THE WIRELESS MAKES GOOD.
He lost no time in hastening to Senator Rivers' house. Just as he turned
into the gate Billy and Ned emerged. They had spent a sleepless night
and were on their way to Police Headquarters to report Jack's absence.
As they saw their missing comrade, they set up a glad shout.
"Gracious, where have you been?" demanded Billy.
"We were on our way to the police about you," put in Ned.
"Do you know anything about the Judsons and Jarrow?" asked Jack eagerly.
"Why, yes, they came out of the house some time after you went in. We
chased them but they jumped into a high-powered car and escaped."
"I know; they've gone to Baltimore."
"How in the world do you know that?" asked Billy wonderingly.
"I'll tell you it all in a few minutes. Ned, is your father up yet?"
"Gracious, no. But if it's important I can tell him to hurry up."
"I wish you would; there's a chance that we can get back the naval code
if you do."
"I'll tell him that, and he'll be dressed and down in record time,"
cried Ned, running off.
Jack waited to tell his adventures till they were all at breakfast. Then
Billy and Ned had to tell their stories.
"Well, you boys certainly have your share of adventures," remarked the
Senator, "but the most important thing now is to secure the apprehension
of those rascals without delay. We had better call up the steamship
company at Baltimore and find out if anyone called Jenkins or Thompson,
I think those are the aliases they gave at the tenement house, are among
the passengers."
This was done at once, but to the intense chagrin of all concerned, the
telephone company had seized that early hour of the day to repair some
wires which had been knocked down in a thunderstorm near Baltimore the
night before. It was impossible to communicate with that city till some
hours later.
"We might telegraph," suggested Jack.
"Yes, I'll call a messenger at once. But I doubt even then that we'll be
in time," said the Senator.
The telegram was sent, but before a reply came they were able to use the
telephone.
"Hullo, is this the Italian-American steamship Company?--all right--are
three passengers, two men and a boy, booked on the _Southern Star_ as
Jenkins and Thompson,--they are,--good, this is Senator Rivers talking,
from Washington,--those men are criminals,--they have robbed the
government of valuable documents--summon the police and have them
arrested and held--I'll take full responsibility--WHAT!--The _Southern
Star_ sailed two hours ago!"
The senator dropped the receiver from his hand in his disappointment.
"Too late! The code is lost to the United States for good, and those
rascals have escaped!"
But Jack suddenly sprang forward. His cheeks were aflame with
excitement.
"Senator," he cried. "There is still a chance."
"I fail to see it," said Mr. Rivers.
"Get the line on the wire again, sir, and find out if the _Southern
Star_ has a wireless."
"But what--Jove, boy! I see your plan now."
Eagerly the Senator snatched up the receiver again. Before long
connection was again established.
"The _Southern Star_ has a wireless," he exclaimed. "Her call is S. X.
A., and now for your plan, my boy."
"Show me to your wireless room, will you, Ned?" said Jack, subduing the
excitement in his voice with a struggle.
"Oh, Jack, I see what you're going to do now," cried Ned. "Come on. We
don't want to lose a minute."
The boys dashed up the stairs three at a time. The Senator followed at a
more discreet pace. They entered the wireless room with a bang and a
shout.
Jack fairly flung himself at the key and began pounding out the
_Southern Star's_ call. In reality it was only ten minutes, but to those
in that room it seemed hours before he got a reply. When he did, he
summoned the captain through the operator.
"Have I got authority to use your name, Senator?" asked the boy while he
waited for the announcement that the captain was in the wireless room.
"You have authority to use the name of the most powerful institution in
the world, my boy, the United States Government," said the Senator
solemnly. Then, as if he had suddenly thought of something, he hurriedly
left the room. Downstairs he once more applied himself to the telephone,
but this time he talked to the Secretary of the Navy.
Fifteen minutes after Jack had spoken to the Captain of the _Southern
Star_ that craft was anchored in the Chesapeake River waiting the
arrival of a gunboat hastily detailed by government wireless to proceed
at once up that river and take three prisoners off the _Southern Star_.
This latter order was the result of Senator Rivers' call to the Navy
Department.
