THE SCENE OF ACTION
As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the
station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the
centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward
the train and scrambled up the steps. The conductor waved his signal
to the engine-driver and swung aboard. The locomotive bell began to
ring, there was a hissing of steam, and a puffing of the great
locomotive, and the train slid gently forward. On the car platform
stood the four departing members of the wireless patrol, waving fond
farewells to their less fortunate members. Then they turned and
entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their
ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that
they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim
task that lay ahead of them.
In no time Central City was lost from sight. The familiar fields and
woods vanished. The country grew strange. Soon they were passing
through a region entirely unknown to them. But so busy was each boy
with his thoughts that he hardly noticed what at other times would have
held his closest attention; for the pictures in each mind were just as
unfamiliar as the landscape through which they were speeding.
"What was to be the nature of their work?" each boy was asking himself.
"Would they sit and listen in, as they had done at Camp Brady, or would
they be set to roving about, trying to pick out suspicious characters,
or detect suspicious acts? And what would New York be like? What was
there about this great, roaring city of men that was so attractive,
that drew such multitudes to it, that grew with such uncanny swiftness?
What was New York like, anyway?"
And almost before they knew it, the train rolled into a tunnel, dived
under a great river, and emerged again in a huge yard far below the
level of the streets, that was filled with many tracks and closed in
with enormous walls of cement. Then the train ran into a great shed
and came to rest. The boys left the coach, mounted a long flight of
iron steps and found themselves in the city of their dreams--New York.
And there, at the gateway, was their beloved captain. They swarmed
about him and grasped his hand. Then Captain Hardy led them to a
corner of the waiting-room that offered a little privacy, and there
they sat down in a group, close to one another, to talk over the
business that had brought them again together.
"As I wrote you in my letter, Henry," said Captain Hardy, "I was not at
all hopeful that your plan would meet with official encouragement. But
I had promised you that I would mention it to the Chief of the Radio
Service and I did so. It didn't take him a minute to decide on it. To
my surprise he said he wanted you. 'I haven't a bit of doubt,' said
he, 'that the country's full of secret German wireless outfits. They
are probably of small sending power and operate in unusual wave
lengths. It is almost impossible for our regular service to detect
them. In fact I don't know how we are ever going to locate them unless
we organize the amateurs all over the country so that they can listen
in and catch practically everything that goes through the air. We are
not able to do that yet, but I shall be very glad to have the help of
your boys. I've been mighty interested in the way they handled that
affair at Elk City. They are experienced and have good sense. They
should be very useful to Uncle Sam.'" Dr. Hardy paused and smiled.
"You see," he went on, "the Chief has kept pretty close watch of you
boys. He knows all about the affair at Elk City." And Captain Hardy
smiled affectionately at his charges.
"What are the Radio Chief's instructions?" asked Roy. "What are we to
do?"
"The Radio Service," replied Captain Hardy, "has no agencies for making
arrests and detecting crime. So we shall work under the direction of
the secret service and in coöperation with the police. And our first
duty is to make ourselves known to both."
"If the Chief of the Radio Service wanted the wireless patrol," said
Roy, "why did you telegraph for just the four of us? And why are we in
New York instead of Washington?"
"You couldn't be of any use in Washington," said Captain Hardy, "but
you may be of a great deal of service here. You see New York is a
difficult place to guard. This is our principal port. It is so vast
that it is next to impossible to watch all of it, and there are
hundreds of thousands of Germans or people of German descent living
here. The Radio Chief needs sharp eyes and ears as well as trained
fingers just now, and he knows that you boys combine these
qualifications. He suggested that I send for four of you and see what
you could accomplish. I chose you four because you have shown the
greatest ability along the lines necessary."
A flush of pleasure glowed in each of the faces before him. For a
moment Willie Brown forgot where he was, forgot the crowd and the great
station and the strange sights and sounds about him, forgot even why he
was in New York, while his mind went back to that first summer at Camp
Brady, when he had been the most backward, self-distrustful, helpless
lad in camp. Now he was chosen to serve his government, to do work of
the greatest importance for his country; and he had been selected
because of his ability. No wonder Willie blessed the day he first saw
Camp Brady. No wonder his eyes were wet with a grateful mist as he
looked affectionately at his captain, who had made him what he was.
