Even though the table and its contents had been smashed, as if with an ax, this much could be seen. Doubtless, too, the wiring had been done according to directions. Otherwise, the Professor would not have been able, of course, to communicate with Frank. But the wrecking of the station had been so thoroughly carried out that it was impossible to tell.
Where the wires from the motor had been connected with a single-throw, double-pole switch, which in turn was connected with the primary coil of the alternating power transformer and with one post of the key, the other post of which was connected with the switch, there was now only a mass of tangled and chopped wires. As for the connections between the motor of the rotary spark gap to the power circuit, and between the secondary coil, the quenched spark gap, the condenser and the primary coil of the oscillation transformer, thus completing the closed oscillation circuit, they too, were a tangled mess.
The telephone instrument wired as an alternative to the key, thus permitting the sending either of telegraph or conversation, had been ripped away and ground into the hard-packed earth of the floor. At first it could not be found, but Frank stubbed a foot against it finally.
The three boys looked at each other, while Ali stood to one side.
“If you can make anything out of that, you fellows,” said Bob, “you’ll be going some. That’s all I can say.”
Jack shook his head dubiously.
“Oh, come,” expostulated Frank, who never liked to take a dare, and this looked like a dare to him, “give me time and I’ll have that fixed up. We’ve got all sorts of radio supplies in our luggage, you know, and as long as the motor hasn’t been wrecked we can fix this up. I’ll bet on it.”
The motor had not been subject to the general attack, as a matter of fact. Standing below the table, perhaps it had been overlooked. At Frank’s words, therefore, the others nodded.
“That’s right, old thing,” said Jack, slapping him on the back. “We’ll pitch in on this tomorrow, and we’ll have it fixed up in no time. That is,” he added, pausing, “if something else doesn’t come up for us to do, like——”
“Like what?” demanded Bob.