Jack's happy task was then to break the good news to Captain Simms,
which he lost no time in doing, and the captain's deep gratitude, which
was none the less because he expressed it in few words, may be imagined.
"I declare," he said, "you boys have been my good angels all through.
You have helped me as if your own interests had been at stake. I don't
know how to thank you."
The code was yielded up by Judson without a struggle, which procured him
some leniency later on. But both he and Jarrow met with heavy punishment
for their misdeeds. Donald was allowed to go free on account of his
youth and the government's disability to prove that he had actually
anything to do with the theft of the code. After the news of his arrest
spread, the long threatened disaster to Judson's company happened and it
went into bankruptcy. Donald, the pampered and selfish, had to go to
work for a living. The boys heard that he had gone west. They were
destined to meet him again, however, as they were Thurman.
One of Jack's proudest possessions is a framed letter from the Secretary
of the Navy thanking him for his great aid and that of his friends in
the matter of the Navy Code, but he values the friendship of Captain
Simms as highly. Not long after the successful tests of the detector,
there was a joyous gathering on board the old _Venus_, to which queer
home Uncle Toby had returned. All our friends were there and Jack was
able to announce a joyous surprise. He had been able to secure, through
Captain Simms' influence, the command of a fine new sailing ship for
Captain Dennis. She was a full-rigged bark, plying between New York and
Mediterranean ports.
Tears stood in the veteran captain's eyes, as he thanked Jack, and Helen
cried openly.
"Oh, Jack, I--I'd like to hug you!" she exclaimed, whereupon everybody
laughed, and the emotional strain was over.
After a while, Captain Dennis began to tell of some of his adventures.
Not only had he gone through many experiences on the sea, but also on
land, and especially during the great Civil War.
"One time," said Captain Dennis, "while on a foraging expedition, our
men were surprised, and before I knew what had happened I was a
prisoner. I was taken to an old building and put in the upper story of
it.
"Of course, I wanted to escape. So, after a while, I began to try my
luck with the rope tied around my wrists. To my joy I found that I could
move them. Half an hour later my wrists were free.
"I peered out of the window. It was a very dark night, and the guard set
around the building was close and vigilant. I felt that my chances to
escape were very small.
"Still, I determined to try. After listening many hours, I thought I
learned the exact position of the sentries. The spaces between them were
very short, but it would be quite possible, I thought, to pass by them
noiselessly and without being perceived. I may as well state that the
watch would have been even more strict had not the Confederates regarded
the struggle as virtually at an end, and were, therefore, less careful
as to their prisoners than they would otherwise have been.
"I prepared for escape by tearing up the sheet on the bed, and knotting
the strips into a rope. I opened the window, threw out this rope, and
slipped down to the ground. So far I was safe.
"It was dark and foggy, and very difficult to see two feet in advance. I
soon found that my observations as to the places of the sentries had
been useless. Still, in the darkness and thickness of the night, I
thought that the chance of detection was small.
"Creeping quietly and noiselessly along, I could hear the constant
challenges of the sentries around me. These, excited by the unusual
darkness of the night, were unusually vigilant.
"I approached until I was within a few yards of the line, and the voices
of the men as they challenged enabled me to ascertain exactly the
position of the sentries on the right and left of me. Passing between
these, I could see neither, although they were but a few paces on either
hand. Suddenly I fell into a stream running across my path.
"Of course, in the darkness I had not observed it. At the sound of my
falling there was an instant challenge. Then a shot was fired!"
"Oh! How thrilling!" exclaimed Helen.
Jack and Ned laughed.
"Well," resumed Captain Dennis, "I struggled across the stream, and
clambered out on the opposite side. As I did so, a number of muskets
were fired in my direction by soldiers who had rushed up to the point of
alarm. I felt a sharp, twitching pain in my shoulder, and I knew that I
had been hit. But fortunately the other shots fired whizzed harmlessly
by. At top speed I ran forward.
"I was safe from pursuit, for in the darkness it would have been
absolutely impossible to follow me. So, in a few moments, I ceased
running. What was the use of taking chances? All was quiet behind me,
but I could no longer tell in what direction I was advancing.
