The Boys of the Wireless Part 4

"You'll find the stuff in there I told you about," he explained.

"Many thanks," said Tom.

"I'm in that, too!" echoed Ben. "I only hope we can really rig up a plant at my house like you talk about," he added eagerly.

"That will be easy," advised Mr. Edson. "And now good-by, my young friends, and good luck."

Mr. Edson shook hands in a friendly way with Tom and Ben. The boys started down the village street in the direction of the Barnes home.

Ben walked as if he were treading on air. His comrade, carrying the box, was thoughtfully going over the great fund of information he had obtained in the preceding two hours.

"I say!" he spoke suddenly, coming to a halt.

"What's up?" challenged Ben.

"I was thinking it would be handier to leave this box at the station."

"I'm sure it would. You see, it's nearer our place," counselled Ben eagerly, glad of any excuse that would take them back to the fascinating influence of Station Z.

They faced about and proceeded back over the course they had come.

"Look here, Tom," broke in Ben on the thoughts of his comrade, "are you going to try and raise that hundred dollars?"

"Yes, if possible."

"Wish I could help you. Going to ask your father?"

"No," replied Tom. "In the first place, I don't think he would let me have it. You know he calls my craze after wireless, as he terms it, all a fad,-says I'd better think of getting through school before I take up outside things."

"Yes, I know."

"Then again," continued Tom, "I have a sort of pride of starting in business life on my own resources."

"But you've got to have some money help."

"I've thought of that, and I'll tell you what I'll do. You remember my Aunt Samantha?"

"Down at Westport?"

"Exactly. I have always been a favorite of hers. Many a time she has hinted at all the money she is going to leave me in her will some day.

Many a time, too, after a visit to our house, she has reminded me that any time I need help to write her."

"And you're going to?"

"Yes," replied Tom, "just as soon as I get home this evening. I'm going to offer her my note, and I mean to pay it, too."

"Say, Tom," cried his loyal companion, "I'll endorse for you."

Tom had to laugh outright at the proposal.

Then, seeing that he had hurt Ben's feelings, he said kindly:

"That's all right, Ben; you mean well, but if Aunt Samantha won't let me have the money alone, she won't give it to the two of us."

It had been growing dusk as the chums proceeded on their way. They pa.s.sed through the village and beyond it, and finally approached the wireless station. Tom was fumbling in his pocket for the key to the trap door when Ben suddenly caught his arm.

"Tom, hold on!"

"What's the matter?" questioned Tom.

"Look yonder!"

Ben pointed directly at the old windmill framework. Both stared intently.

Climbing up one of the outer girders was a boy. As he reached the level of the window of the little aerial room aloft, he swung towards it, in some deft way lifted or pried up the sash, and disappeared suddenly from view.

[Ill.u.s.tration: BEN POINTED DIRECTLY AT THE OLD WINDMILL FRAMEWORK.]

CHAPTER IV-"DONNER"

"Well!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Tom in startled amazement.

"Don't you see?" gasped Ben.

"What?"

"One of the spooks Mr. Edson spoke about!"

"That's so, it must be," a.s.sented Tom. "The nightly intruder, as sure as fate!"

The window was lowered from the inside. In a minute or two a faint light showed. Tom started forward, joined by Ben, who was in a quiver of excitement and suspense.

"What are you going to do, Tom?" he inquired.

"Find out who this mysterious trespa.s.ser is. Don't make any noise, Ben, but keep close to me."

Tom gave the box into the possession of his companion, and started up the ladder. Very cautiously he inserted the key into the padlock. He managed to turn it and remove the padlock without making any alarming sound. Then very slowly Tom pushed up the trap door.

A glance across to one corner of the room interested him. Upon the floor lay the intruder. He had upset a chair, and he was using its slanting back as a pillow. On another chair he had set a lighted piece of candle.

In a posture of ease and comfort he lay reading a well-thumbed book, while gnawing away at a great hunk of dry bread. His face was turned away from the trap door. He was so engrossed in eating and reading, that, un.o.bserved, Tom was able to get up into the room and Ben was half way through the trap door before the trespa.s.ser was aware of it.

"Well, we've caught you right in the act, have we?" spoke Tom suddenly.

With a slight cry and starting up into a sitting posture, the intruder stared hard at his unexpected visitors. He seemed to scan their faces searchingly. His own, at first startled, broke into a pleasant smile.