The Secret Wireless

difficult it had been to locate the hidden wireless in the mountains at the Elk City storage reservoir, where there were no other

t learn anything, but at least it will be better to look the g

en Island. In order to see something of the city as they journeyed, they went on the Ninth Avenue elevated road, and in half an hour found themselves at South Ferry, whence

land seemed to be filled with snorting tugboats, strings of barges, great floats carrying many loaded freight-cars,

ng into one another," said Willie as he stood with wi

Captain Hardy. "But accide

my headquarters for the Department of the East. With great interest they looked at Castle William, the great circular st

ng at this great image, known the world over as no other statue is known, and symbolic of all a free earth holds dear-symbolic of that liberty, fraternity, equality that the free men of the world are giving their lives to preserve. A mist rose in their eyes as they looked at this symbol of that which they, too, were giving their devoted efforts to preser

olling reaches of the Upper Bay across which they had come, with the tall sky-scrapers of Manhattan towering heavenward in the background and looking so near at hand that it was hard to believe that they were six miles distant. Shaped not unlike a pear, the great Bay tapered to stem-like dimensions as it flowed to the east of Staten Island and found its way to that gre

point an observer can see everything that takes place in both Upper and Lower Bay and spy on every vessel passing through the Narrows. With a powerful glass an

rrows. They found many such, but as was the case in Hoboken, the houses were as like as so many peas. In location or construction there was n

ng the slope. I suspect any observer would get as near to the water as he could and yet have suf

ildings were not so close together. There were more open spaces, more undeveloped s

ions than those so closely crowded togethe

earching examination as they took in the view. And so artfully was their work done that no one watching the eager grou

at was of a suspicious nature. There were no questionable wire clothes-lines, for here every one seemed to use cotton lines. No flagpoles rose aloft, up which antennas wires could be hoisted in the guise of halyards. No kites flew fr

slope of the hill was unbroken, just as human cheeks continue their uninterrupted slope from the forehead. Perched on this nose of land was an inconspicuous little house. As the surrounding land was too steep for habitation, this house stood by itself, the slope for many yards on either side being overgrown with bushes and under

the jutting nose of land gave an unobstructed outlook toward both Bays which could be had from no other location on the same level, while th

tructure before them. "I believe," said Willie, in the

lace from the other

rking their way to the other side of the little house. Everywhere except at the rear of the building, where the hill rose

ren't, anybody could sit in the front of the house and look in three directions

here our wireless p

uld get into the pl

secreted as the one in our rooms is, and you would never find it. But you would certainly alarm the people in the house, and the Chief warne

how are we going to know it unless

e intended to run down the Hoboken messages. This place is so much better for spy work, being near the forts as well as the waterways, that we'll drop Hoboken and centre our efforts here. But I don't know

retraced their steps. While Captain Hardy was speeding back to Manhattan to consult the secret service men, the two young scouts made their way to a turn of the road whence they could barely see a gable of the house on the cliff. They had

these protecting branches the two boys could move freely without fear of discovery. By mounting upward a little distance, they had a perfect view of

e," said Willie. "If we follow them on the road we could be seen a

invisible from below. A person walking along this road could easily follow one on the highway below without being

they might be able, if it became necessary, to make their way safely about the premises. But no one came to the hou

there was so much of real interest to see. So between glances at the home on the

ng the water before it in graceful waves. The passing steamers churned it into yeasty foam. Great sailing ships came surging in from the deeps, deck-laden with heavy cargoes, parting the water with their high bows, their sails bellying in the breeze and shining white in the sun. Tugs passed restlessly to and fro, dragging behind them long strings of coal barges. And once a great ocean

llie. "There's a

turn his head the f

Willie. "We're poor scouts

they would, they could see nothing further of a suspicious nature. Another hour passed. Dinner time had long gone by. The one o'clock whistle had blown. And their own stomachs told them accurately what time it w

great schooners. But presently they saw something like nothing they had ever beheld. Far in the distance was a line of moving objects, gliding through the waves in stately fashion, approaching one behind the other at equal distances. Just what was approaching the two scouts could not at first determine, so indistinct in outline were the moving bulks. But

tonishment. "Well, what in the misch

moment, becoming mo

ust be transports." He turned his head for a glance at the ho

window again. The boys kept their eyes fastened on the little house. For a long time nothing occurred. Then a grocer's boy came in sight, struggling up the highway with a basket of s

grocery boy

aid Willie. "I'll follow him when he

way above, and, screened by the shrubbery, followed on the higher level. A quarter mile toward the ferry the two highways came together. Willie reached the in

y soon entered a store. Willie had just time for a quick glance at the sign on the window. It read, "

od behind the counter. The errand boy was talki

for Mr. Baum's su

which he dropped in his pocket. Then he tur

lie. "I want five

said the grocer.

illie. "Where c

now," said

andy?" ask

In that

xamined the stock. "Give me ten cents' wort

umped it in a bag. He took the proffered di

the road and drew close to the curb. The driver turned his car about, clamped on the brake, and stepped out, leaving his engine running. Willie went on down the street and was soon in the midst of a throng coming up from the ferry. He stopped to look at a jeweler's clock, turned about, and started on his way to

nd he is going to arrange it so that we can watch

exclaimed Captain Hardy suddenly. "You boys haven't had

yourself?

omething if I had thought of it. We won't wait until we get home to eat.

y reached their headquarters. They were tired and sleepy. But their drowsiness vanished when Henry r

" he said, "and we dec

the message aloud. "Five more transports s

Willie. "We've been watching him all the afte

ry. "The detector points straight east over Brooklyn, and t