you think you could stand up to Sadler. I'd like tosee you, or anyone here, even the instructor. " He glanced around. "Couldthey, Mr. Gay?"

"Well, perhaps not. Sadler has the punch and you can't hurt him, " saidthe instructor, coming up. "Feel all right now, Sabaste?"

Nothing more was said about another bout, but the subject stirred thecrowd so that it could not die out entirely. Three or four days laterthe instructor and Siebold entered the gym together, and stopped towatch Gus punching the bag. Siebold had never seen anything quite sosnappy as that. Mr. Gay made some remarks. 

"That fellow must have had some instructions under a strong teacher--there's good material there! Say, look at the way he plays a tattooand swings, too, and gets away from it. Foot work, my boy--foot work!You're good, Siebold, but we haven't anything like that in the school. I had no idea of it. "

"Shucks! All the same I'd like to see him swap cracks with Sadler, " saidSiebold doggedly. Just at that instant Sadler came lumbering in with adozen other fellows at his heels. 

"Better not start anything rough, " cautioned Mr. Gay. 

But Siebold paid no heed. He walked over to Gus and addressed himroughly:

"Say, would you have the nerve to fight Sadler?"

"Fight? Fight? Why, man, I have no reason to. I haven't anything againsthim. " Gus was indignant. "And as to boxing bouts, I'm not in this game. Too busy!"

"Shucks! One way to whitewash a little streak of yellow. " This with asneer. 

Suddenly the kindly smile on Gus's manly face faded out. He steppedquickly in front of Siebold. 

"You can't say that to me! I'll fight you here and now; bare knuckles ifyou like. "

Mr. Gay overheard the conversation and came back to the boys. 

"None of that here, " he said. "If you want to have a friendly bout withthe gloves, all right--even to a finish--but no bad blood. "

Gus turned away. So did Siebold. Sadler, who was tired of being punchedat Siebold's request, would prefer to do a little looking on. Withsatisfaction he saw Mr. Gay take his hat and leave the building. Theinstructor may have seen a scrap on the way and wished to evaderesponsibility. He was anxious to be popular with the boys. 

Sadler offered a few suggestions. Immediately several boys surroundedgood-natured Gus and shoved him into the open center of the room. Thenthey did the same to Siebold, but with more verbal persuasiveness and ina moment the two were facing each other, and a pair of boxing-gloves washanded to each. 

 CHAPTER XV

 LOYALTY

The freshman's smile had returned, and he stood with the gloves swingingby the strings from his hand. Siebold, who really was no piker, wasslipping on his gloves and having them laced up. Gus wished Bill to talkfor him--and Tony too--not that he needed moral support, but it waspleasanter to have good friends along than to be entirely surrounded byopponents. However, he felt quite equal to the physical task, and asready to stand his ground morally. 

"See here, you sophs, " he said. "I'll box and gladly, but not in the waySiebold wants to. "

"Aw, what do you care how the other fellow feels? It's a bout just thesame; isn't it?"

"But Mr. Gay doesn't want us to show any hard feelings, " Gus urged, "andhe's decent to us. I don't believe Siebold really thinks I'myellow--_do_ you?"--this last to his intended opponent. 

"Looks like it, " growled Siebold, showing more indignation than hereally felt. Had he permitted himself to use his reason, he would onlyhave admired Gus and would not have quarreled with him. Probably it wasnothing more than an uneasy conscience that now asserted itself and madehim add, in self-defense: "I guess you're yellow enough. "

Gus had but one reply to make to that--and his answer was not verbal. Hedid not again take his eyes from Siebold, but he pulled on the gloves, laced the right one with the clumsy stuffed thumb and his teeth. Then hestepped forward. Siebold made a feint of extending his hand for thecustomary shake; but Gus ignored it and the next moment the two were atit in a way that showed clearly the desire to hurt each other and todisregard the mere matter of points. It was a slugging match from thefirst. 

Siebold was no mean antagonist, and he had some tricks worthy of theprize ring. Moreover, he was a little taller, a little heavier and had alonger reach than Grier. Immediately it became apparent that he wastrying for a knock-out--he meant to put Gus away and to do it as quicklyas possible. 

But Gus did not mean to be put out, and it became as quickly evidentthat he was quite capable of making Siebold work hard even to hit him. Siebold would bore in, drive for the jaw or stomach, and either miss orland lightly; but he would nearly always get a stinging crack inreturn--delivered at the same instant that his own blow was blocked, orin the fraction of a second after he had only struck the empty air. Still, these blows of Gus's were not paralyzers--they were justweakeners. They made Siebold angry enough to spend his strength ingetting back at the chap who could land in just when and where hewished. 

Siebold's nose ached and bled; his eyes smarted, and one was closing. His stomach, too, was sore, and somehow he could not help but feel thathis blows were growing futile. At the end of the fifth round, as he satback on a bench, letting some of his would-be handlers fan and spongehim, he looked across at Gus, standing there, refusing all half-heartedoffers of attention and gazing at him with a smile on his unmarked face, the sophomore champion began to wish he had not got into this fuss. Thenhe grew furious at the thought that he was not making good. 

A few minutes later, near the end of the sixth round, he began to tryfor clinches in order to save himself, but somehow his wary opponent, asquick on his feet and as strong with his hands as he was at the start, was still adept at hitting and getting away. Just then Sadler, who, withwatch in hand, always made a little step forward as he called the end ofeach round, put out his foot when Siebold was facing him and thesophomore, tired and eager for a minute's respite, started to get backand lowered his guard. And upon the instant of shouting the word Gus, with his back to Sadler, let go with his right. 

Siebold crumpled up like a rag. Sadler, slow to begin counting, stoodover him a moment. Gus drew back and with the first excitement he hadshown jerked his gloves off and tossed them wide. The boys crowded in, gazing at Siebold who lay with white face and sprawled out like onedead. Gus heard Sadler's count reach eight; then stop. Someone said:"What's the matter with him, boys?" They had not seen a fellow lie sostill and show not even the flicker of an eyelid. One boy stooped downand lifted Siebold's arm, calling to him: "Wake up! Are you hurt?" Adoctor's son got down and put his ear to Siebold's heart. "Gosh, fellows! It's stopped! He's--he's dead!"

Gus pushed the boys aside. He had hit Siebold over the heart harder thanhe had intended. What if the blow had proved fatal? Most unlikely; morethan once he himself had been struck that way. It had hurt him, and onceit brought him to his knees, but it had never made him unconscious. He, in turn, got down and put his ear to Siebold's side. In the excitementboth the doctor's son and Gus had listened at the right side and no onehad observed the mistake. They were all looking on with horrified faces. Gus could hear nothing; he touched the prostrate youth's cheek; it wascold. He rose with something like a sob. 

"Fellows, I didn't mean to do it. I didn't know he couldn't stand it. But he can't really be much hurt, can he? Why, I--he----"

Again Gus knelt and listened for heart beats. He slumped down, feelingas though his own heart would stop, too. In his daze he heard someonetalking on the telephone at the far end of the gym and dimlydistinguished the word "doctor. " He got to his feet then. No one opposedhim. He must get Bill, good old Bill, to speak for him and tell themthat he had not meant to hurt Siebold. They must know he was notmurderously inclined, and that he hated to hurt anyone, anything, ananimal, a bug even; also that he would not run away if they wanted toarrest him. 

In a sort of trance he reached his room, where he found Bill and Tony. Gus fell into a chair, almost sobbing. 

"Bill, old fellow, --we boxed, --Siebold! And I--I've--I guess I've killedhim! I didn't mean to, Bill, you know that. Tell them I didn't; thatI'll be here and go to prison without a word. And write home, Bill, andtell them----"

"Oh, stuff!" said Bill. "I don't believe it! Tony will go see about it. At the gym, Gus? Yes, at the gym, " nodding to the Italian. 

Tony was gone. Bill stood by Gus, his hand on his chum's head. Seldomwas there any real show at tenderness between these lads, but there wasa loyalty there that made such a demonstration unnecessary. 

"It isn't so, Gus--and even if it should be--anybody knows it was anaccident, and you won't be arrested. At least not in a criminalway--only in the matter of form. The president will understand. And, Gus, we can get together money enough to defend you--legally--eventhough we have to quit school. "

"_You_ sha'n't quit school!" said Gus. "Not if I have to do time! No, sir! It doesn't matter much about me, but you--you're not to be in thisat all, except I don't want us ever to be not chums, Bill. "

Rapid footsteps were coming along the hall then; the door opened andTony and Sadler burst into the room. 

"He's all right, Grier. He's come to. "

"Yes, _mio amico_; Siebold, this Sadler say, is again recover. You noneed longer to fear. But, ah! They tell it to me that he a sightpresents. He will go to his classes the observed. And it serves him allthe right; is it not so? And the most to do is to explain the Doctor foryou--which we all do. "

 CHAPTER XVI

 ONE WINTER SATURDAY

Marshallton is a village with nothing more than two general storessufficient to cater to the needs of the near neighborhood and the Techstudents. Guilford, nine miles away, is the railroad town and, now andthen, for extra supplies the Tech boys may spend a dull half hour eachway on the trolley to visit the quiet place which holds no otherattraction than the stores. 

Bill, Gus and Tony, eager to get some radio supplies that might as wellhave been ordered from the city, obtained leave to run over to Guilfordand back. To show his appreciation of their friendship, Tony decided totreat Bill and Gus to a taxi ride; so he 'phoned to the town for one. Itcame and the three piled in, much elated over the prospect of a pleasantshopping trip, though the weather was a little stormy. 

The purchasing took all that was left of the morning. The boys gatheredtheir things into bundles and, at Tony's command, made straightway for arestaurant. Being a senior, he claimed entire charge of these freshmen. 

"You not respon--no; it is that you are irresponsible, " he said as hedemanded the privilege of paying all expenses. "We will get, " helaughed, "some spaghetti and I show you to eat. You like eet?"

They did. The clean tables and pleasant interior were attractive. Theboys stamped the newly fallen snow from their feet, and opened theircoats to the genial warmth. Then they turned to meet the waiter andglanced up with something of a shock. Luigi Malatesta stood before themand addressed them collectively:

"I am proprietor of this. We serve only gentlemen. You will goto--to--to--elsewhere. "

Gus leaped up, forgetting the fright after his last fisticuffs. Hewanted to punch this villain again. 

"Listen, you confounded nuisance! This is a public place and wedemand--" He got no further, for Tony's hand was on his arm. 

"Attendate, _mio amico_--wait! Would you eat eats in a such place? Wemight all getta the poison here. Mucho better we go of our selves. "

Malatesta beat a hasty retreat. The lads went out and along the streetto another place equally attractive and there they ate unsparingly, thewhile discussing their latest experience, though Tony was silent onthat. Finally Bill and Gus fell into his mood. They came out of therestaurant after an hour, to find that the storm had increased, a stiff, knife-edged wind driving the snow horizontally and making drifts. Thetaxi driver at the garage looked dubious, but agreed to try forMarshallton. The worst that could happen would be a night spent at somefarmhouse. 

The storm increased rapidly, the snow turning partly to sleet piled upin long windrows across all half-sheltered places, leaving open spotsbare, so that the road resembled the storm waves of a white and foamingocean. The car skidded along on icy ground one minute, and the next itswheels were buried in caked drifts. 

The boys were peering out, watching the strange effects of the storm, but noting with greater concern the slowing up of the taxi. Then theystopped. 

"Reckon we can't make it, " said the jolly, round-faced taxi driver. Theycould not stay there in the road. It was imperative that they shouldfind a shelter somewhere. Not half a mile ahead there was a farmhouse inwhich they might all be made welcome and comfortable. 