But Willie had little time for revery. Roy was speaking again, asking
another of those sharp questions that showed very well why he should
have been chosen as a spy hunter, or for anything else that required
keenness of mind.
"What about yourself?" Roy was saying. "Do you have to go back to your
medical duties? We can work ever so much better with you to lead us
than we could with a stranger."
Roy alone had grasped the possibility that Captain Hardy might not be
able to remain with them. Now every eye was fixed anxiously on Captain
Hardy's face.
"No," he said, "I do not have to return to Washington. It is of the
utmost importance to catch these spies and the government could well
afford to give up one ordinary doctor in order to get four skilled spy
hunters." He paused and smiled, then added: "So I have been detailed
to special duty in New York."
The boys could hardly repress a shout of joy.
"And my instructions," continued Captain Hardy, "were to get into touch
with the police and the secret service immediately. As I have told
you, we must get acquainted with both. But before we do, I suggest
that we take a look at the town where we are to work in the days to
come. Let's be moving."
They rose and passed through the station. Its great vaulted ceiling,
half as high as a church steeple, its huge flights of steps, its
enormous corridors, its wonderful stonework, dwarfing into
insignificance anything they had ever seen before, fairly awed the boys
from Central City. It was Roy's keen eye that caught sight of the
great maps of the world high up on the walls. The crowds of people
coming and going hardly seemed like crowds, so vast was the structure.
With reluctant feet the four boys pushed on. But when they had mounted
the steps to the arcade and caught sight of the illuminated
transparencies showing scenes along the railway's path, they came to a
dead stop. For Willie Brown, with his almost uncanny eye for
landscapes, at once declared that a certain picture represented a
mountain scene not twenty-five miles from Central City; and when the
others appealed to Captain Hardy, the latter confirmed Willie's
statement.
When the four lads reached the sidewalk they were almost distracted.
Thousands of people were hurrying along, passing in endless throngs up
and down the street. Never had the boys from Central City seen people
in such a rush.
"What's the hurry?" demanded Roy. "Why does everybody walk so fast?
What's up?"
"Nothing," replied Captain Hardy, with a smile. "That's just the New
York gait. Everybody walks fast here, and does everything else fast;
and if you boys want to make a reputation in New York you'll have to
hustle some. But I don't want you to make that kind of a reputation,"
he continued, hastily yanking Willie Brown from in front of a passing
motor-car. "You will have to keep your eyes open here."
And indeed they had to. Motor-cars were rushing about as numerous as
flies in August. Trolley-cars followed one another up and down Seventh
Avenue in endless processions. Wagons and trucks stretched along the
highway in slow-moving lines as far as the eye could see. Bells were
ringing, whistles tooting, horns blowing, motor-cars honking, newsies
shouting. The grinding of car-wheels, the rattle of carts, the clatter
of hoofs on the asphalt, the shuffling of feet on the sidewalk, and a
thousand other noises combined to make an indescribable and confusing
roar. The noise and bustle were bewildering.
"I guess mother was right," thought Henry. "It would be mighty easy to
get lost here. The wireless patrol will have to look sharp or the
police will be called upon to find it."
And indeed there were so many distracting things that the four spy
hunters found it difficult not to get lost. At every step something
new and unfamiliar claimed their attention and caused them to pause and
look about.
Captain Hardy let his charges go at their own gait. He paused when
they wanted to look at something, took sharp care of them at crossings,
and told them how to cross the streets so as to avoid accidents. And
ever he kept his eye on them to see that none of the four became
separated from the group. It pleased him to note how quickly they
learned to avoid the traffic and dodge difficulties. Their training in
observation had not been in vain.
To Herald Square the captain led his party. There, in a little eddy of
sidewalk traffic, he drew them together.
