“Of course I’m thinking about it. You said you wanted help.”
“Well, bless my stars!” cried the commander. “Let’s hear all about it. How is the Navy Yard wireless to help us catch the Orient?” He was laughing good-naturedly, but he began to look interested as Henry unfolded his plan.
“Why couldn’t the Navy Yard sound the Orient’s call and keep on sending at intervals, whether she answered or not?”
“Doubtless the Navy Yard could, but what good would it do?”
“Why, sooner or later curiosity would get the better of the Orient’s operator and he’d answer.”
“By George! He might. And what then?”
“Ask him some question that he would be likely to answer.”
“What, for instance?”
“Well, if you asked if the Orient had seen anything of some long-overdue steamer that sails the same waters the Orient does, wouldn’t he answer that? There is certainly nothing in such a request that would arouse suspicion.”
“That might work,” said the captain thoughtfully. “It’s a thing that’s often done. And the Navy Yard could call other boats far away from the Orient and ask the same question. That would make it even less suspicious. Yes, I believe that would work. The question is, ‘Are there any boats that sail to southern waters that are now overdue?’” The captain paused in thought. “I believe there are two,” he continued. “If we got the Orient, we could ask her position. It wouldn’t matter whether she gave it correctly or not. It would keep her wireless going and give us more time to get a good compass bearing. I believe we’ll try it.”