Again the man had proved to be correct. The boys agreed that forecastingthe weather and the social geography of that region were in his line. Hetried to run on again, but the starter refused to boost the engine andthe battery nearly gave out. Bill insisted that they crank up and notexhaust the battery, else they would come to a dead stop. Gus and Tonylent a hand in turning the engine over and soon they were again buckingthe drifts, stalling the engine two or three times within the next threehundred yards. A drift faced them that was altogether beyond hope, andbefore they drove into it, Bill insisted that they back over the thinnersnow to the side of the road so that they would not be hit by anothercar if one should pull through such roads. 

"Now then, you fellows!" said Bill, as usual assuming command whereanything important was at stake. "Go on to the farmhouse and bunk, ifthey'll have you. I'll wrap up in these robes and be as warm as toasthere in the car. " It was an enclosed tonneau, the window sashes fittedtightly and two big robes promised a little comfort. 

"Yes, _you will_, " said Gus sarcastically. 

"_Not!_" declared Tony. "We can easy carry you. You say it--pig-on-back?"

The taxi driver joined in and helped the two boys in this, also. 

"Did you say there's a farmhouse just on ahead, Mr. ----?" asked Gus. 

"Merritt is my name, " answered the driver. 

"And a roadside is your station. You're fast in the snow and you cannotgo and you're mad at all creation, " said Bill. 

"You're right, son, about bein' stuck, but I ain't mad. Reckon I standto lose on this trip, but----"

"No, my friend; you will not lose one cent, " exclaimed Tony. "More, youshall make well. We are not the unappreciatives, ever. Show us thisfarmer estate and entitle us to be his guests and you shall want fornothing--eh, my friends Bill and Gus?"

"You've said it, Tony, and you are the cheese. "

"Ah, no; I am but the macaroni. Do you think this farmer will cook thespaghetti?"

"Not likely, but Farrell sits down to a good table, I reckon, " Merrittventured. "Well, young fellers, let's mosey on. It'll be stiff goin', though 'tain't more'n a quarter of a mile now. "

It was stiff going. Bill managed to get through the thin places and theyhelped him through fast increasing drifts, Gus at last getting him onhis back for a "gain, " as he expressed it, of fifty yards. Then Tonytook a turn for a like distance, and Gus and Mr. Merritt crossed handsto "carry a lady to London"; so they would have got Bill along for aconsiderable distance had they not come opposite the end of a lane, withthe dim outline of a house standing back. 

Up the lane they went, hearing the muffled barking of a dog. The sidedoor of the house opened, a big farmer with a huge voice greeted themcheerily. He was in his shirt sleeves, which argued for comfort insidethe dwelling, and there was an air of comfort in the broad hallway thatwas gratifying. The three were received like young princes and usheredinto a large sitting-room. From their chairs before a big stove, apleasant woman and two young girls rose to welcome the wayfarers. 

Merritt they knew by name, and he began an apologetic effort to accountfor their coming, but Bill took the matter in hand. 

"Mr. Farrell, aren't you? And I suppose this is Mrs. Farrell. My name isBrown and these are my friends, Mr. Sabaste and Mr. Grier; we are allstudents at Marshallton. Went in to Guilford to the stores and couldn'tmake it going back, though Mr. Merritt put up a good fight with hislittle car. And now we are going to ask you if you can keep us for thenight, --table and spare room? Anything that is handy, for we don't wantto give you trouble and we'll pay----"

"Ah, the best. As if you are one fine hotel, because no such could giveto us more of comfort. " This from Tony, who was always most liberal andeager to please. So saying, he pulled out ten one-dollar bills andgallantly tendered it to the lady, with a nod and smile at the farmer. 

"That's right. The wife has all the trouble. You boys are welcome; eh, Sarah?"

"But John, this is too much. I could not accept such a large amount forso little. "

"Mother, " said one of the girls, coming forward, "you should not acceptanything at all. "

"Well, now, Mary, I guess you're right. This is our daughter, younggentlemen, and she always has her way. "

"But she has not consider the way to justice, " said Tony, his black eyesflashing conviction. "We give that, or we not remain; even it is toolittle. "

"Yes, considering the storm, our predicament and our coming in on youthis way, unasked, we can't consent to less, " Bill added. 

"Mabel, come here, girl, " said the housewife, laughing. "This is myniece. She's making her home with us. Now, all you young folks and Mr. Merritt enjoy yourselves while I get supper and father does the barnwork. "

The boys never forgot that long, yet all too short winter evening; thewholesome food; the dish of home-made candy; the fireside game of"twenty questions"; the music played by Mabel on the old-fashionedsquare piano, while Mary and Tony danced; the lively conversation andBill's exhibition of so-called mind reading--really muscle reading, during which, with Mrs. Farrell and Mabel holding his wrists, he found, blindfolded, a hidden pocket knife. 

Merritt had slipped out early to open the radiator of his car, which hehad foolishly forgotten to do. He had come back and called Bill asidefor a moment. 

"There's another car down the road, just beyond mine; a big one andnobody about. I went along apiece to look at it and I think I know whoit belongs to--that there new Eyetalian hash-house feller in Guilford. Only one car there like it and that's his'n. You was askin' about himbein' in Guilford. "

"Yes. We know him and he knows us. He could have found out you weretaking us home and then have seen your car here and waited. "

"You mean follered you? What'd he want to do----?"

"Is he still in his car?" interrupted Bill. 

"I reckon so; think I saw four fellers in it. They can keep warm thereand every now and then run their engine a bit to keep her from freezin'up. "

"They'll be drifted in, won't they?"

"Reckon not, with a big car like that; and the storm's goin' to quit. "

"But that won't let us go on to-night. And what is that Italian up to?"Bill dismissed the subject with Merritt, but resolved to tell Gus, though not Tony, as it would put a damper on their friend's peace ofmind. What harm could come of Malatesta's being here? He could notapproach the house without alarming the Farrell dog and that wasassurance enough. And Bill could not help being doubtful as to theSicilian's being really dangerous. There might be such a thing ascarrying this grudge business to extremes, but hardly here and in thisstorm. 

Bill and Gus spent the night in the best spare room, under the heavycovers of an immense fourposter. They slept through the cold night likeinanimate objects. Tony, alone, occupied a room which had evidently beenthat of an only son who had gone away to the Great War to remain awayforever. There was crape hanging over the frame of a picture showing asturdy, manly looking fellow in khaki. From the appearance of things, Tony, also, should have passed a comfortable night. Merritt was tuckedaway to his entire satisfaction. 

 CHAPTER XVII

 KIDNAPED

In the morning Bill and Gus were up at daylight, as was their habit. Thestorm had ceased, and it was turning warm, the snow melting already. Theboys went to the barn to help with the milking; they got in some woodand performed other chores. Mr. Farrell, coming in, declared with hishearty laugh that they could stay as long as they might wish to, forthey had certainly more than earned their food and lodging. As they wentin to the breakfast table he said. 

"Mother, better give that other young fellow his money back. Where ishe, anyway? Not down yet?"

"Not yet, " said Mrs. Farrell, "though I called him twice. "

"I'll get him up and down, " said Gus, going toward the stairway. 

"Father, have you seen Gyp?" asked Mary Farrell. "I've called him too, but he doesn't come for his breakfast. "

The farmer shook his head and, stepping to the back door, whistledsharply and at length. Turning to come in he heard a low whine and aquick search found the dog, lying on his side and unable to rise, hiseyes dull and bloodshot, his tongue protruding. Mr. Farrell had seensomething of the sort before. He picked up the poor little beast andcarried him to a warm bed by the kitchen stove. 

"Sarah, he's been poisoned! Nothing else. Getting over it, though. What--?" And then they heard Gus calling from above. 

"Bill! Bill! Come up here, quick! Tony's gone!"

It was true and the manner of his going was very apparent. The room hadbeen entered from without, noiselessly and by experts. Taking advantagenot only of the lad's sleeping soundly, the housebreakers had used someanęsthetic, for a wad of cotton that smelled like a drug store lay onthe carpet. Tony had evidently been roughly dressed. His collar, necktieand cap lay on the bureau and his stockings on the floor. That he hadbeen carried out of the window and to the ground was certain. The twoends of the ladder had left their imprint in the snow in the sill and onthe ground. The ladder itself had been thrown among the bushes. 

Kidnaped! There was no question about that; but how could such a thinghave happened? A sturdy boy, able to put up a fight, and the thing doneso silently as not to waken a soul in the house. Healthy, soundsleepers, depending on a dog--and that poor beast put down and out. PoorTony! What would they do with him!

Bill and Gus hastily related their affair with the ugly Sicilian andthat of which Tony had told them. They at once found that the big carhad turned about and gone. Footprints in the snow proved that theoccupants of the car had been the kidnapers. 

The farmer and his family were duly excited over the case. Nothing sodramatic had ever before happened to them. Merritt was also wrought upto a pretty high pitch, for Tony had hired him very generously. Theyoung Italian had shown himself to be a courteous, well-bred gentlemanand had commanded respect. The manner of his disappearance, and thepossible tragedy lurking behind it, had earned the sympathy of them all. 

But the Farrells deferred everything to Bill and Gus who were both eagerto act, and to investigate the too evident, yet mysterious crime, thoughthey were rendered helpless by the snow-piled roads. 

"We'll have to use your 'phone, Mr. Farrell, " said Bill. "We will payall the tolls. We've got to make this thing known and put Tony's peoplewise. His father's a wealthy Italian banker in the city, and he'll beginto move things when he hears about this. " He turned to Gus: "If we couldonly get to the school and get a whack at the transmitter, couldn't wemake things hum?"

"Why, my lads, " said Mr. Farrell, "that is just the thing to do and Ican get you there in a hurry. These automobiles have got it all over ourhorses for speed, but not for power. My bays will land you at the schoolin short order and through the biggest snow that you ever saw. Wait tillI hitch them up to the Dearborn. "

He was as good as his word. After promising to keep the Farrells andMerritt posted as to the progress of the hunt for Tony and its outcome, they were on the road behind a pair of splendid, steaming, plunginghorses, and soon back at the Tech. The Doctor, about to depart forchurch, was startled by the news, and he at once turned the transmittingstation over to the boys, going himself to the 'phone and keeping itbusy. Mr. Farrell remained a short time. Then wishing the boys success, he departed. 

The county detective, the mounted police force, the city force and aprivate detective agency were all informed of the circumstance, with afull description of Luigi Malatesta. The incident became a "nine-days'wonder" in the newspapers. Soon it was learned that the Sicilian had, onthe very day before Tony's disappearance, sold his restaurant inGuilford for a song. He had disappeared with several others, questionable characters with whom he had been associated, and on whom hehad evidently relied to do the kidnaping. It was discovered also, through the confession of a Sicilian suspect, that Tony had beenshadowed for weeks as he went about the school. 

But all knowledge of the boy's whereabouts was totally lacking. Clueswere run down without success. The search had failed. Mr. Sabaste, witha famous detective, came to the school and talked with Bill and Gus. Hewent with them to see the Farrells, where he investigated every detail. The search went far and wide, with no trace of Tony. 

The banker offered five thousand dollars for information that wouldinsure his son's return, and smaller sums for any positive data, whichmight lead to the arrest of the kidnapers. Tony's mother was dead. Anolder brother who had been in business in the far west was once a victimof the Malatesta clan. In spite of every possible effort, thedisappearance of the boy remained a mystery; nor could any of theMalatesta relatives, known by various names and suspected asaccomplices, be found. 

