As he entered the office, he thought of Mr. King’s keys and handed them to their owner. Then he got busy with his wireless set. Before night he had it installed, with a long, single-wire aerial on the roof, and his lead-in wire running to an inner room not visible from the Special Agent’s office. Willie tested the outfit and found it worked satisfactorily, but he did not remain after office hours to try it further. Instead, he hustled out to buy a few little things he needed to improve his outfit—a new detector, some additional wire, and a few other trifles.
Very early next morning he was on hand, and he had all his adjustments made before the time came for Willie to be at his desk. The instant the clock struck twelve he rushed out to luncheon, got a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and hurried back to use his wireless. He glanced into the Special Agent’s room. Mr. King was still at his desk. His back was turned and he did not see Willie. The clock showed that Willie had been gone only fifteen minutes.
“I’ll have forty-five minutes,” thought Willie. “Maybe I can get in touch with some of the fellows at home. I’m sure the battery will carry far enough, and some of the boys might be listening in during the noon hour, the way we used to do.”
He went into the inner room, closed the door, and for three-quarters of an hour tried to call his friends at Central City. Over and over again he flashed out the signals CBWC—CBWC—CBWC—de CBM—CBM—CBM. But he flashed it in vain. No answering signal came to him.
At one o’clock he went to his desk. Mr. Somers, the head clerk, was just entering the office. One by one, the other assistants came in. Then the Special Agent returned to his desk. A few moments later the buzzer rang briskly. Willie sprang to answer.
“Send Mr. Somers here,” said the Special Agent so sharply that Willie was surprised. He had never heard his boss use that tone before.
Mr. Somers came at the call. “Shut the door,” he heard Mr. King say, as Mr. Somers entered the inner office. A few moments later Mr. Somers came out, looking grave.
Again the buzzer sounded. “Send Mr. Rawley,” ordered the Treasury Agent.
Mr. Rawley came and was succeeded by Mr. Finn. Others followed him. Presently every employee in the Special Agent’s office had been closeted with Mr. King. Willie wondered what was afoot. Once more the buzzer rang. Willie promptly answered the summons.
“What time did you leave this office to get your luncheon?” asked Mr. King sharply.