“It is not the work of the Fiend,” said he, “but a great discovery of which the whole world rings. The Holy Father at Rome himself has manifested an interest in it, and it is but a development of the wireless telegraph which a good son of Holy Church, Signor Marconi, earlier invented.”
“Ah,”
Brother Gregorio’s face cleared. Then eager interest shown in his eyes.
“Tell me about it,” he begged.
Jack at once launched into an explanation. He had with him, in his baggage, moreover, several textbooks of radio. These he produced, and pressed upon Brother Gregorio, whose knowledge of English would make it possible for him to study them.
“Best of all, though,” added Jack, “we have our field outfit of generator, tubes, spark coils, batteries and wire with us.”
“With that device of yours, Jack, you won’t need an aerial,” said Frank. “You can hook in on the electric light socket.”
“Righto,” said Jack. “That makes it easier.”
The monastery had its own electric light and power plant, turbines utilizing the power generated by a nearby waterfall in the mountains. The device referred to by Frank was a plug to be inserted in the ordinary electric light socket, from which wires led to the aerial post of the instrument. This plug was so constructed that the alternating current, fatal to the instrument, did not pass through it. Thus the electric wiring of the house could be employed as aerial. No antenna and no clumsy lead-in was necessary.
“Look here,” said Jack, “Dad has a good receiving outfit with him I know. He has packed it with him throughout the trip, and has taken precious good care of it, too. He and Ferd’s father are in with Father Felipe at this time. Just excuse me, and I’ll be right back. We ought to be able to make use of that outfit right now.”