"So long as I heard the shouts of the sentries, though the sounds seemed
far off, I continued my way; and then, all guidance being lost, I lay
down under a hedge and waited for morning."
"Oh, dear!" Helen cried sympathetically, "did you have to sleep in that
cold, moist night?"
"Quite so," replied Captain Dennis, smiling good-humoredly; "and in the
morning it was still foggy. After wandering aimlessly about for some
time I at last succeeded in striking a road. I decided to take a
westerly course.
"My shoulder was stiff and somewhat swollen. But the bullet had passed
through its fleshy part, missing the bone; and although it cost much
pain I was able, by wrapping my arm tightly to my body, to proceed. More
than once I had to withdraw from the road into the fields or bushes when
I heard a straggling number of Confederates coming along.
"I came upon a house, and although I was hungry and tired, I was
cautious. Instead of going to the door I made for the window. But I had
my trouble for nothing. I looked in and saw a number of Confederate
soldiers there, and knew that there was no safety for me. To add to my
dismay, one of the soldiers happened to cast his eyes up as I glanced in
the room and he at once gave a shout of warning.
"Instantly the others sprang to their feet and started out to pursue me.
I fled down the road. A few shots were fired, but fortunately I was not
hit again.
"At last I came to a small village. I wondered why I had not reached my
camp. But you must remember that I was attached to a small number of men
only, and that we always were many miles ahead or in the rear of the
army, as occasion called for.
"The village was deserted, for it was late at night again. I made myself
comfortable in a sort of stable warehouse, climbing over a number of
bales of cotton, and laid myself down next to the wall, secure from
casual observation.
"When I awoke the next morning, I nearly uttered a cry of pain a sudden
movement had given to my arm. I, however, suppressed it, and it was well
that I did so, for I suddenly heard voices right near me. Darkies were
moving bales of cotton but, being well back, I had little fear of being
discovered.
"The hours passed wearily. I was parched and feverish from pain of my
wound. Yet I was afraid to move. So I sometimes dozed off into snatches
of fitful sleep. Perhaps I moaned, or I was accidentally discovered. At
all events, when I awoke a mammy was bending over me, her voice fully of
pity. And--well, to make a long story short, I had blundered again, for
the village was being occupied by the Federals, and the cotton the
darkies had been taking away was going North. There is no need to add
that I was well fed and well taken care of."
Captain Dennis paused, and thoughtfully smoked his pipe. His little
audience sat very quietly, their eager faces and shining eyes plainly
showing their rapt interest in the modestly told story.
"Well, well," said Captain Dennis, at last breaking the silence, "some
day you, Jack and you Ned will be able to tell very many far more
thrilling stories."
"Yes" replied Jack, "but none of them will be about so great a cause."
"You are right, Jack," Captain Dennis said fervently; "it was a good
cause. But come, you are tired, so let us say 'good night,' my friends."
A half hour later Jack and Ned were fast asleep, dreaming of those
stirring times when the immortal Abraham Lincoln was President of this
glorious nation.
* * * * *
The next week the _Columbia_ sailed again. As she passed out of New York
harbor, and past Sandy Hook, the passengers crowded to the rail to look
at a beautiful sea picture.
The sun was setting, and the radiance turned to gold the white sails of
a beautiful bark outward bound. As she heeled over on the starboard
tack, it was evident that she would pass close to the steamer. From the
wireless room Jack Ready and Billy Raynor watched the pretty sight with
more interest, perhaps--certainly it was so in Jack's case--than anyone
else on board.
"It's the _Silver Star_, Jack, Captain Dennis's ship," said Billy.
Jack nodded.
"I know it," he answered. "She sailed this morning. I've been on the
lookout for her all the way down the bay."
There was silence between the two chums. The _Silver Star_, gliding
swiftly through the water, came steadily on. As the steamer passed her,
she was quite close, looking like a beautiful toy from the towering
decks of the _Columbia_.
"Look!" exclaimed Billy, half in a whisper, as her ensign fluttered down
in salute and then climbed upward to the peak again. A booming roar from
the _Columbia's_ siren acknowledged the compliment.
