Mart began to investigate feverishly, but Bob stood transfixed as he finally realized what this destruction portended. Then, as he gazed down at the kneeling figure of his chum, his face flooded with anger and he turned and went out to the forward end of the bridge. The Kanakas were lolling below in the sun, and Bob woke them sharply.
"Call all hands and send Mr. Smith here."
At the unwonted note of authority in his voice, the Kanakas jumped. Five minutes later the whole crew poured up, thronging the foredeck, while old Jerry came up to the bridge in mild astonishment.
"Come back here," ordered Bob briefly, in reply to his queries, and led the old quartermaster hack to the wireless house.
"Now, Jerry," he said, "last night someone broke in there and went through the wireless outfit with an axe. How about it, Mart! Much damaged?"
"Clean smashed up, Holly," groaned Mart from his position beside the cabinet, where he was investigating the helix. "Everything's busted. She's ruined."
"Get to work, Jerry," commanded Bob curtly. "You're responsible. Now find out who did it—"
"How do you know it was done last night, lads?" inquired Jerry softly. "When was you up here last, if I may ask?"
Bob glanced at Mart, who was rising. They found that neither of them had been up since early the previous morning when Mart had sent a message through the Nederland boat. At this Jerry suggested that one of the Malays had possibly stolen up while their prau was waiting alongside for the captain, the day before, and had stolen what he could find. The Malays had a fondness for wire, he went on to say.
"Mebbe," said Mart suspiciously. "You get busy and investigate here first. I don't take much stock in your suggestions."