Bill and Gus were now in possession of one of the finest radio receivingsets that could be made, and several other students had purchasedsimilar, or less perfect, sets from the boys. Whenever opportunitypermitted they either had the loud speaker on, or sat with the 'phonesclamped to their ears, listening in and having much amusement with thevarious broadcasters, public and private. It was a liberal education tohear a tenth of what was going on, besides the regular concert programeach evening. But most in their thoughts was the hope, often expressedbetween them, of hearing something that might in some way reflect on thekidnaping mystery, for the boys missed their kind and courteous Italianfriend. 

 CHAPTER XVIII

 DIPLOMACY THAT FAILED

"Gus, I can't get it out of my head, " said Bill one day, "that we'renot, as they say in diplomatic language, entirely _persona grata_ here. At least, not as we should want to be if we have the proper loyalty tothe school. We have our friends, of course, among seniors, freshmen andeven some of the sophs, but the sophs generally have very little use forus. Even some of our own class, in the sports, have a big leaning towardSiebold and his bunch, and they like to go along with the shouters. "

"Well, I guess they'll have to go along, then, " remarked Gusindifferently. 

"But Gus, it's a reflection on us. We ought to be in as good fellowshipas anybody. Now that we've made out so well in our radio work and arenot nearly so busy, with the rest of the term all lectures and exams, you know, we might gee in a little with the social end of it. Andsports, too, Gus. I can't do anything but look on and shout, butyou----"

Bill's remarks were inspired by a glimpse across the greensward at abunch of fellows on the ball field, evidently at town ball and practice. With the coming of spring and warm weather the Tech ball team had beennewly organized and put at practice. The next month would see themcrossing bats with Guilford Academy, Springdale School and other nearbyinstitutions. There was great rivalry between the home team and GuilfordAcademy, which had a strong team, and was much the better of the two, except that the Tech School had acquired, through Siebold's efforts, avery good outside pitcher who kept the Academy lads guessing much of thetime. The winning of games, therefore, during the preceding season hadbeen pretty even, Guilford leading by one. 

And then, at the behest of older and more judicial heads, representativesof the League of Schools had met and decided that each team must playonly with members of its student body, hiring no semi-professionalpitchers, or even coachers, thus making the contests entirely fair. 

A result of this was that in the games of this season Guilford, with apitcher from among its fellows who had previously given his services toother teams as well, simply ran away with Marshallton Tech, winning onegame by the score of fifteen to two and the other was a shut-out. 

"Gus, I've bought a ball and I've got Sam Kerry, who says he used tocatch for his home team somewhere in the west, to agree to keep hismouth shut and pass a few with you, off somewhere where nobody willsee. "

"Righto, old Bill! Anything you say--but what's the idea?"

"Well, Gus, I don't like Guilford's swamping this team in the way ithas, and I propose to try to stop it. " Bill's lips were compressed andhe had that look in his eyes that meant determination. 

"But Siebold--" began Gus. 

"Doesn't entirely run this school, nor its ball team, even if he iscaptain and general high muck-a-muck, " declared Bill. 

It was with extreme satisfaction that Bill sat on a log at one side of apath in the woods and watched little Kerry, who proved to be no meanhand at stopping all kinds of balls, nearly knocked off his feet by themachine-gun-like pitches of "that other fellow from Freeport, " as Guswas sometimes called. 

One early afternoon the gym instructor also sat by Bill and watched theperformance. Mr. Gay had promised secrecy, but not to refrain fromcomment. 

"I'll say he has not only got command of his ball and three good styles, but he also knows some tricks that ought to worry any man at the bat. Throw that waiting ball again, Grier!" the instructor called. "I want towatch that--oh, fine! It looks like a hard one and a fellow will strikeover it nine times out of ten. Well, I've got this to say: If we expectto win any games we've got to have a fellow like Grier in the box, butSiebold will stick to Maxwell who is about a fifth rater--at his best. "

"But has Siebold all the say?" Bill queried. 

"A good deal of it. You see his father backs up the boy in everything, and he has put the club on its feet financially, in a bigger way thaneven the Guilford team. Moreover, the elder Siebold's money built ourgrandstand, the dressing-rooms and hired our pitchers for quite a while. So young Siebold can afford to play politics and insure a following, which nobody, even the professors, can stop. And the faculty and theDoctor don't bother over the matter. That chap is going to be a statesenator, or a Congressman some day, I have no doubt. "

"It won't work, though, Mr. Gay, " declared Bill, "because it isn'tjustice. Others besides Siebold are interested in and loyal to theschool. We want to see our team win, don't we?"

"Yes, of course. I'm going to shoot that at Siebold and, if you'll letme, I'm going to hint that we have a pitcher among us who outranks hischoice in all the high points. "

It was on the next afternoon, which was rainy, that Bill found thelibrary pretty full of readers and among them were six or seven of theball team. He took a seat beside Dixon and directly across the tablefrom Siebold and Sadler. He turned to Dixon:

"When is the next ball game?" he asked. 

"We play Springdale next Saturday, but they're easy. The last game withGuilford is Saturday week. "

"It's too bad that we get licked so unmercifully when there's no needfor it, " Bill remarked. 

"No need for it? No, there's no need for it, but----"

"I suppose we have needed it to put some sense into us, but no longer. It would be pretty easy to clean that bunch if we went at it right. "

"How easy?" asked Dixon. 

"Why, you know without asking that. Putting a good man in the box andanother behind the bat, of course. "

"Where'd you get your good man?"

"Here in the school. "

"Who?"

"I guess you'll have to keep your eyes open. Anybody ought to----"

"Listen to this, Siebold. " Dixon leaned over the table. "Brown sayswe've got pitching material----"

"Well, what of it? Don't I know it?"

"It's a blamed sure bet he doesn't know it, or if he does he ought to bejailed for conspiracy to beat the school team, " laughed Bill, stilladdressing Dixon. 

"How's that, Brown? What's your dope?" ventured Sadler, who alone reallydared to question Siebold's authority. Bill went on, in forciblelanguage, for he was aware that Siebold was listening, and repeated whathe had said to Mr. Gay and to Dixon. The argument about every one in theschool being interested in the success of the ball team seemed to strikehome, and several boys gathering round began to make comments favorableto the sentiment. The librarian came over and objected to the talking. 

"Let's go down to the gym and talk this thing over, " said Sadler. "Brownwill spring this man on us if we'll try him--eh, Brown?"

"Why, sure, " said Bill, rising. 

"Come on, Siebold. "

"Too busy reading. Nothing to it, anyway. " Siebold didn't even look upfrom his book. 

"Is that so?" Sadler was angry. It was evident that he was willing tooppose the captain. Bill thought he saw an opportunity right here. 

"He has only one vote, " he said, "and I understand that all of us whocare to may have a say. I know several fellows who----"

Bill got no further. Siebold began to see that it might be best topermit no defection from his ranks and no outside interference. Hefollowed the others out and across the campus, no word being said allthe way by the several boys who, in part, made up the executivecommittee on baseball. They filed into the gym and got Mr. Gay intotheir conference. 

"Now, then, Brown, what have you got under your skin?" said Sieboldtestily. 

"You heard me in the library, " said Bill. 

"Balderdash! There isn't a fellow in the school who can pitch likeMaxwell. "

"Oh, yes, there is, Siebold, " said Mr. Gay. "There's no one who can playfirst base like Maxwell and your first baseman says he has a glass armand is done. We have a pitcher who can pitch. "

"That's the cheese!" said Maxwell. "I've told Siebold all along he oughtto replace me. "

"Who is this wonderful guy?" asked Siebold. 

"I'll bet it's that other fellow from Freeport, " put in one of thecaptain's staunch supporters. 

"Call it off in that case, " Siebold demanded. 

"No, we won't call it off. We'll try him at practice, " said Sadler. 

"Who's captain of this team? We'll play in our present positions, all ofus, or we won't play at all. "

"That's right, " echoed two or three followers. Bill laughed. 

"Will you accept a challenge to play a school scrub team?"

"No, nor that. Waste of time----"

"That's nothing but silly stubbornness, " said Sadler, with rising wrath. "Wouldn't it be just like practice? You're a fatheaded----"

"Oh, now, see here, Siebold, " interposed the instructor. "You can'trefuse that. It will only bring out the best players and strengthen theteam. "

"Well, then, if Mr. Gay says so, " Siebold agreed, "we'll play you and wecan shut out any bunch you can get together. "

 CHAPTER XIX

 A SHUT-OUT

Bill turned to Sadler. "You're with us?"

"Sure, Siebold has a substitute for right field. "

"I'm with you, too, " said Dixon. "Put Longy in my place, Cap. "

Siebold grew angry. "You fellows have been kickers all along, and nowyou think that will weaken us. Well, if Ritter can't take a fly betterthan you can, you big stiff, I'll assassinate him; and Long is as good ashort stop as you are, Dixon. "

"We have four other substitutes and I'll promise three of them for ourscrub team, Brown, " Sadler declared. 

"All right; that's seven fellows and we can pick up two more, surely. Let's hunt them up right now, " demanded Bill. 

They did. As it was clearing, they went to the diamond and after alittle practice all round at town ball, Bill watching closely, they gotinto the places best suited to each player and then elected Bill managerand Sadler captain. The big fellow and Dixon had discarded their suitsfor plain shirt and trousers, and a small collection was taken up forpants and some extra gloves. Mr. Gay gave them a catcher's mask and somebats. 

The next afternoon, the challenge having been formally given, the matchbetween the regulars and scrubs took place, Siebold winning the toss andtaking the bases, Mr. Gay acted as umpire. 

Maxwell seemed to be in better form than usual. Perhaps because he founda "ragged lot of players, " as Bill put it. The scrubs had not fully gottogether and they went out, two on strikes, and Sadler's fly was caught. The regulars went to bat, laughing, Siebold straddling the plate. 

Gus stood in the box, smiling. He nodded to little Kerry behind the batand Kerry inclined his head to the left. Sadler and Dixon were watchingclosely. Could the new pitcher on whom Brown appeared to stake so muchreally do anything? If he could send them over the way he boxed, thoughtSadler, "good night"! Brown was all the time springing something worthwhile. That was just why he and Dixon had been willing to make a finalkick at Siebold's arbitrary rulings. And now here was Siebold himself, one of the surest batters in the team, facing the unknown quantity. 

Gus put on no gimcracks nor did he make fancy swings. He merely made astep forward, raised his arm to throw and held it about two seconds--thenthere came across the plate something more like a streak than a ball--soit seemed to Siebold--and little Kerry, who had been squatting, nearlywent over backward with the loud plop in his glove. Siebold stood, dazed. 

"One strike!" called the umpire. 

The ball went back to Gus who took it out of the air as if he wereplucking at a snowflake. Again the step forward, the raised arm and theball came along swiftly at first, then slower, much slower, but keepingup. Siebold's heart sang. He would take this thing on the end of his batand lift it beyond any hopes of a fielder's reaching it--it meant atwo-bagger sure. He struck; there was no contact of bat and ball; afraction of a second later the sound of the ball in Kerry's glove toldhim he had "missed it by a mile, " as Sadler bawled it out. 

"Two strikes!"

Siebold looked mad now. He was being tricked--that was certain. He wouldshow this fellow if he could do that again! The ball came along swiftly, but too high. It was "one ball, " and he waited. The next was fairlyswift, but it was going to bounce before it struck, yet it lifted andpassed right over the plate almost a foot high and Siebold wondered whyhe had not swiped at it. 

"Striker out!" called the umpire, and the captain of the regularsangrily threw down his bat. 

