Interest in the reëstablishment of the wireless apparatus, even though it was only temporarily repaired, and anxiety to know when some of the messages sent off into space would be answered kept every one on board the Sherman keyed up to the highest pitch. They were all under a heavy strain.
But as hour after hour passed, and no good news came, faces that had taken on looks of hope began to lose them. The time came for the man who had talked to the Motor Boys to go back on duty.
“Well, here’s for another try,” he said, with a weary smile, as he entered the cabin.
Having nothing better to do, Ned, Bob, and Jerry remained as close as possible to the wireless room. They wanted to know, as soon as might be, if any help was on the way.
It was about an hour after George Hardy, the wireless man who had talked to the three friends, had gone on duty for his second shift since the repair of the apparatus, that he came out of the wireless room with a despairing look on his face.
“What’s the matter?” asked Jerry quickly.
“It’s all up!” was the answer.
“All up! What do you mean?”
“Apparatus all burned out,” Hardy went on. “We tried to the limit of the power, and the whole business has gone bluey. Can’t get another spark out of her.”
“Whew!” whistled Ned, and the faces of Bob and Jerry, as well as those of others who heard the bad news, took on an added look of care and anxiety.