"The streets that run lengthwise of the island," he said, "are called
avenues, and the one before you is Sixth Avenue. The station we just
left faces on Seventh Avenue. The cross streets are numbered, and the
one we are on is Thirty-fourth Street. Broadway comes up the island on
a long diagonal. Right here where Broadway, Thirty-fourth Street, and
Sixth Avenue intersect, is one of the busiest corners in the city.
Overhead are two elevated railway tracks. On the ground are six
street-car tracks, crossing one another. Under the surface are two
subway tracks. So you have three layers of people passing and
repassing above or below one another. I want you to remember what I
have said as to the arrangement of the thoroughfares--avenues run north
and south, streets east and west. If you get that thought in your
mind, you won't go very far out of your way.
"And there is one thing more to remember. In some cities, such as
Philadelphia, the street numbers run 100 to each block. Here the
houses are numbered consecutively, and you can't tell by a number where
a house is. But if you should need to know, go to the nearest drug
store. Every New York drug store has a city directory. And in the
back of the directory you will find a table that will show you
approximately where to find the street number you want. Don't forget.
If you are to do effective work, you must become so familiar with New
York that you can find your way around as readily as you can in Central
City. Sometimes it may be necessary for you to go from place to place
in the shortest possible time and you must know not only how to get
there, but also how to take advantage of short cuts. We'll get some
maps after a time and study them."
His young companions plied their leader with a thousand questions.
They wanted to know the names of all the big buildings in sight. They
had all heard of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and they gazed up
Thirty-fourth Street at this well-known hostelry with much curiosity.
They had heard of the Times Building and were eager to see it.
"We can't spend much time sightseeing just now," said Captain Hardy.
"We must get into touch with the police and the secret service people
and get our instructions. Then we will take a day or two, if possible,
and see something of the town. It is most important for you to become
well acquainted with it at once. But I guess we can take time to slip
up to Times Square. It's only eight blocks up Broadway. Now I want
you boys to see everything you can as we go along, and to try to
remember all that you see. Wherever you go you must remember that you
are in New York to detect German spies and presumably to run down
German wireless outfits. We don't know where they are. We may be
looking at one this very instant. So keep your eyes open. If you see
anything that resembles a wireless outfit, or that might be used for
sending messages, take careful note of it. And keep your ears open for
suspicious conversations. Because you are boys, people will be less
careful in their talk when you are present than they would be with
older people about. The more youthful and unsophisticated you can make
yourselves appear, the better it will be for your purpose."
Slowly the little party made its way up Broadway. By degrees the lads
became accustomed to the roar of the traffic and the rush of
pedestrians. At Times Square they paused for a look at the great
newspaper building that gives the place its name, and at the great
hotels rising on every side. Then they passed down a long flight of
steps and found themselves in a low, vaulted, underground subway
station.
"Makes you think of the dugouts on the firing-line in France,"
suggested the quick-witted Roy.
An instant later a train thundered up to the platform and the boys
boarded it. A short ride and a short walk took them to Police
Headquarters.
Captain Hardy sent his card to the Police Commissioner, with the
request for a brief interview. A few moments later he had presented
his credentials and introduced his companions, and four delighted boys
found themselves blushingly shaking hands with New York's famous chief
of police, Arthur Woods. Briefly Captain Hardy stated the purpose of
his visit and related the story of the capture of the Elk City
dynamiters.
"I recall the incident distinctly," said the Commissioner. "The
newspapers were full of it. And I recall that when I read the story I
wished I had as accomplished and clever a squad of boys to help me with
some of my hard problems."
The four boys flushed with happiness. But they were too much
embarrassed to make any reply.
"Captain Hardy," said the Commissioner, "what is your plan of action?"
"We have none as yet. We are to work under the direction of the secret
service. But we have not seen Chief Flynn yet. The boys just arrived."
"Let me make one suggestion to you," said the Commissioner, turning
again to the boys. "Before you attempt to do any detective work make
yourselves familiar with the city. Get some maps and study them until
you know every street and alley. Take your maps and go over the city
on foot. Put several days in at it. Become acquainted with the
water-front, the piers, the surface cars, the subways, the ferries.
