"But I repeat we mustn't linger," said Wharton. "Suppose we hold our automatics ready and slip out."
"Suits me," said John, and he cautiously unlocked the door. The three with their hands on their weapons stepped into the hall, where they noticed the faint glimmer of light, of which Carstairs had spoken. They stood there silently for a moment or two, pressing themselves against the wall, where they would be in the shadow.
"I think the light comes from above," said Carstairs. "You'll notice that the little stairway leads upward, apparently to the roof."
Wharton held up his hand, and the three were so still they scarcely breathed.
"Don't you hear it?" whispered Wharton. "That sound from the roof, the sputtering and crackling."
"I do hear it," said John, listening with all ears. "It's a faint sound, almost like the light crackling of fire. What does it mean Wharton?"
"The wireless."
"The wireless?"
"Yes, while we were sleeping the Germans were installing a wireless outfit on the roof, and it's talking. I tell you, boys, it's talking at a great rate, and it's saying something. You mayn't have noticed it, but the château stands on a hill, with a clear sweep, and our wireless here is having a big talk with distant stations. We've been sleeping, but the Germans never sleep."
"I suppose you know what you're talking about, Wharton, and you're sure it's a wireless outfit," said John.