Wilde came next. He was the regulars' catcher, and the best batter ofthe team. Siebold stood, watching closely, a scowl on his face. Almostthe same tactics were played, without Wilde ever knowing where the ballwas! Another chose three bats before he got one to suit him--this fellowwas Kline, the bunter. More than once he had made his base and letfellows on bases in by bunting one at his own feet and in such a mannerthat it rolled slowly toward the pitcher. 

Three balls were called against Gus. The regulars commenced to smile andSiebold's eyes sparkled. Then three streaks came, all over the plate, waist high and "striker out" sounded the third time. The regulars wentto the field, the captain walking slowly and thoughtfully. 

Gus went to bat and struck out. Little Kerry lifted a fly to left fieldthat the fielder muffed and let roll, so that Kerry slid into secondwhen the sphere was coming back again. Morton, a new man, struck out asthough he were not sure whether he was fighting bears, or was merely ina debate, and Dixon hit a grounder to second and was caught out onfirst. Still no runs. 

Gus always had the short step forward, always the uplifted arm that didnot double forward at once. It was possibly confusing, instead of anotice to the batter to get ready, as one might have imagined. Quite anumber of balls were called against Gus--fast, slow ones, up-shoots--butnever four. Three batters went out in quick succession. 

In the third inning Maxwell slowed up a little and the scrubs becamewider awake. One of the new men who had, he declared, played ball verylittle and never shown a genius for hitting, sent a liner betweenpitcher and first that put him on his base. One of the regulars' formersubstitutes hit another grounder that let him on first and the new manon second. The third and fourth man, their second time at bat, struckout again and then came big Sadler to the plate. His very first cracksent a fly so high and wide that the center and left fielders fell allover themselves in their effort to get it, while the center man made awild throw, so that Sadler rather easily accomplished a home run. 

It was three runs for the scrubs, as Gus again struck out. The third atthe bat for the regulars proved to be "ancient history, " anotherexpression of Sadler's, with this difference: Siebold took his base onfour balls, but he didn't get any farther than first. 

Little Kerry knocked another liner and this the man on second dropped, the short-stop getting it too late to first. Morton again went out. Dixon hit a liner for two bases that let Kerry in and again the newgenius proved himself such by getting in a fly that on errors put him onthird. Once more a substitute who after two fouls knocked a ball almostwithin reach over the first baseman's head, made another home run onerrors. The fourth was caught out on a foul, the fifth struck out andSadler knocked another fly that was caught. Six runs for the scrubs--theregulars nothing. 

Smiling, Gus came again to the box. Three batters in quick succession, after only three balls were called for two of them, struck out. Theyseemed to have no idea where the balls were passing, and little Kerrystaggered back with every one sent in, though he, too, was smiling. Andthen, before the regulars could again take their places, something elseoccurred. 

Siebold merely said: "Hold on, fellows!" He walked straight up to Gus, caught him by the arm and pulled him over toward Bill and Mr. Gay. 

"See here, " said Siebold; "I'm no piker. I've been dead wrong and nobodyhas to tell me. So, Grier, honestly I never saw such pitching outside ofthe national leagues. And if you'll let me, I want to be friends, and Iwant you on the team. Mr. Gay, you're right: Maxwell on first and you, Grier, in the box. Are you with us?"

Siebold extended his hand and Gus shook it warmly. The captain turned toBill. "You, too. We have to thank you for this business, the best strokeof luck we have ever had. "

Bill shook Siebold's hand with as much gusto as he would have that ofany downright hero. A fellow who could muzzle his pride and do thesquare thing in this manner, especially after he had been licked in away that hurt, was a real man. 

"And look here, Brown! I've generally messed up this captain businessand the managing too; and you have got together a team in short orderthat I wouldn't have believed could have slammed us for six runs. Willyou manage us? I'll see that you are elected. Grier can be cap----"

"No, sir, " said Bill. "Gus doesn't want to be captain. You'll remaincaptain, Siebold, or we'll both take our doll clothes and go home. But Iwill try my hand at advising, if you wish. 'Two heads, ' you know----"

"Hurrah!" shouted Siebold. "Brown is manager! And we've got a pitchernow! We're going to lick those Guilford fellows so bad they'll thinkthey've got brain fever!"

 CHAPTER XX

 MARSHALLTON _versus_ GUILFORD

Bill for once laid aside everything but his studies to give hisattention to the game with Guilford Academy, the last athletic contestof the school year. It was played at Guilford, where the grounds werefenced in and tickets of invitation given. As manager of the visitingteam, Bill had his quota to distribute in and outside of the Tech. Withhis characteristic thoroughness he saw that no one was slighted who wasat all worthy, rich or poor. This was not so liberally managed at theGuilford end. 

The grand stand was pretty well filled, but Bill had reserved some goodseats and to these he conducted the Farrells and their niece, stoppingto tell them that Gus was pitching and that they must root forMarshallton, which of course they did. After this, with some ticketsleft over, Bill went outside and skirted the grounds, finding a dozenyoungsters hunting holes in the fence, and to these he gave hisremaining tickets. Not so long ago, he had been just such a youngsterhimself, and he had an abounding sympathy for those who possessed thekeenest capacity for enjoyment, but were excluded without just reason. 

The game was typical of such contests between schools of the kind in allexcept the performance of Gus in the box. That youth, always smiling, never self-conscious enough even to acknowledge the plaudits meant forhim, not only pitched with professional skill, but in his every movementshowed a grace which demanded attention. 

From the first inning the result was a foregone conclusion. The hometeam held the visitors to no runs and went to bat with the utmostconfidence, only to be retired, one, two, three, on strikes. They shutthe visitors out again, and two of them got on bases to remain there anddie. They let Siebold come home on Wilde's fly and errors and were againfanned. 

They repeated this, with little Kerry at bat and only one of them made ahit, the ball lodging in the pitcher's extended hand. They fought hardand retired the Techs for three more innings, meeting the same fatethemselves. Then their pitcher weakened and the team went to pieces, with three men on bases, and Wilde let them all come home on a longgrounder, but himself died on second, with two others out on strikes. 

They went to pieces again when Sadler knocked a fly over the fence andmade a home run, or rather a home walk, and they again were retired inrapid succession. Score, six to nothing, and the Marshallton crowd, including the dignified president of Tech, the instructors to a man, theFarrells and a lot of other sympathizers yelled their throats sore, abunch of fans going for Gus, hoisting him on high and marching aroundwith him, singing a school chantey:

 "He's the stuff, He treats 'em rough, He gives 'em easily more than enough. He's awful tough He is no bluff, He made 'em look like a powder puff. He's fast and quick, They couldn't handle ball or stick. He's winning Dick, They got his kick, They think they're slaughtered with a brick!"

And so on for half a dozen or so silly verses of the kind, Gus, meanwhile, suffering both physically and mentally, for being thus tossedabout is by no means comfortable, and his modesty was such as to makehim want to run and hide. 

And then the gang went for Bill, but Doctor Field protected him and theyexpended their enthusiasm on Captain Siebold, Sadler and little Kerry, the catcher. After which Guilford asked for a return match, but the termwas nearly ended and that must go over until next year. 

"I wish, " said Bill to Doctor Field, as they journeyed homeward, "thatTony Sabaste could have been here to see this game. "

 CHAPTER XXI

 A CLUE

Exams and exercises were over and the students mostly gone. A fewremained to brush up on studies, or to complete work begun in the shop. Bill and Gus were among these. They had an order from one of theprofessors for a very fine radio receiver and it was not quite finished. The matron and cooks had vanished and the boys had to get their ownmeals. As one after another of the lingerers left, the dormitory becamequieter, almost oppressively lonesome, to Bill at least, who was socialby nature; but Gus, the hermit, rather enjoyed it. 

Listening in over the radio was not neglected. It served to cheer themonotony. Not only were the boys alive to the advertised concerts andentertainments, but they caught a tangle of outside waves that was oftenquite amusing. 

Only two more days were required for them to finish their job. They haddecided to let their receiver remain, as they were to occupy the sameroom next term, and now two receivers at home would serve. The loudspeaker had been removed, adjustments made, and now Bill sat at thelittle table with the 'phones clamped on his ears. 

Suddenly he called to Gus: "Get 'em on! Get em' on, quick! Somebody issending a message out to Marconi--only the end of it now, though. "

"--be most honored, I assure you, " came through the air. "Several whom Ithink you will be glad to meet will be there and we shall be glad tohave a word from you. " There was a pause. 

"It's an invitation to a banquet, or something, " Gus said. 

"Sure. I wonder if he's going to accept. " This from Bill. 

"When did he come back? I thought he sailed away last fall. "

"Been back a week; read it in the paper. He's on his boat again, the_El_--listen! He's talking. "

"Marconi speaking. Gentlemen of the Society of Electrical Research, Ishall accept with much pleasure, but please do not put me down for anextended speech. Only a few remarks--probably on my subject. But I shallmake no reference to Mars; my interest in that is almost nil. That is anewspaper romance, and I am really getting very tired of beingmisunderstood. I would be very glad if, in the course of the evening, someone would jestingly refer to this and absolve me from holding suchuntenable ideas. I thank you. I shall be there. "

"Gee-whiz, Gus, I wonder if the time will ever come when we'll getinvitations like that, eh? And say, he doesn't take any stock in thatmessage-from-Mars foolishness. "

"Well, I guess it's silly, all right, " Gus agreed. 

"Why, sure. They can't even tell if Mars has any life on it, and if ithas, it is mighty unlikely that any kind of creatures have developedbrains enough to understand radio. Shucks! No real scientist will wastehis time on any guesswork like that. We want to know more through thetelescope first. "

"But maybe the telescope can't tell us--then what? We want to get at itanyway we can, don't we?"

"Oh, I suppose, in any sensible, possible, likely way, but not on such asupposition. It would be like shooting at the moon: _if_ a high-poweredgun could get its projectile beyond our attraction of gravitation and_if_ it were aimed right, why, then the shot might hit the mark. Tooblamed many 'ifs. ' And some of the greatest astronomers say Mars isn'tinhab--what's this?"

A very distant, not easily understood voice came to them. There seemedto be some interference which not even their well-made loose couplercould filter out. Apparently there could be nothing very entertainingabout this, except the desire to get the better of a difficult task. 

"-- Atlantic. Latitude 39 -- -- -- chased her, but -- lost --. The fogwas -- -- --. On board, when start -- -- transferred, we think. Headedwest. Got a radio from the Government tug Nev -- --. Think it must havebeen the same. Putting in toward Point Gifford, they said --. Think theyhave landed by now. Better opportunity to demand ransom from the --. Italian all right; sure of that. -- The banker will -- -- -- -- --. Soyou be -- -- -- --. "

The voice died away; a few clickings came and then silence. Bill turnedto Gus. In matters of jumping at conclusions, he had long learned todepend most on his chum's undoubted talents, just as Gus, in most thingsmental, played second fiddle to Bill. 

"Say, Gus, could it be--?" Bill whispered. 

"Sure is! Nothing else. Ransom, banker, Italian. "

Gus felt no uncertainty. "They're after them, sure. Mr. Sabaste has hadthe hunt kept up on land and sea--we know that. And this is just aclue--an attempt to get on the trail again. Point Gifford--Bill, I knowthat country. Went all along the coast there once with Uncle Bob. Youremember when? He was cutting timber down in the coast swamps. Iexplored--great place for that! Sand dunes, pines, inlets; awfully wild. Some old cabins here and there. "

"They're landing there. Gus, I'll bet they're going to bring--do youthink it can be Tony, Gus?"