But Jack had no eyes for this. His gaze was fixed on the stern deck of
the _Silver Star_, where, by her steering-wheel, gripped by two stalwart
seamen, stood an upright old man, with glasses bent on the _Columbia_. A
graceful girl was at his side. Jack saw her wave, and was waving
frantically back, when there came an insistent summons from the wireless
room.
When he came out on deck again twilight had fallen, but far back on the
horizon was a tiny blur--the _Silver Star_. As Jack gazed back at her,
she vanished below the horizon as suddenly as an extinguished spark in a
piece of tinder.
"Good-night," breathed Jack, and he stood for a long time motionless,
leaning on the rail.
And here, for the time being, we, too, will say good-by to our young
friends, to meet them all again in the next volume devoted to their
doings, which will be called "The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific."
THE END.
HURST & COMPANY'S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
KINDERGARTEN LIMERICKS
By FLORENCE E. SCOTT
_Pictures by Arthur O. Scott with a Foreword by Lucy Wheelock_
_A Volume of Cheerfulness in Rhyme and Picture_
The book contains a rhyme for every letter of the alphabet, each
illustrated by a full page picture in colors. The verses appeal to the
child's sense of humor without being foolish or sensational, and will be
welcomed by kindergartners for teaching rhythm in a most entertaining
manner.
* * * * *
FRANK ARMSTRONG SERIES
By MATTHEW M. COLTON
_Frank Armstrong's Vacation_
How Frank's summer experiences with his boy friends make him into a
sturdy young athlete through swimming, boating and baseball contests,
and a tramp through the Everglades, is the subject of this splendid
story.
_Frank Armstrong at Queens_
We find among the jolly boys at Queen's School, Frank, the
student-athlete, Jimmy, the baseball enthusiast, and Lewis, the
unconsciously-funny youth who furnishes comedy for every page that bears
his name. Fall and winter sports between intensely rival school teams
are expertly described.
_Frank Armstrong's Second Term_
The gymnasium, the track and the field make the background for the
stirring events of this volume, in which David, Jimmy, Lewis, the "Wee
One" and the "Codfish" figure, while Frank "saves the day."
_Frank Armstrong, Drop Kicker_
With the same persistent determination that won him success in swimming,
running and baseball playing, Frank Armstrong acquired the art of
"drop-kicking," and the Queen's football team profits thereby.
_Frank Armstrong, Captain of the Nine_
Exciting contests, unexpected emergencies, interesting incidents by land
and water make this story of Frank Armstrong a strong tale of
school-life, athletic success, and loyal friendships.
_Frank Armstrong at College_
With the development of this series, the boy characters have developed
until in this, the best story of all, they appear as typical college
students, giving to each page the life and vigor of the true college
spirit.
Six of the best books of College Life Stories published. They accurately
describe athletics from start to finish.
* * * * *
OAKDALE ACADEMY SERIES
Stories of Modern School Sports
By MORGAN SCOTT.
BEN STONE AT OAKDALE.
Under peculiarly trying circumstances Ben Stone wins his way at Oakdale
Academy, and at the same time enlists our sympathy, interest and
respect. Through the enmity of Bern Hayden, the loyalty of Roger Eliot
and the clever work of the "Sleuth," Ben is falsely accused, championed
and vindicated.
BOYS OF OAKDALE ACADEMY.
"One thing I will claim, and that is that all Grants fight open and
square and there never was a sneak among them." It was Rodney Grant, of
Texas, who made the claim to his friend, Ben Stone, and this story
shows how he proved the truth of this statement in the face of apparent
evidence to the contrary.
RIVAL PITCHERS OF OAKDALE.
Baseball is the main theme of this interesting narrative, and that means
not only clear and clever descriptions of thrilling games, but an
intimate acquaintance with the members of the teams who played them. The
Oakdale Boys were ambitious and loyal, and some were even disgruntled
and jealous, but earnest, persistent work won out.
OAKDALE BOYS IN CAMP.
The typical vacation is the one that means much freedom, little
restriction, and immediate contact with "all outdoors." These conditions
prevailed in the summer camp of the Oakdale Boys and made it a scene of
lively interest.