Learn the city so that you can get around rapidly. Make the
acquaintance of as many policemen, wireless operators, secret service
men, and other persons as you can. Don't forget that a kind deed or a
thoughtful act will help you to make friendships quicker than anything
else; and make all the friends you can. In police work you never know
who will be of assistance to you. And above all things don't talk.
Don't tell a living soul about your purpose or your plans. Let Captain
Hardy do that if it is necessary. Secrecy is absolutely essential to
the success of your work. Unless you can get along without betraying
yourselves you may as well go right back home. Remember the spies you
are after are also after you. If they learn what you are, they might
even take your lives."
"Commissioner Woods," said Captain Hardy, after a pause, "I have been
wondering whether or not these boys should have some kind of passes
that will enable them to get through the police lines. There may come
times when it is of the highest importance that nothing shall interfere
with them. What do you think about it?"
The Commissioner considered for a moment. "If I were sure they could
be trusted with----"
"They can," interrupted Captain Hardy. "Absolutely."
"Very well then."
The Commissioner pressed a button on his desk. A clerk entered the
room.
"Make out special police cards for Captain Hardy and these four lads,"
he said, naming the boys.
Again he turned to the young spy hunters. "The cards you are about to
get," he said, "will pass you by any policeman or put you through any
police line. Do not let any one know you have them and never use them
unless you absolutely must. It is best that not even the police should
know who you are. Be very careful not to lose your cards."
"We will make some little cloth bags," said Henry, "and carry the cards
in them inside of our underclothes."
"I see that you are resourceful," smiled the Commissioner.
The clerk returned with the cards and handed them to Captain Hardy.
"Before you go," said the Commissioner, "perhaps you would like to see
our wireless department and get acquainted with Sergeant Pearce who is
in charge of it."
He summoned a patrolman to guide them to the wireless rooms and wished
the boys success.
A few moments later Sergeant Pearce was showing them the apparatus.
Two operators sat at a wonderful Marconi outfit with receivers clamped
to their ears. In another room various instruments were installed here
and there, the walls were covered with diagrams of wireless instruments
and outfits, and lines of men were sitting at long tables with
receivers at their ears. It was the police wireless school. High
above the roof the aerial hung, suspended between the main dome and a
smaller dome at one end of the building.
"We are going to equip every station-house with wireless," said
Sergeant Pearce, "and the men you saw at work in the school are being
trained for operators. We have put wireless outfits on some of the
patrol-wagons and on the police boat _Patrol_, so you see we can get
into touch instantly with any precinct or with the _Patrol_ no matter
in what part of the harbor she may be. And when you have as big a
harbor as we have, with several hundred miles of waterfront, that means
something."
From Police Headquarters the little party went directly to the Post
Office Building, near the Brooklyn Bridge, to see Chief Flynn. He was
a large, heavy man, with black hair and eyes and a short mustache. He
shook hands with each of the party, and gave each a searching look. He
spoke quietly but right to the point.
"I had word from Washington about you," he said. "Do you know anything
about the city?"
The boys admitted their ignorance.
"Then your first job is to get acquainted with New York. Get some maps
and guide-books. While you are getting your bearings you can establish
a wireless watch. I have a number of outfits in different parts of the
city. For the next week or two, while you are getting acquainted with
the city, I want you to maintain a twenty-four-hour watch at a place I
shall send you to. Divide the time among you so that some one is
listening in all the time. Here are the call signals of all the
legitimate plants you will hear, either on land or water. Pay
particular attention to call signals. If you catch one not in this
list, be sure to get every word sent and let me hear from you at once.
We have other operators listening in for messages of the usual
commercial wave lengths and for very long wave lengths, so you need
watch only for messages of less than three hundred meters."
He wrote an address on a slip of paper and gave it to Captain Hardy.
"Go there," he directed. "A wireless outfit has been installed and
accommodations await you."
He took the slip of paper from Captain Hardy and wrote some figures on
it. "That," said he, "is my private telephone number. But do not
bother me unless you get hold of something important."
In another moment the wireless party found itself in the rush and roar
of lower Broadway.