"Who else? They're trying to make Mr. Sabaste pay a ransom and they'regoing to be in a place where they can make sure of getting it. What Tonysaid about the Malatesta bunch being short of money must be true, and Iguess that restaurant business made it worse. They're going to try tomake a pretty sure thing----"

"But Gus, this radio was intended for somebody on shore who will watchthem and maybe nab them. "

"No, indeed. They're not likely to nab them. They have already landed, you see, and the detectives will watch the Upper Point, which is theonly landing place. But if these chaps are foxy, they will come to theLower Point, ten miles south, and cut across the inlet and thethoroughfare in a small boat. Then their yacht, or whatever she is, willsail up past the Upper Point, put to sea and the detectives will thinkshe has given up the idea of landing. I rather think I'm on to whattheir scheme will be. An old oysterman showed me what some smugglersdid, and got away with it for a long time. I guess the state policenever have got on to this. "

"Well, then, Gus, it's up to us to tell----"

"With several thousand dollars to save for Tony's dad? And who wouldbelieve a couple of kids, anyway?" demanded Gus. 

"But how----?"

"Let them watch the Upper Point, and if they land there, all right. I'mgoing down to hunt over the Lower Point. "

"You, Gus? But these fellows are a bunch of desperate scamps; gunmen, nodoubt. There'll be a lot of them, maybe----"

"No; not more than two or three. Luigi Malatesta, his brother, I thinkfrom Merritt's description, and an accomplice or two. "

"Four, Gus; maybe more. You wouldn't have a chance----"

"Well, not in a stand-up fight, I suppose. But they won't be suspectinga kid in old fisherman's duds, and I can do some bushwhacking, I guess. "

"But if you get hurt, Gus?"

"Well, there's a lot more like me everywhere. Another brother at home, too. I'm going to try for it, Bill. I'm not going to tote a pistol, buttake Dad's hammerless, double-barreled shotgun. He has quit hunting, andhe said I could have it. They'll think I'm just a native. "

"But where are you going to hang out? Your Uncle Bob isn't there anymore. "

"With old Dan, the oysterman. He'll be tickled, I think, and I'll pay myway. "

"Don't get hurt, old fellow. I wish I could go with you. "

"You bet I wish you could, Bill. But you pick up what you can and maybeyou'll have a chance to get it to me in some way. "

"Oh, Gus, I know a scheme: That portable set we made Tompkins--it's inhis room. He would be tickled, for he liked Tony, and he has gone toSaranac Lake. They've got one up there, so he didn't take this. We'llget in his room and get it for you to take along. Then I'll stay here, glue my ear to the phones and radio you everything I know, for they areall away, and I can use their transmitter. "

"Portable idea is fine, Bill, but all the rest is bunk. What, really, can you do here?"

"Well, then, I know: We'll swipe the keys, unhook the schooltransmitting set and I'll go with you and set it up at Oysterman Dan's. Then we can work together. "

"Fine! But how about the license?"

"Got one. Merely change of locality, and my own license will let meoperate anywhere. Let's get busy. "

 CHAPTER XXII

 AT OYSTERMAN DAN'S

It was a good cause, yet the boys were up against a doubtful procedure. The janitor of the school was a good-natured, but stubborn chap. Heliked Bill and Gus, but they knew he would never let them take anythingfrom the buildings without special consent. And while there was no timeto get this permission, Bill and Gus knew that all concerned would be infavor of their motive. If they injured anything they knew they wouldmore than make it good; or that Mr. Sabaste would make it good. Even Mr. Hooper would, if called on. 

So they wrote a note to Mr. Hooper, explaining fully what they intendeddoing and requesting that he reimburse the school for any loss or injuryto the broadcasting instrument in case anything happened to both ofthem. Then they placed this letter where it would be found in theirroom, with a request to the finder to deliver it. 

The janitor, they knew, was a bug on fishing. Bill coaxed him to take aday off while they watched the place. He did this, and while Mrs. Roycewas strenuously engaged with her housework, the boys got the keys to theradio room. The rest was easy, even to fixing up camouflaged parts thatwould befool Mr. Royce, if he should enter the room. They got theapparatus in parts to their own room, where they packed it up, and Gusclimbed into Tompkins' room through the transom, handed out the portableset and got out the way he got in. 

The next day, again sending for Mr. Merritt and his taxi, they were ontheir way to the station at Guilford, and from there by train to theshore, Gus debouching at a convenient junction for a two-hour trip home, while Bill patiently waited. When Gus got back to the junction he hadthe shotgun and some old clothes for both, though Bill might have noneed to disguise. 

Reaching the terminus of the railroad, the boys hired a ratherdilapidated team of mules drawing a farm wagon, with youthful driver tomatch, and made a long, slow journey, especially tiresome to theseeager, expectant lads, that landed them by the most direct route atOysterman Dan's little cottage. 

The old fellow came out and was so delighted to see Gus that he gave himand Bill a real welcome. He was a bachelor who lived alone, but livedwell. He kept to himself and yet was not averse to having a littlecompany of his own choosing. Apparently he would not have wanted moreentertaining fellows than Bill and Gus, or better listeners, for heliked to spin yarns. When he found the boys insisted upon paying him forboard and lodging and certain privileges he was further pleased. Letthem put up "one o' them thar wirelesses?" He sure would and welcome. Itwould be a "heap o' fun, " and when they told him of the purpose of it hewas elated. 

Nothing could have been more characteristic of the imagination andoptimism of youth than the making of all these extensive preparations onthe merest guesswork, and after the boys had arrived on the scene, nothalf a mile from Lower Gifford's Point, doubts began to assail Bill withmuch force. 

"By jingo, Gus! Here we are, at considerable expense and a deal oftrouble, taking it for granted that we're going to do wonderful things, and we even don't know that the theory we are working on is worth ablamed thing. "

"Oh, yes; we do, " said the intuitive Gus, who, looking like a woebegoneswamp dweller, had just come in from the dunes. "And soon we'll know awhole lot more. I just saw two gunners in the woods above the point, andif they aren't Italians I don't know one. "

The boys were a long day putting up their transmitting instrument, withits extensive aėrial stretched between tall pines near the cottage. They would depend on the portable receiver. 

And then, leaving Bill listening, poring over books, or chatting withold Dan, when the latter was off the water, Gus got into his ragged togsagain, took his gun and started out prowling. And he prowled wisely andwell. 

 CHAPTER XXIII

 GUS

"Hey, fellow! What you do?" The voice came from among the pines, and Gusturned to see a dark-skinned, black-eyed young man, of about twenty-fiveor more, coming toward him. Gus stopped. 

"You shoot in these woods?" asked the man. 

"I reckon I might an' I reckon I do if I kin find any durn thing fer t'shoot, " said Gus, easily falling into the native vernacular. 

The man approached and the boy quickly observed that the pocket of theloose coat, worn even this hot day, bulged perceptibly, and the man puthis hand within it. He showed an interest in the shotgun and extendedhis hand. 

"Where you get so fine gun, eh?" he questioned. 

"Man give her t' me fer beatin' him at shootin'. " This was literallytrue, the said man being Mr. Grier. "He's a sportin' feller, but hedon't shoot no more. Hain't seen him round these here parts fer twoyear. "

The fellow took the fowling-piece and looked it over. He said:

"I buy her, eh?"

"You couldn't buy her if you had her heft in gold, " said the boy. "An'you couldn't shoot her, anyway--not to hit anything. Could you get abird with her goin' like a bullet through these pine trees? Shucks! Ikin. "

"No! Yes? I get you shoot for me, eh?" handing back the gun. 

"Shoot fer you? How?"

"You don't like law policemans, eh?"

"You wouldn't like 'em if they chased you fer shootin' when the gamelaws was on. "

"I think of that. You come into woods along of me, now, eh? I show youwhat do and how make large lot money. Big! And maybe how shootpolicemans to keep away. Big money you get. "

"Lead me to it!" said Gus, his swift guess at what might be comingmaking him shove in a less backwoodsy phrase. 

Without another word the man started along a tortuous and narrow pathand Gus followed for more than half a mile. They were just off thethoroughfare when they started, but the youth could hear the distantbooming of the ocean waves on the beach before they stopped. 

To the right, with a roof seen above the low underbrush of young pines, holly and sweet gum, was a building of some kind toward which the pathturned abruptly. A hundred yards ahead the woods ceased, and Gus knewthat beyond were the ever-shifting sand dunes crowned with theirshort-lived scrub oaks or pines and tufts of beach grass which bordereda wild and lonely shore for many miles. Twelve miles to the south was asomewhat popular seaside resort. 

Gus had not crossed the woods at this spot, though he had at some othervery similar places. He had been all along the beach and had boated onthe thoroughfare clear to the inlet. This was nowhere deep enough foreven a large sloop. But he was thinking less of this than of a verypossible opportunity that seemed to loom ahead. 

"What your name?" asked the Italian. 

"Sam is my name, " said Gus. 

"Now then, Sam, you stay here. If some man who no business has here cometo look, you give order to go--see? You say this your father's groundand no--what you call?--trespass. All this day you stay. To-morrow youcome, also. Two dollar you get each day, eh?"

"Thought it was _big_ money. Mebbe I'll have t' shoot somebody an' Iwill, quick. But----"

"We give three dollar, Sam, and you stay with us. If not and somebodycomes you get nothing but this. " The man slapped his pocket. "But no, wefriends, eh? And you will shoot?"

"You bet I will!" said Gus, and meant it. But whom would he shoot? Hewas not saying. 

The man went toward the building and presently came back with a modern, high-powered rifle. He edged off through the woods to the left. After awhile he came back with another fellow and they fell to talking in alanguage which Gus could not understand. They stopped for the new man tolook Gus over and the boy turned his head to gaze at none other than hislate schoolmate and bitter antagonist, Luigi Malatesta!

The general resemblance between the two men made Gus know that he hadbeen talking to the older brother. Luigi, the younger, went off. At thatdistance he could not have recognized Gus, though for one moment the boyhad a queer feeling, a real bit of fright, but not enough to rob him ofthe quick sense to be ready with his gun if his enemy had guessed hisidentity. On second thought Gus felt pretty sure that if he kept hisragged hat well pulled down Luigi would never know him. 

And Gus was tremendously elated, so much so that he could hardly keepfrom prancing or slapping himself; but the danger of what he meant todo, and to do quickly, kept him from undue exuberance. 

The elder Malatesta brought one other fellow, evidently an American, totake a squint at Gus. Gus called the Italian over:

"How many of you got here, hey? I don't want t' shoot one of----"

"Not any more; three of us; you four. "

"What is all this fuss fer?" asked Gus. 

The fellow seemed to ponder a moment. "I tell you, " he said, as thoughwith sudden conviction. "In the hut yonder is crazy man. Our brother, yes. We love heem, ver' much. But he malsano--insane--lika fury. And we disgrazia. But he not go to a silo--hospital and treat bad. Oh, no! We swear it! They want getta heem. We hid heem and give heemtreatment--medicine, lika say great doctore. Doctore come twoday--more tardo. We guard brother ver' fierce--fight--fight! No letgo--no let policeaman come. See?"

Gus nodded slowly. It was a well-told yarn, a plausible lie. In a goodcause could he not take a turn at that?

"By cracky, you're dead right t' make 'em mind their own bizness! It'syour bizness, ain't it? I'd serve 'em that-away, too. I'll bluff 'em, an' shoot, too, if I got t'. Where's these other two standin'?"

The man indicated a spot to the left, another beyond the cabin, and hisown position toward the beach. They probably stood on sentry duty mostof the time. Gus was given the most dangerous place, the one most likelyto be the way of approach. Well, he'd better act, and quickly, if hedidn't want the officers of the law to step in ahead and spoil his ownplans. 