THE GREAT OAKDALE MYSTERY.
The "Sleuth" scents a mystery! He "follows his nose." The plot thickens!
He makes deductions. There are surprises for the reader--and for the
"Sleuth," as well.
NEW BOYS AT OAKDALE.
A new element creeps into Oakdale with another year's registration of
students. The old and the new standards of conduct in and out of school
meet, battle, and cause sweeping changes in the lives of several of the
boys.
* * * * *
Log Cabin to White House Series
LIVES OF CELEBRATED AMERICANS
FROM BOYHOOD TO MANHOOD
(The Life of Benjamin Franklin). By _Wm. M. Thayer_.
Benjamin Franklin was known in the scientific world for his inventions
and discoveries, in the diplomatic world because of his statemanship,
and everywhere, because of his sound judgment, plain speaking, and
consistent living.
FROM FARM HOUSE TO WHITE HOUSE
(The Life of George Washington). By _Wm. M. Thayer_.
The story of the hatchet and other familiar incidents of the boyhood and
young manhood of Washington are included in this book, as well as many
less well-known accounts of his experiences as surveyor, soldier,
emissary, leader, and first president of the United States.
FROM LOG CABIN TO WHITE HOUSE
(The Life of James A. Garfield). By _Wm. M. Thayer_.
It was a long step from pioneer home in Ohio where James A. Garfield was
born, to the White House in Washington, and that it was an interesting
life-journey one cannot doubt who reads Mr. Thayer's account of it.
FROM PIONEER HOME TO WHITE HOUSE
(The Life of Abraham Lincoln). By _Wm. M. Thayer_.
No President was ever dearer to the hearts of his people than was
homely, humorous "Honest Abe."
To read of his mother, his early home, his efforts for an education, and
his rise to prominence is to understand better his rare nature and
practical wisdom.
FROM RANCH TO WHITE HOUSE
(The Life of Theodore Roosevelt). By _Edward S. Ellis. A. M._
Every boy and girl is more or less familiar with the experiences of Mr.
Roosevelt as Colonel and President, but few of them know him as the boy
and man of family and school circles and private citzenship.
Mr. Ellis describes Theodore Roosevelt as a writer, a hunter, a fighter
of "graft" at home and of Spaniards in Cuba, and a just and vigorous
defender of right.
FROM TANNERY TO WHITE HOUSE
(The Life of Ulysses S. Grant). By _Wm. M. Thayer_.
Perhaps General Grant is best known to boys and girls as the hero of the
famous declaration: "I will fight it out on this line if it takes all
summer."
* * * * *
REX KINGDON SERIES
By GORDON BRADDOCK
_Rex Kingdon of Ridgewood High_
A new boy moves into town. Who is he? What can he do? Will he make one
of the school teams? Is his friendship worth having? These are the
queries of the Ridgewood High Students. The story is the answer.
_Rex Kingdon in the North Woods_
Rex and some of his Ridgewood friends establish a camp fire in the North
Woods, and there mystery, jealousy, and rivalry enter to menace their
safety, fire their interest and finally cement their friendship.
_Rex Kingdon at Walcott Hall_
Lively boarding school experiences make this the "best yet" of the Rex
Kingdon series.
_Rex Kingdon Behind the Bat_
The title tells you what this story is; it is a rattling good story
about baseball. Boys will like it.
Gordon Braddock knows what Boys want and how to write it. These stories
make the best reading you can procure.
* * * * *
NEW BOOKS ON THE WAR
GREAT WAR SERIES
By MAJOR SHERMAN CROCKETT
_Two American Boys with the Allied Armies_
_Two American Boys in the French War Trenches_
_Two American Boys with the Dardanelles Battle Fleet_
The disastrous battle raging In Europe between Germany and Austria on
one side and the Allied countries on the other, has created demand for
literature on the subject. The American public to a large extent is
ignorant of the exact locations of the fighting zones with its small
towns and villages. Major Crockett, who is familiar with the present
battle-fields, has undertaken to place before the American boy an
interesting Series of War stories.
