One of the Arabs he had despatched to bring up the two guards and the camels, left in the desert. When the caravan arrived, he would be able to get his medical and surgical supplies. Then he would see what further could be done. Possessed of a knowledge of rude surgery acquired in his out-of-the-way expeditions, Mr. Hampton was able to set broken limbs and perform minor operations, but trepanning was beyond him. Should that prove necessary, he would be helpless to aid the fallen man.
“We’re going to have a look at the Professor’s tent, Dad,” explained Jack, following his father’s remarks. “We’ll be back soon. Want to see what happened to his radio outfit, for one thing.”
Mr. Hampton nodded, and the boys trooped out at Ali’s heels. Three Arabs hunkered over the fire, for the night had turned chill, as it invariably does on the great desert. Beside them was the figure of the old woman. They were not speaking, but sat motionless, staring into the flames. The fourth man had gone for his two comrades left in charge of the camels.
Ali led the way into another tent. While the boys played their flashlights about the interior, he found and lighted an oil lamp, a shallow copper vessel with a spout that held a wick. When this was lighted, they examined the place more closely.
Smaller than Sheik Abraham’s tent, there was no dividing curtain, as here was no need for a selemlik. On two divans had slept the Professor and Ben Hassim. Everything was in wildest confusion. Three long narrow trunks were broken open and their contents of clothing, books, maps and scientific instruments were scattered about. These things the boys put aside for later inspection.
“Where was his radio?” asked Jack.
A cry from Bob answered.
“Look here, fellows,” called the big husky. “Smashed as if with an ax. A perfect ruin if ever I saw one.”
They hastened to his side. The broadcasting set which the boys had made themselves and which had been their gift to Professor Souchard, had been made to fit into one—the smallest—of the three shallow trunks. It had included a folding table on which it was to be mounted.
The table had been set up in one corner of the tent. Instead of dry cells, the current was supplied by a motor. Everything had been properly set up in the method into which the boys had drilled the Professor. The key had been screwed to the middle of the table and near the front edge. Back of it had been placed the high tension condenser, with the oscillation transformer still farther in the rear. To the left of the oscillation transformer had been placed the alternating current transformer and in front of it was the quenched gap.