Gus waited until he felt sure the men had taken their places again. Thenhe contrived a neat bit of strategy that was almost too simple. He meantto get a peep in yonder building, or hut, as the elder Malatesta hadcalled it, and he meant to do this at once. Rapidly and silently hesneaked through the woods until he stood close behind the Americangunman who sat drowsily on a log, his gun across his knees. 

"Say, bo, get next. They's a couple o' men sneakin' through the woodsround beyon' you. They ain't comin' my way. Lay low an' watch 'em. " Theman crouched. 

Gus crept back and then out toward the beach where, by sheer good luck, he came across both Malatesta brothers talking. When they were still ata little distance from him he told them the same story and instantly theelder was on his guard while the younger brother left, crouching as heprogressed toward his station. Gus, also crouching, went back quickly. 

The boy felt sure that these fellows were armed and that they wouldremain fixed for a very considerable time--all of them well out of sightof the building. Cautiously at first, then almost running, Gus followedthe path right up to the door of what was really a stout log cabin, theone window barred with heavy oaken slats, recently nailed on, and thedoor padlocked. Gus went straight to the window, thrust aside a bit ofbagging that served for a curtain and peered within. Speaking hardlyabove a whisper, he said:

"Hello, in here! Who are you? Is it Tony Sabaste?"

 CHAPTER XXIV

 THE PRISONER

"Well, what do you want? Who are you?"

Gus felt his heart almost leap in his bosom. The voice may have been alittle huskier, with an accent of suffering and despair, but it wasrecognizable. 

"Keep very quiet, Tony. I'm not supposed to be here, but out yonder, guarding the path. Paid to do it, you understand? But lie low untilto-morrow. Then----"

"But tell me; I seem--I--who can you be? Oh, what----?"

"Oh, you don't know me, sure enough. I'm Gus, Tony--Gus Grier. BillBrown and I are down here to get you. We--, but that must keep. Lie low, old chap. I've got to get away now and go awfully careful, but it'll beall right----"

"Oh, Gus! My friend Gus! You here and for me? I believed the world--butno matter now. Oh, my good friend Gus, you will not never give up? Youwill--oh, my friend----"

"Go slow, Tony, not so loud! Do you think we would come this far andthen go back on you? I must get away now--right off. Lie low. "

Gus felt an almost irresistible desire to break open the window or thedoor at once and get his friend out. Then, if need be, fight their wayto safety, but common sense told him that the certain noise of doingsuch a thing would be heard and perhaps his effort defeated, with greatdanger to himself, and Tony, too. If there had been but one guard oreven two--but three were too great odds. 

Back he went to his position, and there he watched for the rest of theday, elated with his discovery of Tony, saddened by the delay, grinningat the thought of the Malatesta and their confederate compelled towatch, almost motionless, for the supposed prowlers. 

At last darkness threatened. Those small banditti, the mosquitoes, asbloody-minded as the Malatesta, began to sing and to stab. The assassinowls made mournful cadences in keeping with the scene and itshalf-tragic human purposes, while the whippoorwills voiced the oneelement of brightness and hope. 

The young fellow in the narrow, dark, log-walled cabin, with its barredwindow and padlocked oaken door, had been long disconsolate. But now, for the first time in many days, hope came to him as he walked back andforth, fighting pests, still tortured in mind, fearing failure, wondering, praying, yet proud and never beseeching, waiting for anotherand perhaps a brighter day. 

For three months he had been a prisoner, waking from a fevered sleepafter a long illness, his splendid constitution alone serving to doctorhim, he had found himself mysteriously at sea, in the locked cabin of atossing yacht that knew no harbor of rest. He had been denied even thechance to talk to, or to know his jailers. He had managed to keep aliveon the rough, often unpalatable food poked under his door. There was noresponse to his callings, hammerings or threats. A less balanced, hopeful, kindly, gentle fellow would have gone insane. 

Then, gagged and bound, he had been dumped about almost like a sack ofwheat and landed in this horrible place alongside of which his prisonroom in the yacht was a palace. Now here for the first time had come afriendly voice, that of more than a friend, indeed, and he had againseized upon hope. 

Yes, he would lie low, be patient, hope on and wait. 

 CHAPTER XXV

 STRATEGY

"Bill, Bill, we've found Tony! Saw him a little in the dark and talkedto him. We're going to get him out, Bill!" And Gus, after bursting inwith this good news, told his chum and old Dan all about it. Then theyheld a council of war. 

It was pretty certain that the Malatesta had no means of radiocommunication, as they could not have burdened themselves with theapparatus, nor could they have confined their communications to oneperson. That they were seeking ransom money was also pretty certain, andthey were in a position to get it, too. 

Bill, Gus and old Dan laid some plans, carefully considered from everyangle, and with the impetus of youth to be acted upon at once. Havingput their transmitting station in operation, Bill got busy on the wires, and on a wave length of 360 meters, began broadcasting notifications toMr. Sabaste and to the police relative to Tony's whereabouts. 

"Mr. Angelo Sabaste, do not send ransom money. Mr. Angelo Sabaste, donot send ransom money. Please convey this message to Mr. Angelo Sabaste, banker, of New York City, do not send ransom money. Police departmentsand coast patrol, send swift vessels all along the coast to Lower PointGifford, and the lower inlet to head off any foray from the sea on thepart of those who may have caught this; also to prevent escape ofkidnapers from the inlet. 

"Send men to surround the point and cut off escape by land along thepeninsula north of the inlet; also to watch the lower thoroughfare. Somemen meet the senders of this at Oysterman Dan's, in neck of woods aboveLower Point Gifford, to raid kidnapers' roost from there, and effectrescue of young Anthony Sabaste. 

"Station men and vessels to-night. Watch all landing places around LowerPoint. Be prepared for trouble. Kidnapers armed and will shoot. AnthonySabaste in small cabin in pine woods about one mile north of inlet. Hardplace to find. Guarded by three men. 

"This is William Brown speaking, at Oysterman Dan's cottage--forAugustus Grier, also. Have situation well in hand. Please radio reply atonce. "

Bill switched off his batteries and clamped the 'phones of the receiverto his ears. He had to listen in for but a few moments. 

"Police Department, City. West Rural Section speaking. We are in directcommunication with East State Mounted Force and contingents and willrelay, acting in unison. Also in communication with coast patrol whoalso have your radio, no doubt, and will act independently. We aresending men and will make raid in morning, closing in north of LowerPoint. Men sent to Oysterman Dan's house to-night. Coast patrol willalso go out to-night. Will advise you personally in the morning. HaveDan send boat for men across thoroughfare to Stone Landing. If men notthere by three A. M. , go to Possum Beach and wait. "

Bill still listened and the message was repeated, almost verbatim; thensilence. He communicated the information to Gus and old Dan, and theoysterman went off to tidy up his boat for the trip. Bill and Gusdecided to snatch a little sleep. Old Dan, who had napped in theafternoon as usual, agreed to wake them before he left at about twoo'clock, which he did. 

"Bill, I've got a hunch we are going at this thing a little too fast, "said Gus. 

"How too fast? We can't delay at all, can we?"

"But suppose, when the police make their raid, these Malatestas getdesperate and mad enough to kill Tony? They're a bad lot. I've a notionwe ought to get Tony out of there before----"

"The iron gets too hot, eh? I guess you are right, Gus. "

"Look, Bill, here's a scheme. What if we work it this way?" Gusproceeded to outline a plan with every detail of which Bill agreed; andit called for action. 

Taking the revolver and some extra cartridges, Bill hobbled along byGus, who gave him a lift, now and then, piggy-back. The boys made theirway south for more than a mile along the thoroughfare swamp edge. Thenthey turned sharply on a path across the wooded peninsula to the beach, and went another half mile among the dunes. A very tall pine treeagainst the sky-line gave Gus his bearings. A little below that theystopped, and Bill found a comfortable hiding-place among scrub pines, with the boom of the breakers in his ears and the sea breeze keeping offthe mosquitoes. 

Gus cast about silently for the path that led in to the kidnapers'cabin. Finding it with some difficulty in the darkness, he noted certainlandmarks and went back to Bill. Agreeing on signals in whispers, Guswent back to the path and struck a match, whereupon Bill fired a shot, and immediately afterward, another. Then Gus swiftly made his waydirectly toward the cabin, and when near it, called softly:

"Hello, hello, you fellers! It's me, Sam. "

There was a very profound silence for a few minutes. Gus called again:

"Hello! It's me, Sam. Don't shoot!"

And very much with his heart in his mouth, but still determined, headvanced, crouching low so that a bullet would most likely pass highover him. Suddenly a figure appeared directly in front of him and aflashlight was thrown in his face for an instant. Gus knew that he hadbeen identified. 

"Lay low, " he whispered, not forgetting to keep up the dialect. "They'reout there, somebody--sneakin' along in the open. I seen 'em an' let flyat 'em an' they shot back, but I run on down the woodses. Git yer gangan' come along so's we kin head 'em off if they start in here. "

"How we do that? We stay here an' fight 'em, eh?"

"An' that'll give 'em the lay o' this place. We want t' draw 'em up thebeach. Chase along up through the woodses an' come out 'bout a mileabove and shoot oncet er twicet. Two of us kin do that an' two kin layout yan at the end o' the path an' watch fer any of 'em startin' in thisaway, an' then you kin lead 'em off. See? That's the way the smugglin'fellers do it. "

The plan must have looked good to the fellow still in the darkness; Gusdid not know to whom he was talking, but he heard the man walk awayrapidly. He waited, as though on pins, and in a moment three figuresloomed before him, one voice questioning him again. The boy tactfullyrepeated his suggestions--then turned back with them as they startedforward, evidently agreeing. 

One fellow, Gus could see, was rubbing his eyes. All carried guns. 

Two men kept to the path that led toward the beach edge of the woods. Another and Gus went straight on. Presently Gus suggested that they stopand rest awhile; then move on farther up, stop, scatter a little, andlisten. He would sneak out into the open, he said, and look around. There was no danger of his being seen. It would be best to remain thusfor an hour or more--perhaps till morning, mosquitoes or no mosquitoes. A grunt signified agreement. 

The boy crept out toward the dunes and on, until he felt sure he couldnot be heard. Then, with the smooth, hard sand for a track he ran, softly on tiptoe, until once again he came below the tall pine. A lowhiss thrice repeated was answered, and he found Bill in the same spot. 

"They're all stuck along in the woods yonder, " Gus whispered. "If youhear them moving off toward the cabin again, shoot. If they go on, shoottwice. If they come your way, lie low. Here goes for Tony, old scout!"

Gus had some difficulty getting to the cabin from the south side. Hemissed it once, got too far into the woods, turned, regained the dunes, struck in again and this time started to pass within a few yards of it, but by merest chance saw the gable end against the sky. 

 CHAPTER XXVI

 A CALL FOR HELP

Again Gus approached the cabin, feeling sure now of the outcome of theplan. He reached the clump of thick pines below the tall one and turnedto make the bee-line in, not a hundred yards from the building, when thealarm notes of a ruffed grouse reached his ears. It was just ahead, theangry, quick, threatening call of a mother bird, disturbed with heryoung, quick to fight and to warn them of danger. Might not this be aweasel, fox or mink that had sneaked upon her? But if so, it would bethe note of warning only, to scatter the little ones into hiding-placeswhile the hen sought a safe shelter just out of the reach of themarauder and after she had, pretending a hurt, led it to a distance fromthe brood. 

But this was different. The grouse had played her usual trick of decoy, no doubt, and failing in this had returned to attack something regardedas a larger enemy. She would know better than to include deer, or thewandering, half-wild cattle of the peninsula as such. There were no pumaand few bear in these woods, and surely none here. What then could thedisturber be but a man? Gus well knew the ways of these knowing birds. 