* * * * *
BOY SCOUT SERIES
_ENDORSED BY BOY SCOUT ORGANIZATIONS_
By LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON
BOY SCOUTS OF THE EAGLE PATROL
In this story, self-reliance and self-defense through organized
athletics are emphasized.
BOY SCOUTS ON THE RANGE
Cow-punchers, Indians, the Arizona desert and the Harkness ranch figure
in this tale of the Boy Scouts.
BOY SCOUTS AND THE ARMY AIRSHIP
The cleverness of one of the Scouts as an amateur inventor and the
intrigues of his enemies to secure his inventions make a subject of
breathless interest.
BOY SCOUTS' MOUNTAIN CAMP
Just so often as the reader draws a relieved breath at the escape of the
Scouts from imminent danger, he loses it again in the instinctive
impression, which he shares with the boys, of impending peril.
BOY SCOUTS FOR UNCLE SAM
Patriotism is a vital principle in every Boy Scout organization, but few
there are who have such an opportunity for its practical expression as
comes to the members of the Eagle Patrol.
BOY SCOUTS AT THE PANAMA CANAL
Most timely is this authentic story of the "great ditch." It is
illustrated by photographs of the Canal in process of Building.
BOY SCOUTS UNDER FIRE IN MEXICO
Another tale appropriate to the unsettled conditions of the present is
this account of recent conflict.
BOY SCOUTS ON BELGIAN BATTLEFIELDS
Wonderfully interesting is the story of Belgium as it figures in this
tale of the Great War.
BOY SCOUTS WITH THE ALLIES IN FRANCE
On the firing line--or very near--we find the Scouts in France.
BOY SCOUTS at THE PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION
If you couldn't attend the Exposition yourself, you can go even now in
imagination with the Boy Scouts.
BOY SCOUTS UNDER SEALED ORDERS
Here the Boy Scouts have a secret mission to perform for the Government.
What is the nature of it? Keen boys will find that out by reading the
book. It's a dandy story.
BOY SCOUTS' CAMPAIGN FOR PREPAREDNESS
Just as the Scouts' motto is "Be Prepared," just for these reasons that
they prepare for the country's defense. What they do and how they do it
makes a volume well worth reading.
You do not have to be a Boy Scout to enjoy these fascinating and
well-written stories. Any boy has the chance. Next to the Manual itself,
the books give an accurate description of Boy Scout activities, for they
are educational and instructive.
* * * * *
MOTOR CYCLE SERIES
By LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON
You do not need to own either a motor-cycle or a bicycle to enjoy the
thrilling experiences through which the Motor Cycle Chums pass on their
way to seek adventure and excitement. Brimful of clever episodes.
_The Motor Cycle Chums Around the World_
Could Jules Verne have dreamed of encircling the globe with a motor
cycle for emergencies, he would have deemed it an achievement greater
than any he describes in his account of the amusing travels of Philias
Fogg. This, however, is the purpose successfully carried out by the
Motor Cycle Chums, and the tale of their mishaps, hindrances and delays
is one of intense interest, secret amusement, and incidental information
to the reader.
_The Motor Cycle Chums of the Northwest Patrol_
The great Northwest is a section of vast possibilities and in it the
Motor Cycle Chums meet adventures even more unusual and exciting than
many of their experiences on their tour around the world. There is not a
dull page in this lively narrative of clever boys and their attendant,
"Chinee."
_The Motor Cycle Chums in the Gold Fields_
How the Motor Cycle Chums were caught by the lure of the gold and into
what difficulties and novel experiences they were led, makes a tale of
thrilling interest.
_The Motor Cycle Chums' Whirlwind Tour_
To right a wrong is the mission that leads the Riding Rovers over the
border into Mexico and gives the impulse to this story of amusing
adventures and exciting episodes.
_The Motor Cycle Chums South of the Equator_
New customs, strange peoples and unfamiliar surroundings add fresh zest
to the interest of the Motor Cycle Chums in travel, and the tour
described in this volume is full of the tropical atmosphere.
_The Motor Cycle Chums through Historic America_
The Motor Cycle Chums explore the paths where American history was made,
where interest centers to-day as never before.