The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-12-15

fact dawned on Matt that Schwartz was no seaman at all. but landsman masQuerading as the master of the ves- sel. Was it possible that they were prisoners on this singular ship-com fortable, we'll fed, politely treated pris- oners?
 To increase Matt's misgivings, Chris who was a lighter sleeper than him. self, had been hearing "noises" in the middle of the night She described them as funny, snapping sounds" that commenced after Schwartz had passed their door and looked in. as though to assure himself that they were asleep. She was so positive of this that Matt determined to stay awake one night and see and hear for himself. If. it were fancy on Chris part the sooner she was undeceived the better, for she was nervous and frightened and had moments of passionately wishing they had never set foot on the Esm meralda.
 Midnight struck-eight bells. Half after midnight-one bell. One o'clock two bells. Half after 1-three bells. He grew drowsier and drowsier. Sud denly Chris clutched him.
 He's coming.' she whispored. ''Iatt, he's coning-I heard the door"
 Matt held his breath. Schwartz was tiptoeing past their door. No, not past 1t, for the man stopped on his way and cast quick glance within. He was in his pajamas. His face was study of furtiveness and caution. Then he tiptoed on and was seen no more.
 Didn't I tell you?" murmured Chris. ''In moment the noises will begin.''
 ''Sh-h-h!'' returned Matt. "Sh-h-"'
 It was more than a moment. how ever, before the quiet was disturbed.
 There. therep' exclaimed Chris.
 A peculiar jarring sound became faintly audible, as though some ma chinery had been set in motion. But it was too irregular for machinery and had an indescribable thrilling quality that Matt was at loss to ac- count for. The cabin shivered with it. It was as fine as the lash of a whip and as vicious, as it seemed to sting the air. Matt Ieaped from the bunk, despite Chris entreaties. By George, he was going to see what it was! Follow Schwartz and find out.
 It was an astonishing sight that met his gaze. Forward of the foremast was sort of hut constructed of mat tresses, forming windbreak or shield, open only to the fo'castle. Within it, seated on box, was Herman, bent over an apparatus and causing it by means of small brass handle to emit that astounding buzzing as well as an incessant sputter of sparks and fash es. There was no listlessness now in that gawky youth. His expression was keen; his hand moved the key with lightning precision; he had an unmistakable air of mastery and skill as of a man engaged in something he exceHed in.
 Wireless! Of course it was the wire less. Matt had read of it, but had nev- CT seen it before in action. Zi-si- zizizizi- zf zi! The brass lev CT darted up and down, fingered and snapped amid a splutter of spaEks and flashes; the captain, holding q sheaf of papers with his thumb, reeled off sen tence after sentence in a low, vibrant voice; the lantern light fickered over the yellow sheets, over Herman's bent head encased in a curious harness, over the gleaming apparatus. Occa- siOna1ly Schwartz was warned to stop. The machine no longer transmitting, would receive. Zi, ziZi, Zi-Zi-zfZf-w1th this time Herman repeating, word by word, the message thus mysteriously caught from space, while Schwartz listened dark1y, with preoccupat1on, seeing the unseen, weighing and un- derstanding what was being told him.
 Matt returned as he had come, more concerned than ever not to betray him. self. The discovery had daunted him; he was in the grip of terror. He was so agitated that he could scarcely speak, as Chris, on guard at the door, shut it behind him and breathlessly asked what he had seen.
 They're working wireless appara- tus,'' he answered.
 Wireless, Matt! You don't mean a wireless telegraph|
 ''Yes. Her1nan's operating it, and Schwartz is sending messa ges.'
 F'You actually saw them7'
 "Yes, inside lot of mattresses by the foremast to deaden the sound, of I-T III - II