The boy's advance now became so cautious as to make no audible sound evento himself, such being possible over the pine needles. Slowly he gained avantage point where again the roof gable was visible against the sky. Nosound ahead, except the mother grouse making the sweetest musicimaginable in calling her young ones together during a half minute. Thecoast must be clear, --but just as the boy was about to go boldly forward, a flash of light shone about him and his staring eyes discerned, notthirty feet away, the three watchers standing together. They hadreturned, probably by pre-arrangement and had met in the roadway. Nowthey were silently listening for the fourth fellow--himself. One chap, thinking that they were not observed, had struck a match to see the time, or to light a cigarette. Had they been looking in Gus's direction theymight have seen him. Presently, mumbling some words, they all went onagain toward the cabin, and Gus, sick at heart because seeing now nochance for a renewal of his effort, turned back after an hour to whereBill waited. 

"Why, Gus, they came out here, all of them together and went part wayover to the beach, then returned almost right away. I could hear onlytheir voices at first, but when they came back they passed close enoughfor me to hear a little of what they said, I think it was the Malatestathat we know. He was declaring that 'he, ' and I guess he meant you, mustbe the same. Do you think he knows you, Gus?"

"I don't know. They must be suspicious of my story, or my purpose, anyway, or they would have stayed out and watched. Perhaps one of themfollowed far enough to hear me head out this way. Anyway, they think thecabin is the safest place. We can't do anything now, so let's go backand hit the hay. "

They went back, Gus to throw himself on old Dan's couch and sleep like adead man and Bill to take up the receiver phones, nodding over thetable, to be sure, but remaining generally awake. For two hours he keptcatching odd bits of no importance through long intervals. Then suddenlyhe sat up and, reaching over, poked Gus with his crutch. After two orthree hard pokes Gus opened his eyes. 

"Say, somebody's calling for help! I can't get it right, I reckonthey've taken Tony away and out to sea again. Can't tell who it's from;it's all jumbled, anyway. Done now, I guess. "

"But what was it?" asked Gus, now very wide awake. 

"It came like this, in code, " said Bill. "The 'S. O. S. ' several times. Then: 'Aground. Rounding inlet, east channel, headed out. Hurry. ' Therewas a lot of stuff in between, but not intelligible. "

"Can it be Tony?"

"Who else?"

"But would they let him broadcast anything?"

"Gave them the slip, maybe. "

"What'll we do?"

"You say it. "

"Well, then--rounding east channel of inlet, eh? Tide going out. Likelythey'll stick on the shoals. If only Dan were here now. "

"What then?"

"Why, we'd take his catboat and overhaul them. They'll probably stickgoing about and the wind's dead against going out. But Dan----"

"Isn't here, but I am. I'll go forward with the gun and you can handlethe _Stella_. Let's go!"

They went. It was but the work of a few minutes to gain the landing, hoist sail, cast off and reach down the bay, the wind abeam. Bill gotinto a snug place at the mast, Gus held the tiller, each boy firmlydetermined to do something that might call for the utmost daring andswift action. 

Turning into the wind at the inlet, the boys went about first on thestarboard tack and then luffed a half dozen times to get through intothe broader water; but the sand bars were erratic. Gus knew two thatwere fixed from the set currents; other might change every few days. Bill crept to the rail and gazed ahead; there had been a moon, but itwas cloudy. 

Fortune favored them, however. At the moment that they were about to hita narrow sand bar, the clouds parted and Bill gave a yell. Gus also sawthe line of white and shoved over his tiller, missing the bar by theclosest margin. In deep water again they swept across the inlet as theclouds darkened the moon and they were suddenly confronted by a splotchof white. They swerved once more just in time to avoid striking thestern of a small schooner fast on a bar, only her jib flapping in thebreeze, not a light showing. 

Gus put the _Stella's_ head into the wind and close-hauled the boom, butshe fell away slowly. He told Bill to hail, which was done with a trulysailor-like "Ahoy!" repeated many times, and followed by thelandlubber's "Hello, there!" but without getting an answer. Gus had towork around to get the wind so as to come up again. Still there was noreply to the hailing, and without more ado the _Stella_ was putalongside of the schooner, going also aground, but lightly. 

"You grapple and hold her, Bill. I'll board her and see what's what, "said Gus, pistol in hand, stepping over the schooner's rail. 

Swiftly, without hesitation, he rounded the cabin, peered down the smallcompanion-way and shouted into the cabin, door, calling loudly. Then hewent back, got the _Stella's_ lantern, and Bill, having made fast, limped along after, gun in hand. The two silently explored every nookand cranny finding, to their utter astonishment, no one aboard. The doorto one of the staterooms, however, was fastened. 

"I wonder if somebody is in there, " whispered Gus. 

"Must be. Looks funny. Let's call, " Bill suggested. 

"I guess we'd better beat it and mind our own business, " said Gus, loudly. "Come on, we don't belong here at all. "

Had the boys been suddenly confronted with a genie, at the behest ofAladdin's lamp, their surprise could not have been much greater than atthe response from within the room. It was a girl's voice that reachedthem, and though very sweet and low it was full of trepidation. 

"I hear you. What can you be plotting now? If you intend to kill me youwill have to destroy this boat to do it, for I'll surely kill you if youtry to break in here. Now, you'd better listen to me again. Sail backand I'll see that you're not arrested and--I'll get you a reward. Youwill only get into jail by this----"

"I guess, Miss, you're talking to the wrong party, " said Bill. 

"You're mistaking us for somebody else, " asserted Gus. 

"Oh, who are you, then?" came the voice. 

"Two fellows at your service. We got a radio at Oysterman Dan's andthought we could rescue----"

"I sent it. I got to the wireless when they were working to get us off. But please tell me exactly who you are. "

"We are Marshallton Tech boys, down here on vacation, --that's all. "

"Oh, you are? We know the professor of political economy----"

"Jennings? He's one of our favorites--fine chap. "

"And that was where that boy was kidnaped, too. "

"The same. He never turned up. " Bill nudged Gus. 

"Two weeks ago I was at Guilford and saw the ball game with MarshalltonTech, " said the voice. 

"Hooray! Right out here with me is the pitcher who won that shut-out forus. "

"No! Do you really mean it? And then it was you who hailed and cameaboard just now, and the others have not returned? I can trust you, can't I?"

"Why not? We're really harmless. But tell us who are these fellows?"

"I do not know, except that they are scoundrels and thieves, --of that Iam sure. "

The door suddenly opened and a figure stood before the boys, somethingwhite, glistening and menacing in her hand. An arm was outstretched toturn a switch. With the flooding light Bill and Gus beheld a very prettygirl of about their own age, who smiled at them and hastily held therevolver behind her. Reassured, she calmly continued:

"I am Lucy Waring. May I ask----?"

"My chum here is Gus Grier and I am Bill Brown. "

"I shall be indebted to you forever, " the girl said graciously. "You seeI am in an awful fix. Those men deliberately stole our boat. This is myfather's auxiliary yacht, the _X-Ray_. My father is Doctor Louis Waring, of----"

"The great Doctor Waring, nerve specialist?"

"Nerves, yes. I believe people call him great sometimes. You see we havea summer home at Hawk's Bill, just below the inlet here, and we girls, my two sisters and some friends are there now. Father and Mother arecoming down to-morrow. I'm fond of boating, and sometimes, just to be onthe water, I come down and sleep in the yacht. To-night I did and Iwaked up to feel that we were adrift and sailing, with somebody onboard--two, I think. While I was wondering what to do, one came andtried my door and called to me, I said something to him, you maybelieve! But he would hardly listen to me, though he couldn't force thedoor and I told him I'd shoot if he did. Presently we went aground andthe men went back and started to work with the motor. I slipped out andgot at the wireless, locking my door after me and locking the wirelessroom door. I don't know how they didn't hear me, though they were makingan awful racket trying to hammer something. I sent several messages, then I listened and still heard them talking and slipped back. Theycouldn't get the engine to run--it can hardly be cranked, but it has astarter which they didn't understand. About half an hour ago they wentoff in the dory and I thought they were returning when you came. "

"And you have no idea who they are?"

"None whatever. I only know that the talk of the one that called to mesounded as though he were a foreigner, perhaps an Italian--about theother I couldn't say. They surely meant to steal this boat, and if theyhad not stuck here, I don't know whatever would have become of me. Andnow, may I ask of you to----?"

"Start that motor and get you back? You sure may--and it ought not to bemuch of a job. "

"My father will liberally reward you. "

"We don't want any reward, Miss Waring. Doing mechanical stunts intrying to rescue people is our specialty. "

 CHAPTER XXVII

 UNDER FIRE

"I have a hunch, " put in Gus, "that those fellows may come back anyminute, possibly with some means, or hoping to get this boat afloat. Wedon't want them to catch us off guard. "

"I'll stand watch, " said the girl. "The slightest intimation----"

"Good. Let's look at that power plant, " demanded Bill. 

It was a matter of minutes only, although the time was lengthened by theboat thieves' having hammered the gearing that connected with thestarter, trying to slide it along on its shaft key in order to permitthe cranking. They had failed in some way, however, to manipulate thegas and spark. 

The boys had slipped the gearing into place again and the adjustmentshad been made, when a call from the girl made the busy lads grab theirweapons and get up on deck, Bill being almost as quick as Gus. 

Not fifty yards away and plainly seen in the now unclouded moonlight, askiff was approaching. The boys, lying flat on the deck and peering overthe rail, and the girl, crouching in the companion-way, could see threepersons in the dory. Gus again told Bill to hail. 

"Ahoy, there! Back water and stay where you are! What do you want?"

The rhythmic beat of the oars continued, rapidly lessening the distance. 

"Halt, or we'll shoot! If you don't want to get sunk and have yourcarcasses filled as full of holes as a pepper-box, you'll sheer off!"

This had its effect. The oars were held and pushed to check the motion. No word came in reply, but Gus plainly saw an object that resembled agun barrel come from a vertical to a foreshortened position. This wassufficient for drastic action, though the boy was averse to compelling atragedy. With careful aim he sent a load of shot just over the heads ofthe boatmen, then instantly fired another into the water at one side. Almost immediately a shot came in reply, the bullet glancing from thecabin roof. 

Gus slipped in two more shells and coolly waited, knowing that there wasonly a remote possibility that the shots from the dory would do anygreat harm, but intending, if the rascals fired again, to give them areal taste of buckshot firing, at the bow of their boat first, tosplinter and sink it gradually; then at the men if they persisted. 

The dory turned about quickly. The oarsman was evidently in haste to getaway. Then came a hail:

"Say, you! What you do in thata boat? That our boat! Get out, I say toyou! We want to come aboard and go on away!"

Gus had heard that voice before. It belonged to one of the Malatesta. Did they have Tony with them? Were they making a terrible effort toescape in this way from the peninsula, and get to sea again? How thenwould they secure the hoped for ransom? Or were they merely going tohide the _X-Ray_, expecting to use her if their scheme fell short? Billhad sensed the situation. 

"_Your_ boat, is she? You'll find her back at Hawk's Bill where shebelongs, and in a little while you're going to find yourself in jail. Beat it now while the water's fine!"

The oarsman was nothing loath. Either he was not the bravest in theparty, or else he had the keenest appreciation of the odds against anexposed position. In a very few minutes the dory was a mere gray wraithon the water, but there it hung. Evidently the rower was overruled byothers less cautious, or of the certain conviction that at the distancethe yacht was a better mark than a rowboat. 

Bill had the motor going in a jiffy. Gus was at the wheel, crouching. Throwing in the reverse clutch he sent the boat off the sands. Then, letting Bill hold her steady, dropped the _Stella's_ sails, cast herloose at the end of a hauser for a tow rope, paid it out from the sternand went back to the wheel. 

He was about to swing round and head back into the narrow channel freefrom sand bars, which he could discern by the rougher water, whenbullets began to come from the dory. They were aimed at the wheel andwhether sent low or not, the trajectory, even from a high-powered gun, would pull them down to the danger level. One struck the mast directlyin front of him. One hit the deck and glanced singing. The music fromanother flattened bullet was stopped by the water beyond. 

Gus wanted desperately to get behind something, for this firing mightmean death or wounding at any moment. But he held on, hoping shortly toget out of range. Bill, at the rear hatch, called to Gus to set her andcome below, and Gus called back that they'd be aground again in a minuteif he did. Then a brave deed was done. 

The girl, perhaps as fully aware of the danger as the boys, leaped intothe cabin, came out with two chairs and some cushions, erected abarricade alongside of Gus and said to him:

"I want to get back and we can't stop, but most of all I want you to besafe. "

Then she gave a sudden cry and staggered into the cabin. Gus calledBill, who limped across quickly. The shots continued, and one hit thechairs. Gus wondered where it would have hit him. Presently they weretoo far away for the shots to reach them, for they had entered thenarrow bay. 

 CHAPTER XXVIII

 ANOTHER SCHEME

Bill was not cut out for a nurse. His sympathies were large, but hisfingers, deft at managing fine mechanical apparatus, were all thumbswhen it came to anything even remotely concerned with human anatomy. Thegirl had been hit in the shoulder, undoubtedly a mere flesh wound, andthe bleeding must be stopped. Lucy was very pale, but there was never atear, nor the least indication of her fainting. She merely held her armdown and watched, with most rueful countenance, the blood dripping fromher finger tips upon the polished floor. 

"I'll get Gus, " said Bill, almost ready to weep at the sight the girlpresented. She had torn her dress from her shoulder and a seared gashwas disclosed which she could not well observe. 

Gus pointed out the course to Bill, then went into the cabin. In aminute or less he had searched and obtained clean rags, torn strips fromthem, found a nearly exhausted bottle of vaseline, coated the rag withit and, with a deftness almost worthy of a surgeon, washed the woundwith a quick sopping of gasoline. Then as more blood was flowing, hebound up the shoulder and arm so that the flow stopped and by itscoagulation germs were excluded. Whereupon Lucy sought a couch where shelay, exhausted, and with a decided desire to cry, while Gus went back tothe wheel. 

 * * * * *

"You shall hear from father and mother and all of us. They will be hereearly and father must see you. " This was the very earnest declaration ofthe elder Waring sister, a young woman of twenty-five or more, "I cannotalone express our thanks, our deep gratitude----"

"To use a rather slangy expression--please 'forget it, '" said Bill, laughing. 

Lucy, supported by another older sister, could only thank the boys withher pretty eyes. She did make so bold as to hold the hand of poor Gusuntil he turned a fiery red. Blushing herself, even through her pallor, she still persisted in trying to show her appreciation and admiration. Bill had to grab and pull his stammering chum away. 

The run back in the _Stella_ was made in rapid time to her owner's slip. And there, the morning light just beginning to show in the eastern sky, the boys found an odd-looking fellow busily getting ready to cast off afishing skiff. He was one Pepperman, commonly called "Swamp" for short. He was something of a crony of Dan's and the boys had seen him before. 

As they headed in they made out the identity of "Swamp. " Gus suddenlyhad one of his ideas. He conveyed it to Bill in few words:

"We'll get 'Swamp' to go to those Malatestas and tell them he can stealthem a boat. Then we'll get Tony away if he's still there. You talk to'Swamp. '"

"Hello, Mr. Pepperman! Going fishing?" began Bill, as they made fast andlowered sail. "Yes? Expect to catch much? No? Well, I know somethingthat will bring you in two hours more money than in three weeks of thebest fishing you ever had. "

"Swamp" wanted to know how such a thing could be done. Said Bill:

"Dead easy! You take a walk right away down through the pines toward thePoint. Know how to whistle a tune? Sure; well then, come over all thetunes you know. Let on you're hunting for special fish bait orsomething. Sheer off toward the big pine and keep through toward theocean. You'll meet somebody likely. Don't get curious, but talk fishingand boats. Tell them you take folks fishing and that you have a dandyboat all ready--a fast one. They'll probably want to see her. Tell themyou keep her up here, but if they'll hang off shore at the Point you'llsail her around there. Then, when they leave for the Point and you'resure of it, you come up the bay side road and tell us. We'll be waiting. How much is there in it? Twenty-five dollars, Mr. Pepperman, if yourerrand turns out successfully. Is that enough?"

"I reckon hit air, " remarked the sententious "Swamp. " "When do I git themoney?"

"Any time--to-day, " said Gus, and without another word the lanky fellow, laying aside his tackle and bait of crab meat, was off into the woods. 

Hardly an hour passed before Gus remarked to tired and sleepy Bill:"Somebody's coming. I'll bet it's 'Swamp. '"

It was, and he reported the exact carrying out of the plan. Two men, young fellows, one very dark-skinned, the other light, and both carryingguns, had started to the Point to wait for him. The other man, --therehad been three along the wood road--had headed up into the nearer woodsalong the ocean side. 

"You go back and wait for Dan, " said Gus to Bill. "I'm going to make onemore try for Tony. "

 CHAPTER XXIX

 AT THE CRACK O' DAY

"Tony!"

There was no reply. Gus called again, more sharply, but still fearful ofbeing heard. Silence. There could be no delay in action. With his nervesstill a-tingle, the boy seized a stout bit of wood, evidently cut forthe fireplace, inserted it between the window bars, bore down and with alow squeak of protest the nails came out. Another pry, with the sill fora fulcrum, and there was a hole big enough for a body to get through. The bit of wood now acted as a step and in a moment Gus was inside thecabin. 

At the extreme end, lying against the logs, lay a figure. Gus instantlystooped to shake it. Tony waked up with a cry of alarm. 

"Don't, don't yell, Tony, it's Gus! Get up and come quick!"

Nothing more was required of Tony. He was instantly awake and in action. Not another word passed between the boys--but was that cry heard by thekidnapers?--the rescuer wondered--and with reason. They must be offinstantly. 

To the window! As Tony drew near it, pulling Gus by the hand across thedark room, he paused. Outside there was the faint sound of a step. Tonyuttered a faint "sh, " and grabbed Gus by the arm. It was the elderMalatesta. 

"Ah! So? You make get-away. I fix that. " The next instant the muzzle ofa rifle was poked through the broken place--poked well through, andpossibly this shrewd defier of law and order never made a greatermistake, which he recognized when he felt the muzzle seized and bentaside. 

He pulled the trigger, but the bullet buried itself harmlessly in thewall of the cabin. Malatesta attempted to jerk the gun away, but Gus, fortified by the leverage against the sill and the window bars, held on, his own weapon crashing to the floor. How Tony managed to dive throughthat hole as he did, landing squarely on his enemy neither he nor Gusever could figure out, but when Gus found the weapon free in his hands, picked up his own gun and followed Tony he found the insensiblemiscreant, who had received a sufficient smash in the jaw from Tony'sheel. 

"We must fly, my dear friend Gus, " said Tony, "for now they willcome--those other two!"

"We will stay right here and give them a pleasant reception, " said Gus. "I will watch on the path, Tony. You take this gun. But first get arope, quick! Tie that chap's arms behind him and search him forautomatics, or anything. "

It was but the work of a few minutes. Malatesta seemed to hesitate aboutcoming to his senses. This was a good thing for the success of thesubsequent capture; for the elder brother might have called out andwarned his two confederates. 

Gus told Tony to guard the far side of the cabin and arranged thateither must come at the call of the other. They must shoot only whensure. 

Back came the younger Malatesta, their better known enemy. From behind abush Gus poked his shotgun muzzle into the fellow's ribs, told him todrop his rifle and stick up his hands. As he did this, he uttered afrantic yell of warning. Then he, too, was seized and bound. 

They waited long and eagerly for the American accomplice. Would he sneakthrough the woods and try to surprise them? To guard against this, Gusleft Tony with the two prisoners, thus reversing the conditions underwhich he had lately been held. There was no glee, no revengeful spiritshown by the fine-minded Italian youth, but a keen sense of satisfactionand determination glowed in his eyes. 

Gus scoured the woods, hoping to find the accomplice, who would notrecognize him as an enemy. But the fellow was gone. It was an easy thingfor him to hide there--but not so easy to get away altogether, past thecordon of police now swarming over the peninsula. But he did get away, for he was never heard of again. 

 CHAPTER XXX

 MORE MESSAGES

Oysterman Dan's little cottage became the scene of more than a reunionof old friends and of glad father and son. The news reporters also came, and, somewhat to his disgust, old Dan had to submit to his "pixturebein' took, " along with the banker, Bill, Gus, Tony, and some of theinsistent police and detectives who are often too eager for notoriety. 

The Malatesta brothers, too, were not forgotten. Before they were takenoff to a well deserved imprisonment, they were pictured and thusindelibly branded. Later they were returned to their native country. 

All this business having been accomplished and Oysterman Dan rewardedutterly beyond his imagination, Mr. Sabaste took command with a lavishhand, and the return of the four principals, by yacht and motor car, became a gala affair. Bill and Gus refused beyond parley to accept thereward Mr. Sabaste had offered. What the boys had done was in friendshiponly. Expenses? The banker had the say as to that. 

Tony, in spite of his long imprisonment, was speedily restored to hishappy, kindly state of mind. A long, roundabout trip took them all backto the Marshallton Tech where the late unfortunate could again outfithimself from an ample wardrobe, while Bill and Gus restored, with thejanitor's knowledge, the radio transmitting set and the portablereceiver. A new receiving set was to be completed soon and set up forOysterman Dan. 

The Farrells were visited; Tony went to the room he had occupied, but hecould not remember a thing that had occurred there in connection withhis mysterious disappearance. The farmer's wife and daughter set themall down to a good, old-fashioned American dinner that the Sabasteslaughingly declared did not need spaghetti to make it perfect. 

Then, at the school again, the banker requested the use once more of theradio transmitter. Bill sat, listening in. Gus and Tony stood in thedoorway, talking of school days. 

"This is Angelo Sabaste speaking. I wish especially to convey a messageto my old friend Guglielmo Marconi, on his yacht, the _Elettra_. "

Then followed many words in Italian, interspersed only here and therewith an American proper name. 

At the end of the message there was the usual pause. The banker took upthe phones, Gus and Tony rushed to others. Presently they heard, inquiet, even tones, the hoped-for reply in English, as Mr. Sabaste hadrequested it should be:

"Senatore Marconi sends congratulations to Signor Sabaste that his sonis restored to him and that two criminals, though they are ourcountrymen, are to be sent from America, where too many such have comeand belittled the name of Italy. But men like Signor Sabaste will liftthat estimate. 

"Senatore Marconi suggests, at your request, that the finest reward thatcould come to these young Americans who have shown such loyalty to yourson, with such ingenuity and mechanical ability, is that they beencouraged to complete their technical education and then, with yourson, to use their talents in a commercial way. Again congratulations foryour son and those young Americans and--the best of success!"

How Mr. Sabaste, eager to carry out this suggestion from the famousinventor of wireless communication, joined with the boys' old friend Mr. Hooper in the establishment of a company in mechanical and electricalengineering, under the name of The Loyalty Company, will be told in"Bill Brown, Radio Wizard. "

 THE END